14-year veteran declares LeBron James as the G.O.A.T.
The Greatest of All Time debate is a fixture of NBA discourse, often dominated by fan bias and media narratives. However, when a seasoned floor general with nearly 900 games of experience weighs in, the basketball world listens. On Monday, José Calderón, a 14-year NBA veteran and former teammate of LeBron James, officially cast his vote for the King, reigniting the eternal conversation with a perspective grounded in firsthand experience.
Calderón, known for his high basketball IQ and efficiency during stints with the Raptors, Knicks, and Cavaliers, didn't mince words. Speaking on a recent podcast appearance, the Spanish playmaker declared James not just the best active player, but the greatest in history. "LeBron James is the best player I've played with," Calderón stated. "I think he's probably one of the most complete players out there because of the things he does, how long he's been at the top level... Current and all-time. Yes, I think he is."
The endorsement carries specific weight given Calderón's proximity to James during the 2017-18 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. That year, a 33-year-old James played all 82 games and dragged a fluctuating roster to the NBA Finals, a feat often cited as one of the greatest individual carry jobs in league history. Calderón witnessed the daily preparation and mental mastery required to sustain that level of dominance, providing him with a unique vantage point compared to outside analysts.
While Michael Jordan’s unblemished Finals record remains the counter-argument for purists, Calderón’s rationale focuses on the "totality" of James' game. Now in his 23rd season, James continues to defy biological limits, a factor Calderón highlighted as the separator. "It's very difficult to stay at that level for so long," he noted. For a generation of players who competed against the best of the 2000s and 2010s, the sheer accumulation of excellence is becoming the deciding factor. As James continues to rewrite the record books in late 2025, testimonials from high-IQ peers like Calderón serve as a reminder that his legacy is defined not just by peaks, but by an unprecedented plateau of greatness.
Calderón, known for his high basketball IQ and efficiency during stints with the Raptors, Knicks, and Cavaliers, didn't mince words. Speaking on a recent podcast appearance, the Spanish playmaker declared James not just the best active player, but the greatest in history. "LeBron James is the best player I've played with," Calderón stated. "I think he's probably one of the most complete players out there because of the things he does, how long he's been at the top level... Current and all-time. Yes, I think he is."
The endorsement carries specific weight given Calderón's proximity to James during the 2017-18 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. That year, a 33-year-old James played all 82 games and dragged a fluctuating roster to the NBA Finals, a feat often cited as one of the greatest individual carry jobs in league history. Calderón witnessed the daily preparation and mental mastery required to sustain that level of dominance, providing him with a unique vantage point compared to outside analysts.
While Michael Jordan’s unblemished Finals record remains the counter-argument for purists, Calderón’s rationale focuses on the "totality" of James' game. Now in his 23rd season, James continues to defy biological limits, a factor Calderón highlighted as the separator. "It's very difficult to stay at that level for so long," he noted. For a generation of players who competed against the best of the 2000s and 2010s, the sheer accumulation of excellence is becoming the deciding factor. As James continues to rewrite the record books in late 2025, testimonials from high-IQ peers like Calderón serve as a reminder that his legacy is defined not just by peaks, but by an unprecedented plateau of greatness.
