NBA legend Charles Barkley believes Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James’ story is the greatest story in sports history. LeBron entered the NBA in 2003 straight out of high school and was compared to Michael Jordan. Barkley is amazed that LeBron was able to live up to the hype and exceed the massive expectations that were placed on his shoulders.
“First of all, I think LeBron is a really nice man,” Barkley said on SI Media With Jimmy Traina. “I think he’s a really nice man and he’s a really good dude, but I’ll say this: I think his story, it’s the greatest story in sports history. People forget, Kobe Bryant wasn’t very good coming into the NBA. People forget that. And he’s one of the greatest ever, you know. Kevin Garnett struggled.
“The only guy I’ve ever seen come right out of high school who lived up was LeBron. And for him to come in at 18 and be as good as he was as a player, and obviously he’s come in and he’s one of the greatest ever, depending on what generation you’re from, and to never have gotten in trouble, especially in today’s society where everybody’s got a cellphone and everybody’s out to get you, I think his story is the greatest story in sports.
“To be that good. Number one, to live up to the hype, but also grow into the conversation of the GOAT and never even came close to getting in trouble. I think his story is the greatest story in sports history, and I’ll always admire him.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Charles Barkley, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Jordan and LeBron are universally recognized as the two greatest players in NBA history. The two icons have combined to win nine regular-season MVPs, 10 championships and 10 Finals MVPs. Jordan won six championships, six Finals MVPs and five regular-season MVPs with the Chicago Bulls during the ’90s. He went 6-0 in the Finals and three-peated twice. LeBron, meanwhile, is a four-time champion, four-time Finals MVP and four-time regular-season MVP.
Jordan averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists during his stellar career with the Bulls and Washington Wizards. He won 10 scoring titles, three steals titles and three All-Star Game MVPs with the Bulls. Jordan is one of three players to win MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. Houston Rockets icon Hakeem Olajuwon and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo are the other two.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Charles Barkley, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Jordan is fifth in NBA history in points, first in points per game, third in steals and first in player efficiency rating. He holds the record for the most points scored in a playoff game (63).
LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in both points and assists. The King has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. LeBron is the only player in NBA history to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Charles Barkley, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
A 19-time All-Star, LeBron is first in NBA history in points, fourth in assists, ninth in steals, fourth in triple-doubles, third in player efficiency rating, sixth in points per game and second in win shares. He is the only player ever with at least 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists.
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