Rich Paul's Latest Action Worsens LeBron James Argument
Bill Simmons had a strong reaction to LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, diminishing Chris Bosh's level of performance and impact on the Miami Heat at the start of the 2010s. Coming from the Toronto Raptors, Bosh joined James and Dwyane Wade in South Beach to create one of the most memorable super teams in NBA history.
The big man played 257 games with the Canadian franchise, averaging 20.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. His numbers in Miami weren't much different, as he posted 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 186 contests.
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Paul appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday to downplay the Phoenix Suns' Big Three by using the so-called "Heatles," and more specifically, Bosh, as an example.
"...when you think about it, Bosh was the ultimate professional. He took a backseat and he played a role in which because had such a high IQ and he was such a professional as an individual. His approach to everything is what made that work."
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Simmons took issue with Paul's remark and what James said during his tell-all interview with McAfee. During Friday's installment of his "The Bill Simmons Podcast," the veteran analyst criticized the narrative being pushed about James.
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"Every time I wanna heap praise on him, he does stuff like saying how he's in the bottom half of the league with free throws for over last whatever the thing he said on McAfee was. Easily debunked," Simmons said.
"Or then Rich Paul goes in and talks about, 'Hey, the three guys in Miami weren't actually a Big Three if you look at 'em.' Yeah, they were. Bosh was like a 24 and 10 guy on his own team. The constant trying to push this GOAT agenda with LeBron-they're making it worse, not better."
The GOAT debate between James and Michael Jordan has been a recurrent topic around the NBA world since the mid-2010s. The campaign James and his agent might be pushing hasn't sat well with many people.
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