2014 NBA Top 20: #1 LeBron James and the quest for three-peat

LeBron James of the Miami Heat during the pre-season game against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on October 15, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

Growing up in a rough neighbourhood in Akron, Ohio, LeBron James had the temerity to wear the fabled 23 on the back of his St. Vincent-St. Mary High School jersey.

A high-school phenom, the then 18-year-old James even had the gall to take that number into his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, having been drafted first overall after graduating in 2003.

To his credit, James won the Rookie of the Year award that season, averaging 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game.

In the process, James joined Oscar Robertson (1960-61) and Michael Jordan (1984-85) as the only players in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in their rookie year. Tyreke Evans (2009-10) has since joined this elite group.

While James has managed All-NBA honours every season since his sophomore year, he initially struggled to cope with the amount of criticism he received for his poor passing and defending skills. That only skyrocketed when the forward’s scrutinised (un)clutch plays ensured that the Cavs failed to make the cut for the playoffs in his first couple of seasons.

That was a decade ago.

James always had the potential, and testament to that was his Game 5 performance in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons in the 2006-07 season; one which ESPN ranked the fourth greatest in modern NBA playoff history in 2012.

James notched a playoff franchise record 48 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, and scored 29 of Cleveland’s last 30 points including the game-winning lay-up with two seconds left en route to the Finals (which the San Antonio Spurs swept).

Today, James has the talents of a possessed exorcist on steroids; the man can truly do (and achieve) crazily outrageous things. But that obviously comes with a bit of chutzpah.

James may have given up the number 23 in favour of the number six (his team USA jersey) as a mark of honour towards the greatest of all time: Jordan. But he did himself no favours when he “took his talents to South Beach” in that infamous interview, live on ESPN in 2010, titled “The Decision”.

In his three seasons since teaming up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, the Heat have made the NBA Finals every year. But the “Big Three” were humbled by Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in six games after they reached the Finals of the 2010-11 season.

Prior to the 2011-12 season, James had won two Most Valuable Player awards and two All-Star MVP awards but the elusive ring he professed to have around his finger was still, well, elusive.

All that soon changed.

The Heat and James have won back-to-back NBA Championships – having defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games in 2011-12 Finals and the San Antonio Spurs in seven in the 2012-13 season – on the back of James’ clutch MVP performances.

James celebrates after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win Game Seven of the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 20, 2013 in Miami, Florida. (Getty Images)

The personal vitriol aimed at James isn’t justified as it has blurred our vision and put us at a disservice. In doing so we have not only missed out on his greatness but (until this year) also failed to notice his much improved all-round game.

James has thrived under the guidance of Head Coach Erik Spoelstra and worked hard on his post-game inside the paint and his ball-handling skills around the arc. We already knew he was a phenomenal athlete courtesy those numerous chase-down blocks and monster dunks. But as we witnessed in the 2013 Finals, James is now the real deal.

James not only marked Spurs’ point guard Tony Parker out of Games 6 and 7 but also notched up big game numbers, with 32 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and 37 points and 12 rebounds respectively. Talk about clutch.

The 28-year-old showcased his versatility (he can play in all five positions with relative ease) on both ends of the court, ran the floor to set up plays, shut out his opponent’s best creator and scored bucket after bucket to answer his critics and prove that he is no one-trick pony.

With that, the Heat (and James) are on the cusp of greatness. That’s because they stand a chance to join a rather select guild of teams (and players) who have the word(s) ‘dynasty’ (and legacy) associated with them.

Only the Minneapolis Lakers (now Los Angeles) from 1952-54, the Boston Celtics (who won eight in a row) from 1959-66, and Phil Jackson’s Chicago Bulls (from 1991-93 and 1996-98) and Los Angeles Lakers (1998-2000) have enjoyed the ‘dynasty’ title.

James’ Heat are one title away from entering that hallowed group. But if you really think about it, all of that wouldn’t have been possible if Ray Allen hadn’t made that legendary three in Game 6 of the Finals against the Spurs. And the upcoming season won’t be any easier, as getting past the Eastern Conference Finals could prove to be quite the hurdle.

Standing in the way – in the guise of party-poopers – are the young and athletic Indiana Pacers, who pushed the Heat to seven games in last season’s playoffs; the “big five” of the Brooklyn Nets; and the Chicago Bulls, who have been reinvigorated by the long-awaited return of Derrick Rose.

On the personal front, James’ legacy isn’t tarnished in anyway but it is a bit skewed, after the rock concert-esque introduction they gave the Heat fans in 2010, something that didn’t stand in good stead with many. Besides, the likes of Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Jordan and Kobe Bryant have all built their legacies by plying their trade for one team. James, after failing at the final hurdle with the Cavs, bolted.

And the four-time MVP might well again, whether or not the Heat achieve a three-peat, as he will be an unrestricted free agent in 2014. James is a future Hall-of-Famer, no doubt, but he must learn that arrogance is only respected when it is earned.

A little bit of loyalty, like humility, will go a long way in cementing his place in the list of greats, for King James is the closest player we’ve seen to “Sir Altitude” Michael Jordan who, like we know, earned it alright.

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