As many of my close friends would note, Lebron James is, and always will be my favorite player in the entire NBA. Since Lebron was in high school, I have been fascinated with his talents, and once he brought those talents to the NBA I have been his biggest fan ever since. Day after day, especially within the past year, I have received criticism for sticking by James after his “decision” to leave Cleveland and take his talents to South Beach. However, I brushed that under the rug, and argued tooth and nail with multiple people why the decision Lebron made should not be scrutinized because it was a decision to win. Starting with my thoughts on some of the major arguments people make against Lebron, I’ll migrate to his performance in the NBA Finals and my thoughts on how he played.

Lebron Ruined His Image Going to Miami

I’ll be the first to admit that “The Decision” was not the best way Lebron could have told the world he was going to leave Cleveland and join the Miami Heat. However, James took less money than he would have received in Cleveland, and donated every dime “The Decision” made to charity. Now, from a realistic point of view, how does that hurt somebody’s image to donate millions of dollars to charity? I am not sure of the answer to that question, and most people could not truthfully answer the question by stating it would hurt somebody’s image. I don’t see the problem with James leaving the Cavaliers to go to a team he felt had a better chance to win. James has made it clear since he got in the league that he has one goal, and that goal is to win a championship. Lebron has all of the personal accolades anybody would ever dream of, but he is in search of a championship, and he thought Miami brought him the best chance at winning. You cannot fault a guy for wanting to win, however many people think differently.

Lebron James Comparisons to Other Great Players

Stop with the comparisons. Lebron has never compared himself to the game’s greats, and I doubt that he ever will. All of the people in the world want to jump at the chance to say that Michael Jordan will always be better, or that Kobe is in a different league than Lebron, but you will never hear Lebron say anything about how he wants to be compared to Michael Jordan. Lebron James lets his game do the talking, and THAT is why people put him in the same ballpark as the game’s greatest players. They do not do that because Lebron says he is great, they do that because Lebron shows he is great.

Lebron James’ Finals Performance

This is where some that know me may be surprised. Lebron James’ performance in the NBA Finals was abysmal. This was the time Lebron could shut his critics up once and for all. He could lift the burden off of his shoulders and win a championship. He had multiple opportunities to have takeover fourth quarter performances, and he shied away. Lebron James played hot potato with the ball every fourth quarter, and rarely would you find him attacking the basket. I have never been more disappointed in a single player’s game than I was in Lebron’s for the entire NBA Finals. Eight points in a game in the NBA Finals? It just did not make sense to me that continue to watch Lebron James shy away from the limelight, and continue to hurt his team down the stretch. I will forever be a Lebron fan, but no longer will I defend his fourth quarter antics and clutch performances until he proves he can provide for his team down the stretch on a consistent basis, especially in games of higher magnitude.