LeBron James to critics: ‘I ain’t got no worries’
OPINION - As regrettable as his entrance to South Beach was, LeBron James is doing exactly what he said he was going to do in Miami: win multiple championships...
“What everybody say about me off the court don’t matter…I ain’t got no worries.”
LeBron James has never been louder. He’s never stood taller.
He quoted rapper Lil’ Wayne as effortlessly as he knocked down jumper after clutch jumper in the ‘latest’ biggest game of his career.
For as regrettable as his entrance to South Beach was, he’s doing exactly what he said he was going to do in Miami: win multiple championships.
And he’s dominating the league. In addition to his second ring and Finals MVP, James collected his fourth regular season MVP and was named to the league’s All-NBA and All-Defensive First Teams.
A storied career – at 28
What more does he have to do?
Keep playing. Keep winning. It’s the burden the game’s all-time greats all shoulder. It’s a burden James placed on himself when he arrived and he’s already making his doubters and detractors look foolish.
The world’s greatest basketball player led the series in total points, assists and steals – something that hasn’t been done in the Finals in more than 25 years. With his team clinging to a two-point lead, James put up what would be the game-sealing jumper over the outstretched arms of Kawhi Leonard. It was all net.
The game’s outcome was still up in the air and James took control.
Reigning champion
The Spurs had chances to take the lead or tie but shots didn’t fall. Tim Duncan missed a “bunny” floater over the much smaller Shane Battier. The 37 year-old said simply: “Game 7 is always going to haunt me.”
As frustrated as Duncan and the Spurs were to lose the series despite leading 3-2, they gave James and company everything they could handle. A post-game hug between Duncan and James said it all: A past champion exiting the ring while the reigning champion makes sure he’s ok.
The oddsmakers are already busy at work projecting LeBron’s chances of catching Michael Jordan. But MJ can wait. He was the 35 when he won his sixth and final title in 1998. LeBron James is 28 and has two.
And he has plenty of basketball left in him.
“They say hard work pay off man,” James barked during his team’s pre-game huddle. “Let’s make that statement become true.”
No worries, LeBron. You did.
Follow theGrio’s Sports Editor Todd Johnson on Twitter @rantoddj
