LeBron James has never lost in the first round in the NBA playoffs. Even players like Michael Jordan cannot say that. However, LeBron is facing his greatest first-round challenge in the Portland Trailblazers. This is his first appearance in the Western Conference playoffs, and he could end up on the wrong side of history.
The Blazers took a 1-0 lead in their playoff series against the Lakers. The Lakers are the number one seed, while the Blazers barely made the playoffs. However, they have one of the most dangerous teams in the entire NBA. They have disappointed in the bubble, with this being another bad performance.
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Former NBA Champion and ESPN analyst Paul Pierce attacked LeBron’s status as the greatest basketball player of all time. This if he is eliminated by the Blazers in the first round.
“If they don’t win this year, LeBron isn’t getting any younger. This is going to be a big hit on his legacy and I’ve already said he’s not a top 5 player of all time. If the Lakers don’t win a championship, let alone lose in the first round, I don’t wanna hear none of this GOAT talk no more,” he said.
LeBron James legacy to be hurt?
LeBron James is arguably one of the greatest ever based on his achievements already. A multiple-time champion, MVP, Finals MVP, all-star, you name it. However, failing to perform in the playoffs is usually the death knell for players.
James Harden has been attacked for years because of his playoff failures. LeBron is the only modern-era player that is challenging Michael Jordan for the GOAT position.
The narrative around the Lakers all year has been ‘championship or bust’. They traded away their entire future for Anthony Davis so that they could win in the last few years of LeBron’s career. James is clearly out of his prime, but even that is good enough to be in the top-two of the MVP race.
Only thrice in NBA history has an eighth-seeded team eliminated the first seed. Denver against Seattle (1994), New York against Miami (1999) and Golden State against Dallas (2007). LeBron doesn’t want to end up on the wrong side of history in this way, as this may just be the blemish that people like Pierce hold over his head for the rest of his life.
