The future of LeBron James remains the biggest story of the NBA offseason, but it turns out that one major report about his desires may be incorrect. Most reporters believe that LeBron’s desire to win another NBA Championship to help his “greatest of all time” argument is a major factor in who he plays for next. Eastern Conference contenders, like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are considered favorites for this reason.
However, James’ close friend and agent Rich Paul said on Sportscenter that LeBron is not thinking about “ring chasing” at all:
“The team he chooses, I don’t know yet. There’s a seriousness that comes with this, there’s a competitiveness that comes. We know how hard it is to win championships. No roster, no organization is guaranteed to win a championship, but you do want to be competitive.
You do want to have an opportunity come late April and early May, to compete at a high level and give yourself the best chance of winning. He’s not chasing the ring. You hear these things. Like, why does he have to chase? He got four. There’s nothing to chase. He’s not chasing a ghost or anything like that.”
Paul stated that LeBron winning four NBA Championships means that he no longer needs to worry about his title count for legacy purposes. James will be looking at all his preferred options, but Paul said that fans and media need to get the idea of him “ring chasing” out of their minds.
Why Rich Paul Might Be Lying About LeBron James
The concept of ring chasing is fascinating since it usually applies to veterans who have yet to capture their first NBA Championship. LeBron already has four titles and is the clear choice as the best player of the post Michael Jordan era.
This doesn’t mean that James is blind to the fact that another title and retiring with an NBA Championship could be the path to finally pass Jordan. Most pundits list LeBron as the second-best player in NBA history.
Jordan winning six NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls will likely see James never passing him there but a unique ring in his 40s would be huge. A fairy tale ending to the longest great NBA career would be too important for LeBron to completely avoid considering.
Honest Side Of Rich Paul’s Comments
The truthful side of Paul’s quote is that James shouldn’t have to worry about anything regarding title count. LeBron has dealt with criticism and the topic of rings determining his legacy for about two decades now.
Happiness was reported as the top goal for James in the offseason since he wants to find a scenario to fully enjoy his final year(s) in the league. The Golden State Warriors stand out as the team that would benefit most from LeBron not caring about competing for a title.
All other rumored teams would be considered a top five NBA Championship contender with James on the roster. LeBron and Stephen Curry would have a chance to contend but most would say they are not enough to realistically take the top prize next season.
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