Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Lebron: Why stat sheets don't win ball games.

As I sit and prepare myself for Game 2 of the NBA finals only one question occupies my mind: what will LBJ do tonight? It’s easy to be enamored by 18, 18, and 10, however if it does not result in a W then what is such a performance really worth? Looks great in the stat sheet, but stat sheets don’t win ball games. Some argue that there is too much being asked of Lebron; ‘he got a triple double what else do you want from the guy’? This excuse was a valid one in 2007 when the Cavs were swept by the Spurs. I would even accept that excuse when the Cavs lost to Orlando in the 09 Eastern Conference finals. But it is 2013 and Lebron is self-proclaimed 40 to 50 times better; that is not what I saw late in the fourth quarter of game 1. I “witnessed” the same Lebron that I saw in 07 and 09, great numbers, filling the stat sheet, however lacking the killer mentality that the true great ones possess. I wish I had the game film of the last 5 minutes of game 1 to compare to any 5 minute section of game 7 against the Pacers. I would then mail it to Lebron in hopes that he could remedy this Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde act. I have no problem with his kick out to Bosh in the closing seconds. On second thought I do have a problem with that play but it’s not necessarily Lebron’s fault.  Firstly, why is Bosh posted up at the three-point line, the furthest spot on the three-point line mind you, when he is money from 18 feet? Bosh is not exactly John Paxson or Steve Kerr. Secondly, Lebron should not give the ball up until he has at least got into the paint, as opposed to when he is at the top of the key. The Heat played directly into the Spurs hands. You don’t have to be Greg Pop to define a defensive strategy where the D sags back and doubles Lebron leaving Bosh open for that ill advised three-pointer. But that one play aside Lebron did not exert his will on the game in the last 5 minutes of the game as say a Kobe Bryant or MJ would. As gifted as Lebron is, it don’t mean much if he can’t take the ball down the stretch and deliver a victory.