LeBron James is “the best basketball player in the history of the game,” according to Bill Laimbeer.
In addition to his physical gifts, Laimbeer says what separates James from the pack, is a preternatural ability to “involve his teammates to win.”
Laimbeer adds that Michael Jordan—a longtime and hated rival during Chicago and Detroit’s playoff wars of the ’80s and ’90s—was a “one man band” for several years prior to adopting a more team-oriented game en route to six NBA titles.
Per USA Today:
“I’m very vocal on this. I think LeBron is the best player who has ever played the game,” Laimbeer said. “He’s 6-foot-8, 285 pounds, runs like the wind, jumps out of the gym. … At the end of the day, I firmly believe he’s the best basketball player in the history of the game.”
Laimbeer, who coaches the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, said Tuesday in an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take” he doesn’t even see a debate.
“More importantly, when (LeBron) came in the league from Day 1, he knew how to involve his teammates to win,” Laimbeer said. “That’s something Jordan had to learn for a long time.
“Now if you go by championships, obviously Michael Jordan has more championships. But I think LeBron in any generation would be doing what he’s doing right now all these years.”
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