A King Without Rings

Tonight is game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals, and no matter what LeBron James does, or how well he plays, it will be meaningless until the Miami Heat win a title. That's a reality. On Thursday, prior to Game 6, Magic Johnson correctly nailed it — LeBron will get an unfair share of the credit for wins and an unfair share of the blame in losses. That's the path he's chosen, and it is his cross to bear.

When he came into the league, many thought LeBron would be the greatest player in professional basketball by the time he retired. Nearly a decade into his career, he remains a great player without a title. And that says a lot.

This week, a young boy made headlines for his effusive praise of the Heat following a game 5 loss. He shouted "good job; good effort" as the downtrodden team made its way to the locker room. While that might be the mentality in amateur sports, or the lesson we try to teach kids — that the way you play the game is what matters — the reality of sports is that only one thing matters — winning. You win or you go home. It's that simple. As they say, winning isn't everything — it's the only thing. And right now, LeBron has yet to prove his mettle in that area.

Think about our great athletes that couldn't get over the hump. John Stockton and Karl Malone were an incredible team for the Utah Jazz. They were prolific. But they could never win, and therefore they've been diminished in history. The same for Charles Barkley, who was a great player that never captured a title.

And it's not just basketball where this happens. Consider Dan Marino, who retired with nearly all the passing records. Had he retired with a title or two, he would likely still be at the top of the list when considering the best quarterbacks of all time.

But the only currency that matters is winning. While John Elway didn't put up the gaudy passing numbers of his fellow class of 1984 member, he went to the Super Bowl five times, winning two. Now, when discussing the greatest quarterback of all time, he's always mentioned above Marino.

LeBron is an incredible player. Watching his game six performance — 45 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and complete dominance — was a feat to behold. He literally carried his team for a bulk of the game, helping thrash the Boston Celtics on their home floor. But even if he does the same thing tonight, none of it will matter until he's clutching the trophy.

Some have wondered why LeBron takes more blame for the failure of the super team in Miami that Dwayne Wade, who has had an up-and-down playoffs. The difference between them, of course, is the jewelry in the repertoire. Wade has a ring. LeBron doesn't. No matter what else happens, that's the bottom line the matters.

Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce all have rings. LeBron doesn't. Kobe has five rings, LeBron doesn't have any.

Until he achieves the only measure in sports that matters, LeBron will never be truly King James. You can't sit on the throne without winning the final battle. That, so far, is a measure of success that has eluded him. And each year it does, the pressure mounts further.