3 Reasons Why LeBron James’ Career Already Matches Michael Jordan’s

3. The Prodigal Son, a Promise Kept, and a Championship

Not to get too biblical, but are you familiar with the story of the prodigal son? If not, the summary of the story is that a father of two sons has one son demand his riches early while the other stays behind. Then when the one son comes back his father celebrates his return. A perfect summary of the LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers story isn’t it? Then throw in that upon James’s return, he promises to do all he can to bring a championship to Cleveland. It’s a tough situation to be in.

LeBron James left Cleveland a villain. In Jordan’s career, he never had to face the scrutiny that James has. Yet, LeBron has risen above it all. He’s lived as the villain, and now lives the life of the prodigal son. He’s found himself in the fire, and risen a phoenix. Whatever the metaphor, LeBron James did something no other player in NBA history has done. He left the team that drafted him, then came back and won a championship. It was a promise fulfilled. It’s the ultimate “ghost.”

For every other stat, LeBron James may or may not surpass Jordan. When it comes to NBA Titles, James might not get six or more, but other NBA legends like Bill Russell have more anyways. If LeBron doesn’t win another MVP or surpass Jordan in scoring, there are still two players in NBA history that scored more than Jordan. Where LeBron will secure his “ghost” in the NBA is that there will likely never be another player who will do all that he does and all that he did. Now if Kevin Durant returns to Oklahoma City in a few years he might be the only player who could match the LeBron James “ghost.” But even for Durant, he’s not from Oklahoma City, so it’s not quite the same. LeBron James did it for Cleveland, his home state’s only professional basketball team.

LeBron James has created his own ghost…

Next: Living Up to the Ghost