#6 LeBron James

[Kakarot]

That Rick Reiley piece is a good read. It just seems people actually hate Lebron. I really don't get the criticism on him this year. He has carried that Heat team so far in these playoffs. I know I keep saying this, but the guy people really need to go after is Wade. He's been off more than on in these playoffs. His jumpshot hasn't been consistent and his D has been weak. Plus he's been acting like a jackass.

[King Taharqa]

Wade isnt a runaway slave though. You cant expect the same reaction LeBron got. Disobeying a rich white man is worse than crime or poor play. The grudge wont end and they will continue to cheer against him.

[CarolinaPride5]

King sure does love this LeBron guy lol. When the Heat & Bobcats play what do you want to happen?

Excited to see what he does tomorrow in game 7. Would love to see Durant take LBJ out in the finals. That would also mark the 5th straight year the Lakers either won the championship or lost to the team who did.

[B wood]

Rick Reilly can suck my dick. LeBron is an arrogant jackass at times. You can't have it both ways. If you want to be crowned a king don't cry when people bash you for losing.

[King Taharqa]

Going into the 2012 Finals,, LeBron for the playoffs is averaging....

30.8 PPG (50.8 FG%), 9.6 RPG, and 5.1 APG

Not only is he the leagues leading scorer this playoff, but hes scored more 4th quarter points than anybody. That stat line is the epitome of choking. LOL

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

It is just perception. As a Cav he closed out many games until he had that terrible one against the Celtics: The Delonte West is in my mom game.

He does lose confidence at end of game situations and passes up opportunities he would never in a regular season game.

I am a huge fan and hope that game 6 in the Eastern conference finals put him over the top!

[King Taharqa]

LeBron focuses by reading

Today's Miami Heat Book Club update: Forward LeBron James is finished with The Hunger Games trilogy (Mockingjay was the last installment) and has moved on to Jay-Z's book, Decoded.

James began devouring books at the beginning of the playoffs, starting with Hall of Famer Jerry West's autobiography West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life.

Since then, he has read The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream; The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference; The Hunger Games;Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

"For me, it's relaxing honestly," James said early Tuesday afternoon, hours before Game 1 of the NBA Finals. "You spend so much preparation for the games, sometimes you just need to get away from it for a little bit. The reading has helped me get away from the game a little bit, and I'm able zero in once I'm done and get ready for the games."

The increased reading has coincided with James' vacation from Twitter and decreased TV viewing.

"I wanted to try something new in this postseason honestly. I'm not watching much TV so I'm reading a little bit more," he said.

James said he asked longtime friend and business manager Maverick Carter to select books for him. Since then, "People have seen me walking around with them (and) they've been given lists of books to read."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, a self-confessed hoops junkie, has taken a similar route – he said he's watching TV less and has stopped reading Heat-related stories. He told USA TODAY Sports Tuesday he encouraged his players to find a diversion from what he calls "outside noise."

It wasn't easy for Spoelstra, who regularly visits NBA-related websites and receives a collection of clips daily from the Heat's public relations staff. While watching playoff games, Spoelstra had the volume muted to avoid hearing what is being said about his team.

http://content.usato.../1#.T9wq22z0Sik

[NanuqoftheNorth]

Smart move by LeBron James.

Ignoring the hype and criticism.

Making good use of his free time by decompressing and expanding his knowledge.

[King Taharqa]

It was a good run...

[carolina-chuck]

I never liked Lebron. Hated Cleveland, until now. Hated him when he left Cleveland to Miami. Hates Miami now. I wanna see him cry and without a ring once he retire.

I used to like Wade. He used to be a quiet little superstar until Lebron went there. Then he thought he's a badda$$ now.

I was so happy they loss last year to Dallas and wanted Miami to lose this year bc of Wade and Lebron. But now seeing Lebron, he's actually a pretty good guy. Not cocky, knoes the right thing to say unlike wade and etc. Im actually glad he's on his way to getting his first ring. Much prop for the MVP. But still hating on Wade.

Lebron Atleast knows how to wear to the podium unlike Westbrook, KD, and Wade. These NBA players need to grow up and quit looking like Steve Urkel.

[Kevin Greene]

Congrats KT, your guy got himself one.

[B.B.S]

KT is gonna choke himself to death on LeBron's man juice after tonight.

[God]

cleveland fans weep everywhere

[Proudiddy]

Man, I'm so happy for my boy BronBron. Glad he is finally able to put that hardware on the mantle and shut the haters up. Nobody can talk him down now, he did it and he was the best player on the floor while doing it. I love it.

I feel really bad for KD and Westbrook as I'm a fan of them as well but Lebron needed this and now he's got it.

I was just talking to my neighbor the other day and told her I was pulling for Bron to win this one because of all the crap he's taken over the years... And she said the same thing I've heard from several different people over the last few weeks - that Lebron is arrogant.

I have no idea where that comes from... I'm guessing "The Decision," but if anyone really follows him or basketball closely, they would know that it wasn't his idea. It was his management and he immediately regretted it. He also apologized several different times even a year after it went down. If someone is arrogant, they wouldn't regret something like that, they'd relish it.

This is awesome. Congrats Bron!