LeBron James has done it all in his career – he’s won multiple MVPs, multiple championships, multiple Finals MVPs, scoring titles, multiple Olympic gold medals… the list goes on and on and on. You’d think he’d begin to slow down with age, but, as evident as it was on Thursday night when James put up 43 points, 14 assists and 8 rebounds in the Cavs Game 2 128-110 victory over the Toronto Raptors, James is still the best player in the NBA and here’s why.
Nobody does more with less.
James Harden has Chris Paul. Steph Curry has Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. DeMar DeRozan has Kyle Lowry. Meanwhile, LeBron’s working with one of the worst supporting casts in the NBA.
Kevin Love is a shell of his former self (despite an excellent Game 2) and quite literally everybody else – Jeff Green, Jordan Clarkson, George Hill, Rodney Hood, Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith – can’t be counted on. They’re the streakiest team in the NBA with the only consistency coming from James.
If LeBron can beat the Raptors and somehow make it out of Round 3 as well, it will be a miracle with this roster. But, LeBron lives for miracles.
He becomes unconscious in the playoffs.
You’d think LeBron would slow down at 33-year-old and in his 14th NBA season. That hasn’t happened. Instead, James is having one of his best postseasons ever.
James’ 34.4 points per game average are nearly seven points higher than his season average and the second-highest of his NBA postseason career. It’s also the highest mark in nearly a decade.
Coach Ty Lue has also not given LeBron any time to breath as he’s played a postseason high 41.8 minutes per game. Despite getting little rest, LeBron has already scored 40 points in a single game four times in nine games. He’s also put up gaudy rebounding and assist numbers.
When you think it’s ready to move on from the discussion, he continues to wow.
At this point, we seriously need to question if LeBron is a human being. Because this man has been an absolute beast for a decade and a half. I can’t think of another example of a player who plays so physically and continues to just toy with opponents.
LeBron is still the best player in the NBA. In fact, he’s probably the best player of all-time. His non-stop dominating in the postseason is something to behold as the Cleveland Cavaliers are solely dependent on him. If James can will his way to another title with his current roster, the discussion of who’s the GOAT is over. LeBron’s done more than enough to prove he’s in a class of his own.
