LeBron James Will Be Top 5 Player of All-Time After Heat Win in 2012

You read that correctly—were it not for the understandable prerequisite of a championship ring, he'd already be one of the game's top five of all-time.

A championship for James is the equivalent of a great player being retired for the required five years before going into the Hall of Fame.

It's inevitable, it's going to happen.

In fact, I still believe the rally in South Beach will take place in a few months.

I have predicted the Heat would win the championship in 2012 since they blew their first opportunity in 2011. No struggles on the road or against zone defenses in the regular season have changed my opinion.

There are no perfect teams in the NBA. The Bulls still don't have the secondary scoring options to produce in the clutch in support of Derrick Rose.

The Thunder depend too much on isolation, the Spurs are driven by an old core and the Lakers are largely inconsistent.

With each contender having an Achilles' heel, Miami doesn't have to be perfect to win the championship. The same is the case when you evaluate the game's all-time greats.

None of them are, or were, perfect.

Kobe Bryant has always had questionable shot selection. Bill Russell was not a major offensive force, Larry Bird was a subpar athlete—even Michael Jordan had imperfections.

LeBron's average mid-range and long-distance shooting, which leads to his periodic struggles late in games, is an imperfection.

The key is working past the struggles to achieve individual greatness (which he has far eclipsed) and the ultimate team goal. 

Dirk Nowitzki was known as a choke and soft—until last year, when he led the Mavericks to the championship last. If the Heat are to win this year—it will have tons to do with LeBron's greatness.

A similar redemption should be in order—if the haters are honest with themselves.

James is having arguably his best season this year. He is averaging 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists per game. The most impressive aspect is that he's shooting 53 percent from the field on 18 attempts.

No player has been more efficient on offense, and he's the game's most versatile and dominant one-on-one defender.

James' 6.91 assists per game is the highest among non-guards in NBA history.

No player that has two MVP awards and the statistical accomplishments James has should be considered lower than top five.

When James is fitted for a ring, there won't be any more valid criticism to deny him truly elite status.