Some people think LeBron James is already the greatest player in NBA history. Others think he is second or third on the list of the greatest players ever, and some think he ranks significantly lower.
Regardless of where he objectively ranks, his career isn’t over yet. He’s still putting up impressive numbers this season, and there are those who believe the Los Angeles Lakers could make an unexpectedly deep run in this year’s playoffs.
Former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce, who was once one of James’ biggest rivals, thinks if the 39-year-old wins this year’s NBA championship, it would mean he would be the undisputed greatest player ever.
Pierce’s reasoning is that James would have a comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors and a ring as a very low seed on his resume.
"This will be LeBron's greatest feat…He will become the GOAT of all GOATs."@PaulPierce34 on what 5th championship would mean for LeBron at age 39 pic.twitter.com/J5LMgP9zS0
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) March 29, 2024
Last season, the Lakers went to the Western Conference finals as the Western Conference’s seventh seed. If they win the world title this season, they would have to overcome very stiff competition, beginning in the play-in tournament.
That would mean getting past the defending champion Denver Nuggets, whom L.A. simply doesn’t seem able to beat.
But if the team were to down Nikola Jokic and company and finish the job in the NBA Finals, it would certainly be yet another notch on James’ belt.