LeBron's Time

As Game 4 of the 2014 NBA Finals tips off tonight, the pressure is on the Miami Heat tonight. It’s as close to a must win as it can get for the Heat. And for Lebron James’ legacy.

Before people start jumping to crazy ideas and saying that Lebron is great either way, hold up. I’m not undermining the greatness that is Lebron James. The reason there is immense pressure for him to deliver is because he is a well-established great player. He is fighting for the ranks of ALL-TIME greatness. And for that, this game and this series is crucial.

All time greatness is usually measured with a greater emphasis on playoff results, championships, and the handling of pressure situations. Not to discount Lebron’s four season MVPs, because that plays a huge part in why he is cemented as one of the greatest ever. But to be THE greatest ever, playoff results need to be amazing.

Lebron currently is in his 5^th NBA Finals. Problem is, he only has two rings. He is fighting to be considered the single greatest player in NBA history, a title that currently resides with Michael Jordan. Jordan went to six NBA Finals, left with six rings and six Finals MVPs. An unblemished record. Lebron will obviously never achieve that, but he needs to get as close to six rings as possible to even be in legitimate conversation. If Lebron were to fail to capture a ring this year, it would make him 2-3 all time in NBA Finals (all losses coming to Texas teams, two to the Spurs and one to the Mavs). This means to get to six rings, he would need to go to the NBA Finals at least four more times, and win all four times. Lebron is an 11 year NBA veteran who is closer to the end than the beginning.

There is no guarantee he will be able to finish with four more rings if he loses now. There is too much uncertainty. Lebron James’ age and health. Dwayne Wade’s health. The assembling of a team capable to help Lebron take it to the end. So many factors. On top of all that, critics have came down hard on James for not playing through his cramps in Game 1, which is absurd (My thing against him in that situation was why his body wasn’t taken care of even better to prevent the cramps). But that only increases the pressure on him to answer in all time great fashion.

The pressure is on. Lebron is getting older. Opportunities to be in the NBA Finals will be harder to come by in the future. His future with the Miami Heat is also uncertain. Lebron needs to play with a crazy sense of urgency to win right now.

The Miami Heat would surely appreciate it