This week, two major professional winter sports will crown champions. The NBA will either congratulate the Golden State Warriors or the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Gary Bettman will hand over the Stanley Cup as soon as today to the NHL’s top team. While the popularity of the NHL isn’t near that of the NBA, all eyes will be on the Madhouse on Madison tonight as the Chicago Blackhawks can wrap up their third title in six years. Paging Mr. Dynasty. As much as I have harped that I won’t be watching any of the NBA Finals I did find myself paying attention to the highlights early on in the series. For years, LeBron James has had one comparison that has mattered and that is with the man that wore No. 23 for the Chicago Bulls. I’ve led the charge saying that he will never eclipse the greatest player that I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing. That was until last week. I know this won’t be of popular opinion around this area that is filled with Michael Jordan fanatics, but the magic that LeBron has been able to pull off in this year’s Finals is nothing short of Jordanesque. LeBron has been forced to take a group into battle that not only wasn’t prepared for battle, but simply didn’t have any weapons. Far be it for me to explain how J.R. Smith isn’t the ideal teammate in a Finals situation, but LeBron has flourished. After losing both of his elite running mates – Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love – LeBron and company just had to show up. There were no expectations for them and nobody had them winning two games against the league’s best team. Not only have they done that, but LeBron has found himself as the leader of the charge. There hasn’t been an athlete will his team to victory and carry them on his back in recent memory like LeBron has in this year’s Finals. So where does this run put LeBron on the hierarchy of the game’s all-time greats? Well, if LeBron finds a way to win the title with this group, he’ll climb rung on the ladder of greatness. Matter of fact, a win in these Finals just may catapult him to rarified air. That air has been reserved for Jordan since his second retirement in 1998 after “the shot.” A championship for LeBron and the Cavs will give Jordan some company. Then again, should James come up short and run his Finals record to 2-4, the debate will continue. Should James come up short this time, I think we can put the argument to bed. So this week we have the opportunity to see two champions crowd, and a legacy defined. Aren’t sports grand?
