LeBron James backed Giannis Antetokounmpo to find success in all eras of the NBA.
LeBron James, for all his greatness, has often been dismissed by several NBA critics. One of the biggest claims made against him is the era he plays in.
For many, LeBron will never live up to the legends of prior eras because he never had to endure the level of physicality the NBA had seen in years past.
Stephen A. Smith has consistently used this point to belittle LeBron James’ GOAT case. But it isn’t just LeBron who faces this critique.
Players like Stephen Curry often get disrespected when compared to legends of the ’80s and ’90s. But now, LeBron James has fired back at those critics.
Read More: Dwyane Wade glad Miami Heat did not pair Giannis Antetokounmpo with Jimmy Butler, ‘I don’t want to see that’
In a clip from his upcoming interview on the Pat McAfee Show, LeBron James seemed to respond to the critics of the modern NBA and it’s stars.
Using Giannis Antetokounmpo as an example, LeBron asked the panel for a reason why Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn’t be successful in the 70s with his skills and build.
“You trying to tell me Giannis wouldn’t be able to play an NBA game in the 70s? Giannis Antetokounmpo would have 250 points in a game in the 70s. 250!”
This is clearly a hyperbolic statement from LeBron, but he is trying to make the point that the athletes of today’s NBA would thrive in the previous era.
Read More: LA Lakers have ‘two Magic Johnson’s on the floor’, claims James Worthy, ‘he got to worry about nothing…’
LeBron James has been outspoken about the way NBA media discredits the athletes of today’s era. And given the power he holds in the league, it is good to see him sticking up for his contemporaries.
James is perhaps the most scrutinized player in NBA history. No star in the league, at least over the last two decades, has faced as much criticism from analysts inside and outside the sport as him.
For the most part, LeBron has been a class act about the situation, never taking potshots in return. But at some point, the rubber does meet the road.
Hopefully, as time goes on, members of the press start to recognize the value today’s athletes bring to the NBA and don’t just use the past as a hammer to bring down on them.
