During the five game NBA finals LeBron James' triple double average included 33.6 points per game, 10 assists per game and 12 rebounds per game. He became the first player to average a triple-double in the NBA Finals. - (Keith Allison - photo)

Michael Jordan - Steve Lipofsky photo Scottie Pippen - Maxi Basket photo Magic Johnson - Maxi Basket photo DID YOU KNOW??? - DENNIS RODMAN was a San Antonio Spur? - Maxi Basket photo

SPORTS NOTES - WARRIORS WIN TITLE but IT'S ABOUT LeBRON

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

LeBRON'S LOAD - HE LEFT IT ALL ON THE FLOOR

Without question the Golden State Warriors proved that they are the best team in the NBA for the second time in the past three years. The Warriors claimed the fifth NBA Championship in franchise history. The team from the bay (San Francisco) did it in quick fashion winning the best if seven series in five games (4-1). They did it by emphasizing passing and UNSELFISH TEAM PLAY..

They played a team game that is reminiscent of the cohesive quality of the Boston Celtics squads of the 60's that won every title except one during that decade which was to the 1967 Philadelphia 76ers. This is a feat that with the quality and depth that the Warriors currently have, could achieve. This Warriors squad could be considered the best NBA team thus far of the 21st Century.

As great as this Warriors team is what stands out the most is the effort that LeBron James performed during this series and during the entire 2017 Cavaliers playoff endeavor. In the 129-120 title game five loss he capped off his finals effort with his 19th career 40+ Playoff scoring game (41 points on 19-30 FGA), and second this postseason. It was his sixth career 40+ scoring game in The Finals.

His record breaking five game triple double average included 33.6 points per game, 10 assists per game and 12 rebounds per game. He became the first player to average a triple-double in the NBA Finals. Although he is listed as a 6'8" small forward he functions admirably as a point guard and led the team in assists. This statistic stands out since at mid season he requested that the team sign a player that could distribute the ball… apparently they organization failed to do that.

All of his figures indicate how much of a load that James carries. He's effective at any spot on the floor and excels from the top of the key which is the point guard position where he drives the lane and dunks for a score or dishes (pass) it off for assists when the defense collapses on him.

Given his agility and strength and height combined with his 250 pound weight James is the greatest physical being that ever played the game. He has the physicality of Karl Malone and the dexterity and physicality of Michael Jordan and Elgin Baylor but is taller.

No player has worked ever harder than James did during this series. Jordan had Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman to lighten his load thus freeing him up to perform, James doesn't have that. It is evident that he can't do it all by himself but he gave it one hell of a try.

James is making a case of being recognized as the greatest player in NBA history BUT as great as he is he has won only three NBA titles to six for Michael Jordan who is considered that greatest NBA player of all time.

Miami Heat President Pat Riley and former Los Angeles Lakers four time NBA title winning team's coach, claims that Magic Johnson is the greatest NBA player ever. Johnson won five NBA titles with the Lakers therefore Riley makes a good case BUT Magic had better teams to accomplish that.

Whatever anyone thinks, the bottom line is that we a fortunate to witness the marvelous talent of such a skillful player. He has broken records to support his greatness and will continue to do so. James has earned every penny of his $30,963,450 a season salary.

To support his being the greatest accolades it most be noted that during the Cavs' 2017 Playoff run James became the all-time leading career scorer in NBA Playoff history (6,163), passing Kobe Bryant (5,640), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5,762) and prior all-time leader Michael Jordan (5,987) in 2017.

The 32-year-old, 14 year NBA veteran became just the seventh player in NBA history to appear in as many as seven consecutive NBA Finals. With that accomplishment he joined Bill Russell (10), Tom Heinsohn (9), Sam Jones (9), K.C. Jones (8), Frank Ramsey (8) and Bob Cousy (7) as the only players in NBA history to appear in as many as seven consecutive NBA Finals (and the first non-member of the Celtics' 1950s-60s dynasty.

In addition James moved into third place on the all-time Finals scoring list (1,247), trailing only Jerry West (1,679) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,317). During the 2017 Finals, LeBron leapfrogged over Sam Jones (1,143), Bill Russell (1,151), Elgin Baylor (1,161) and Michael Jordan (1,176) on the Finals scoring list and moved into tenth place all-time with 45 career Finals games played.

The 2003 #1 overall draft choice is now in second place on the all-time NBA Playoff list in 3PT FGM (331), trailing only Ray Allen (385). He became the all-time NBA Playoff leader in 3PT FGA (1,002), passing Ray Allen (959) and solidified his position as the all-time NBA Finals leader in 3PT FGM (80).

Yes the Warriors won the 2017 NBA title but how can one forget the performance of LeBron James busting his balls to win in the Finals Series but came up short… WE WON'T.

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