NBA Playoffs 2012: LeBron James and Superstars That Must Show Up in Postseason
LeBron James must find redemption after forgetting in last year's playoffs that games were actually four quarters long.
He took a ton of heat (you see what I did there) for that performance, and if he has another subpar postseason run, his reputation will be permanently stained.
He is not the only superstar that has to step it up in this postseason. The bullseye is on two others—for entirely different reasons.
LeBron James
The King James redemption tour will not begin until he reaches the finals. Barring James hitting crucial game-winners in every single game leading up to the finals, fans will reserve judgement on James until he and the Heat make the biggest stage.
And if they don't get to the finals? Well, we all know where the fingers will be pointing: #BlameLebron.
Expectations will be bordering on the unrealistic, and that is exactly why he needs a huge performance in this postseason.
The postseason monkey on his back is going to turn into King Kong bashing him atop the head if he shows the slightest sign of choking and the Heat do not win the championship.
Kobe Bryant
The Black Mamba could go 0-for-200 from the field as the Lakers flame out of these playoffs, and he would not be subject to the same kind of criticism as James.
That is because he has nothing to prove. He is a five-time champion. However, his chances of winning a Michael Jordan-tying six championships are coming to an end.
Kobe has had a fantastic season, but at 33, and with an inordinate amount of NBA minutes on his knees, he does not have much of a window for domination left.
Bryant needs to capitalize on this by playing some of the best basketball of his life. If he can do that and lead his Lakers to the championship, it will push his already elite reputation right through the stratosphere.
Kevin Durant
Durant and the Thunder have reached the point where they are no longer the young up-and-comers. They are one of the targeted favorites.
This means increased attention and expectations. This is a pivotal time in the legend of the Durantula.
He needs to prove that he can handle the pressure that comes with this playoff spotlight. That is what elite players are supposed to do.
Durant carries a huge burden of the offense on his shoulders. His scoring sets up everything they want to do. If he is not hitting his shots, then the Thunder are doomed, and KD will have laid the foundation for a reputation of playoff choking.
