Miami Heat: Why the Legacy of LeBron James Should No Longer Be a Hot Topic

The same LeBron James that just claimed his third NBA MVP award a week ago, is old news.

Well, he should be, anyway.

“King James” may very well have a decade or more of great basketball left in him, but he isn't going to be the best player the NBA has to offer at any point throughout the duration of his career.

He may always be the most gifted athlete on the court, but in my opinion, he's never truly understood the necessary sacrifice required to become a world champion at the professional level.

James has been named the NBA’s most valuable player for regular season play three times.

So what?

We all know that's not what NBA greats are remembered by.

James claimed he has a full understanding of that when he provided his MVP acceptance speech:

"

Heat nation, we have a bigger goal. This is very overwhelming to me as an individual award. But this is not the award I want, ultimately. I want that championship. That's all that matters to me.

"

Heck, the way Kevin Durant (who's now claimed the NBA scoring title for three straight seasons) has the Oklahoma City Thunder playing this postseason, he's going to beat James to the punch.

Durant and the Thunder are doing their part to squash the Lakers’ title hopes, despite Kobe Bryant attempting to carry Los Angeles on his back. After yet another clutch performance by Durant on Saturday night leading to a 103-100 victory, OKC is now up 3-1 and has the series in a stranglehold.

Of course, the San Antonio Spurs just may have something to say about that.

Anyway, my point is that there are players inside the NBA that are much more well-rounded (not statistically speaking) than James, and they provide a much more stable image for the league's followers as well.

If—for James' sake—you'd like to compare regular season play only among the NBA's current top performers, Derrick Rose has matched James' rookie-of-the-year award and claimed a third of the MVP awards LeBron has (one) in basically a third of the time James has been in the NBA.

Durant was 2008’s ROY and has already claimed three scoring titles. Not to mention, he's a two-time H-O-R-S-E competition winner at the NBA All-Star game. Yep.

Kidding aside, would you say Michael Jordan became Michael Jordan because of his five regular season MVP's? Or more so as a result of winning six titles and claiming the MVP award in every one of those NBA Finals?

Okay then.

And at this point, Durant seems closer to getting his paws around the Larry O'Brien Trophy than James. And at 23, Durant is four years younger. Same goes for Rose, who is also 23. 

Kobe, at 33, is even playing at a championship caliber level. With basically no help, mind you. And he's five titles deep into his own legacy

James has earned a name for disappearing in the fourth quarter for a reason. A big portion of his woes are that he's simply not a great free throw shooter. 

Entering this year's playoffs, James is a career 75% from the charity stripe in the postseason.

Bryant—in 208 postseason games leading up to 2012—is 82%. Durant shot 84% from the line in 17 playoff games a season ago and has equaled that so far this year.

Not long ago, James announced to his new city that the Heat and their big three would bring them a whopping eight (yes, eight) championships (see video above) before they were done leaving their mark in NBA history.

Truth is, the big three may not be together long enough for them to see one ring.

And almost two years later, he's still sending the wrong messages to the public.

In response to Bosh’s injury and LeBron having to log some minutes at the power forward position, he had this to say, according to the Miami Herald.

"

It's a lot more taxing being in there with bigger guys. When you're on the perimeter, there's more space. The interior is more cramped and physical.

"

James would also go on to say:

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Forty minutes in the playoffs is different than 40 minutes in the regular season. Intensity is raised. The grind is much more intense. Hopefully, I can get a few minutes here and there.

"

These words then prompted head coach Erik Spoelstra to reply by saying:

"

There's nothing we can do [about rest for James] in the fourth quarter. Forty-minutes-plus is probably what he can expect.

"

Really?

First of all, complaining about playing 40+ minutes in the NBA playoffs is ludicrous when you think about the fact that Kobe’s logged 40+ in four of his five title runs.

Durant logged 42.5 MPG in 17 playoff games a year ago. Michael Jordan never endured a postseason which he did not average at least 40 minutes of play per game.

Of course, LeBron’s postseason career is no different. Last season he logged 43.5 MPG in the Heat’s run to the finals.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when has any NBA great with a championship under his belt ever tried to send hints through the media that they could use a breather here and there?

And why, Mr. James, are you complaining about it when you're behind in a seven-game series to the Indiana Pacers and your city and teammates need your leadership and work ethic to shine through more than ever? 

Are you aware that you're averaging less MPG in this year's playoffs (39.4) than both Bryant (39.5) and Durant (40.5)?

When an utterly exhausted Bryant pulled his team to victory (36 points and 18-18 on free throws) in Game 3 on Friday night, I didn't hear him complaining how taxing it was to have to carry the whole team on his shoulders.

So, why is LeBron still being touted as the NBA’s best when so many others seem to be outperforming (and outclassing) him on basketball’s brightest stage?

And if I'm complaining so much about him getting so much unwarranted attention, why am I writing about him to begin with?

I don't know, maybe you can tell me.