For 41 seasons, Ralph Lawler served as the play-by-play voice for the Los Angeles Clippers, dating to their days in San Diego in the late 1970s.
He decided to call it quits a few years ago, but his long broadcasting career allowed him to witness many of the NBA’s greatest players up close and personal over the years.
Many people in Lawler’s age group seem inclined to believe Michael Jordan is the greatest player in basketball history. But Lawler firmly believes LeBron James is the greatest ever, and he recently made that clear on X, formally known as Twitter.
In fact, he says it isn’t close or even worth discussing (h/t Lakers Daily).
I made it clear in my book BINGO! 40 YEARS IN THE NBA and I will now repeat: "LeBron James is the Great player in NBA History." Did you see him single handedly
demolish New Orleans last night? I don't even think the race for GOAT is close. And I have seen them All.
' pic.twitter.com/emrmJlBoDH— Ralph Lawler (@Ohmeomy) December 9, 2023
I am Not crazy. LeBron is the Best there has ever been. He does more to help his teams win than anyone who has ever played the game. And, it is Not even Close. Add the length of his career without a fall-off in his talent level and it is not even worth discussing. https://t.co/KVptOu4fGv
— Ralph Lawler (@Ohmeomy) December 14, 2023
Just about every basketball fan knows James’ major accomplishments by heart. But in recent years, he has added ridiculous longevity to his resume.
This season, his 21st in the NBA, he’s averaging 25.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists a game while shooting 55.1% from the field and 40.5% from 3-point range. He has helped stabilize the Los Angeles Lakers after a 3-5 start and has guided them to a 15-10 record, which put them in fifth place in the Western Conference going into Thursday.
If James isn’t the greatest ever, it’s mostly because of his 4-6 record in the NBA Finals. But the Lakers have shown at least some ability to contend for this year’s world championship, and a fifth ring would certainly strengthen James’ argument for being the greatest basketball player in history.
