LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes of our generation. He is an exemplary model, a pillar to the community for his play on the field and off. Despite all of this, James has sufficed a lot of criticism from both the media and fans since entering the NBA right out of high school. It is fair to say that he has surpassed expectations as a role model and as a brilliant basketball player.
A question still lingers in the background about what he does to others, specifically as a team. Does he make others sacrifice? Does he make his teammates better?
Does he, in fact, make them worse?
Sacrifice
For example, some players have been able to thrive and play better after leaving Lebron with players like Kyrie Irving, who is having a stellar season leading the Boston Celtics to one of the top spots in the East. Andrew Wiggins also has played better without Lebron after being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The truth of the matter is that yes, LeBron does make other members make sacrifices to be able to play with him. Any member that chooses to play with him will have to sacrifice and change their game to play alongside James. Others will not be the number one option either playing with him because of how ball dominant 'The king' is.
He controls the ball.
Additionally, he steals the spotlight from others being the player that he is, he will always be in the media. When playing with LeBron, each player has their own role or part to play. Doing that does, in fact, limit other's abilities or full potential.
LeBron's season
Although he makes other's sacrifice on and off the field, he is the best player in the world.
That will happen when a player is one of the best in the league, if not the best.
LeBron is in his 15th season, and he has been terrific all year putting up career bests in overall field goal percentage and from the three-point line. The 6'8 250 pound forward is averaging 26 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds on the season from statistics provided by the ESPN database.
Also, he's shooting 54% overall and 36% from the three-point line, which is both some of his best yet. He also takes care of himself and is one of the most reliable in the league.
Although, his one weakness is shooting from the free throw line with a percentage of about 74%. His tough defense can also be more frequent because he tends to take some breaks. What people forget is that the man is human and he's not perfect. But he does so many things right on the court in sharing the ball, scoring, and rebounding. And he has an innate ability to stand by his team and lead.
Mindset
My other big issue with LeBron James would have to be that a lot of time he needs help to win games or championships.
Now I know that one person can't do it all, but LeBron sometimes can disappear in moments at games. An example can be the Finals last year when Kevin Durant, despite his decision to join the Warriors, and came up clutch against LeBron to win the game and ultimately the championship. He also can be more aggressive in big moments too.
Now, LeBron did play phenomenal in the Finals, and there is only so much that he can do, but he does tend to disappear. He is also not a cold-blooded shooter like Durant is in the league. Or even Klay Thompson, James Harden, or Steph Curry who can pull up and shoot from anywhere on the floor.
However, his greatest strength is his mind that he uses to break opponents.
He plays the game right just like other playmakers in the league, but better. With a Finals record of 3-5 though, he will be looking to win and solidify his career by either leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers or choosing to stay. But the question of if he makes others sacrifice and limit their abilities is yes, but that is what is going to happen when it comes to a player like LeBron James because ultimately the team will win championships behind him.
The positives greatly overcome the negatives. A nitpick here, and there does not make LeBron selfish by any means. Almost anyone would want to play alongside him, despite him making others sacrifice or limit their full potential. He shares the ball giving the team the best chance to win night in and night out.
