After Game 4 of the 2018 NBA Finals, LeBron James walked into the tunnel, emptyhanded. It was another Finals loss at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, a team that was golden and the ultimate warrior. There was much speculation of whether this was his last game as a Cavalier after 4 consecutive Finals appearances. Today, him and the rest of us are looking into darkness as his future remains blurry. Having suffered his 6^th Finals loss, LeBron is now looking for more rings as his stellar career is winding down.

However, I believe LeBron’s legacy should not be impacted after the 2017 and 2018 Finals losses. In fact, he was responsible for the creation of the unbeatable Warriors. This man defined brilliance and grit as he muscled his Cavs to a Finals victory over a 73-win team, a team that was supposed to be the best in NBA history. However, I think LeBron delivered a career defining moment and possibly the biggest thing that could be done in NBA history: defeat the best team ever while down 3-1. If that doesn’t add glitter to his legacy or anyone else’s, I don’t know what does. The spectacular performances from LeBron (and Kyrie) were the reason that the Warriors had to add Kevin Durant to a 73-win team, this was what they needed to take down LeBron at his peak.

Naturally, when an elite player such as Durant joins an already formidable contender, the results were expected to be lopsided. In the 2017 finals, LeBron stood no chance against this new Warriors team, and lost in 5. But it should not damage his legacy, since no other team could beat them on top of LeBron playing pretty much the entire game and averaging ridiculous stats. The man put his heart and soul into the series, and did everything in his power. 4 all-stars overpower 2.

In the 2018 NBA playoffs, LeBron was the catalyst for his team, a one man wrecking crew that dragged the underwhelming Cavs to the Finals. In all fairness, LeBron himself vs the 4 all stars from the Warriors would not suffice. Why damage his legacy because of a sweep? He had no help and played at a level that few, if any, have played. He is still showing how dominant he can be, but it is not fair to judge him because he lost to the Warriors. The Warriors are a dynasty in building. These underwhelming Cavs should rightfully not have been in the Finals, and would have lost to the Pacers without LeBron. LeBron is still proving he can play at an elite level, breaking records left and right. It is unfair to damage his legacy and judge him when he had no help in 2018 and when Kevin Durant joined the Warriors. If no other team could beat the Warriors, why can LeBron himself do it? He needs the help, and with that his legacy will be added to and remembered even more if he comes back and beats them. I don’t think any accomplishment made in the NBA could be any bigger than what LeBron did for Cleveland: deliver a title to the city in the most dramatic and unexpected fashion. Nobody could have dreamed of it happening that way. That’s what his legacy should be headlining.