Finding the Next LeBron
Michael Jordan took the Bulls to 3 straight Finals - twice. Kobe took the Lakers to 3 straight Finals - twice. But LeBron James took TWO DIFFERENT TEAMS to the Finals in 8 straight years of dominance. That’s what I call greatness. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that Kobe and MJ aren’t great, because they are. It can even be easily argued that either one of them is the better player than LeBron. But 8 straight Finals on two separate teams is amazing. Here, I’m going to be looking at some of the candidates for the next LeBron James. I’m not saying they are as good as LeBron, or ever will be, but these are the three guys I think have the potential to lead their teams to Finals after Finals, no matter where they play.
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks
He already won an MVP award at 24 years old, and he’s showing no sign of slowing down. Out of everyone on this list, I think Giannis has the least to prove to everyone, because we all know he’s great. He was so close to making his first Finals last year, too, but Kawhi was just too much. Losing Brogdon was huge for that team, but with a talent like Giannis, they can survive anything. The scariest part about this guy is that he can’t even shoot threes yet - or so you thought. Giannis is currently shooting 32% from 3. This doesn’t seem that great, but for Giannis, that’s terrifying. If he can make it so people have to step up on him when he’s on the three-point line, there’s nothing the league will be able to do to stop him. He’s just so dominant on the drive and in the paint that he’d blow right by every defender other teams put on him. In my honest opinion, I don’t think there is a single person in the entire league who can truly guard Giannis Antetokounmpo. The closest is Kawhi, but even he would get overpowered in the paint. Giannis has the potential to dominate this league for years to come.
Luka Doncic - Dallas Mavericks
We all knew this kid was special, but who could have guessed he’d be this special this fast. Luka is on pace for an MVP season, and he’s barely legal to drink in the US. He’d be the youngest NBA MVP ever, taking away the one thing Rose has which could elevate him into the Hall of Fame. Luka is only .7 assists away from averaging a triple-double, right now, and who knows, maybe he’ll do it by the end of the year. I thought this was just going to be a hot start, but we’re 13 games into the season, the Mavericks are 8-5, and Luka Doncic is a top 3 MVP candidate. Dallas doesn’t necessarily have the most amazing pieces around him as of now, but don’t be surprised if they make some moves by the trade deadline. Mark Cuban is all about the money, and all about the wins. I think that man would do anything to get back to another championship, and his path to that is pretty clear now - Luka Doncic. Doncic has all the tools to be a player just like LeBron, and dare I say, better. Luka said his goal was to lose weight and become more athletic in the offseason, and he stuck to his word because he is a lean, mean, fighting machine right now. If he keeps on this pace, I don’t see any reason he can’t bring the Mavs to multiple Finals berths in the future. Maybe even the near future.
Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
This is the guy who needs to make the biggest jump. I was going to put Trae Young here, but I think this pick might be even more accurate. Devin Booker’s been in the league for a little while now, and I understand his track record has been pretty awful. However, the kid’s still only 23 years old and has never really been given a fair shot at winning basketball. The organization has spent his first four years in the league surrounding him with youth in hopes of forming a young core. Unfortunately for Devin, they’ve done an awful job, only hitting on one draft pick since (DeAndre Ayton). That being said, Phoenix finally decided to put to put some veterans around Booker, and what do you know, they’re winning basketball games. Booker should have been an All-Star twice by now, and it looks like he’ll finally get some recognition because his team is good. The Suns are 7-5 right now, but have been playing good basketball, especially with Ayton being suspended. Once he gets back, they’ll be even better and on their way to a playoff push. Devin Booker is the real deal, it’s just taken us this long to notice because his front office is awful. I think Booker is going to be one of the best players in the NBA for the next decade, and you can quote me on that.
