LeBron James has never been shy about patting himself on the back after a great performance. If LeBron did his job during a win or a loss, he’s going to let you know about it. When the Heat lost to the Mavericks in the Finals last year, LeBron’s first instinct was to attack his haters and basically defend himself. He later backed off and said he wasn’t satisfied with his performance. Heading into the 2012 NBA Finals, King James has decided to take a new approach and admit that he failed last season.
“I didn’t play well,” LeBron said Monday according to the Sun Sentinel. “I think I said that 100 times this year. I didn’t play well. I didn’t make enough game-changing plays that I know I’m capable of making, and I felt like I let my teammates down. I don’t know. I don’t know if that’s something I haven’t said before. Just didn’t make enough plays.
“I’m happy and I’m humbled that I can actually be back in this position less than 12 months later, to do a better job of making more plays, more game-changing plays out on the floor on a bigger stage.”
Believe it or not, that actually sounds like accountability from the King. Better late than never. LeBron took a ton of criticism earlier this year when he said Miami’s season would not be a failure without a championship, but I think even he knew that wasn’t true. Obviously, LeBron has more to lose than any other player in this series. Dwyane Wade has a ring and Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are just getting started. This is LeBron’s third trip to the Finals, and even he can’t imagine what people will be saying if he goes 0-for-3. The fact that he knows a duplicate performance of last year isn’t going to cut it is at least a start.
H/T Pro Basketball Talk
Photo credit: David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE
