An NBA great uncovers why LeBron James doesn’t earn the ultimate basketball accolade.
LeBron James, a remarkable force in basketball, continues to dazzle on the court for the Los Angeles Lakers, recently surpassing the 40,000 career points milestone.
Despite his phenomenal achievements and age-defying performance, the debate rages on about the greatest basketball player of all time, with Michael Jordan often securing the top spot due to his extraordinary achievements with the Chicago Bulls. Kobe Bryant, another Lakers icon, also frequently enters this conversation.
This perennial debate engages fans, commentators, and past players alike, each sharing their perspective on the matter. Shaquille O’Neal, a luminary in NBA and Lakers history, has weighed in, offering his view on why James falls short of Jordan and Bryant’s legacy.
“I’ve heard players say, including myself, ‘I feared Mike’. I’ve never really heard any players say that they fear LeBron. I never heard anybody say it,” O’Neal said on The Big Pod with Shaq
O’Neal points to a certain aura of intimidation that Jordan, in particular, commanded on the court — an aura that often left opponents diminished in confidence.
According to Shaq, James’s approachable and amiable nature, although not detracting from his respect and fear among players, doesn’t quite match the intense psychological impact Jordan and Bryant wielded.
Yet, even with varied opinions, James’s place among basketball’s elite is indisputable. Shaq acknowledges this, as do basketball aficionados globally. While the debate over the true GOAT persists, James undoubtedly remains a formidable contender in the conversation.
