It is evident that LeBron James has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing the records set by legendary players who came before him. Throughout his career, James has not only excelled on the offensive end but has also earned numerous accolades, including league MVP and Finals MVP honors.

However, there is one particular award that continues to elude James, and it has become a source of frustration for him – the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award. In a recent episode of “The Shop: Uninterrupted” on HBO, James expressed his discontent about not having this award in his collection, drawing a comparison to Beyoncé’s Grammy wins without an Album of the Year recognition.

Reflecting on past seasons, James recalled instances where he narrowly missed out on the DPOY award. In 2013, despite delivering an exceptional defensive performance, the award went to Marc Gasol, leaving James as the runner-up. James raised questions about the selection process, pointing out that Gasol didn’t even make the first-team all-defense, whereas James secured a spot on that team.

The discrepancy in the voting system was evident, as coaches determined the all-defensive teams, while a panel of sports writers and broadcasters decided the DPOY award. This inconsistency was not unique to Gasol, as other players like Alvin Robertson, Dikembe Mutombo, and Tyson Chandler faced similar situations in the past. However, changes were made to the selection process for the all-defensive teams starting in 2014, aiming to ensure fairness and transparency.

Despite his frustration, LeBron James remains undeterred in his pursuit of excellence. He continues to leave an indelible mark on the game of basketball, driven by his unwavering passion and the desire to excel in every aspect of the sport.