NBA fans are used to a lot of things every year: buzzer-beaters, ankle-breakers, the top slams, the GOAT debates, and of course star players expression dissatisfaction with team dynamics. And then there’s LeBron James asking for more help. And apparently, Chris Broussard has finally had enough of it. In a recent segment, Broussard took a shot at LeBron’s annual cries for reinforcements, comparing it to the inevitabilities of death and taxes.
“I’m tired of every year hearing ‘we need more, we need more,’” Broussard declared, making a point that has many fans nodding in agreement. “Not many other stars have AD, like, who’s Jokic got next to him?” he continued, tossing out an undeniable truth. After all, if Nikola Jokic can carry the Denver Nuggets to a championship without begging for a bigger roster, why can’t LeBron do the same with Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and a supporting cast that actually isn’t half bad?
Broussard went on to fire a few more shots, pointing out how players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic himself never seem to be out there in press conferences asking for more. But every year, it’s LeBron, like clockwork: “Death, taxes, and LeBron asking for more help.” And let’s face it, after nearly two decades of LeBron’s “we need more” routine, it’s starting to feel like a comedy bit that’s run its course.
Is It Really That Bad?
To be fair, Broussard’s point isn’t wrong. LeBron James is a once-in-a-generation talent, yet it feels like every season, we get the same LeBron-led Lakers saga: a superstar surrounded by role players (and, let’s be honest, sometimes very role players) looking for a trade or a new signing to get over the hump. Meanwhile, you look at Jokic, who is arguably more than just a one-man band in Denver, but definitely not operating with the star-studded cast LeBron consistently seeks. Jokic’s approach is quieter, humble even, and for the most part, he gets the job done without publicly lamenting the need for another megastar to help him carry the load.
Then there’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the new face of the Thunder, leading them through rebuilding years. They’ve become unsung and one of the NBA’s best teams. If there’s any player who could be asking for more help, it’s probably SGA. But he’s too busy putting up 30 points a night while sipping on some iced tea in the Oklahoma City sun, quietly leading a team without making any noise about needing a superstar sidekick.
So, yes, Broussard’s point cuts deep: LeBron has had help. He’s had great help. He won a title with Anthony Davis. He’s had Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland. He won in Miami with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. He even had the great Carmelo Anthony as a teammate. Yet every year, we hear about how LeBron “needs more help” to chase yet another title. Would MJ ever do this?
The LeBron Paradox: The Best Player Who Needs More Help
The real issue here is the paradox that comes with LeBron James. He is, without question, one of the greatest players to ever play the game. His resume is already filled with four MVPs, four championships, and countless playoff appearances. But somehow, every season, the narrative remains the same: he’s not getting enough help.
Is it that LeBron actually needs help? Maybe. Afterall, he’s 40 years old now. But there’s also the possibility that his level of greatness raises expectations to a point where the supporting cast can never quite meet them. When you’re a guy who’s been the face of the league for almost 20 years, anything less than a title is considered a disappointment — and when that happens, LeBron’s gotta get his “we need more” line in.
This wouldn’t be an issue if other superstars weren’t making it work with less. Jokic, once a second-round pick, doesn’t have another MVP-caliber player by his side (though Jamal Murray’s playoff performance was undeniably huge this year, and Russell Westbrook is having one heck of a throwback year). Giannis Antetokounmpo led a Milwaukee Bucks team to an NBA title with a roster that, while solid, wasn’t anything to write home about outside of him and Khris Middleton, and maybe former standout Jrue Holiday. Durant’s championship with the Warriors might have been the exception to the “help-wanted” ads that seem to pop up every year with LeBron.
What’s Next for LeBron?
Of course, it’s not like LeBron isn’t aware of this. He’s probably has his people out there on X right now, firing back at Broussard’s comments. But the reality is, every year we get to watch LeBron on a mission to find the next big thing—whether it’s recruiting Anthony Davis or campaigning for new signings during the off-season, LeBron’s “I need help” mantra is as ingrained in NBA culture as any jump shot.
And here’s the thing: there’s nothing wrong with it. LeBron is an all-time great and, like any superstar, he wants to build the best possible team around him to win more rings. But let’s be real: if you’re the King, you don’t need to keep looking for your crown. Maybe it’s time for a more self-sufficient LeBron who isn’t constantly asking for another sidekick, because the man has had more help than most of the NBA combined!
In the end, as Broussard so wittily points out, there are three things you can always count on: death, taxes, and LeBron asking for more help.