Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 3. LeBron James
I’ve traditionally been “set and forget at No. 1” when it comes to LeBron James. He is quite possibly the greatest player in NBA history. He is absurdly good, and the Lakers’ first-round, seventh-seed exit in the playoffs was in no way a reflection of LeBron and his aptitude as a player. That said, we are — you guessed it — splitting hairs.
James has now been significantly injured a couple times in the past few years. He hasn’t been the outright best regular season player in a while. That’s fine — James doesn’t really need to go 100 percent in the regular season — but with LA not at the mountaintop, and Father Time finally leaving the slightest chink in James’ armor, it’s fair to slot him below the No. 1 spot. He just wasn’t the NBA’s best player last season, and while he no doubt has the capacity to be the NBA’s best player on a given night, how frequently can we expect it in 2021-22?
There’s a very good chance LeBron makes me eat my words and wins another championship in 2022. That’s on the table, and James is good enough to make me eat my words without another championship. Even at age 36, he can physically outmatch just about anyone, and his basketball I.Q. is never in doubt.
In 45 games last season, James averaged 25.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. He was the MVP favorite for a few weeks early in the season, but injuries unfortunately got in the way. He place on this list is not meant as a slight, or some backhanded criticism. LeBron is incomprehensibly good. We’re just reaching the point in his career where he doesn’t feel quite as immortal.