World News – CA – LeBron James’ fourth title brings compelling twist to GOAT vs Michael Jordan debate

When LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers two years ago to join a really ugly Los Angeles Lakers team that had neither won 40 games nor been to the playoffs since 2013 (when they lost in the first round), many critics felt the move was about lifestyle, business interests and the weather

Turns out, pretty quickly, it was all about winning another (at least) NBA championship In the process, he not only adds a data point to his perennial ‘greatest of all time’ debate with Michael Jordan, but actually changes the terms of the argument

James, the NBA Finals MVP, scored 28 points and 14 rebounds and 10 assists on Sunday night to help lead Los Angeles to the Miami Heat 106-93, winning the final 4-2 for the 17th NBA Championship of the franchise It was LeBron’s fourth title personally (and fourth MVP title of the Finals), adding to the two he won in Miami (2012-13) and one in Cleveland (2016)

This fourth title is probably not going to sway the pro-Michael public Jordan, after all, has six titles in six final matches, none of which have gone beyond six LeBron is only 4-6 in the final, although his 10 appearances in the final, including nine of the last 10, are a recovery line in themselves

However, the Lakers are the third franchise LeBron led to the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and make no mistake, he led the Lakers there.They only won 35 games the year before his arrival Anthony Davis came a season later in a successful trade, but LeBron’s presence helped make the Lakers attractive

As for the MJ-LeBron battle, that’s a plus on James’ side.He is now the central (or co-central) character of four championships in three completely different teams

He joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh (not to mention Ray Allen, Shane Battier and others) to form a super team in Miami and won twice He then returned to Cleveland to carry an inferior group to a heroic comeback 3-1 in the final against the mighty Golden State Warriors Now he’s taken over a hibernating Lakers franchise and won again

That’s not to say Jordan should be punished for it After all, he didn’t have a chance to do this He only played for the Chicago Bulls (at least until a few unforgettable years with Washington at 38 and 39)

Despite Jordan’s numerous feuds with the Bulls’ management, the franchise was expertly led and trained when he was there Jerry Krause, Jordan’s nemesis and Bulls general manager, skillfully rebuilt the supporting cast around the triumvirate of Jordan, Scottie Pippen and coach Phil Jackson

Jordan’s first three titles were won with Horace Grant, BJ Armstrong, Bill Cartwright and John Paxson assisting After nearly two years of baseball experience, Jordan was back full time with Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc , Luc Longley and Steve Kerr as supporting cast

If LeBron had that kind of stability and talent around him, he might never have left Cleveland in the first place Instead, he had to bail out due to mismanagement

In Miami, he found not only great players, but also the Heat culture dominated by Pat Riley After four years and four finals, James took what he learned, returned to Cleveland, and finally delivered. a long awaited title for fans of northeastern Ohio He felt he owed them that

Yet Cleveland was never able to put it all together James getting the Cavs even just one title made local fans celebrate the era. Yet at one point, basketball historians will look back and wonder how Cleveland could have had one of the greatest – if not the greatest – player of all time (or certainly of his generation) for 11 seasons through two stints with the club and win a single championship

As for the Jordan debate, everything can now be reframed – and that’s with LeBron still able to add a fifth championship or more to his collection, MOON should be a favorite for next year, too – if anything, that title came a year earlier And while James turns 36 in December, there’s clearly still something in the tank

For a long time, the blow to LeBron was that he was feasting on the weak Eastern Conference Well, it’s over The Lakers own the West

By rebuilding the Lakers almost overnight, LeBron can counter Jordan’s perfect Finals record (which he obviously can never match) with an entirely different perspective (which Jordan will never be able to match)

He is able to overcome dysfunctions, reconstructions, different coaches and uncertainty with a combination of talent, attitude and leadership He is the X factor

Is it better than a 6-0 final score for Michael Jordan with a brilliantly exploited Bulls organization?

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Jordan, Isiah Thomas, Miami Heat, NBA Finals