Isiah Thomas, a legendary basketball player and Hall of Famer, has seen his fair share of incredible talent during his 13 years in the NBA. But even he is in awe of what LeBron James has accomplished on the court. In a recent interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, Thomas expressed his belief that James’ achievements are not given enough credit by the media.
Thomas, who was a 12-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA champion, knows a thing or two about greatness. He played against some of the greatest players in NBA history, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. So when he speaks highly of James, it carries a lot of weight.
During the interview, Thomas praised James for his versatility and ability to dominate in multiple positions. He said, “LeBron James is a once-in-a-lifetime player. He’s a guy that can play all five positions on the floor. He’s a guy that can guard all five positions on the floor. He’s a guy that can score from all five positions on the floor. And he’s a guy that can make plays for all five positions on the floor.”
Thomas also pointed out that James’ accomplishments are often overshadowed by the constant comparisons to other great players, particularly Jordan. He believes that James’ achievements should be celebrated and given more weight by the media.
And he’s not wrong. James has an impressive list of accolades that speak for themselves. He is a four-time NBA MVP, four-time NBA champion, and four-time NBA Finals MVP. He has also been selected to the All-NBA First Team a record 13 times and has been named an All-Star 17 times.
But it’s not just his individual achievements that make James stand out. He has also made a significant impact on the teams he has played for. He led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA championship in 2016 and helped end the Los Angeles Lakers’ 10-year playoff drought in 2020.
Despite all of this, James continues to face criticism and scrutiny from the media. Some argue that he has had an easier path to success compared to other great players, while others believe that he is not as clutch as players like Jordan. But Thomas believes that these criticisms are unfair and that James deserves more credit for what he has accomplished.
In fact, Thomas believes that James’ impact on the game goes beyond just his on-court achievements. He said, “LeBron James has changed the game in terms of how players are viewed, how players are evaluated, and how players are paid. He’s changed the game in terms of how players are able to control their own destiny.”
Thomas’ words hold a lot of weight, especially coming from someone who has been in the league for so long and has seen the evolution of the game firsthand. He recognizes that James is not just a great player, but a game-changer who has left a lasting impact on the NBA.
In conclusion, Isiah Thomas, a basketball legend himself, believes that LeBron James deserves more credit for his accomplishments. He recognizes James’ versatility, dominance, and impact on the game and believes that these achievements should be celebrated and given more weight by the media. As fans, we should also appreciate and acknowledge James’ greatness and not let constant comparisons overshadow his incredible achievements.