LeBron Leads By Example
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Fans who watched the end of the Miami Heat's series clinching victory over the Boston Celtics saw LeBron James finally emerge from the shadow of his decision last summer to join the Heat.
They witnessed the start of his ascension.
LeBron, who has been the most hated man in the NBA and arguably sports in general, scored the Heat's final 10 points including two clutch 3-point shots as time was winding down.
For James, it was his chance to take another step towards an NBA title by beating the team that has been the biggest thorn in his side.
LeBron, and Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, used the Celtics as a road map. They realized, much like the Celtics Big Three of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett, that to win they needed help. So they got together in Miami and now the Heat are in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Also remember, while no one will be Michael Jordan; even Jordan couldn't get it done until he got Scottie Pippen and later Dennis Rodman.
For LeBron, when the final horn sounded, it was an especially sweet feeling.
"Everything went through my mind at that point," James said. "Finally getting over this hump against this team; everything I went through this summer, with 'The Decision' and deciding to come down here to be a part of this team...because I knew how important team is to this sport...and all the backlash I got from it."
LeBron was not only inspiring fans, but also his teammates.
"When you're playing this game, and you have another guy over there doing the things and as capable as LeBron, not only am I a fan on the court, but it makes the game easier," Wade said. "Obviously."
Perhaps the strangest thing about LeBron's journey so far has been the hate thrown his way. LeBron has never been arrested, he has never had off-the-court problems, and he's carried himself for the most part like an adult on the court, despite his young age.
Yet, LeBron has been treated worse than Michael Vick, the Cincinnati Bengals, Brandon Marshall, and countless other players who have had issues on and off the court or field.
Still, the journey for LeBron, Wade, and Bosh is just beginning. The trio now awaits the winner of the Hawks versus Bulls series.
The Hawks are no match for the Heat, but the Bulls won three games against the Heat in the regular season.
Still, if the Boston series showed fans of the Heat anything, the regular season means absolutely nothing in the playoffs.
