Dispelling the Biggest Myths Surrounding LeBron James' Perceived Weaknesses

On his way to leading the Miami Heat on three straight trips to the NBA Finals, LeBron James has improved many aspects of his overall game.

Much of this improvement has worked to dispel myths surrounding James' perceived weaknesses. 

When he used to pull up in front of the defense for a three-point field-goal attempt as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, for example, fans would collectively gasp in frustration.

After limiting those attempts in recent years, however, while also improving his efficiency, the three-point shot has become a strength of James' game.

His on-ball defensive skills have improved as well, along with James' ability to excel in the post and deliver in the big moment.

LeBron No Longer Settles for Bail-Out Threes

The only way to really stop LeBron James defensively is to hope he stops himself.

Earlier in his career, James would occasionally comply by settling for too many contested three-point field-goal attempts.

During the '08-09 and '09-10 campaigns specifically, he hoisted 384 and 387 shots from long range each year. He connected on 34.4 and 33.3 percent of those three-pointers respectively, on what translated to 4.7 and 5.1 attempts per game.

For comparison, on shots he took at the rim, according to Hoopdata.com, James converted 72 and 73.3 percent of the 6.6 and 6.8 field goal attempts those years. 

Over the last three seasons with the Miami Heat, however, James has both improved his efficiency from long range while also limiting his number of attempts. 

No longer settling for the bail-out three-pointer, James attempted only 2.4 threes per game in '11-12 and 3.3 per night this year. In 2012-13, he also connected on a career-high 40.6 percent of the 254 shots he attempted behind the arc.

James Is Now an Effective On-Ball Defender

From a young age, unlike many other superstars, LeBron James did embrace the importance of playing defense on the NBA level.

During those early years under Mike Brown as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, however, James made his biggest impact defensively in the passing lanes.

Despite his supreme athleticism, his on-ball defensive skills lagged behind his overall game. James didn't guard the opposing team's best player during critical moments at times as a result.

Over the last few seasons, though, James has become one of the most versatile and effective on-ball defenders in the NBA.

In the postseason, he has already spent time effectively guarding smaller, quicker players like Nate Robinson, along with 6'8" small forwards like Paul George.

He is now as close as there is to an NBA player who can guard positions 1 through 5 while still being able to penetrate the passing lanes like he always did.

LeBron Embraces the Post-Up Position Offensively

Cavaliers fans begged for LeBron James to play with his back to the basket during his time in Cleveland. 

There is no player in the world who can match James' size, strength and athleticism in a post-up situation. If defenses sent double-teams at James in the post to help, he has the vision and playmaking ability to find open teammates all over the floor.

This is not a new revelation, nor is it something that Erik Spoelstra discovered in the film room. 

Whether he wasn't comfortable posting up earlier in his career, hadn't quite developed that aspect of his game or simply didn't want to, James did not operate in the post much offensively prior to his arrival in South Beach.

After spending time with Hakeem Olajuwon during the summer of 2011, however, James did add this deadly dynamic to his offensive arsenal.

While embracing the point-forward role more for the Heat, James has now developed his post game into a major strength of his offensive attack.

James Can Be a Dominant Scorer for the Heat and Still Distribute

When LeBron James first arrived in Miami, there was a thought in some circles that he'd have to sacrifice scoring in order to embrace more of a distributor's role alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

This, according to some experts, was how the Big Three could work best together with three ball-dominant scorers. 

The thinking was that even though James is as gifted a scorer as there is in the world, he was also his team's best point guard.  

What has happened, however, is that James has been able to fill both roles during his time with the Heat. While leading Miami in scoring at 26.8 points in 2012-13, James also led the team in assists at 7.3.

Last season, he led in both categories with 27.1 and 6.2. He also led the Heat with 26.7 points and 7.0 assists in 2010-11.

In each of those three seasons, James has led the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals. 

LeBron Does Deliver in the Big Moment

During Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers, LeBron James finished with a game-high 32 points to go along with eight rebounds and four assists. 

In Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals, James also helped close out the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 26-point, 13-assist and 11-rebound triple-double on his way to winning his first championship. 

Despite falling short on the biggest stage earlier in his career—struggling against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals, for example—James is a player who can now be counted on consistently to deliver in the big moment. 

During the regular season and playoffs combined, according to Basketball-Reference.com, James is shooting 44.9 percent in the clutch while connecting on 48 field goals. 

Only Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving made more in 2012-13 with 49, while Spurs point guard Tony Parker is tied with James at 48 clutch field goals made thus far.