No smiles. No celebrating. Just play.
James came into Game 6 with a completely different mentality, which helped the Miami Heat embarrass the Boston Celtics in a 98-79 victory as they keep their season alive by forcing a Game 7.
James was focused the whole night. He never gave a sign of happiness, sadness, or frustration. He had a stone-face the whole night. A poker face. He brought in a Kobe Bryant mentality, calling for the ball on nearly every play.
By halftime, James had 30 points off of 12-of-14 shooting as the Heat had a comfortable 56-42 lead. Miami wouldn't stop and wouldn't even let Boston come close.
James finished the night with 45 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists on 19-of-26 shooting. It was just his night. I think James realized what he can do if he stays focused, keeps the ball in his hands, and just do work. And with that combination, James found out he was unstoppable.
He never let anything get to him.
Nothing.
"He was absolutely fearless tonight, and it was contagious," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "The way he approached the last 48 hours, and not only LeBron, but everybody else. Nobody likes getting dirt thrown on your face before you're even dead. He showed great resolve."
James might as well have saved Spoelsta's job. Just imagine what would have happened if Miami failed to win. Spo would definitely have been fired, and I wouldn't be surprised if one of the members of the Heat's Big Three was traded. And, of course, LeBron will be put into even more shame.
Everything was on the line for James, if he knew it or not. But now, he has kept his dream alive of chasing for a ring.
Miami responded like they did against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Seminfinals. Down 2-1, it seemed like it was all over. James responded, having 40 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists. After that, the Heat won five in a row, including the Conference Finals where they took a quick 2-0 lead on the C's.
However, things changed quickly for Miami when they dropped two straight in Boston, and losing at home in a 94-90 loss on Tuesday night.
Miami didn't panic.
And LeBron surely didn't.
He's now playing like that three-time MVP. He's now finally playing like what his title says: a king. He's playing like what people deem him to be: the best player on the planet right now.
If James keeps playing like this, the Heat will win Game 7. They will beat the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Now, the only thing standing in James' way is himself.
Josh Dhani is the founder of FootBasket. He also contributes at Hoops Authority and Eight Points Nine Seconds. You can read more about him at his website. Follow him on Twitter @joshdhani.
