Miami Heat: Ray Allen’s ‘LeBron James G.O.A.T’ Logic Has Flaws

The Miami Heat are busy trying to acquire the guy that might be the best player in the world right now, Kevin Durant. Though he was just swept in the playoffs by the Boston Celtics and Giannis Antetokounmpo does exist, Kevin Durant still can make a case for that title.

While all of that may be true, there is another guy who can throw his hat in the ring as long as he’s around and has been able to do so for two decades or so now in former Miami Heat two-time champion, LeBron James.

While he certainly always has a hand in the Best Player In The World conversation, he also always has a hand in the G.O.A.T. conversation too.

When it comes to the NBA’s Greatest Of All Time, there are really about five acceptable answers. It’s not totally unfair to say Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, and perhaps one more guy or so from yesteryear.

A name you hear in that fifth random spot a bit is the logo, Jerry West, in example. Depending on your age or era of favoritism for the game, that certainly influences any particular person’s response.

Miami Heat: Ray Allen’s ‘LeBron James G.O.A.T’ Logic Has Flaws

That is a debatable uncertainty, however, only with relevancy given to arguments being made for one of the aforementioned choices. What is certain, at least to another former Miami Heat champion in Ray Allen, is that LeBron James isn’t the guy there.

Check it out for yourself.

Well, that was certainly… interesting. Here’s the thing, though you can attack Allen’s argument from a few angles, generally, his specific logic here about dribbling and range shooting has holes.

First off, dribbling or a guy’s handle is subjective after a point. Can a guy handle well enough to be a main ball handler or not is key.

That’s the first hurdle to cross. When it comes to, both, His Airness and The Chosen One, they both meet and exceed that threshold.

After that point, there are levels, but it’s also a bit subjective. Are either Miami Heat legend, Tim Hardaway, or NBA all-timer, Allen Iverson, with the handle?

No, but not many are. However, they are both great to elite in the area and you don’t judge that off aesthetics but effectiveness for this particular debate.

Can they both fluidly utilize their handle to get wherever they choose to be on the floor in order to complete the ultimate mission for them both—dominating the game in a myriad of ways? Yes, absolutely.

That is proven. The next part is where things start to clear themselves up a lot though.

Miami Heat: 1 “Point” Is Subjective And The Other Factually Shows Superiority

When it comes to shooting, this is a much simpler and quicker explanation.

LeBron James is a better shooter across his career from range and on more than twice the number of attempts that Jordan has across his career per game. Yes, the game was different as Jordan conquered it, however, those were the parameters that Allen set.

When it comes to this conversation, in particular, you have to acknowledge Jordan as the best to ever touch an NBA regulation Spalding, based on the baseline he set for greatness, his accomplishments, and his cultural impact on the game itself.

However, if you are choosing based on a “who you would take in a draft to start a team” or “on the playground” type situation, you have to go with the 6’8″ and 250-pound dude that’s just as athletic and skilled. They are more “1a” and “1b”, where preference makes the choice, as opposed to “1” and “2”.

So, again and while you can attack this case made by Allen from a few different angles, the logic he chose to use isn’t sound. The one point you give him is the free throw argument, where Jordan was better across his career on slightly higher attempts.

When handle is subjective and LeBron is, traditionally, the better shooter by efficiecy and on greater volume, you just can’t use those as two of your core measures, evidence, or proof in this scenario.