The GOAT debate once again
THE debate has been resurrected.
Who is the GOAT, Michael Jordan or LeBron James?
With James nabbing his fourth Finals MVP in the just ended NBA title clash that saw the Lakers score a 4-2 win over the Heat, Jordan being the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) is being challenged again.
In the Lakers’ 17th title victory that tied Los Angeles with Boston in the all-time crowns won, James was simply spectacular.
His series- long consistency keyed James’ fourth straight MVP triumph, overhauling Anthony Davis’ early lead in the MVP derby.
After scoring 34 and 32 points, respectively, in the Lakers’ first two wins, Davis was limited to 15 points in the Heat’s Game 3 victory—hobbled mainly by foul trouble and unable to solve a double-team on him all throughout.
But James, as in practically all his Finals outings, was unrelentingly vicious, unleashing almost a triple-double in every game of the 2020 title
playoffs.
Stung by a 40-point losing effort in an anticipated Game 5 clincher, James jangled 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in the 106-93 titleclincher in Game 6 for his 11th triple-double in a final. His six-game Finals game-average this year of 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists is yet another NBA record.
With his fourth Finals MVP, James became the first to do it with three different teams—two with Miami in 2012 and 2013 and one with Cleveland in 2016.
Those with three Finals MVPs were Magic Johnson, Shaq O’Neal and Tim Duncan.
Jordan holds the all-time record of six MVPs, a perspicacious fact that, to Jordan diehards, somehow mutes the impact of James’ four.
But James’ fans argue that Jordan won his six trophies under one coach, one system and with practically the same teammates.
Bill Plaschke, the revered Los Angeles Times’ sports columnist, said those were factors that greatly aided Jordan’s quest for glory.
In contrast, James achieved his four MVPs under three coaches, with different systems and an assortment of teammates.
Amid the discussions, James issued a calming effect: “You guys know how much I love Michael Jordan. I wear No. 23 (Jordan’s number) because of Michael Jordan.”
An MVP statement?
No doubt.