I mean, I’m just at a loss for words, I think. I’ve made it clear that I’m legally not allowed to like LeBron James for what he did to Jason Terry all those years ago, so when I give LeBron praise, you know that it is the highest of compliments. What LeBron has been able to do not just this season or last, but his entire career is nothing short of amazing. People retire well before year 18 in a sport, and LeBron is leading the entire league in the MVP award races. Through 10 games, LeBron is averaging 24.6/8.4/7.8 a game, on 48/36/73 shooting splits. I’ve seen some Laker games this season, and I think that the league is in trouble. LeBron isn’t putting up 38/12/10 a game to win. To be honest, it kind of feels like he’s just coasting. Not to say that he’s slouching or anything of the sort, obviously LeBron can flip a switch and be the best basketball player on the planet. I just mean, I don’t think is even close to what he can do at 100%.
Lets not forget that last year, LeBron won his fourth NBA Championship, and fourth Finals MVP award. The Lakers, along with the Heat, only had about 70 days to relax before this season started, and LeBron is back to MVP level play. I have stated before that I think LeBron will win the MVP this year, and he is living up to that expectation. Without a doubt, in year 17 last year, LeBron put up one of his best statistical seasons ever, and he was 2nd in MVP voting. The NBA, the media, and the fans will not allow for LeBron to NOT win the award this year. The Lakers look amazing, and he is very much at the helm of that ship.
It isn’t a secret that LeBron has lost a step from his Miami Heat days. I’ve been on record saying that the 2012-2013 version of LeBron may very well be the best basketball player I have ever seen. His athleticism has taken a step back since then, but that’s only natural . What he has lost in athleticism, he has made up for in shooting and basketball IQ. Not to mention that he has taken his playmaking abilities to a new level, leading the league in assists last year. I’ve doubted LeBron in the past, wondering if he’ll be able to continue the success that he’s had his whole career. I start to speculate when he will start to slow down, and then that very year he puts up 27/9/7, so I will absolutely not do that again. I’ll see it when I see it. I do think, at this rate, I won’t see that until we start a colony on Mars.
LeBron has been doing this since 2003. Just for some perspective, in 2003 George W. Bush was President, Apple just launched iTunes, “In da Club” by 50 Cent was at the top of the charts, and Finding Nemo hit theaters. Needless to say, LeBron has been here for a long time. Year after year, season after season, game after game, he just stays the course. Right now, he’s averaging the least amount of points per game he’s produced since his rookie season. Even if he keeps this pace, the Lakers are still going to be the favorite to win the title because of how well he leads the team.
Everyone sort of speculates that LeBron is holding out to play with his son, Bronny, one day in the league. I’m guessing that the presumed plan is to sign a one year deal with whatever team Bronny gets drafted to, play with his son, and ride off into the sunset. After last year, and the start to this season, I am convinced that LeBron can play for another 14 years. LeBron puts so much money and effort in keeping his body in tip-top shape, and that is why he’s been able to be at the top of the game for so long. With modern medicine and technology, players come back faster from injury, and they are able to play longer than past generations, and LeBron has taken full advantage of that.
LeBron looks good; he looks great even. MVP caliber LeBron is back (as if he ever left,) and we should all be here to appreciate it. One day, LeBron will hit the dusty trail, and he won’t play basketball anymore. He’ll move on to something new, and watch his son light up the league just like he used to. We should appreciate his greatness while he’s still around. I picked something up from Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes on their “All the Smoke” podcast, which you can find here; that we should give people their roses while they’re still with us on Earth. We’ve had legends taken from us before, but the one that hit us all the most was the passing of Kobe Bryant. Respect the game that these players put on the court every night. Appreciate LeBron while he’s still here to entertain us. I know I will.
Round The Game 
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