“He will leave the game worse than he found it” – Kwame Brown accuses the NBA of changing rules to LeBron James’ liking
Brown goes at James’ neck once again.
Kwame Brown is never shy about sharing bold opinions. In one of his more unconventional takes, the 2001 first-overall pick floated a conspiracy theory about LeBron James’ remarkable longevity. For Brown, the league moved the goalposts so that the four-time NBA MVP could dominate the game as long as he wanted.
“I believe LeBron James is going to lead the game worse than he found it,” Brown said. “That’s just my particular opinion because he doesn’t have any accountability for how he has impacted the game. And a lot of the things, he admitted it, he said the quiet part out loud.”
“LeBron James is a football player, playing basketball. They moved these rules so that his skill set could work, and so, they got rid of the power forward. They got rid of all these people that can contest his shots and be there at the basket. So he have a wide open lane and do what he does,” Kwame added.
Brown referenced LBJ’s quote after the loss against the Detroit Pistons. “Motor City” was letting the Los Angeles Lakers know they were there physically, which worked wonderfully for them. That said, the former Wizard and Laker used it as ammunition to slam the four-time MVP.
Was the NBA changing their rules for Bron?
LeBron has set an unprecedented standard for longevity in the NBA. Now in his 22nd season, the Purple & Gold superstar is still performing at a high level, averaging nearly 23.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.8 assists with impressive shooting splits of 51/39/77. While much of that success is often credited to hard work and dedication, Kwame proposed a different take: that the NBA’s shift to positionless basketball was designed to extend LBJ’s dominance.
While basketball fans love a good conspiracy theory, there are at least two blatantly wrong things about that assertion.
First, the four-time champion thrived in a defense-first era long before the league’s style evolved. During the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals against the rugged, defense-oriented Pistons, a young LeBron averaged 25.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists over six games. That included a 48-point night in Game 5, which he scored 25 consecutive at one point! Moreover, his best scoring seasons came in 2005-06 (31.4 PPG) and 2007-08 (30 PPG), when the league averages were only 97.0 and 99.9 PPG, respectively.
Second, positionless basketball may not have even played to LeBron’s advantage. Modern strategies often emphasize three-point shooting, which wasn’t his most potent asset early in his career. Additionally, the league’s allowance of zone defenses made it easier for teams to pack the strong side, limiting drives to the rim—one of James’ signature strengths.
While James is not as fluid and polished as a scorer as, say, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, his other attributes more than made up for it. He is among the most athletic specimens ever, and Bron could read defenses and manipulate them when necessary. Even after losing a step, the Akron native remains a dominant force, thanks in part to improved mid-range and three-point shooting that have made him a more versatile offensive threat.
“Coffee” has not been a massive fan of Bron’s, to say the least. Over the years, the former prep-to-pro sensation has been very critical of the 20-time All-Star. Brown criticized James’ lack of scoring development and said he has no “it” factor that MJ and Kobe possessed. Kwame’s hate train also spilled to Bronny, calling the Lakers’ second-round pick “a poor man’s Juan Dixon.”
No one knows why Kwame goes at LeBron every chance he gets, but his criticisms often feel more personal than analytical. While everyone is entitled to their opinions, the numbers don’t lie—James’ sustained excellence over two decades speaks volumes about his adaptability and work ethic. Love him or hate him, LBJ’s’ impact on the NBA is undeniable, and history will likely remember him for elevating the game rather than diminishing it.
