Bird stated in 2012 that LeBron is by far the best player in the league, and it wasn’t close.
LeBron James’ basketball career has been scrutinized since his entry into the league in 2003. He is the most scrutinized player in NBA history. In a 2012 interview with podcaster Bill Simmons, Larry Bird stated that the focus on LeBron stems from his mistakes, particularly his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010.
“I think you should sit back and enjoy him because I think he’s one of the greatest to ever play the game,” Bird remarked. “You understand, we all make errors. I done a lot of things that I kind of regret. I’m not sure if he regrets it or not. But he made a few decisions. The decision was a bad one.”
Best player in the league.
Although Larry did not explain why he stated it was a mistake, many people believed that The Decision was a poor choice by LeBron. Because he was unable to win a championship in Cleveland, he departed the city that picked him in 2003 to chase his championship goals abroad. Not only that, but he constructed a superteam with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to win his first NBA championship.
“But as far as playing basketball,” continued Bird, “you’ve got to enjoy this guy if you’re a basketball fan; you’ve got to sit back for a while and see how he does it. I often exclaim, “Oh, I wish I had his speed.” But some of the things the kid does out there, he’s by far, and you know, Kobe has always been my favorite since I went out; I don’t enjoy it, by the way, but LeBron James is by far our best player in the league, and I don’t think there’s really anyone else. I believe he’s there, and then you move down the list.”
In terms of talent, The King was at the top of his game in 2012. His Heat had just been humiliated by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals, and he was out for revenge. That season, he averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, earning his third MVP title.
CB feels 2012 LeBron was the best version of LBJ.
Even Chris Bosh, the third member of the Miami Heat Big 3, stated that the 2012 version of LeBron James was the best he’d ever seen because he was essentially doing everything for the Heat that year.
“That second year (with Miami), he was on another planet,” Bosh added. “I’m not sure what was going on, and I have no idea where he is; he wasn’t missing. I’ll accept his fifth best career as the greatest of mine.– We could get him off the ball and have him work off cuts. Make a play for him, and get him into the post. He served in many positions on the court.”
LeBron continued his dominance in the 2012 NBA Finals, where he averaged 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while leading the Heat to a 4-1 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder for his first NBA championship. The following season, the Heat repeated as champions, and LeBron firmly established himself as the league’s best player, winning his second consecutive MVP award and fourth in the last five years.
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