Lebron James is playing in his third NBA finals and this go-round has been a little bit better for him statistically.  I live in Ohio, so most of the basketball fans in this state can’t stand him, but might acknowledge that he is a great basketball player.  I’m here to make the case that he could be the best athlete the NBA has ever seen.  Not the best basketball player, yet, but the best athlete.

First off, Lebron James stands 6′ 8″ and 250 pounds with like single digit bodyfat and plays small forward.  Karl Malone stood 6′ 9″ and 250 pounds and you saw how powerful he was.  The difference is that Lebron uses that size, but plays more like Magic Johnson.  His physical skills are so good, he can play any position on the court.

So, you’ve got Malone’s power coming at you, with Magic’s court vision and ability to pass.  What next?

Add in the explosiveness from some of the best leapers in league history, Dominique Wilkins or Michael Jordan, and put Lebron at the high end of that vertical.  Lebron can jump so high that his head is looking at the rim off of one or two feet.  It doesn’t matter.  He can get up.

Now speed.  Lebron was an All-State wide receiver his junior year in football.  He has speed.  How many times have you seen Lebron be at the base line, sprint back, beat everyone else down the court, and either receive a pass for a dunk if he is on offense or block a shot if he is on defense?  A lot.  That’s impressive.

Now here’s what’s more impressive.  When you are dribbling with the ball, you are slower getting down the court when you don’t have the ball.  Lebron dribbling on transition is so explosive, he is probably faster than anyone in the league save Derrick Rose or Chris Paul and they are point guards.  If he gets the ball in his hands, watch out.

As an athlete, we’ve covered just about everything and Lebron checks in at the highest percentile of all of them.  He’s quick enough to defend a point guard and strong enough to cover a power forward or center.  Then on offense, he is just a nightmare to defend.  Do you go with someone quicker (usually shorter) and have him post that person up?  Or go with a stronger defender and risk Lebron going right around him.

Use your eyeball test.  Just watch him run and move on the court.  Everything is so smooth and effortless for him.  It’s like the guys muscles are working as efficiently as any athlete ever has.  His body positioning is darn near perfect for every type of movement out there, especially running.  His hand eye coordination is unbelievable.  The ability to catch the ball with one hand, dunk it or pass it, is off the charts.

If you look at all the NBA greats, no one stacks up to him.  Jordan didn’t have his size.  Magic didn’t have his explosiveness.  Some might argue Wilt Chamberlain.  I never saw Wilt, but I do know that there weren’t a lot of people his size he was playing against.  His biggest foe was Bill Russell who was 4 inches shorter than him and Russell held his own.  I just think Wilt can’t compare athletically to James.

Whether that translates into how good a basketball player he will be, I can’t tell.  He still has plenty of years left.  I think if he works on that jumper, he’ll be unstoppable.

Regardless of what you think of him as a person, I think the thing you have to acknowledge is this guy is a special talent.  Every time he steps on that court, we are watching history being written that we might never get to witness ever again.