LeBron James isn’t driven by overtaking Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant in terms of championships. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is already seen as arguably the greatest player in NBA history. His impact on the game and incredible longevity are both major talking points surrounding his career. However, fans have always speculated whether he’s chasing another championship ring to draw level with Jordan or Bryant.
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, who was speaking on the “Lowe Post” podcast, LeBron’s mindset isn’t focused on matching Jordan or Bryant.
“Anyone who thinks LeBron is sitting there chasing that ghost every night ruminating on, ‘Kobe has got five, Michael’s got six, I’ve got four,’” Lowe said. “That’s not apparently LeBron’s mindset. That’s what I’ve heard privately for a long time.”
It’s safe to assume that LeBron wants to win. He’s a fierce competitor. He’s also a billionaire. He wouldn’t be playing if he wasn’t still driven by cementing himself as the best and contending for championships. That’s why you play the game, after all.
Nevertheless, LeBron has nothing left to prove. Even now, at age 39, he remains a top-10 player in the NBA. He’s been among the best of the best for over two decades. LeBron’s legacy is set in stone. Any additional rings would just be the final cherry on top of a storied career.
With a player option for next season worth $51.4 million, LeBron will have at least two more chances to add to his four championships. Regardless of how the final stages of his career play out, he will be remembered as an all-time great. Not matching Jordan or Bryant’s championship hauls won’t change that. He’s achieved too much and been around too long for his career to be anything other than legendary.