For so long LeBron James has been criticised and maligned for never winning an NBA title but in Miami on Thursday he silenced the critics by guiding the Heat to the 2012 Championship and he admitted it “meant everything”.
James was awarded the MVP for the NBA Finals series, adding another 26 points in the decisive Game Five which clinched the 4-1 series win.
The Miami Heat star admitted during the 2012 Finals series that he had acted immaturely 12 months ago in his side’s defeat to the LA Lakers. This time, he was on top of his game and mentally focussed.
And now the plaudits will come, after so long being ridiculed for his lack of ultimate success. Now, James truly is a star.
James’ team-mate Dwyane Wade said: “I see LeBron James. I see the best and most dominant player in the game.”
The other of the big three, Chris Bosh added: “He’s been through a hell of a lot these past two years, and that makes you stronger.
“Just the fact that he can just come out and play and show his strength, his strength of mind, his will to win, I think that’s just really important for everybody else to see, not only us but everybody in the stands and watching on TV how much a person can really have some perseverance and really grow as their career goes on.”
Indeed, James’ journey has been one travelled by most NBA fans, with big events like ‘the Decision’ when he moved from the Cavs to the Heat garnering huge media and public attention. As a player, James has also been criticised as being selfish.
But Heat coach Erik Spoelstra insists those critics have now been shown that James doesn’t deserve the negativity associated to him.
“It’s unfortunate that somebody who has the qualities that he has would be critiqued as negatively as he’s been because he embodies so many of the things that you would want from a professional athlete,” Spoelstra.
“He’s never been in trouble. He’s a team guy. He’s a pass-first guy. He’s a scorer, he’s a defender, a two-way player, he’s a great teammate. He’s honoured all of his contracts and he has a dream that he’s been trying to chase but he’s been doing it within a team concept.”
Most people may now be starting to change their opinion and attitude towards James and rightfully so. The title is vindication. Many will remember upon his move to Miami, he talked about winning numerous titles there. Some perceived that as arrogant. It certainly wasn’t a good look.
But he appears to have grown up since then. No longer is he desperate to make those big statements. Instead he does that on the counter.
And now James has won one title. And at 27 years young, perhaps there’s time for a few more just yet. Perhaps not as many as he had immaturely claimed all those years ago, but there’s time for a few more yet.