LeBron James Winning 2020 NBA Finals 'Cements Him as the GOAT,' Says Insider

If LeBron James can lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship over the team that he won his first title with in 2012, it will have a major impact on his place in the sport's history—at least according to one league insider.

"These Finals aren't about LeBron versus the Heat," a source told The Athletic's Joe Vardon. "These Finals are about his legacy. If he wins, it cements him as the GOAT."

James is often in the conversation alongside Michael Jordan (six championships, five MVPs) regarding the greatest player of all time. LeBron is also set to play in his 10th NBA Finals, which is tied for third in league history with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) and behind Sam Jones (11) and Bill Russell (12). If he is successful, the four-time MVP will come out with a fourth title, but it will also mean he's made his mark in L.A.

In 2018-19, a James-led team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005, as he struggled through a groin injury suffered in late December during his initial season with the Lakers.

For the first time since 2004-05, he wasn't named to the All-NBA First Team, earning a third-team berth. When coach Frank Vogel was hired in the offseason, James moved primarily to point guard, and his rebirth in Los Angeles began. He led the league in assists for the first time, with 10.2 per game, and he ceded lead-scoring duties to Anthony Davis.

"He's playing way harder defensively than he ever has," a source told Vardon. "He didn't play this way (in Cleveland) for extended periods of time. He's done it at a really high level in these playoffs."

Now he has a chance to win a title with a third franchise, becoming the third to ever do so alongside Robert Horry and John Salley. The Finals begin at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday in Florida.