Back to Back MVP
I don't know how much of my fan base listens to rap music, but I do. When I think of LeBron the T.I. line about "the king back now..." comes into my mind. It's rather fitting after he is a back to back champion. LeBron received his status of "King James" from his play and his stature over everyone around him. What makes him a king in my book is how he acts. He is a true champion. He exemplifies everything I want to idolize. He can enjoy the moment. Think about the coaches and players who always try to keep it cool and wouldn't have been on stage with a huge smile doing a little bounce back and forth with the Larry O'Brien and Bill Russell trophies in their hands. LeBron knows what the moment is and seizes it. If it's being straight faced and focused late in a must win game or celebrating when it's over, he knows what to do.
Beyond seizing the moment, LeBron is a perfect example to any kid who has ever been picked on. He allows his actions to speak louder than his words. He doesn't need to make some strong statement about proving the media and his naysayers wrong in a press conference. He delivers a fantastic game 6, scores 37 points, 12 rebounds, a bunch of assists, several late jumpers that sealed the deal, and two clutch free throws to win his second NBA title and MVP of the finals.
He realizes that he was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be in the NBA and isn't taking it for granted. LeBron is an athlete that most people don't see anymore. He is under constant scrutiny and still comes out unblemished with another ring on his finger. He is a true champion and stand up guy in every sense of those terms.
That's why i'm giving you guys a late night special edition about LeBron's legacy. He inspired me tonight with his performance and I want to take a look at why he is so great.
"I Ain't Got No Worries"
I'm not sure if he was quoting the Lil Wayne song or not, but LeBron James has absolutely nothing to worry about right now. If this performance wasn't enough to douse the flame of hate against him for leaving Cleveland and struggling in the 2011 finals, then nothing ever will.
As he said, he couldn't care less. He is a true champion. He is the most talented player I have ever seen play the game of basketball, he is a class act with amazing character, and he has proven the masses wrong over and over the past two years.
Everyone thought Indiana had a chance to beat the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron drops 32/8/4 in a dominating win. Game 6 against the Spurs, LeBron makes two bad plays but hits a big 3-pointer late and then gets help from Chris Bosh and Ray Allen. Last year against the Celtics in an elimination game 6, he scored 45 points and had 15 rebounds to stay alive in Boston. They said he wasn't clutch two years ago. Since that time, he's been clutch every time he was called on.
There was a switch that clicked with LeBron after losing to the Mavericks in 2011. He realized he didn't need to listen to what other people said about him. He didn't need to be hypersensitive to the media. He just needed to play his game. After that loss is when the switch flipped. We got to see it for the first time in the series against the Bulls last year when LeBron closed them out with great performances. Then, he followed it up in Boston and willed his team to the title after a game 1 loss to Oklahoma City.
This year it was more of the same from LeBron. When the moment was the most dire, he had the games he needed to and won. LeBron ain't got no worries, but he does have two rings.
Legacy Solidified
I know you don't agree with this if you're almost anyone between the ages of 17 and 100 but LeBron James is better than Michael Jordan. I've been saying this since he beat Boston in game 6 of the playoffs last year, and I've been saying that he would be the best ever when it's all said and done for several years now.
I want to write and ask you all to put away your nostalgia of M.J. for a minute but I can't do that to you. I know where you're coming from. M.J. was great. He was the best ever until 370 some days ago. When LeBron scored 45 points and 15 rebounds against the Celtics, I knew it was over. The legacy started to build and come to fruition and with his second title tonight, it was solidified.
Here's why I pick LeBron over M.J.
1.) It's about every facet of the game to me. It's about scoring, rebounding, assisting, blocking, defense, etc. Both of these players had/have immense talent at those skills, but LeBron has to use all of those skills every single night. He led the Heat in 9 categories last night. His all-around game is more complete to me than Michael's was. Look at the stats, LeBron's big games have him with a packed box score and Michael's games had 45 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist. LeBron has 37 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, 4 steals, 9 of 11 free throws, and dominant defense.
2.) Following my first point, LeBron is the better teammate. He makes everyone around him better. He sets them up for open looks. He gets into the right position so they can make a good decision of passing or shooting. He cares deeply about the guys he plays with. They are his brothers. They are a family. I was young for most of Jordan's dominance but I always got this vibe that Jordan knew he was on a level above everyone and acted accordingly.
3.) LeBron is a better person. Now you say that we should only judge them by what they do on the court. Why? If you're the greatest at something, everything you do is put under a microscope. If i'm picking out an idol or role model for someone, i'm picking LeBron first and Jordan will probably be an undrafted free agent. I like the drive and ferocity of Jordan. He was an assassin. That's one way to operate. I like how LeBron does it better. He would rather go down with the crew over abandoning ship to save himself. I want my kids to learn the qualities that LeBron has over Michael. Too many people say you need to be heartless and vicious to be successful. LeBron shows that isn't true. You have to be dedicated, work hard and put everything you have into something to be successful, but you can do it without being arrogant.
LeBron has the qualities as a player and a person that make me so positively sure that he is the best player I have ever seen.
Feel free to call me crazy and defend Michael until you're blue in the face. I've heard a handful of stories from people about M.J. being a jerk. I don't care how great you are. You have to earn my respect. I respect what M.J. did on a basketball court but that's as far as that goes. I respect everything LeBron has done, not just basketball.
Maybe that doesn't mean anything to you but when I hear LeBron talk about seeing his name on the back of his jersey and knowing that he wasn't even supposed to be here, it makes me happy. It makes me appreciate him that much more because he appreciates those moments.
Closing Remarks
I want to pay a moment of respect to the San Antonio Spurs. They were one of the first teams I watched when I got into basketball because they were successful and on TV when I started watching. I always enjoyed watching Tim Duncan and Co. play so efficiently. It was beautiful. The Spurs were one of the first teams I rooted for because I was 7 or 8 when they started this dominating era. Now i'm 22. I have always had a place for the Spurs in my heart but since LeBron entered into the league I have been a fan of him. I was a bit torn when the two faced off the first time. This time I was all in for LeBron. That doesn't take away my respect for Popovich, Duncan, Ginobli, Parker and the great system that San Antonio has in place. Tim Duncan might decide to retire after this year. I don't think Ginobli or Parker will ever be as good as they have been in the past and Popovich will probably leave coaching in a few years. This could be the closing of an era and I just want to say, congratulations to everything that San Antonio has accomplished in the past 15 years. Their organization is a model one that does things the right way.
Thanks for reading. I'll bring my regularly scheduled blog post sometime in the early afternoon hours. We're talking about where sports will be in 50 years.
Congratulations to the Miami Heat!! 2013 NBA Champions!! Congratulations to LeBron James!! 2013 NBA Finals MVP!!
- Tim
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