“LeBron James is not better than Larry Bird” – Skip Bayless says despite scoring 40,000 points LeBron is ranked 9th on his…

Skip Bayless, a well-known sports commentator, has often been vocal about his opinions on basketball players, particularly LeBron James. In his latest assertion, Bayless maintains that despite LeBron scoring an impressive 40,000 points, he is still not better than Larry Bird. According to Bayless, LeBron is ranked 9th on his all-time list of basketball greats.

Bayless argues that scoring a large number of points is not the sole measure of a player’s greatness. He points to Larry Bird’s unique combination of skills, including his exceptional shooting, passing, and basketball IQ. Bird’s competitive nature, leadership, and ability to perform in clutch situations are highlighted as key factors that set him apart.

Bayless also emphasizes the era in which Bird played, noting that the level of physicality and the style of play during the 1980s and early 1990s were significantly different from today’s game. Bird’s success in this tougher era, including three NBA championships and three MVP awards, is used to bolster his argument.

In contrast, Bayless critiques LeBron’s perceived lack of clutch performances and inconsistency in high-pressure situations. He often mentions LeBron’s NBA Finals record, which, despite numerous appearances, includes several losses. Bayless contends that LeBron’s physical prowess and longevity, while remarkable, do not automatically place him above players like Bird who exhibited a more diverse and skillful game.

Ultimately, Bayless’s stance reflects his broader belief that true greatness in basketball is about more than just accumulating stats. It’s about the intangibles, the ability to elevate teammates, and consistently delivering when it matters most – qualities he believes Larry Bird possessed to a greater degree than LeBron James.