NBA Finals 2011: Does LeBron James or Dirk Nowitzki Carry the Biggest Burden?

Through the larger part of Miami's playoffs campaign, the Heat's primary defensive concern has been keeping the league's most agile and potent point guards out of the paint.

Now, they are left to contain a superstar of a different mould.

Without doubt, LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki have delivered the outstanding individual performances of the postseason.

James has dropped 26 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists nightly on his opponents, while Nowitzki is averaging 28.4 points a contest with incredible efficiency.

Can James and the Heat start their dynasty if their bona fide superstar is anything short of his best? Can Nowitzki and the Mavericks deliver Dallas their first championship if the 7'0" German isn't the game's nightly notable?

In this lies the question: Is it James or Nowitzki who carries the greatest burden into the NBA Finals?

Don't get me wrong, both these guys have plenty of help.

But it won't be Mike Miller or Jason Kidd going isolation down the stretch.

The last time a superstar single-handedly took a franchise to the NBA Finals was James himself, back in 2007. His support cast included Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Drew Gooden. This time Big Z can't even find himself in the rotation.

It's no secret that Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh play seriously good second and third fiddle. In fact, at times there's no clear indication who's leading the offensive charge. It's simply a matter of who has the hot hand. But down the stretch, it's been LeBron James who has closed out the majority of the Heat's nail-biting victories in the postseason.

And he'll be entrusted to do it again.

Can the Heat beat the Mavs if James isn't at his best?

Yes and no.

If the Heat superstar has an off night, Wade can get hot. So can Bosh. The Heat could steal one.

If James struggles through the series, Miami won't be champions.

With Wade's injury concerns, James may simply carry too great a burden in the backcourt. If the Mavericks can stay down on his pump-fake, Bosh's points will be harder to come by than against the Bulls.

Don't forget James is now an elite defender at the other end of the court.

And I don't use that term lightly.

His incredible recovery speed was enough to keep Derrick Rose out of the paint when it mattered most. If James is struggling with his shot, his impact at the defensive end will be far greater than Nowitzki's.

Nowitzki has to be the man if Dallas is to beat the Heat.

The Miami defense recovers so quickly that even if Dirk draws the double-team, the kick-out to the open look won't stay open for long.

And you can forget about the drive and dish back out to the elbow.

If the Heat kept Rondo and Rose out of the paint, I can't see them letting J.J.Barea or Jason Terry get to the hole.

That means this one is on Dirk's shoulders.

Nowitzki will have to make shots or get to the line. Just as he has all postseason.

I can't see the Mavericks shooting the lights out from the perimeter against this Heat defense. And I can't see the likes of Shawn Marion contributing to the same extent. Especially when guarded by James.

The emotional burden on James is unrivaled.

Yet, the Heat could win it all with Dwyane Wade, the Finals MVP.

If Nowitzki doesn't star, his help is simply too sporadic to carry the Mavericks to a championship.

Let's hope both stars are at the peak of their powers.

Then we'll have a series to remember.