NBA Playoffs 2011: 5 Reasons Why LeBron James Is Not the Best Player in the NBA

We hear it time and time again, LeBron James is the best player in the world.  I ask the question today: Is he really?  Yes, I will admit that stat-wise, he's second to none. 

Yes, he can rebound, yes, he can pass and yes, he can score, but LeBron James fits the title more as the best athlete and not the best player.

Here are five reasons why.

LeBron Struggles with His Jumper

Rob Carr/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 21: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat shoots a free throw against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 21, 2011 in Philadelphia, P

Like it or not, LeBron James is not the type of player who scares you shooting jumpers.  LeBron fans won't admit it, but he just doesn't shoot from the outside well.

In his eighth year in the league, LeBron still struggles a lot from the outside.  LeBron is still a streaky shooter and not as good of a jump shooter as Bryant, Durant, Anthony or even Wade.

LeBron Struggles Getting to the Basket Without a Screen

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 06: Lebron James #6 of the Miami Heat is guarded by by Corey Maggette #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at American Airlines Arena on April 6, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

LeBron struggles to get to the basket without screens.  Most of his baskets are in transition or off a screen.

Because of his size and athleticism he waits back for screens, and when they come he drives hard to the lane and gets to the rim.

The majority of the time this results in two points or a foul.  This is not because of his talent, but more of his athletic ability

LeBron Still Hasn't Developed a Low Post Game

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 18: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat drives into the lane during game two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Arena on April 18, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User express

LeBron still relies too much on his athletic ability.  King James has yet to realize what Jordan, Bryant and other greats realized. 

Easy buckets are worth the same as hard ones.  LeBron James still hasn't learned how to get easy buckets without using a lot of movement and energy.

This will hurt him as he begins to age because with age, athletic ability goes out the door.  Everyone knows a player can't depend on athletic ability their whole career.

He's Not a Clutch Shooter

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - MARCH 29: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat walks up the court during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 29, 2011 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

With the game on the line, almost always James takes a bad shot.  Sports Illustrated did an NBA poll and out of the 166 players who voted, 74 percent chose Kobe Bryant to take the last shot.

Kevin Durant got eight percent, followed by Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen with two and three percent.

King James didn't even make the list.  Like it or not, James is just not that great of a shooter if he's not slashing for a dunk or layup.

He's Not Stubborn Enough

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 16: Forward LeBron James #6 celebrates with teammate Dwyane Wade #3 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the American Airlines Arena in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2011 in Miami,

Michael Jordan and all the greats agreed that they would never have ran to another guy's team.  Most of them enjoyed competing against the best and embraced the challenge to beat them.

LeBron, on the other hand, gave up his own franchise to join Dwyane Wade's franchise.  This showed a sort of weakness to the greats before him.

We all know that the best player believes in himself and wants to beat the best, not join them.