LeBron James walked onto the Crypto.com Arena, sporting another shiny patch on his jersey for breaking the all-time field goals record. However, the timing added a little extra irony and raised a lot more eyebrows. After all, the Lakers were going against the Chicago Bulls, a team forever tied to 'The'Michael Jordan. So, while James, at 41, is still stacking records, many couldn't help but look at other stats and ask: Does LeBron deserve such recognition that no other legend, not even Jordan, ever received?
In the latest episode of the WFAN Sports Radio program, Craig Carton joined the team of doubters and shared his displeasure about LeBron James getting honored by the NBA with another jersey patch.
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"The most narcissistic athlete in the history of all sports," Carton began. "I decided to call up the NBA again and tell them now that he has, I think, made the most field goals in the history of the NBA, which is clearly a, you know, a compiling stat that he wants a new patch. And the NBA that is now run by LeBron James, apparently said, yes, sir, no problem, sir."
"He's not going to wear a patch that says most missed field goals, which he also has the record for. He's not going to wear a patch that says most turnovers in the history of basketball, which he also has the record for, but he is going to wear a patch of one of one that says most field goals made."
The Akron Hammer surpassed Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on March 5 against the Denver Nuggets to break the all-time field goals made record, which previously stood at 15,837 baskets. To commemorate his legendary achievement, the league announced that the Lakers star will wear a new patch on the left side of his jersey.
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Yet, remembering all other NBA greats, Carton finally said, "Big Mac, did John Stockton wear a patch when he became the all-time NBA assist leader? He didn't. When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the all-time points leader in NBA history, which he did, did he wear a patch?"
"When Michael Jordan did everything, did he ever wear a patch? I don't believe so. Magic Johnson ever wear a patch? I don't think so. No. Charles Barkley ever wear a patch? No. But LeBron James is now on his second patch honoring himself. And that's the guy a lot of you view as your king and the greatest of all time," Carton added.
Interestingly, this will be his second jersey patch of the season. Since January 2026, LeBron has been wearing a patch honoring his 23rd season in the league. The patch features a silhouette of his iconic chalk toss and also pays tribute to all the franchises he has been a part of in his illustrious career. Every minute detail, color has some significance in this patch.
Now, with this new patch, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to sport two commemorative patches in a single season. This only signifies his longevity and hunger to thrive more with every passing year, so much so that this collaboration with Topps has turned these patches into collectibles for people.
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While Carton's criticism is mainly focused on his own perception, the debate about whether James' on-court value still justifies his massive contract, a deal that itself could be seen as a form of vanity, seems to be an even more tangible evidence of this.
With the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James is in what may be his last season. And while his impact at this age is undeniable, one also has to look at the other part of the equation. James' defensive struggles this season need no introduction, and his explosiveness has only gone down, hurting the team's chances in transition time. Lakers' dream of maintaining a fast pace? Well, they are often sacrificed a bit when James is in the lineup.
So, the Lakers are shelling out $52.6 million this season for a player averaging 17.6 points per game, and without whom on the floor, the duo of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves has actually thrived.
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With Doncic and Reaves, Los Angeles boasts a +16.9 net rating, with a 125.7 offensive rating and a solid 108.8 defensive rating.
Add LeBron James into the mix, though, and the trio sits at a +1.5 net rating, with a 115.3 offensive rating and 113.9 defensive rating.
With James and Reaves together, the Lakers have gone 3–3, posting a -4.7 net rating and a 120.7 defensive rating.
Meanwhile, Dončić and Jam es have a slightly better, but still negative, -3.5 net rating, even though the Lakers have managed a 14–8 record in those games.
Also, as a whole, the Lakers have actually been 3.7 points per 100 possessions better when LeBron James is off the floor.
Things surely are more complicated than just statistics. Yet, the question remains: If LeBron isn't the centerpiece anymore, then is he just the most expensive supporting actor?
Now, LeBron's legacy isn't being targeted by that. He will always remain one of the greatest to have ever graced the NBA. But the franchise has to think deeply about this because every other roster decision, including wing defense, bench depth, and trade deadline moves, becomes a compromise when one contract consumes that much cap space.
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