CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The debate over who is the greatest NBA player of all time will rage on for eternity.
However in Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s mind, the debate over the best career ever was answered Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
“It's one of the greatest accomplishments, if not the greatest accomplishment that we've seen,” Bickerstaff said of LeBron James breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA all0-time scoring record. “To be able to hold a record for 38 years, just lets you know how difficult or the magnitude of that record was. And it's a testament to LeBron the time that he put in, the longevity.
“To me there's a debate on who's the greatest player of all times, which is fair. I no longer think there's a debate on who's had the greatest NBA career. I think in my mind, I think it's clear that LeBron has had the greatest NBA career that we've seen to date.”
James is the league’s all time scorer. He is fourth in league history in assists. He has four NBA championships and four NBA MVPs
His 1,401 games of at least 10 points is a league record. He’s played just eight in which he failed to meet that mark. James has averaged at least 20 points per game in every season and his 530 games with 30 or more points trails only Michael Jordan.
“Again, for 20 years to dominate the game the way that he has, to impact winning the way that he has and the way that he's gone about business, he’s a pro, selfless player,” Bickerstaff said. “He's about his teammates… So it's not like he was just this selfish player that was only going for himself. He made everybody he plays [with] and still makes everybody he plays with better. And I think there's something to be said about that, and I think it's something for the younger generation and the people who have been watching him coming up to take notice of and pay attention to, that you can be a great player and be selfless at the same time. And I think he's a hell of a role model for all our young guys.”
Mitchell and Garland questionable – Both Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland were listed as questionable for Wednesday night’s game with Detroit.
Mitchell continues to play through a groin injury suffered two weeks ago while Garland has a thumb injury.
People person – Bickerstaff credits Garland’s ability to connect with teammates for his early career success.
“Some people in the beginning of relationships have guards up or walls built, and people pause because they don't know if they can cross those lines,” Bickerstaff said. “With Darius, you never have that feel with him. He embraces everyone the same immediately, and I think his teammates feel that. They want to see him be successful because they know he returns the favor and he wants them to be successful.
“So people just want to play for him and not every point guard has that, and great leaders do have that and great point guards do, and I think Darius is on his way to being that.”
