LeBron During Thursday’s Morning Shootaround: As Loose As Ever

“I understand what is at stake, this is a big game, probably the biggest game of my life. I’m approaching it that way. Not probably, it is.”

The quote above comes from LeBron, the biggest superstar athlete in sports today, and the biggest target in sports for the media to criticize.  Many have asked how big of a game he will have tonight in Dallas for Game five.  Notice, it’s how big of a game he will have, and not whether or not he will have a big game.

It’s hard to argue against LeBron coming out to play, overcoming his poor Game four performance.  You don’t even have to get involved in all the numbers and match-ups, it’s quite simple why he will bounce back: His team needs him to.  Tonight is the real reason why LeBron took his talents to South Beach.  To win an NBA championship.

The most scrutinized professional sports athlete ever has the most expectations of any superstar in the history of professional sports.  If his team loses tonight, he will get the blame, not Dwayne Wade.  Talk about a lose-lose situation.  Everything is stacked against him, however, that doesn’t mean he will succumb to the pressure.  Why?  He is a rare player that can impact a game without scoring and by getting the job done on the defensive end.  He’s looking at the game, like there’s no where to go but up.  He is loose.  I don’t believe the pressure will get to him.

The toughest situation has meant a good response from the road team, a team that feeds off the intensity of a crowd booing them.  They have answered the call, and why not again, tonight?  Now look ahead, to what LeBron’s coach said about his mentality heading into tonight’s do-or-die, “now or never” contest:

“One, he will be more aggressive and have more of an attack mentality tomorrow night. He doesn’t need to over-think it.”  Don’t over-think it.  I’m a huge fan of Erik Spoelstra, both as a coach and as a leader.  He says the right things, and knows all LeBron has to do is to be more aggressive.  Start the game off with a couple of makes and get out in transition.  Do what you do best and impose your will with your athleticism.  Too easy.  So why is everyone so down and making it so difficult?  Like the classic Ice Cube song, LeBron can “mess around and get a triple-double”.

I’m sure a lot of people will have opinions about this or that or what he needs to do differently. He’s a great player, a two-time MVP. He knows how to impact the game. And sometimes this happens. It doesn’t always go your way. What I like about it is seeing how individuals respond.”  That’s what makes this game so interesting – how will LeBron respond?  Not only that, but also the surrounding factors and players.  How will Dwayne Wade play?  Will he match his Finals average again tonight, like he did in Game four?  Will Chris Bosh follow up his best Finals showing, with another solid effort?  And how about Dirk?

“You don’t want to give them two chances to close it out at home, so this is our Game 7 and the last home game for this year in this building. It should be a great atmosphere and hopefully we can pull it out.”  A Game seven when it’s Game five!  You can make an argument that this could be the best NBA Finals ever!  So many headlines, close games, superstar players in their prime, and every game has been highly anticipated.  This game is no different.

So, the Heat is on, for not only the Heat, but the Mavs.  A must-win game.  Treat it like a Game seven.  This isn’t just “athlete-speak” and quotes just to get everyone up for the present moment.  This really is a must-win for both teams.  A game seven-like atmosphere.  You better believe it.  LeBron, Dirk, Wade: The NBA Finals, tonight, Game five.  When was the last time you were so invested and anxious to see a sporting event?  This has to be at the top of the “Mount Rushmore of NBA Finals games”.  Usually, the NBA promotes its hype, but tonight the hype is for real.  I can’t wait to see how the hype plays out.

Tonight’s Prediction: I have the Heat outscoring the Mavs in the final period, halting any Mavs rally.  LeBron going for 33-7-6.  Wade putting in 33, too.  Bosh going for 22.  88 for the Big 3.  More of a high-scoring, up-tempo affair.  Dirk will get his, around 30.  In the end, I have Miami winning this, 113-101.  I think the tone will be set early on, with the Heat scoring 30+ in the first quarter.  Game six, Sunday, with the Heat looking to win the title at home.