When people debate the greatest players of all time and where exactly they deserve to rank, the number of championships they won is often a major factor. That is especially true in the NBA, where winning it all seems to validate and accentuate one’s greatness.
Many consider Lebron James to be one of the two or three greatest players in basketball history. But those who have him lower on their list cite his 4-6 record in the NBA Finals and the fact that men such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant won more rings. Jordan, in particular, is lauded for having never lost in the championship series, and many still consider him the greatest of all time.
On a recent episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast, which he co-hosts with Steve Nash, James decried the fact that great players in sports are ultimately judged by how many championships they won.
“I don’t know why it’s discussed so much in our sport and why it’s the end-all, be-all of everything,” said James. “You sit here and tell me Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley and Steve Nash wasn’t [expletive] unbelievable? They can’t be talked about or discussed with these guys because this guy won one ring or won two rings? It’s just weird to me. It’s like saying Peyton Manning can’t be in the same room with [Tom] Brady or [Patrick] Mahomes because he only has one ring (Manning actually won two Super Bowl championships). They don’t ever discuss that in their sport. Or telling me Dan Marino is not the greatest slinger of all time or he can’t be in the room with those guys because he didn’t win a championship. They don’t discuss those things. … Barry Bonds never won a World Series, and you can’t sit here and tell me that he’s not the greatest baseball player to ever touch a bat.”
Judging by the responses to the video on X (formerly known as Twitter), many think James is rationalizing the fact that he has come up short many times when a championship was at stake. According to some fans, this is an attempt by him to control the narrative about his career.
At the same time, others would likely defend James and say it is unfair to give a great athlete in a team sport demerits for not winning championships since doing so is dependent on other players, as well as factors beyond the great athlete’s control.
Regardless, James can still add to his ring collection now that Luka Doncic is by his side. The 40-year-old seemed to confirm he will be in uniform this fall for his 23rd NBA season, and in the coming weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers could very well acquire the missing piece or two they need to become legitimate championship contenders.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: LeBron James decries the ‘ring culture’ in the NBA
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
