UNO News Net: Lebron James is taking his third crack at winning a championship now, leading the Miami Heat against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a best-of-seven series that’s tied 1-1 heading into Sunday’s Game 3

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Lebron James is taking his third crack at winning a championship now, leading the Miami Heat against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a best-of-seven series that’s tied 1-1 heading into Sunday’s Game 3

MIAMI—If there is a difference in LeBron James this year from last, he says there’s one simple reason.
“I’m just more comfortable.”

As big a lightning rod and as a great a talent as exists in the NBA today, James is taking his third crack at winning a championship now, leading the Miami Heat against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a best-of-seven series that’s tied 1-1 heading into Sunday’s Game 3.
He and his team failed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007 and Miami’s Big Three flamed out spectacularly last year with the Heat against the Dallas Mavericks and James has borne the burnt of criticism for both failings — most notably a year ago when his fourth quarter play was lacking.
Now he said he’s more settled, more confident and he has been dominant at times, scoring 30 or more points in eight of his last nine games.
“This year I’ve just been more comfortable with the team, more comfortable with the system, more comfortable with the city and everything around it,” he said Saturday. “Once I get on the floor, I just let my game kind of react for me and … just go out and do it. I don’t have to worry about anything else.”
VIDEO: Mike Tyson sings his tribute to LeBron JamesJames has been virtually unstoppable throughout the playoffs and his 32-point gem in Game 2 — a big basket with 90 seconds left, two game-clinching free throws with less than 10 seconds remaining — should have to put to rest any qualms about his ability to make big plays late in close games.

“The thing I really admire (is) he makes the right plays,” said Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks of James. “When you talk about a guy who demands so much attention, he’s not going to get the shot every time … defences are not going to allow him to get the shot every time.
“But he makes the right play. He’s an incredible passer and that’s part of his strength. He gets criticized for making the pass (but) most guys — I know myself — like to see guys make passes for their teammates.”
With his all around play, James is the singular talent that can turn this series. His ability to defend Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant has been as big a key as his scoring.
“He’s at a mentality right now that I can’t put too much on his plate and that’s minutes, that’s responsibility defensively, playing multiple positions, shouldering a huge load offensively.
“He gets it, he’s accepting of it and he’s producing.”