King James Gospel
Fansided

How LeBron James Has Elevated the NBA

By Kameron Duncan

May 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; The Cleveland Cavaliers pose for a team photo after defeating the Boston Celtics in game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; The Cleveland Cavaliers pose for a team photo after defeating the Boston Celtics in game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; A general view of the scoreboard prior to the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Memphis Grizzlies showing the status of Kyrie Irving and LeBron James and Kevin Love at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; A general view of the scoreboard prior to the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Memphis Grizzlies showing the status of Kyrie Irving and LeBron James and Kevin Love at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

The Issue of Rest

Parker also uses the controversial topic of resting players to take a shot at LeBron in his rant. He says that LeBron’s willingness to rest during the regular season ruins the season itself. He believes that other star players follow in LeBron’s example, taking several nights off during the season.

While LeBron did sit out eight games in the 2016-17 season, he also led the league in minutes per game. LeBron played 37.8 minutes per game this season, and some of the best players in the league were not far behind. Out of the top 10 players in minutes per game this season, seven were All-Stars.

Rest may also prove to be beneficial for LeBron. He’s currently averaging a playoff career-high in both his field goal percentage and three-point percentage as he’s remained aggressive throughout games, appearing lithe and playing with an exuberance and bounce on his step that hasn’t never been seen so consistently as it has over this playoff run. His team is preparing to defend the NBA championship it won last year in the Finals. James is playing in his seventh consecutive Finals, the most of any non-Celtic in history.

As for Parker’s insistence that Michael Jordan would never rest, that isn’t entirely true.

LeBron has yet to take a season off to go play minor league baseball.