Nor is it a secret that one of the great objectives of LeBron James is to end your NBA career when you have achieved, almost unanimously, being recognized as the best player of all time. For many it already is, but others do not have the same opinion and still have Michael Jordan, a large majority, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar among the true GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) above that of the Lakers.
Asked about this universal debate, a character with a lot of voice in the current NBA as he is Shaquille O’Neal, resigned to participate due to his relationship with those involved, but did not hesitate to give the clue why, according to him, the discussion would be settled immediately.
“I don’t like to talk about this because I know everyone who is involved in the debate, but I think it’s on LeBron’s mind to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as NBA’s best scorer in history. And if he does, then he’ll shut us all up. “
In addition to their friendship relationship, Shaq came to play with LeBron after being traded to Cleveland by the Phoenix Suns in 2009. The center was ready to help James that year, but things didn’t go well for the Cavs.
“He’s a great player and a great friend. The first thing I thought when I was traded to Cleveland was: Okay, a ring for the King“.
Shaq is convinced that LeBron will eventually surpass Kareem in points scored in the NBA, and when that happens, the GOAT debate will be over. Abdul-Jabbar finished his long career with 38,387 points and James is in third position just over 3,000 (35,367). Last year, with fewer games on the calendar and his injuries, the Lakers signed 1,126 points, but in a normal season it can exceed 1,500. In other words, in two more years, Abdul-Jabbar’s throne will be history.
“It will have at least four rings. He has surpassed Kobe and Mike in points and now he goes for Kareem. If that doesn’t make him the greatest ever, I don’t know what the hell we’re talking about. It was always Mike or Kobe, and now it’s LeBron. “
Of course, if on the way to surpass the legendary Lakers center win another championship, the arguments to proclaim him the best of always will accumulate and it will be difficult to demolish that idea, almost impossible. If you extend your dominance for a couple more seasons, the debate will be over.
