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

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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