LeBron James, Manny Pacquiao and Sports Fans' Need for the Greatest of All Time

LeBron James and Manny Pacquiao are without question the greatest athletes in their sports today.

With all due respect to an aging Kobe Bryant and a far too inactive Floyd Mayweather Jr., James and Pacquiao have each separated themselves from the pack of elite in their sports.

Pacquiao, the current holder of the mythical pound-for-pound belt, has been on a tear which has seen him not just win, but dominate the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley.

On his way to being named Fighter of the Decade by Boxing Writers Association of America, Pacquiao has become the first eight division and 10 time world champion.

While today is probably the worst day of all days to sing the praises of LeBron James, the fact remains that James is still the most talented player in the game today. 

James, the two-time league Most Valuable Player, is an athletic freak of nature. 6'8, 280 pounds and arguably the fastest end-to-end player in the league, James has put up gaudy numbers, while leading his teams to two NBA finals.

And for those who question James' ability, just ask Scottie Pippen......

There's where the problem lies.

While both James and Pacquiao are arguably the best in their sports today, fans' need to say they are witnessing the greatest of all time, today, has led to both James' and Pacquiao's current legacy being vastly overblown.

This need to witness the greatest, at the current time, has led to the embellishment of both Pacquiao's and James' achievements.

This "witness effect" has turned Pacquiao's current winning streak from a series of victories against aging and over the hill fighters into an historic streak over all time great champions.

This same "witness effect" has garnered LeBron James the praise of beginning the greatest all around player, shortly after the Miami Heat's Game 5 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

In the society we live in today, we are always looking for the next best thing. Whether its in our technology, which seems to bring us a new and improved version of the iPod every few weeks, or our sports, we hastily search for and name every new thing as the greatest.

Because Pacquiao and James have been the best in their sports today, many have rushed to name them as the greatest of all time, without rhyme or reason. Pacquiao's resume of victories and James' lack of winning easily delegitimizes either of their claims to all time greatness.

So then why all the calls of Pacquiao as the greatest boxer of all time. And why would a teammate of Michael Jordan suggest LeBron James as being the greatest?

Well you don't have to look farther than the recent "End of the World" claims that came about last month.

People want to believe they are living in historic times. For centuries people have claimed that the "end is near" and that soon the world will be over.

Why? Because humanity has a sense of importance. If an historic event, like the end of the world were to occur, it surely would happen during my lifetime, because, of course, I'm important.

This is the same reason why we place today's athletes on an all-time level they ultimately haven't earned.

Businesses and marketing companies fully understand this "witness effect."

So for now Manny Pacquiao may be regarded as one of, if not, the greatest boxers of all time and given a championship or two, LeBron James will be regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.

And while it may not be true, don't worry, in a few years the "next" greatest of all time will pass them by.