LeBron James wasn’t just mortal in game 4, he probably cost Miami a win – opening up a whole new bag of worms for his many critics to throw at him

SCOTT JACOBS

If you want to be a legend, you have to man up when the stars shine their brightest.  LeBron James has all the talent in the world, but there’s no defending the inexcusable disappearance act he pulled with the Heat in a dogfight for series control tonight.  LeBron didn’t just defer, he flipped the ball off as if it was a hot potato, leaving guys like Udonis Haslem, Mario Chalmers, and even Mike Miller to take some crucial shots.

The other day I wrote that LeBron didn’t deserve the remarkable criticism he gets (especially when the Heat win like they did in game 3), but there’s no defending whatever you call his performance tonight.  Dirk Nowitzki had a 102 degree fever and had 5 times more fight in him than the so called King, who for now, I’m stripping of his crown, because his play today was of the peasant quality.

Once again it was Wade’s show, as it has been pretty much these entire NBA Finals — with a helping hand of Bosh, but LeBron’s lack of scoring punch really killed Miami down the stretch.  James scored just 8 points, I repeat 8 points, setting himself up for a bevvy of scrutiny and second guessing, all of which is deserved.

If you have the gall to say you’re gonna win multiple championships, and then that moment comes for you to make it happen and you continually defer, then not only is the media going to blast you, but you will be labeled a phony. A star gilded in Robin’s cape.

All year it’s been about Wade and LeBron. Tonight it was just Wade.  Flash was brilliant once again, but when it became apparent that James was disinterested in being a scoring option, Dallas just flooded Wade, who just didn’t have enough help to carry Miami to a backbreaking win.

Give Dallas all the credit in the world.  They have the heart of a lion. Every time you think they’re ready to die, they find that little extra to complete these remarkable comebacks.  I said this after game 2, when Dallas overcame that massive 15 point deficit: Is Dallas a team of destiny? I mean how many of these comebacks can a team have, before you just start to believe that it’s meant to be.

Dallas had 5 guys in double figures, including Dirk, whose legend continues to grow, while James’ quickly shrinks. Jason Terry had 17 points including 2 enormous free throws down the stretch, and Shawn Marion was once again a revelation with 16. Chandler and Stevenson also played well.

But let’s face it: the story is James.  As it has been all season.  We know what to expect from Wade in The Finals: namely greatness.  But with LeBron, well now I just don’t know.  LeBron made that impassioned speech to his team before the game, and said that the Heat needed to play with their backs against the wall. For over 3 quarters the Heat did. And then they went ice cold.

LeBron is a terrific passer but for this Heat team to win the title, he needs to be a scorer.  Wade is good for 30 a night, but now you start to wonder if him having an off-game will result in a blowout.  Do what got you here.  For the Heat, that’s play great defense(which they mostly did) and use their two explosive scorers to rip the heart out of the opposition.

The Mavs are not going away.  Drama follows Miami everywhere they go, and now we know that this series will be no shorter than 6 games.  So instead of what could have been a sweep, we’re tied at 2, and quite honestly, the Mavericks look like they can now win this thing.

Three straight games have come down to the buzzer, and the Mavs have now won 2 of those 3, both big-time fourth quarter comebacks.  They know they can beat the Heat if the game is close late.  They know Miami has a penchant for going cold at the absolute worst times.  And with veterans like Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion closer to an NBA championship than they’ve ever been, they can see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

LeBron James was spectacular versus Boston and fantastic versus the Bulls, but against the Mavs he’s been ordinary.  The NBA season is officially now down to 3 games, starting with game 5, and ordinary just won’t cut it.

All Miami has to do technically is win 2 home games. All Dallas has to do is win one home game and 1 road game.  That’s what separates greatness from being bestowed on one of these two teams.  Particularly Miami, which now has 3 games to figure out what ails them in these fourth quarters, otherwise a long off season of brutal questioning looms.

It’s not time to panic if you’re the Heat, but it is certainly time to be concerned.

Six fourth quarter turnovers will not get it done if you’re Miami.  Back to the wall. For the first time this postseason the Heat have lost 2 games in a series.

Curious to see how they react come Thursday.  Especially LeBron.

Photo: Reuters

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