It’s Put Up or Shut Up Time For LeBron

As everyone knows, LeBron is an extraordinary basketball player. But perhaps equally as extraordinary is his uncanny ability to cause controversy. Just the other day, in a snippet of his HBO special, he proclaimed that the 2016 title win over the Golden State Warriors made him the greatest of all time. Of course, this statement re-ignited the GOAT debate.

Now, there is no question that LeBron’s achievement in 2016 was one of the greatest achievements in the history of the sport. With the help of Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson (and admittedly probably a G5 Draymond suspension), LeBron led the charge in a 3-1 comeback that granted the city of Cleveland its first major title in over half a century. Some may even say that lone accomplishment was greater than what some others did for their entire careers. But if there’s one thing LeBron doesn’t have, its universal validation.

In spite of that historic accomplishment, LeBron’s finals record still stands at 3-6. No matter what context you look at it in, or no matter how great or little the help he had in the Finals, that record does not look good. Now of course, there is more to greatness than Finals record, but the fact is LeBron has lost 66% of the Finals he’s competed in. He can’t expect to be universally accepeted as the greatest ever with that stain on his resume. But maybe there is something that he can do that would change people’s minds. Bringing a title to LA with this squad.

If LeBron can look back on his career and say he won titles for Miami, Los Angeles and Cleveland, that would certainly do wonders for his legacy, would it not? If you ask most people, LeBron is top 3 all time at worst. But for others who feel his Finals record prevents him from being in that tier, he has plenty of work to do.

If LeBron believes he’s the greatest of all time, no one should be mad at him. But for LeBron, it’s time to do what GOAT’s do. Win. There’s only so many high level years of basketball he has left. He can’t afford to waste time and live with moral victories.

The GOAT debate has, and will remain a subjective one. There’s no right or wrong answer. If winning is the name of the game, Russell, Jordan and Kareem would be at the top. If it’s scoring, MJ and Kobe are there. If it’s loyalty, Duncan is included. Physical dominance? Shaq hands down. Individual value? LeBron. Whatever your choice, LeBron’s words shouldn’t upset anybody.

But within his own psyche should come with the desire to win. And with LA’s young crew failing to hold the fort in his absence, the clock is ticking. Time to show why we should believe you’re the GOAT, LeBron.