3 reasons the NBA Finals are better without LeBron James this year

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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

2. No LeBron in the Finals signals a changing of the guard

LeBron James has dominated the NBA for almost two decades now. 10 trips to the Finals, four championships, four MVP awards, and more accolades and records to boot, James has held the figurative torch for the association for the past 18 seasons. With him missing the Finals this year, along with his age, signals a changing of the guard in the league.

Many young stars leaped into stardom this past season, like Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Trae Young, and Luka Doncic. Devin Booker is one of the league’s young stars who took out James in this year’s playoffs. It not certain, but Lebron giving Booker his jersey after Game 6 had the feeling of The King passing the torch to him to run with it. To be the best, you must beat the best, and it feels like the young stars are ready to take the throne and push the NBA forward.

No LeBron in the Finals, especially at 36 going on 37, could signal that the new wave of NBA stars are ready to take center stage.