If LeBron James Is Truly Great, It's Time for Him To Step Up

By now, everyone knows how Game Five of the Celtics-Cavs went. Specifically, the Celtics blew the Cavaliers out of the Q as LeBron scored just 15 on 3-of-14 from the field, along with 0-4 from behind the arc.

We've heard all the excuses. His elbow is giving him trouble. The Boston Big Three (plus new addition Rajon Rondo, whose play in this series has been a surreal combination of Jason Kidd and John Stockton at their peaks) were too good. His supporting cast didn't do their jobs right.

You know what I say to all that? Bollocks.

Every year since he started carrying the Cavs into the playoffs there's been a new excuse. In 2007, the team was basically LeBron and the scrubs he somehow carried into the Finals. In 2008, the Celtics were too good and too driven. In 2009, they couldn't handle the Magic matchups and his sidekicks didn't step up.

But time and excuses are running out for the "Man Who Would Be King."

The Cavs went all out to get LeBron an improved set of sidekicks. First came the trade for Shaq, who despite his age is still one of the few bigs out there who can match up with Dwight Howard. Then came the trade deadline deal for Antawn Jamison, where the Cavs ended up getting him for the 30th pick in this year's draft.

I've held a long grudge against Jamison for his role in the trade that sent Vince Carter to Toronto on draft day, so I had hoped that he wouldn't be what put the Cavs over the top. The more I watch this edition of the Cavs, I suspect I may be right. Meanwhile, Mo Williams is proving for the second year running that he's a lousy postseason player.

However, this is all ignoring the fact that these Cavs are LeBron's team. They live and die by how he plays. If you took him off of the Cavs, they'd be lucky to make the playoffs, even in the Eastern Conference. To keep it simple, he needs to lift to another level if he's going to get them out of the situation they're in right now.

In Bill Simmons' recent Playoff Power Rankings column, he discusses the different levels of great individual NBA performances. At the top, he refers to the "Degree Of Difficulty," where a star shines "as efficiently and splendidly as possible," and uses Dwyane Wade's Game Four performance against the Celtics as an example of this.

That's what the Cavs need from LeBron now, and what the world wants to see from LeBron.

I am (seemingly) one of the only people who doesn't seem to view LeBron with any strong opinions. He's an incredible baller, possibly the best I can ever remember seeing (given that I was just a little kid when Jordan was at his peak). He comes off as a bit of a twat at times, but when you're a superstar I guess you can get away with that sort of thing.

But one thing I do know is that if he truly wants to be remembered alongside Jordan, Magic, Larry, Wilt, et al in GOAT discussions, he needs to win a ring this year. He needs to put the Cavs on his back (including all 700 pounds of Shaq), and carry them over the line if Cleveland has a hope of beating the Celtics, let alone winning a ring. 

If the "King" is truly so, it's time for him to get a crown. Otherwise, he continues to be the emperor with no clothes.