"Neither Kobe nor Michael did that" - Former Bucks guard praises LeBron James’ work ethic, putting him in his top 5 all-time with MJ
In a recent interview with HoopsHype, Greivis Vasquez named LeBron James one of his top five players of all time. Vasquez, drafted 28th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2010, played against legends such as LeBron and Kobe Bryant.
During the interview, Vasquez was asked a common question for any hooper: Who is his all-time starting five? He began by naming six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan. He named Kobe number two.
Vasquez chose LeBron next but stated that the Akron, Ohio native achieved something that neither MJ nor Kobe could.
"Some people may dislike him, but you can’t take away the fact that he’s a winner. Going to the NBA Finals eight times in a row, neither Kobe nor Jordan did that. What LeBron is doing now, being the face of the league and empowering basketball worldwide, is something no one has done before."
After listing James, he rounded out his list with Steph Curry and Kevin Durant.
Vasquez spent seven seasons in the NBA. After his rookie year with Memphis in 2010-11, he was traded to New Orleans which still carried the Hornets name.
His Hornets run was the best of his career. He averaged 13.9 points and 9.0 assists during his second season with the franchise.
He also competed for the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks before finishing his career with the Brooklyn Nets in 2016.
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Which teams did LeBron James face in his eight straight Finals appearances?
LeBron James reached the NBA Finals eight consecutive times from 2011 to 2018. However, his first Finals trip occurred in 2007 as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs ran into an experienced San Antonio Spurs squad that swept them.
LeBron didn't reach the Finals again until his first year with the Miami Heat in 2010-11. The Heat faced Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks for the championship that season. Despite the Heat's star power, the Mavs authored an upset behind Dirk and Jason Terry's big-game moments.
LeBron returned to the NBA Finals in 2012, facing a young OKC Thunder squad featuring three future MVPs: Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. This time, the Heat triumphed, allowing LeBron to secure his first NBA Title.
The next two seasons saw James' Heat face the San Antonio Spurs. In 2013, the teams waged a seven-game Finals battle. Miami won its second straight title thanks to a Ray Allen corner three.
However, the Spurs returned with a vengeance in 2014. Behind Kawhi Leonard's emergence, San Antonio prevented LeBron and the Heat from three-peating while breaking up their quasi-dynasty.
That summer, LeBron James returned to Cleveland and led the Cavs to four straight Finals appearances. From 2015 to 2018, NBA fans could count on James and Curry clashing for the game's ultimate prize.
While Golden State won three of those matchups, LeBron authored his signature achievement by leading his Cavs to a 2016 Finals comeback against the 73-win Warriors.
LeBron James' Finals streak ended in 2019 when he left the Cavs for the LA Lakers. In his first season with the Purple and Gold, the Lakers only won 37 games. However, they did capture the 2020 NBA title. Overall, 'King James' has appeared in ten NBA Finals and is a four-time champion.