There was a time I honestly believe LeBron thought he’d surpass Michael Jordan to be (arguably) the best NBA player of all time.
That time is no more.
LeBron is having a moment of clarity before the world’s eyes, courtesy of the Golden St. Warriors; and he’s starting to feel the immense weight of his expectations on those massive shoulders.
In response to Phil Jackson comparing how Jordan performed like “a man possessed” in the 93 finals, down 0-2 to the Knicks; LeBron explained why people shouldn’t expect him to be MJ with his team’s back against the wall, down 0-2 to the Warriors:
“I think for me to go out and be who I am and play as true to the game and as hard as I can and try to lead this team, that’s who I am. Not anybody else. I’m not Michael. I’m not Ali. I’m not nobody else that’s done so many great things for sport. I am who I am, and if I’m able to go out and put together a game like that, it wasn’t because I was possessed. It’s because I worked on my craft all season long and that’s the result of it.”
That doesn’t sound like the “NOT 3, NOT 4, NOT 5, NOT 6” LeBron talking.
Is it possible that Steph Curry and the Warriors’ iron grip on LeBron’s Cavs is actually starting to invoke doubt from King James?
No he’s not Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali, but he chose the number 23 for a reason; and he switched back for a reason.
A handful of blowouts to the same team will do that to you.