Playing Longer Does Not Make You Better…’ – LeBron James Is 9th on All-Time Players List

LeBron James is often regarded as the best basketball player of all time, but not everyone agrees. Longtime sports broadcaster Skip Bayless (a noted LeBron hater) ranks James ninth on his All-Time list for reasons he recently outlined:

“Before 40,000 points I had LeBron 9th on my All-Time list,” Bayless went on to say. “After 40,000 points, LeBron still ranks ninth on my all-time list. Playing longer does not improve or increase your value. LeBron James is not better than Larry Bird or Kobe Bryant… both Bird and Bryant were much better shooters and closers than LeBron James.”

This week, LeBron James became the first player in history to reach 40,000 career points. The feat demonstrates LeBron’s incredible durability and consistent scoring ability across 20+ seasons in the league (he has never scored less than 20 points per game).

Even today, LeBron has the opportunity to cement his legacy by leading the Lakers to another title. However, while LeBron’s latest performance should help his GOAT argument, there is a rising effort to undermine his accomplishments and scoring records, and Bayless is spearheading the charge. According to Skip, LeBron’s career stats are not as significant as Jordan’s performances from 1991 to 1998.

According to Bayless and other skeptics, LeBron’s resume does not compare to superstars such as Bill Russell, Tim Duncan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, each of whom has their own GOAT case, and it may be too late for the “King” to win him over.

But, if you ask James, he has nothing left to prove in the NBA, and his place as the best of all time has been established for years.

No matter what the critics say, LeBron has already stated where he believes he ranks among the all-time greats. We know from statements made by him and his friends that LeBron considers himself to be at the top of the basketball pyramid, and many fans today share this belief.

LeBron’s accomplishments over the last 20 years, including four championships, four MVPs, 20 All-Stars, and 19 All-NBA selections, outnumber those of whole organizations. With a lifetime average of 25.3 points, 8.0 assists, and 7.1 rebounds per game, LeBron’s well-rounded stat sheet demonstrates his multifaceted style and supports allegations that he has no flaws.

For many fans, everything he’s accomplished over the last 20 years is enough to crown him as the greatest of all time, and some players have already shown their support for that belief. Others were convinced by his most recent scoring milestone.

In the case of Skip Bayless, he is not ready to buy into LeBrons’ GOAT case, and if 40,00 points aren’t enough to convert him, nothing will. Fortunately for LeBron, he doesn’t believe what Skip or any reporter says about his legacy.

As one of the most accomplished sportsmen of all time, LeBron is content with where he is and how his career has progressed thus far