With media scrutiny and a constant scope into the private life of an athlete, it’s no question the giant contracts are well deserved. Especially for someone with the magnitude and greatness of LeBron James.
The scale of contracts continue to send ripple effects across the sports landscape, but one question remains. How can someone’s true value be defined?
While the topic remains up for debate, perhaps there’s an argument that can be made for James. Who one analyst has already labeled the most valuable athlete in the world.
LeBron James Labeled as the Most Valuable Athlete in the World
Greatness 🐐
Lionel Messi meets Lebron James 👏 pic.twitter.com/EE7ZP8xevI
— Dandaro Online (@DandaroOnline) July 22, 2023
Stephen A. Smith Comes Out With Another Bold Take
The conversations that surround the greatness James will go on for centuries. A great topic of discussion especially for a personality of First Take Host Stephen A. Smith‘s caliber.
In light of French soccer star Kylian Mbappe‘s gigantic $776 million wage for just one year (which he declined), the First Take crew discussed who truly is the most valuable athlete. Mbappe’s contract easily would have planted himself as the largest contract ever among all major sports.
Even with a compelling argument for Mbappe, Smith ranks James ahead of guys that included Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani and Mbappe as the most valuable athlete in the world.
“The NBA has successfully gone about the business of globalizing its brand, and the number one face in the NBA is LeBron James. It’s not just because of his greatness, he’s one of the greatest players who’s ever played the game, a four time NBA champion, a guy who’s been to ten NBA finals, a guy who was in the western conference finals in his 20th year averaging over 28 points a game,” said Smith on First Take.
Where Will LeBron James End Up When His Career is Finished?
Nothing can take away everything James has done. A sight Los Angeles Lakers fans can cherish for at least one more season.
The impact globally, however, will be studied for centuries. Being apart of the NBA is the best thing that could have happened for James.
The popularity of soccer will not be surpassed, but basketball has slowly become more global. James remains a key factor, as he has for 20 seasons, for this change.
20 seasons of pure dominance. More than fans have seen with the careers of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who’s numbers plummeted by the time he retired.
Perhaps fans will be fortunate enough to see James compete in the summer Olympics one more time. A sight for fans all around the world to witness once more.
4x MVP.
19x All-Star.
4x Champion.
4x Finals MVP.
13x All-NBA First Team.
2x Olympic Gold Medalist.
The first active NBA billionaire.Now, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader:
LeBron James 👑 pic.twitter.com/lqOoDdJRWP
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) February 8, 2023
The Last Word On LeBron James
As long as James continues to play, people will talk. Will James officially surpass Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time?
Or has he already done it?
James eyes his fifth NBA championship and the chance to play with his son Bronny James. A feat that has never been accomplished in the NBA.
No matter your stance on the greatness, it’s clear James forever will hold a legacy that may never be replicated.
