There’s no question that LeBron James is one of the best athletes to pick up the game of basketball. The fact that the 39-year-old is still an elite player for the Los Angeles Lakers and Team USA is a feat that not many NBA players can achieve.
The thing that helps LeBron remain effective as a player is his superb intelligence. While he’s clearly not as athletic as before, he still moves better than some of the younger players he shares the court with. His on-court intelligence also shines in his highlights, and it will be his greatest weapon as he tries to win a fifth ring.
Due to his incredible run of form, it’s easy to imagine how well he would fare if he played in prior eras of the NBA. Some have even made wild claims about how King James would easily win multiple championships if he didn’t play in the present day.
One NBA legend recognizes James’ legendary talent, but he quickly shot down any ideas he would be running over the opposition in previous decades.
Isiah Thomas doesn’t think LeBron James would overwhelm opponents in the 1970s
A social media account posted an old clip featuring former NBA pros Gilbert Arenas and Lou Williams. The two were talking about James, and Williams believed James would easily win 15 championships if he started playing in 1975.
Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas quickly dismissed the suggestion, saying that the style of play back then was completely different from the system they’re playing now.
The Spun’s Andrew Gould recorded Thomas’ reaction to the hot take:
“I find it comical and laughable how some, not all people think this is the first generation of basketball players that athletically could run and jump,” Thomas wrote. “I’m not sure he would be the best athlete in 1975 all things being equal.”
One thing many tend to forget whenever they make these kinds of claims is how different preparations were for NBA players then compared to today.
LeBron James and his contemporaries have years of sports science and nutrition helping them play their games at their best. On the other hand, athletes in the seventies didn’t have much to go for regarding their health and preparations.
It would be fair to say that the comparison only takes away from how great all players have been throughout the years. It would be much better to appreciate the greats during the eras they played in and not make any unnecessary comparisons.
Will King James win another ring with the Los Angeles Lakers?
While LeBron is busy dealing with Team USA, another huge challenge awaits his Lakers next season. Plenty of teams out west have retooled to compete for the NBA title next season, and it will be a tough challenge for James to help a team led by a neophyte head coach in JJ Redick win another title.
However, the King’s performance last season proves he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. He finished last season with 25.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 8.3 APG while shooting 54.0% on the floor and 41.0% from three-point land.
James and the Lakers will continue being relevant as long as he wants to play and doesn’t experience any unfortunate injuries.
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