Skip Bayless highlights the shortcomings of LeBron James’ 47-point birthday performance: "He has lost 6 finals, GOATs don't lose 6 finals"
On Friday, LeBron James celebrated his 38th birthday. That same night, the LA Lakers found themselves pitted against the struggling Atlanta Hawks.
Despite being listed as questionable leading up to the game, James suited up. He then went on to put on a dominant performance in leading the Lakers to a 130-121 win. In just under 40 minutes, LeBron posted a stat line of 47 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
Following this incredible performance, Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe gave their thoughts on FS1's "Undisputed." While he applauded LeBron James for what he did against the Hawks, Bayless made sure to mention that the four-time MVP isn't the greatest player ever.
"It was so beautiful," Bayless said. "It was so overwhelingly spectacularly impressive that I sat back and said it's an indictment on the season, because we should see this far more often then just on his birthday.
"He's not the GOAT. You got to stop with that. He's lost six finals. GOATs don't lost six finals. ... The other guy (Michael Jordan) won six finals without a blemish."
"It was so beautiful, it was so overwhelmingly, spectacularly impressive."
— @RealSkipBayless on LeBron's 47-point performance https://t.co/hZ7JHl69Xe
LeBron James is more than just his finals record
Skip Bayless might feel the need to bring up LeBron James' finals record regularly, but the Lakers star is so much more than that. There is no denying that he has come up short on the biggest stage, but that shouldn't take away from everything he's done over the past two decades.
Since the age of 18, James has been one of the NBA's top players. He has lived up to all the hype and is still performing at a high level as he approaches the age of 40. When LeBron finally decides to hang up, he will be able to confidently say that nobody has been that good for that long.
Performances like Friday's are a testament to how special of a talent he truly is. Looking at other players who made it to their 20th season, they aren't close to what to they were in that prime. Meanwhile, LeBron is putting up a near 50-point triple-double.
A losing record in the finals or not, LeBron will have one of the most historic resumes in NBA history. He is rapidly approaching his biggest accomplishment as he closes in on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring mark (of 38,387 points; James has 37,860). A record that most thought would never be broken.
The LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan debate will likely go on until the end of time. However, LeBron's countless accolades and records should make up for his blemish in the finals.