For the greater part of two decades, LeBron James has held the title of NBA's best player, combining his superhuman physical talent with tremendous cerebral intelligence and selfless play.
Few players have realistically challenged James' place atop the NBA throne, from winning back-to-back MVPs with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009 and 2010, to reaching his apex while winning two titles and an additional pair of MVPs with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, to continuing his dominance by winning championships with the Cavs and Los Angeles Lakers.
Until now.
While age and injuries have taken their toll in recent years, this may be the first time we can confidently say that James is no longer the best player in the NBA, a run that arguably began in 2007 when he dismantled a championship-winning Detroit Pistons roster and led a mediocre Cavaliers team to the Finals.
"He's still exceptional, an All-Star and all that, but he's not the best player in the league anymore," a Western Conference scout told Bleacher Report after watching James play this week. "He's still in charge, but Father Time is catching up with him. He cannot be stopped, yet he can no longer do so for lengthy periods of time."