Four Quarters in LeBron James' Shoes

Our very own Matthew Rose breaks down LeBron James in the only way that makes sense: by quarters.

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

First Quarter- Punchline: In case you have not heard, Miami Heat star forward LeBron James often struggles in the fourth quarter. In fact, his fourth quarter performances got so bad last year that he became the punch line of countless jokes and tweets. After a playoff loss to the Sixers, the Dos Equis Man twitter page stated, “I don’t always miss shots, but when I do, I prefer the game to be on the line.” Or, “Apple has just released a LeBron James iPhone. It only vibrates. No rings.”
     Add your own favorite to the list, but the fact remains the same: LeBron’s fourth quarter performances have become flat out comical. Here’s a brief look at some of LeBron’s 2011 flubs with the game on the line. Pay particular attention at 1:35. Name the last star who set a pick for a role player at the end of a game. I am eager to hear the answer, because I could not find one.

Second Quarter-Best Ever? Not so fast: Loyal fans defend him as the greatest player in the league; some even suggest he is already the greatest ever. Scottie Pippen added fuel to the fire when he dubbed LeBron better than his former wingman Michael Jordan. The playoff facts suggest these claims have some merit. MJ averaged 33.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 5.7 AST in 13 playoff seasons. He also averaged 43.7 PPG in a series in just his third season in the NBA.
     LeBron has averaged 29.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 7.3 AST in 6 playoff seasons. To me, more telling is that he averaged 2.2 PPG in the fourth quarter of last year’s Finals, and scored a combined 25 points in games four and five, equaling JJ Barea’s scoring output. His playoff averages dropped to 23.5 PPG and 5.9 AST, but his rebounding numbers did remained constant. He turned the ball over and got tentative by settling for jump shots, which he generally missed.
     I thought superstars are at their best during crunch time? Michael Jordan never missed those shots. Just look at the 1998 finals vs. the Jazz. How about Tracy McGrady scoring 13 points in 35 seconds? Or, as a Philly fan, the one that still gives me chills to this day: Iverson's steal and winning layup. That is how clutch players perform at the end of games. They “put their team on their back” and win games. LeBron does not.

Third Quarter- Why LeBron’s Legacy Cannot Equal Jordan’s: LeBron James is not now, and never will be, as good as Michael Jordan. Why? LeBron knows he cannot win a ring alone. Sure, MJ had Pippen and Rodman, but he never left his team, his city, to improve his situation. LeBron may in fact get his ring in Miami. When he does, if he does, I will argue that that ring is more a product of Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh than it is LeBron James. Wade plays for four quarters. He wants the ball at the end of games. Bosh is consistent and effective when he is utilized. LeBron cannot carry a team to the finals. For eighty-two regular season games he is the best player in the league. In the playoffs, he is about as effective as a JR Smith after this timeout.

Fourth Quarter-…:  In honor of LeBron, I'm going to end it here.