Will Kyrie Irving's Soon to be Exit Impact the Legacy of LeBron James? Kyrie Irving sent shock waves throughout the basketball world when he requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert. This mind boggling ordeal comes after the Cleveland Cavaliers third consecutive trip to the NBA Finals, one of which resulted in a championship. Now it is LeBron James who is forced to face his own future legacy. Without Irving (who averaged 25 points per game in 2017) and his clutch late-game performances, James has to wonder whether he will have as sure of a road through the Eastern Conference, perhaps jeopardizing a potential eighth consecutive trip to the Finals. James’ basketball dominance comes without question or doubt
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Facing the juggernaut that has been created in Golden State for many years to come, unless James is meshed with another superstar, Irving’s departure will surely prevent any future championship for “the King.” James has depended on Irving’s clutch shots and ability to score for help during the playoffs.
Currently, James is 3-5 all time in the Finals. It’s a pretty shabby record compared to that of Jordan’s 6-0 or even Kobe Bryant’s 5-1. Though James has a basketball IQ amongst the highest we’ve ever seen, history shows that players are mostly measured constantly by championships. One will never know how many championships Jordan would’ve won without Scottie Pippen. Without Irving, James legacy will truly be tested as every Batman needs their Robin.
Settling on three championships may not solidify James’ position as the greatest basketball player ever, but James has dominated the last decade of basketball on every end of the spectrum. His influence reaches far beyond the court. James has advocated for players and has forced front offices to take a back seat to players and their needs. Since 2003, James has impacted the NBA’s sales, viewership and market size by more than three times that of any other player in the league. James has set the standards for all players, helping to raise max contracts by a staggering 22.5% over the last three seasons. James has set the “blueprint” for players to follow to become better on and off the court. This will surely have great impact on how his Legacy
Facing the juggernaut that has been created in Golden State for many years to come, unless James is meshed with another superstar, Irving’s departure will surely prevent any future championship for “the King.” James has depended on Irving’s clutch shots and ability to score for help during the playoffs.
Currently, James is 3-5 all time in the Finals. It’s a pretty shabby record compared to that of Jordan’s 6-0 or even Kobe Bryant’s 5-1. Though James has a basketball IQ amongst the highest we’ve ever seen, history shows that players are mostly measured constantly by championships. One will never know how many championships Jordan would’ve won without Scottie Pippen. Without Irving, James legacy will truly be tested as every Batman needs their Robin.
Settling on three championships may not solidify James’ position as the greatest basketball player ever, but James has dominated the last decade of basketball on every end of the spectrum. His influence reaches far beyond the court. James has advocated for players and has forced front offices to take a back seat to players and their needs. Since 2003, James has impacted the NBA’s sales, viewership and market size by more than three times that of any other player in the league. James has set the standards for all players, helping to raise max contracts by a staggering 22.5% over the last three seasons. James has set the “blueprint” for players to follow to become better on and off the court. This will surely have great impact on how his Legacy