KING JAMES CROWNED AGAIN
Lebron James has now officially joined the discussion. You know the discussion I am talking about. The one you have around the water coolers, and in sports bars with your buddies over a few beers. The one about “who is the greatest basketball player to ever lave up the Chuck Taylor’s–living or dead.”
That rarified air was once the sole domain of Michael Jordan, with Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and maybe Magic Johnson and Larry Bird getting some play. For a few years there, Kobe Bryant was added to the discussion based on potential, but that potential doesn’t appear to be realized, and now Kobe’s achilles injury should take away any chances he had of rejoining the discussion.
Now though, for many, including myself, there are only two–M.J. and King James, and James is getting closer and closer to grabbing that title all to himself. Jordan can’t actually DO anything more to improve his standing, but Lebron can and almost surely will. Jordan won six NBA titles, but James could very well win six titles in a row.
One thing that made Jordan Jordan was his ability to take over and be greatest when it counted the most. Last night, James almost out-Jordaned Jordan. James performance in a huge game seven against the Spurs will go down as being legendary.
In a must win game six, James took over in the 4th quarter and overtime, hitting key shot after key shot, including a three pointer in the final 30 seconds to help erase a five point deficit with a half a minute left. In game seven, James outdid even his game six effort with a game high 37 points, including five three pointers, and added 12 rebounds with only two turnovers and two fouls.
Not since Jordan has anyone seen the most dominant player in the game being this dominant at the most crucial of times, putting his team on his back, and leading them…willing them really, to a victory, and a 2nd championship. Performances don’t get much better than Lebron James performance last night.
As for the teams, the Spurs failed to win their fifth championship since 1999, and first since 2007. As good as San Antonio has been, sadly, no one will ever think of them as a dynasty. Their four titles were too spaced out, and even though they have been a top notch playoff team nearly every year for the past 15 years, I think they fall short of the dynasty catagory. They are a very good team, but their ceiling was just not as high as Miami’s. San Anotonio had to play a nearly perfect game to beat the Heat, and they did three times. It’s just too tough when the best player in the game is on the floor and he isn’t on your team.
As for the Heat, only time will tell where they will eventually be viewed in the lexicon of the game, but they are well on their way to being the game’s next great dynasty. Much of that will depend on the health of Dwyane Wade, whose much chronicled knees are on unsteady ground almost every year. It will also depend on the consistency of Chris Bosh, and what the Heat and Pat Riley decide to do with Ray Allen, who showed signs of looking like a bottle on a beach…washed up.
The one thing we do know is that the Heat will continue to be favorites every year as long as they have Lebron James wearing their uniform. By the time it’s all over, I will be shocked if the discussion for “best ever” doesn’t begin and end with King James.
