LeBron James Is Not Human, He Is A Superhero
Start writing a post
Sports

LeBron James Is Not Human, He Is A Superhero

There's a psychological impact in knowing that you don't stand a chance, that the man raining down the most difficult, inefficient shot in basketball is not human. He is a superhero.

261
LeBron James Is Not Human, He Is A Superhero
Instagram

I once wrote an article about LeBron James where I said he might be declining soon. At 33 years of age and as a player that has been so physically dominant, it was hard to see where LeBron James would be without as much of that speed and strength. I generally didn't like watching LeBron growing up and actively tried to find reasons to criticize the man. Two weeks ago, I thought this was the end for LeBron and the Cavaliers. After being taken to seven games by the Pacers, it seemed like the new and improved Raptors would finally take the Cavs this year.

Well, God damn. I don't think I've ever been more wrong in my life.

LeBron James is like red wine: even better as he ages. Now, the conversation isn't whether LeBron is past his prime, or whether if the Cavs are done. The conversation is whether LeBron is better than Michael Jordan, whether LeBron is the greatest of all time.

LeBron James increasingly seems like a mastermind: the narrative of the "collapsing Cavaliers" that foreshadowed the impending demise of the LeBron era seemed to be exactly what he wanted, and what he wanted his opponents to think. He fooled his opponents, lured them into a false sense of security. The Raptors went into the conference semi-finals confident, thinking that he was tired from a seven-game series against the Pacers, thinking that they finally had their chance to surpass him.

It wasn't that the Cavs swept the Raptors. It was how dominantly they did it, or at least how dominantly LeBron did it, that there is no question that the competition for basketball's GOAT goes to either LeBron or Jordan. And it's not just how dominant LeBron was against the Raptors that puts him in that category - it's how dominant LeBron has been his entire career for the last 15 years.

Look no further than Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, in which a 22-year-old LeBron scored 29 of his team's last 30 points, tied the game at the end of regulation, got the game-winner, and dethroned one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference to let the entire world know that this would be the best player of all time.


Look no further than the fact that LeBron has destroyed the Eastern Conference and caused many teams to tank once they realized no one was getting past him. Since 2011, no other team besides LeBron's team has made it out of the east. Look no further than the fact that Kevin Durant, who would have the label of the game's best player if not LeBron, realized the only chance he had of winning a championship was joining a team that had won 73 games the previous season.

Again, somehow, someway, there's an addition in LeBron's game where he keeps getting better and better with age. And in this past series against the Raptors, he unveiled the latest addition, a signature unguardable offensive move. It is the mastery of the least efficient and most difficult shot in basketball: the midrange, heavily contested fadeaway. In game 2 against the Raptors, he hit six of these in the 4th quarter.

This is the shot that you want LeBron to take. At least he's not at the basket, where he's absolutely unstoppable. You're doing everything coach told you to do, and this is all part of the game plan. And then no matter how much you do, it's not enough. LeBron just keeps making these shots, no matter how well-defended or contested they are.

And there's a psychological impact in knowing that you don't stand a chance, that the man raining down the most difficult, inefficient shot in basketball is not human. He is a superhero.

When questioned about this new signature shot, he responded, "2 points isn't 2 points. It's a lie. 2 points is not 2 points. I'll explain it to you later. Coaches have said that for years, but 2 points is not 2 points." Think about how you would feel, executing a defensive scheme perfectly, only to have these shots go in seamlessly. Helpless. Powerless. In my mind, no matter what the scoreboard says, it would feel like LeBron rained 5 points on you. And when he does it six times in a quarter, well, that's a message: the series is over.

And then think how you feel when this happens, knowing that this was the most difficult buzzer beater of all time, and how you would feel when SportsCenter, that night, would put 10 different angles of that shot as their 10 top plays.


I was speechless a week ago. I remain speechless. Remember when we thought LeBron was not clutch? Well, now he has five playoff buzzer beaters, two more playoff buzzer beaters than Jordan ever had. LeBron James has shown, more clearly in the Toronto series than any other, that he is not human. He is a superhero.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

97059
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments