The definition of greatness

I had a conversation with a guy on monday that is certain that Lebron James is now the greatest player in the NBA and one of the best 5 of all time. My friend (who is a Spurs fan) strongly objected that he is even the greatest in the game now. Certainly Lebron's performance in the last four games of the conference finals was amazing - but he still seems to have some lapses that seem to keep him from being the best. He's only 22, but it made me wonder how we define true greatness in sports. I really think Lebron has to lead the Cavs to the NBA title in order to assert himself as the greatest in the league. He's certainly one of the best, but being the best in the NBA is doing what Bird, Magic, and Jordan did - time and time again when it counted most. Each sport seems to define itself differently. In 2005 Vince Young had a great season, but his Rose Bowl performance was unquestionably the greatest performance ever in a college football game. I think from that game on that stage it is legit to call him great and one of the greatest of all time. I think some of Joe Montana's, Tom Brady's, ect Super Bowl performances is substantial evidence to declare them as all-time greats. Because the season is shorter and individual games/performances are more crucial (there are no "series"), single game performances in football can declare someone as great. While in Basketball, it cannot be affirmed from one game or even one series. I think to be declared great, there must be the unspoken statistic of consistency and deliverance when it counts. While Karl Malone was a good player, no one is prepared to call him one of the greats of all time - no consistent greatness when it mattered. Baseball seems to be even more difficult, we have seen numerous "fluke" seasons over the years where someone seemed to be great and then followed the next season in the doghouse. Remember Brady Anderson?? Sure you don't, he had one year as the best slugger in the league -no one calls him great or has even thought of nominating him for the Hall of Fame. The varied difficulties of acceptance each sports Hall of Fame speak volumes for how we should think of greatness in each sport. In Baseball, how many "rookie of the years" end up as a joke. I remember refusing to trade my Walt Weiss baseball card after the 1988 season - sure he was on his way...now it's worth 15 cents. Golf may be even more difficult. Everyone was raving about Phil this time last year, 2 majors in a row - but after Winged Foot, the jokes kept coming.

So how do we know when we have seen greatness? You just know. You see something, you have to call somebody, you never forget where you were when you saw it, you have conversations with friends that don't even have words - all it takes is "did you see"...."yeah I saw"....There is nothing like seeing greatness unfold before you, especially in person. Watching something you know will be show again and again - highlights forever. I'll watch the NBA finals, not b/c i love the NBA or the teams involved - but b/c i don't want to miss out on possible greatness. I don't want to miss a star become great. He's not quite there yet - but there are 7 games left.