There are moments in sports when the legends take center stage and orchestrate magical performances. In the NBA Finals we recollect the image of Michael Jordan standing with his hand in the air after the final dagger in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. We picture Magic's sky hook over Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish and Larry Bird in Game 4 of the 1987 Finals. We have visions of Tim Duncan's almost quadruple double in Game 6 which clinched the 2003 Finals in our minds and Shaq's almost quadruple double in Game 2 of the 2001 NBA Finals as well. Or we remember Larry Bird's incredible 34 points on 15 of 20 shooting in the 1984 Finals.
Time and time again the greats from days past have acted out the epic scripts that have been written for them. The NBA Finals are a place where the players we idolize and deify remain immortal. The best of the best don't succumb to the surmounting pressure. They rise above the opportunity and define it because they see it as a chance to reach their ultimate dream; an NBA Championship and mythical status.
This years' NBA Finals presented an opportunity for 3 superstars to write their own scripts of greatness. Dirk Nowitzki and LeBron James were seeking their first ring and Dwyane Wade was looking to add a second to his trophy case. It was also a chance for both Dirk and LeBron to shed their choker labels.
The Heat were the heavy favorites going into this series because of their star power, but they were struck down by the balanced team play of the Mavericks and more importantly the disappearing act of the best player in the league. I give full credit to the Dallas Mavericks because they were the better team, but for now I am going to focus on LeBron James and put him under the microscope.
LeBron is the greatest talent the NBA has ever seen. He has immense physical gifts and the size and strength to take advantage of them, but it's what is on the inside that really matters and he's full of fluff, doubt and passivity. Instead of going all in when the chips are down he folds because he fears failure. He's not willing to do what it takes to win especially when it means going all in and risking everything; at least on the NBA Finals stage.
Flash back to the previous two series' against the Celtics and Bulls. LeBron played with aggression, pace and purpose. He closed out Boston in the 4th Quarter of Game 5 and did the same against the Bulls in Game 6. He took the ball, told everyone to get out of his way and sank clutch jumper after jumper. He was finally showing signs of shaking off the anti-clutch gene that has plagued his career and then he goes out and puts up one of the worst finals performances of any star in NBA History. I just don't understand it.
It may seem like the media and fans are putting the world on his shoulders, but he's the one who wanted it with his 'we are all witnesses' campaign, the chosen one tatoo on his back and his King James nickname. Who is LeBron James and who does he want to be? He claims he wants to be recognized as the next global icon on and off the court, but this mentality doesn't translate on the hardwood where he is a passive playmaker more keen on setting up his teammates than going for the jugular when blood is in the water. In the biggest decision of his life he chose to ring chase and join two other stars instead of leading his own team to a title. The self porclaimed King is more Robin than he is Batman.
In fact, Batman is Dwyane Wade who did make his fair share of mistakes the final two games, but he did so being aggressive. He was the one trying to put the team on his shoulders not LeBron James. When the game was in the final act and it was time to close curtains players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Larry Bird would go for the kill shot. Or when their respective teams were down they'd become more aggressive. LeBron did neither in the Finals, but he did so the previous two rounds.
It appears to me that LeBron is going through an identity crisis. He doesn't know who he is and who he should be on the court. He's not decisive in his decision making and the weight that has been put on his shoulders has brung him to his knees. A true King knows how to lead. A true King has fortitude and confidence in his decicsions. A true King doesn't wilt under pressure and distribute clutch responsibities to others around him. LeBron did all of those things.
The moment was too big for him. The spotlight burned holes through his skin so he hid in the shadows, but his glowing ego emits a light that can be seen even in the darkest of places. Hence why everyone outside of Miami is ripping him to shreds.
I don't feel sorry for him. I don't have pity for him. I don't believe that he's being made out to be the scapegoat for his teams' loss. I believe he got what was coming to him. This is what he wanted. He wanted the attention in the offseason. He wanted to be the man in all of his commercials, slogans and nicknames. He wanted the spotlight. Be careful what you wish for.
All of this talk about how LeBron needs to work on his game though to me is irrelevant. LeBron needs to work on his psychological game. He needs to find himself. He needs to figure out why in big moments he chooses to defer and become passive. This is a career defininig offseason for him. He has the ability to be the closer and the alpha dog, but he has to want to take on that role.
Maybe he'll come back with a competitive fire and drive that we've never seen before. Or maybe the shots and slanders from everyone around him will bury his confidence even more. I just don't know what to think about him anymore. He shows glimpses of greatness and then he flops in big moments.
Will the real LeBron James please stand up?
