LeBron James or King James as he is known to most around the world is arguably the greatest Basketball player that has walked the earth. Most would probably say Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time or G.O.A.T. and most would probably be right. Jordan had six finals wins with six finals MVPs and never saw a game seven in the NBA finals. Jordan was the epitome of clutch and had a look in his eye that said, get out my way! I’m here to make a case for LeBron to be the GOAT.
LeBron James was born in Akron Ohio. He came from a rough neighbourhood and has credited basketball many times for saving him from a very different path in life. He attended St. Vincent-St. Mary high school where he was quickly identified as one of the best up and coming basketball players in America and most likely next in line to MJ’s thrown.
In 2003, he was drafted as the first pick in the NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the 2003-2004 season, he was named Rookie of the year and this was just the start of his accomplishments in basketball. He went on to win league MVP in 2009 and 2010 but failed to win a championship with Cleveland and as such decided to take his talents to Miami, where he joined the Heat. James won two NBA championships with the Heat before returning home to Cleveland where he won another title and Cleveland’s first in 50 years. LeBron went to the NBA finals 9 times winning three times and missing 6 occasions. Some people think that is what disqualifies him from being the GOAT but with eight straight finals appearances and also being able to take down probably the greatest team ever assembled, I beg to differ. His last Championship win was against the Golden State Warriors, a team considered by many to be the greatest of all time. He led Cleveland to victory from three games to one down to win the NBA finals, a feat that had never been done before. I could list all the achievements in his illustrious career but we’d be here all day!
Rather than him, being the GOAT for his on-court achievements my argument is that those combined with his off-court achievements make him great. He has been with his wife Savannah since he left high school and has three children with her. This isn’t an achievement but when you consider the womanizing and general bad behaviour associated with professional athletes, I think he is a role model for all athletes. Not one story of infidelity or wild behaviour or drugs throughout his entire 17-year career in the NBA.
LeBron is also an activist. He is active in his community and is focused on uplifting black people from impoverished communities. He started the, “I Promise School,” in 2017. A school that helps struggling students stay in school to get the best education possible. James said it was one of his most important accomplishments in his career. James has also won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for great service and dedication to the community. He also supports a range of charities and organizations most of which help children in bad situations as he was in. James is using basketball to make the world a better place and uplift future generations. He truly is the role model we can all aspire to be. He’s taken something he does well and used it to make the lives of others better. There is an unselfishness in him that is lacking in most people.
LeBron is more than just a basketball player and I believe in time he will go down in history as one of the best people to have walked this earth not only for his basketball achievements but also as an activist, a father and a husband. James is a leader on the court and leads by example off the court and he may not be the GOAT on the court, to me he is the G.H.O.A.T. The Greatest Human of All Time!
