So this was going to be the year. The city of Cleveland, Ohio was finally going to get another pro sports championship. WRONG! The Celtics finished off the Cavs on Thursday by winning the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals series 4 games to 2. The team with the MVP and the best record in the regular season sent packing much earlier than expected.
Lebron James, the NBA MVP for the past two seasons, looked like anything but that in the game 5 blow out loss. Although he had a triple double in the final game, he committed 9 turnovers and didn't seem to concerned at times during the game that would end his season. James is taking a beating from fans and media alike for failing once again to win his first NBA Title.
All GREAT, not good, but GREAT champions have one thing in common - a burning desire to win with just as much hatred for losing. Based on body language and effort during the last two games, one must ask himself if Lebron really wants to win and really hates losing. Sure, Lebron doesn't have the great side kick yet in Cleveland. He does need more help than he has right now in Cleveland. But Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and all of the other GREATS of the NBA past would not have taken the losses in the last two games as well as Lebron did. These men hated losing so much that they would have been screaming at their teammates while leaving everything including blood, sweat, and tears on the floor during these losses. Lebron didn't seem real upset.
So Lebron just doesn't have the cut throat win at all cost mentality and heart of a great champion? Well, maybe but then again maybe not. Lebron started in the NBA right out of high school at 18 years of age. Maybe, Lebron just needs another year or two in order to mature. He seems frustrated by the lack of talent around him causing him to not play as hard. No excuse for this and the all time greats would never do it but he does seem very frustrated. With another two years or so under his belt maybe he doesn't let the frustration get to him and we see that burning desire for winning with just as much disgust for losing.
Either way, it will be a long off season for Lebron as he must wait another year to win that ever elusive NBA Title. He is a free agent and will get many offers. However, Cleveland is his hometown. It is bad enough he hasn't won a title for them but if he up and leaves then he may be hated for ever in his own hometown. It will be interesting to watch how this plays out.
Even more interesting is this question, who is Lebron James - Batman or Robin....Lone Ranger or Tonto....Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippen?
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