LeBron James ' incredible longevity and consistency has seen him climb the NBA's all-time statistical ladder, including the top of the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Most recently, James played his 21st NBA season, becoming one of only six players in league history to do so. But even this late in his career, LeBron has been putting up ridiculous numbers, enabling him to ascent in the league's statistical mountains.
Because of his all-time ranks in the major statistical categories, former Detroit Pistons captain and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas says that LeBron is the best player in the league's history.
" I think when you look at, like I say, he's touched and he leads in almost every statistical category," Thomas told Kory Woods of MLive. "I mean, so when you talk about passing, scoring, rebounding, we've never had a player in the NBA that has touched every statistical category and leads in some of these statistical categories that we're talking about."
LeBron is all over the all-time stats rankings
LeBron passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time scoring leader in 2023, but that's not the only category he's put his name on. King James is also No.4 on the NBA's all-time assists list and 8th in the all-time steals leaderboard. He is also No.30 in rebounds and 80th in blocked shots.
With James set to return for his 22nd NBA season for the Lakers this upcoming campaign, he will continue to separate himself from the rest in the scoring list. He will also climb up the leaderboard of the other statistical categories as well.
"There's never been another player like him," added Thomas. "Now, everyone has their favorites, but if the numbers don't lie, the numbers don't lie. And he definitely passes the eye test. So to me, he's the best that I've ever seen from a team standpoint and also as a basketball player."
But many say it isn't just about the stats
However, most of those who get into the 'best ever' argument believe that stats aren't the only basis for becoming the basketball GOAT . They say that the only reason why LeBron ranks so high in the all-time stats lists is because he chose to play this long. On the flip side, that longevity is a two-edged sword as he is also the NBA's all-time leader in turnovers . The Kid from Akron is six missed shots away from becoming the all-time leader in misses as well.
Thomas talked about James being the best from a team standpoint, but his critics point to his record at 4-6 in the NBA championship. Meanwhile, Michael Jordan had a perfect 6-0 mark in the NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan even won more rings, while Kareem had six and Bill Russell had 11.
No one has attacked the NBA's all-time lists like LeBron has. He is also correct that the stats don't lie. But clearly, individual numbers aren't the only barometer of greatness in a team sport like basketball.
Related: "I do it for my family" - LeBron on what motivates him to keep playing at an elite level despite his age
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