Myles Garrett Wants to Be the New LeBron James in Cleveland
By Peter Dewey
Whenever you compare yourself to LeBron James in Cleveland, you’re asking a lot of yourself. James, who broke the city’s championship drought by coming back home to the Cleveland Cavaliers and winning the 2016 NBA title, is the pride of Akron.
However, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett wants to put himself in the same class as James when it comes to Cleveland folklore.
Now that’s a major task to pursue.
“I've got my Kyrie and my Love?” Garrett asked rhetorically last week during an interview with the Akron Beacon Journal, talking about Jadeveon Clowney and Malik Jackson.
“Well, hell, I have to prove that I'm LeBron first before anything. I have to prove that I'm the playmaker at all levels. Hell, he's top three in any debate that you have.”
Garrett is currently the co-favorite to lead the NFL in sacks this season with Aaron Donald at +750 odds on WynnBET. He’s second behind Donald to win the Defensive Player of the Year award at +550.
“I feel like I have the talent to put out a hell of a year, one that will be remembered for a long time, especially here with the things we're doing or hope to do this year,” Garrett said. “If I can have the year they expect me to have and that I hope to have, then it will be remembered for a long time. It will be just what I'm hoping that I could've done the last two years and continue to do for the rest of my career.”
The Browns are +1200 (tied for third) in the latest Super Bowl odds. Garrett is looking to build on a strong 2020 season where he 12.0 sacks in just 14 games. Those aren’t LeBron-MVP numbers, but they’re enough to make him one of the best defenders in his sport.
Comparing yourself to LeBron in any way can be a tricky proposition, but if Garrett helps lead the Browns to a Super Bowl title, he might get similar love from the city of Cleveland.
Can Myles Garrett lead the Browns to a Super Bowl? Get in the action on the WynnBET app.