This may come as a massive shock to some people, but LeBron James is really good at basketball.
The NBA superstar will play in his fifth consecutive NBA Finals next week, after his Cleveland Cavaliers swept the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
In Game 3 of the series, ‘The King’ stuffed the box score, putting up 37 points, 18 rebounds, 13 assists and 3 steals. He also made a number of clutch plays and hit big baskets down the stretch of regulation, and into overtime.
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Admittedly, LeBron only shot 14 of 37 from the field in the game, and missed his first ten shots, but sometimes you need to disregard efficiency as an indicator of a great performance, and this is certainly one of those occasions.
Though some pundits suggested it was a game for the ages, the truth is – eye-popping stats aside – by LeBron’s lofty standards, he didn’t even play that well. Yet that simply highlights just how good he is.
The game added yet another chapter to an ever-increasing book of impressive playoff performances from one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Along with another dominant display in Game 4 – where LeBron followed up with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists – it saw his team advance and be one step closer to the 2014-15 championship.
This will be LeBron’s sixth NBA Finals appearance during his career, after taking Cleveland there in 2007, and then the Miami Heat in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Now that you can include 2015, it’s mind-boggling to even write.
In those appearances, LeBron has won two NBA championships, and some critics point to his NBA Finals record of 2-3 with derision, claiming it indicates he’s not as great as other NBA legends.
Of course, this conveniently ignores the fact that LeBron’s teams were far inferior than their opponents in two of those series, along with the more obvious point that LeBron should receive immense credit for actually making that many Finals series.
As a point of comparison, Larry Bird – LeBron’s main competitor as the greatest forward of all time – ‘only’ made the Finals five times, for three titles.
Personally, I don’t think you can count LeBron’s Finals losses against him unless you also count the times other NBA superstars didn’t even make the Finals against them.
This is not intended to be a love-in on LeBron, for he’s not perfect.
His jumpshot remains inconsistent, and it would be understatement to say it has been that in this year’s playoffs.
He shies away from playing in the post, even though he’s at his most dangerous – and most efficient – when he plays on the block.
He has tendency to want to ‘do everything’ from the top of the key, rather than let the ball do the work.
He still has strange stretches of play where he appears disconcertingly passive for a superstar.
Lastly, aside from his play, LeBron also receives somewhat warranted criticism for having an ego, along with a flair for the dramatic. Which is a nice way of saying that he can be a bit of a ‘drama queen’. Or King, to be consistent.
Yet, all these things are nit-picking of the utmost highest order.
LeBron James is the best player in the world, and when his career is all said and done, he may be rated as high as number two on the all-time list of great NBA players. Therefore, we should sit back and enjoy his greatness, rather than be pedantic about his very few minor faults.
With LeBron’s Cavs facing off against the Golden State Warriors (presumably) in the NBA Finals, get ready for a number of different storylines that will be written and discussed over the coming days.
The league’s best player facing off against the league’s best team.
A four-time MVP going up against this year’s MVP.
The hometown hero attempting to bring a title to the success-starved state of Ohio, versus a team attempting to put the finishing touch on a historically great season.
Yet the narrative I’m most looking forward to is this: if LeBron can lead this banged-up, depleted and unassuming Cleveland roster to an NBA title, it will be the most impressive achievement on his very long, and very distinguished, list of accomplishments.
express34texas
Guest
Possibly his greatest achievement if he wins. However, while he played well throughout the east conf. playoffs, he didn't play extraordinarily well for his standards or other all-time greats standards. And that is coupled with injuries to his team, while only losing 2 games on his way to the finals. This shows how weak the east is. The Bulls had big issues and injuries to deal with themselves, and they weren't really a contender anyway. ATL won a lot of regular season games, but they struggled each round, and against teams that would killed in the west. Plus, they lost Korver to game 2 in the ECF, and very few thought they were real contenders, as we saw. With that being said, when you only have to win 1 tough series, regardless if that team is much better than you, it makes it so much easier. It's like in tennis, the fewer matches you have to play against the top players, it makes it so much easier to win a grand slam. The luck of the draw is basically half the battle sometimes. However, good news for GS is that they only lost 3 games along the way, and have only lost Speights, who really isn't needed. Curry/Thompson are coming back from concussions or near concussions, but they seem ok.
Timber Tim
Guest
It will be if he leads a city know for its curses to an major title e.g The catch, The walk off, The drive, The fumble need I say more. It will be his greatest achievement if Lebron can lead the cavs to glory
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Would he listen though? He had the great Pat Riley, although not in a coaching role, yet it seems he didn't really want to play his way until Wade convinced him otherwise.
Ryan O'Connell
Guest
I think that the Golden State crowd will help the Warriors a lot. They get so 'juiced' from their fans, that provided they can harness their excitement and emotions, it will allow them to play like they have all season long.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Imagine if LeBron ever had a really strong coach who held serious sway at the organisation, and made LeBron play to his strengths on every single possession? Imagine Pop and LeBron, for example. Scary.
astro
Guest
One interesting factor in these Finals is the relative lack of experience of both teams, with the exception of Lebron. The Warriors have seemed composed throughout the playoffs, but it'll be interesting if the Finals add more pressure and whether this impacts the Warriors more than Lebron and the Cavs. Not saying I think the Cavs are in with much of a shot, but still looking forward to it! cb
josh
Roar Rookie
I think James knows he has only just begun. Watch out in the finals. I don't he will let this championship slip away.
jamesb
Guest
We could have a Dellavadova v Bogut match up in the finals.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
I loved Zach Lowe's point about how he just wants to be the man and pound the ball in iso and run pick and roll action all the time. Now he is away from Miami it will be interesting to see if his system works. He will need to find his range from deep if he wants to beat the Warriors, they are not a banged up Hawks side by a long shot.
kevin
Guest
Top piece, its amazing to be around to see this stuff... The Cavs were 50-1 to win the title before " the letter".. now they are in the finals, i think that's enough for me... remember the Bulls won almost the same amount of games the year without Jordan.. hows Miami going now?
Tristan Rayner
Editor
As I've been emailing anyone who I think might tolerate it: We Are All Witness. (In those annoying capitals as well.) LeBron's scorching the earth.
Mike from Tari
Guest
I feel that you are about to witness Delavedova's.
Peeeko
Guest
It's hard to compare finals success as talent was more widely spread in the 80s unlike miami where 3 stars got together to make title runs. His performance to get this depleted side to the finals 4-0 has been brilliant. Still I think the Hawks were big over achievers in regular season