Until someone gets 12 championships on his
resume I will continue to rank Bill Russell as the
most valuable player in NBA history.
He led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships
While playing against the very formidable Wilt
Chambelain.
High on anyone
’
s list should be Michael Jordan
and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six championships)
Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant (five) and let
’
s
not overlook Robert Horry (seven).
When the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the
Golden State Warriors in Game Seven Sunday
night LeBron James became a three-time
champion, including two in Miami previously.
He can
’
t pass the others yet who
’
ve won more
but he
’
s in the discussion now.
James loves Ohio. He began his NBA career in
Cleveland, left as a free agent to try for a
championship or two but it was well known
by myself and numerous other NBA
journalists that he intended to return.
Making his hometown team a champion was the
reason he came back.
“
That\s what this championship was all about,
”
he said last weekend.
As usual, key injuries had a lot to do with the
outcome in the finals.
This time Kyrie Erving and Kevin Love, who
missed last year
’
s finals due to injuries were
able to play. But Golden State
’
s Steph Curry
had knee and shoulder issues and Andrew
Bogut, who challenges opponents driving to
the rim, missed the last two games with a
knee injury.
In Bogut
’
s absence LeBron went to the basket
time after time with considerable success.
LeBron was motivated by some people in Miami
he doesn
’
t want to identify
“
They told me I was making the biggest mistake
of my NBA career when I left,
”
he said.
“
That gave me my greatest motivation.
When LeBron joined the Cavaliers they
welcomed a superstar but also needed a
more competitive roster. To their credit they
upgraded the roster significantly.
This time after the Warriors took a 3-1 series
lead but then LeBron, with a lot of help from
Erving, and Love, took command.
Criticized by some in the media for not taking
command earlier in the series, LeBron put
on championship performances in the final
three games, 41 points twice and a triple
double in Game Seven.
Great players recognize the moment when they
must go all out to win rather than trusting
teammates to do it.
At times during the last two seasons the
Warriors looked invinsible.
Not this time.
And, by the way, LeBron can opt out of his
contract now but announced this week he has no
intention of doing that.
Í
’
m staying,
”
he said.
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