How will LeBron be seen 25 years from now?

[chrispak98]

Today, most normal human beings have LeBron as a top 3-5 player of all-time, and see him as the #1 best player in the league as of now.

However, unlike most other legends in the top 10 list, LeBron lacks rings, and with KD and Curry looking to dominate the NBa for the next few seasons, it is reasonable to assume they could win 3-4 more rings by the time their dynasty is over.

With that said, will LeBron's legacy be looked at as favorably in a quarter of a century, when people will most likely forget about his legendary postseason performances (G5 2007, G6 2012) and his incredible 3-1 comeback against GSW, instead merely looking at his stats and accolades?

To me, I could see LeBron falling from a top 3-5 player of all-time to more of a top 8-10 player of all-time, merely because as time goes on, people won't remember LeBron by how he played (who was the best player in the league for nearly a decade), but instead by how much he won.

What do you guys think?

[jg77]

He'll be a victim to recency bias just like MJ.

[SK21209]

I think it's possible that he falls a bit. Younger fans like me grew up with him being this super hyped high school prospect, so he's always been the biggest name in the sport to me even when he wasn't the best player in the league. But years from now when that context has worn off, I could see him falling a bit in the eyes of some.

[Lana Del Rey]

2042?

By then, I can see Lebron's extensive use of steroids throughout his career exposed by the media. It will put a stain on all of his accomplishments. He will be remembered as the biggest doper in the history of the league. This is the most optimistic scenario.

A more likely scenario is that Lebron will end his career with a 3-8 record in the Finals, finish as the all-time points leader and still be regarded as one of the top players to grace the league.

[Jiminy Glick]

As time goes on new players come into the league and replace others in rankings. Most peoples top 5 list was very different 25 years ago than it is today.

[Vince604]

I'll see Lebron as the greatest small forward to ever play the game when compared to the other greats who have retired.

[Johnny Bball]

Everyone under 25 will say he wouldn't fit into the new NBA and would be way outclassed by the stars of 2042.

[mademan]

I see it going the other way. NBA and its fans will slowly be taken over by analytics, and thats where Lebron shines

[loserX]

He'll be a victim to recency bias just like MJ.

It's interesting that there can be different effects in opposition to each other. Recency bias surely is one, you're spot on about that.

On the other hand, I have said before that Michael Jordan is the second greatest player to ever play the game. Number 1 is The Legend of Michael Jordan, who was the best at everything every year he was in the league and never lost as much as a single possession, let alone a playoff series. Sometimes idols get built up over time.

Will be interesting to see how it plays out for LBJ. 25 years is quite a long time, though I *personally* suspect his ranking won't change much in that time. We shall see.

[OnlyOneWay2Play]

He will be seen as even greater than he is today. Likely the undisputed #2 GOAT. Why?

(1) All this psychodrama over the "Decision", the Kobe stans vs. LeBron stans, his social media passive-aggressiveness, etc. will be forgotten.

(2) His sheer statistical production will be staggering - potentially leading scorer of all time in regular season and post-season, best career PER, etc. - and that will take extra significance once he's no longer playing (since it will be the only way to evaluate him and other past greats anymore)

(3) LeBron's HIGHLIGHTS will leave people in AWE. This is often underrated. Guys like Durant, Paul Pierce, Duncan, etc. are / were all-time greats, but their games are not particularly visually impressive in highlights. LeBron however will have the most amazing career highlights of any player - thunderous dunks, insane chase-down blocks, buzzer-beaters, unmatched physicality and explosiveness. People don't usually watch whole games of past eras, but they do / will watch highlights.

In short, LeBron will be even more of a legend than he is now.

[rebirthoftheM]

As the greatest revolutionary in basketball history. The dude who showed players how to truly take control of their future. The originator of the player revolution.
And oh...the 2nd best player of all time, possibly GOAT depending on where analytics go.

Lebron's decision making since going to Miami have been paradigm shifting. And on a side note, irrespective what I think about it from a basketball perspective, I am happy he is inspiring changes in the league where the anchors and drivers of the NBA are closing the power gap with owners.

[akhan786]

I think Finals losses will fade and we'll just remember his 3 rings since we don't remember Magic's Finals losses either

[Harry Garris]

I think he'll be looked upon more favorably after he retires. I think a lot of people's negative views when older players were playing soften after they get old and eventually leave the league. I also don't see a clear successor to Lebron once he retires so we might miss having a dominant superstar and clear face of the NBA. The guy was and is just so damn good I have a hard time believing even the biggest haters not eventually realizing that a few years after he's gone and accepting the guy as one of the greatest ever.

[Tiesto_Lakers]

As an old man.

[clyde21]

He'll be a victim to recency bias just like MJ.

Hmmm? You'd think Jordan walked on water with the way people talk about him today.

[ckman]

Lol wut? More of a legend than he is now? Only a true Lebron stan would think that, let's face it, 20 years from now there will have people claiming how the players then are stronger, faster and bigger. Lebron would be a scrub in their eyes. And Lebron not really a good shooter, Curry would more likely consider a better player in future

[Stillwater]

No, by the time his career is over anyone who doubted he was the GOAT will no longer do so so I doubt another 15 yrs later they will change their tune.
Even if he retired today with less rings that MJ , the argument is being made.

[Dupp]

goat

[pipfan]

I am surprised with the number of people who don't have LBJ in their top 5-There has never been an athlete I like less than him, but I have him as the #3 all time, and 2nd best player ever. I don't think he can match MJ, but pass KAJ within a few years

[Mr Burns]

He will be known as the godfather of switching jerseys when his team loses.