Facing Steph Curry makes LeBron James the GOAT of basketball, says Black Panther director Ryan Coogler

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has faced off against Steph Curry in the NBA Finals in four straight seasons.

Facing Steph Curry makes LeBron James the GOAT of basketball, says Black Panther director Ryan Coogler

LeBron James faced off against Steph Curry in four straight NBA Finals

Twenty-two seasons later LeBron James is considered to be one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the NBA. Debates surrounding his place in the GOAT debate have come up time and again, especially when compared to Michael Jordan.

Some believe the Los Angeles Lakers superstar does not have the accolades to match His Airness. Those critics believe James has not capitalized on the opportunities he has had. For instance, he has more NBA finals appearances but does not have the title wins to show for.

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Secondly, they believe that his statistics have come at a time when the league has become softer. That has helped him play longer and thus, add on to those statistics. However, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler threw a chip in while discussing the GOAT debate on All The Smoke podcast.

He did it with social media, and this s**t’s the devil. Cameras everywhere. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a teenager, Jordan didn’t have to deal with that. Kobe had to deal with that too, but it isn’t as advanced as it does now. And none of them had to play Steph.

Ryan Coogler said

The director of the upcoming thriller Sinners also added that Michael Jordan had to deal with Reggie Miller. Kobe Bryant had to deal with Ray Allen. But most can confirm that none of them were as dangerous as Steph Curry.

Moreover, Ryan Coogler believes LeBron James has faced the super team era as well as the three-point era. Facing those scenarios and dealing with the excessive scrutiny of the social media era make the Los Angeles Lakers superstar the GOAT.

Fifth title can help James’ GOAT argument

The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. If they beat them, they will end up battling either the Houston Rockets or the Golden State Warriors in the second. Beat them and it could be any of the other four teams from the Western Conference.

With the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets on that side of the bracket, the Lakers will have a tough task defeating any of them. If the 40-year-old can lead his team past them, they will reach the NBA Finals.

Early predictions are that the reigning world champions, the Boston Celtics, could return to the Finals. If it is not them, the next possible opponent could be the Cleveland Cavaliers. Whoever they face, again the Los Angeles Lakers have to beat the odds to win an NBA title.

Last season, Stephen A. Smith said that if James won a fifth title by defeating the Denver Nuggets, he would crown the Lakers star as the GOAT. This time, the challenge is even more difficult. If the unexpected does happen, Smith and other critics might have to change their opinion of the GOAT race.

LeBron James wears leg sleeve in Lakers practice

The Akron native was happy that he was going to get six days of rest ahead of the playoffs. He has not had such time off, and considering his age, he will take full advantage of it. However, the superstar is also struggling with a groin and hip issue.

He left their last regular season game halfway after facing discomfort. The Lakers have not explicitly detailed what is wrong with his body. The superstar seems to be managing it and was seen wearing a sleeve on his left leg during team practice.

Their first-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves starts on Saturday, April 19th. There is enough time for him to recover. James knows all too well that he needs to be out there to help the Lakers win. The last time he was out due to injury, the Lakers’ form derailed.