Skip Bayless declared on Wednesday’s episode of Undisputed that LeBron James’ legacy will actually be hurt if the Lakers win the Finals.
How winning this ring will hurt LeBron’s GOAT case. Now on @undisputed
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 7, 2020
Winning the Finals is never an easy feat, but Skip seems to believe this year, it is.
Because of the “epic mismatch” between the Heat and the Lakers, Skip says the Lakers should have had an easy sweep.
Skip pivoted this hot take into supporting his argument of Michael Jordan being the G.O.A.T…
LeBron, right now you’re on the easiest path to a ring you have ever had. Michael Jordan never got to play a team like the Miami Heat in the Finals. @undisputed. FS1. https://t.co/AvGpwR8fCs
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 8, 2020
Even given the fact that Skip is a well-known LeBron detractor, this take just doesn’t make any sense.
Bayless ignores the fact that LeBron still had to beat three very good teams in the Western Conference.
And even though Miami is the 5th seed, they are still in the NBA Finals.
LeBron cannot control who he faces in the Finals, he can only control the outcome.
And as of now, LeBron and the Lakers are doing just that – up 3-1 in the series with a chance to close out the series on Friday night.
“The Frozen One”
Bayless also brought back his criticism on James from the 2011 Finals by calling him “The Frozen One” after Game 4.
“Right out of the box, I expected attack mode from LeBron. Did I see it? No, I did not. Did I see fire in his eyes? No, I did not. I saw deer in headlights. It started to look like the LeBron from the 2011 Finals in which the Chosen One became the Frozen One.”@RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/ozqd2ifD7B
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) October 7, 2020
This comes after LeBron put up 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists in Game 4.
Bringing his Finals averages to 26.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and 8.8 APG.
Skip may have had a point after the first half, as LeBron was only 3/8 from the field for 8 points to go along with 5 turnovers.
But LeBron was absolutely brilliant in the second half to close the game.
He went 5/8 from the floor, with 2/5 coming from deep, to score 20 points – including a crucial 7/7 from the free-throw line in the 4th quarter.
James also posted 9 rebounds and 4 assists while only committing 1 turnover.
Skip did give LeBron props on two separate occasions.
He admitted his deep 3-pointer in the 3rd quarter to give the Lakers the lead was a big-time bucket.
And he said LeBron stepped up by going 7/7 from the charity stripe in the 4th quarter.
Finals MVP
Even though LeBron is currently the odds-on favorite to win the Finals MVP, Bayless believes it is more wide-open.
What I’m hearing from LeShannon Sharpe is that the “fanboy” media will vote LeBron MVP even if he doesn’t deserve it. More @Undisputed, now on FS1 https://t.co/jDvosiZW34
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 7, 2020
Through 4 games, Anthony Davis is averaging 25.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and 3.3 APG.
These numbers are fantastic but don’t quite measure up to LeBron’s near-triple-double.
Two relatively quiet games by Davis in Games 3 and 4 may have sealed it for LeBron.
Whichever of the two superstars takes home the hardware, neither will be complaining, as evidenced by this LeBron quote.
NEXT: LeBron James Throws Shade At The DPOTY Giannis Antetokounmpo“We’re just not jealous of each other. I think that you align that with respect, I think the sky’s the limit.”