How LeBron James' Collision Might Be Affecting His Game

It's been close to a week since Miami Heat star LeBron James got into a violent collision with the Phoenix Suns' Grant Hill.

After the collision with Hill, James was obviously banged up, even saying that he hasn't been hit that hard since he played football. Although visibly shaken up, James vowed not to miss any time and to his credit he didn't.

Although without trying to read too much into how the collision affected him, James could possibly be feeling some effects from that jarring hit.

His elbow was hurt and James was tested for a concussion, but whether it's something that had to do with the collision or something purely coincidental, James hasn't been very good since.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, James is shooting only 39 percent from the floor since the collision with Hill. That makes you wonder if it's just a shooting slump or if there is something real there with LeBron's elbow.

ESPN's Tom Haberstroh even asked the question of whether it was possible if James suffered a concussion, but LeBron shook off that possibility, claiming he was too tough for that.

But the facts are that he's averaged only 17 points, four turnovers, hasn't made a three-point shot and has shot only 39 percent since he got banged up. Add to that the big stage last night against one of the NBA's top teams in the Oklahoma City Thunder and James was a non-factor.

We can take it at his word and that LeBron is just in a slump for now, but it's something to keep an eye on for sure.

To contend for an NBA championship, the Heat need James at his best and right now he's nowhere near that.