The problem with measuring LeBron James’ recent success is that the standards are no longer equal. At 41 years old, he has lived a long time by conventional comparison, past the expected expiration date of older athletes, and making the same, same old debates that are almost ironic. As he noted after his close performance with the Rockets, “I’m kicking [Father Time’s] a donkey.” And he certainly has bragging rights after posting a streak of 28, eight, and seven to lead the Lakers’ offense into the second round of the playoffs.
It wasn’t just the numbers, of course, as they were very good; it was his orchestration of the Lakers’ 98-78 demolition of the supposedly superior Rockets. The purple and gold didn’t just survive a tense first round series; they moved on because, when the pressure mounted after a succession of missed closing chances, he stepped up again to state the terms of engagement. It’s no surprise then that he got big props from his teammates as they celebrated their series win in the locker room. Dimensions were redisplayed.
Certainly, there were times when conventional wisdom wavered. The Rockets were coming off an 0-3 deficit to force uncertainty into the equation, aided by the Lakers’ inconsistency and the physical wear and tear that inevitably follows James at this stage of his career. The reports before Game Six had already put the situation in a worrisome light, with concern rife about the mileage he was accumulating during his third decade in the National Basketball Association.
Jacob’s answer to doubt? Vintage. He scored 14 points in the second quarter alone, effectively buried the Rockets before halftime, and set a defensive tone that head coach JJ Redick later described as contagious. The Lakers have followed his lead because he inspires confidence, and because no other basketball fact has ever made more sense to them. They trust him. And he was rewarded.
Needless to say, the turn of events forces the conversation back into the legacy, although the word is inadequate to capture the depth and breadth of Jacob’s influence. The temptation is always to reduce his body of work to tired championship statistics, final records, or comparisons to Rushmore resident Michael Jordan. However, longevity at the level of the best of the best changes the picture completely.
Make no mistake. Jordan’s height is still a myth. In contrast, Jacob’s reach spans eras, styles, changes in laws, and generations of opponents. He’s not just adding up the math anymore. Skip compatibility. It may be why current discussions about “great career” continue to separate themselves from “great player” debates. The difference is important. Governance can be entrenched. Successfully developed over 23 seasons, and still serves as the emotional and tactical center of the competitors, is another matter entirely.
Of course, the irony is that James is playing with obvious restraint. The explosion of games comes slowly, with carefully selected items and every moment spent learning rather than obsessing. That said, the wonderful discipline has become a formidable weapon. Against the Rockets, for example, the Lakers seemed more stable when slowing down the game in his favorite rhythm: scouting, planning, waiting for the right moment to attack. It’s brutal in playoff battles that are understood by nature. He has spent so many springs burning rubber that calmness is his default even when he speaks.
And so the Lakers are set to face the Thunder, with fresh legs and young stars, and of note, with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in their cask. The mind insists on their ascension. However, there is great futility in announcing Jacob’s imminent end. The league spent the better part of the last decade waiting for his decline, only to see him respond with another shutout game, another playoff game, another reminder that history continues. In short, he has made defiance of the ages a living art.
Anthony L. Cuaycong was writing The court since BusinessWorld launched the Sports category in 1994. He is a consultant in strategic planning, operations and human resources management, business communication, and business development.
