I have no hatred. And Bill Russell, who is ahead of LBJ on my list, was as outspoken and as powerful as they come. Both in the NBA and civil rights.
As far as arguments. There are plenty.
He has a losing record in the finals against other major contemporaries. Duncan, Curry, Dirk. Maybe even Garnett in the Eastern playoffs (not sure). That itself is an argument. He's missed the playoffs. Duncan always found a way. Remind me when Duncan melted down in the finals like LeBron did in '11?
For historic players = Kareem has more points, more MVPS, more championships. And also lead UCLA to 4 les. Sure, LBJ didn't even go to college but I'm guessing it unlikely he'd have won a le every year. Definitely if there was only 1 slot for the Bball HOF between Kareem and LBJ, Kareem would get it. He's easily the best or second best (to Jordan) player of all time. Unless you just go by les. Then its Russell.
Magic also won more les. And he did so against all time teams like the Moses/Dr. J 76ers, the Bird Celtics, the Bad Boy Pistons. He also faced early Jordan. He also passes the eye test better than LBJ.
Wilt lived in the era of those unstoppable Celtics, which cost him some les, but he still managed 2 les and put up stats that will never be matched. You can make an argument for him.
Anyway, my point really isn't which of those players is the better than LeBron. It's that there are arguments. It's this media-pushed notion that the Goat is either LBJ or Jordan and no one else. This is just a combination of ways to generate interest and something to give the talking heads something to spew about "Is the guy currently best in the game, the greatest ever?" because that is not as sexy as remembering that there have been many contenders in the history of the league, and you can make an argument based on whatever criteria you wish.
But, at least, I'd take Jordan, Kareem, Magic and Russell over LBJ. And maybe our own Duncan too.
And while they'd be lower overall career than LBJ, I'd take Wilt, Bird and Shaq at their peaks over him too. The Laker faithful will bring up Kobe too, but I'd have him well below everyone else I mentioned including LBJ.