We are already approaching the halfway point of the NBA season, with the All-Star Game just over a month away. So far, the Cleveland Cavaliers (33-5) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (32-6) are dominating their respective conferences. They met in Cleveland last week, with the Cavs coming out on top in what could have been the game of the season so far. However, the rematch is set for this Thursday, January 16, at the Thunder’s arena. Both teams are on pace to win 70 games this season, a feat only two teams in history have accomplished: the 1996 Bulls (72-10) and the 2016 Warriors (73-9). Can either team become the third to reach the milestone?
By comparison, this season, at age 40, LeBron is averaging 23.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.8 assists while shooting 50.7% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range. In contrast, Jordan averaged 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 44.5% from the field and 29.1% from three in his final season with Washington. The difference? Jordan had two retirements, spent four seasons out of the league, and took extended breaks, while LeBron has played 22 consecutive years without stopping. He’s likely to play at least one more season, as he’s under contract for next year. And let’s be honest he’s not leaving the NBA without a farewell tour, much like Jordan and Kobe Bryant did.
LeBron is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the history of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a top three player for the Miami Heat, and if he wins another title with the Lakers, he would crack the top seven in franchise history. In my opinion, he’d be behind Kobe, Magic, Kareem, West, Shaq and Chamberlain. Let’s enjoy these final years of LeBron, because we may never see anything like him again – a player who has dominated for so many years and maintained a level of excellence for over 20 seasons.