Why Fans Shouldn't Argue Against LeBron James in ESPN's NBA Rank

LeBron James haters, add this one to your reasons to hate him. However, ESPN hit this one right on the nail by crowning King James the best player in the NBA.

Like any list created by fans or media, there is plenty of room for debate about what is right or wrong. From a personal standpoint, I thought most of ESPN's rankings were accurate, but there were a few that shocked me.

Is Blake Griffin really a top 10 player? Is Tim Duncan still a top 20 player?

There will be plenty of solid arguments of why LeBron James shouldn't be No. 1. But just like any standpoint, expect someone else to counter that with something else.

I would love to debate any of my views with readers, so if you feel differently, please let me hear about it.

MVP Derrick Rose Should Have Gotten the Nod.

Sorry for those who are confused, but MVP does not mean best player.

Derrick Rose was absolutely the right choice for the 2010-11 MVP award. His ability at age 22 to lead an overlooked Bulls team to an Eastern Conference top seed was astounding. Injuries for Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah throughout the season didn't help matters, but Rose was still instrumental in the process.

Rose has the future of an NBA champion as well as a future Hall of Fame selection, but one great season doesn't justify much for now. He is the best scoring point guard in basketball as well as a great floor general, but, as of now, there are a small amount of players better than Rose.

On a side note, I also agree with ESPN saying Chris Paul is the best point guard in the NBA.

LeBron Doesn't Show Up When Needed

Did you watch the Eastern Conference playoffs? If so, it should be reason enough to give him some credit.

After years of being called not clutch, James had a masterful performance in helping the Heat take care of both the Bulls and Celtics in five games each. He hit big shots when needed, most notably his efforts in Game 5 of the Bulls series, where he scored eight points in a short stretch to help Miami to a comeback win.

Yes, I understand he didn't have his best two games when most needed in the Finals, but give Dallas some credit. The Mavericks played phenomenal defense by forcing James out of his element with a zone defense. 

There is no excuse for James' late-game collapses, but he has shown signs of doing big things when needed.

He Isn't the Most Talented

This is an argument I would like to end with "Yes, he is," but I will elaborate.

James was deemed as the "chosen one" before he ever stepped onto an NBA court. While that was a high expectation, LeBron has continued to improve over the years to become the most talented player in the game.

Offensively, James uses his big body and quickness to brutalize any type of defender you put in front of him. His jumper is noticeably improving, making him more than a one-dimensional player he was once considered.

However, James is still most dangerous when he gets to the rim. He has the leaping ability and poise to either throw down a serious facial or finish with finesse over a defender.

While not the best free-throw shooter in the NBA, LeBron does show he can get the line at a high level. In his career, James has averaged 8.9 attempts a game while converting on just under 75 percent of them. For you mathematicians out there, that is 24 percent of his career scoring average thus far.

Defensively is where LeBron has most significantly improved, landing three straight All-Defensive First Team selections.

Once again, this is an area in which LeBron's athleticism is really handy as he has the ability to defend any forward or guard in the NBA. James has averaged 1.7 steals per game with his knack to apply pressure and pick off errant passes.

James rounds his game out by being a solid rebounder and a top passer in the NBA, averaging seven a game for both statistics.

LeBron will threaten for a triple-double any night. The scary thing is he is only getting better.

Kobe Bryant Is Easily No. 1

What is this, 2006? While Kobe is unquestionably the best player of the last decade, it's fair to say that he's not the same player he once was.

He's a decorated player who still possesses some of the best offensive talents in the game. Kobe is a premier defender and his ability in the clutch should never be questioned, but James is the better overall player.

LeBron is younger, stronger and faster than the aging Kobe, along with the ability to put up better numbers on a nightly basis.

Kobe has five rings and an MVP award, but his best days are behind him. He is still a top 5 player in the league, but James is reaching his prime years and still improving.

Also, if rings meant everything, Luke Walton would be just as good as Kobe and Robert Horry would be better than Michael Jordan.

James Isn't a Winner

So far, so true for this statement. LeBron James has never won an NBA Finals series. He has two MVP awards, seven All-Star appearances and plenty of other accolades, but a career is truly empty without a championship.

However, James has led two different teams to the big show in his eight seasons in the league. While he hasn't captured the ultimate prize yet, it could be only a matter of time before he gets crowned as a champion.

James plays with two great teammates in Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, and is surrounded by a rather forgotten cast of role players who could make differences. This is the best situation LeBron has been in as a professional, and his tenure in Miami shouldn't be considered a failure based off a lone season.

In Cleveland, James had his first crack at championship glory, but didn't have the help needed to beat a much better San Antonio Spurs team. Unless you consider Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Larry Hughes and Daniel Gibson a great supporting group.

No, James hasn't won a championship yet, but he's not even halfway through his career yet. Let's not put him among the biggest chokers of all time just yet.

The bigger concern: What argument will fans have if James does win a title in 2011-12?