NBA Intrigue?

For the past few years at this time of summer I would have the tough decision of staying in for the NBA Finals or taking in a friend's American Legion baseball game. If this was any of those past years I would have probably elected to drive 45 minutes to Arlington and watch my buddy Jim go 0-for-4 and balk home the game-winning run. June, 2007 is different though.
Not to completely downplay the accomplishments of recent NBA champions that have included the ranks of Shaq, D-Wade, Tim Duncan, and the well-rounded Detroit Pistons, but since the Lakers three-peat (2000-02) "the league" just hasn't been able to attract me like the college game and March Madness.
There is a royal difference this year though after King James ignited in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals for 48 points. Yeah its been repeated over and over, but seriously 29 of his team's last 30 and the game winner in double-OT. Wow. The NBA might be ushering in the reign of its next "real" superstar (a word used far too frequently in today's pro sports), something its been waiting for since the high school phenom from Akron, Ohio was picked No. 1 overall by Cleveland in the 2003 draft.
Its easy to jump on the bandwagon now, but I take caution when I praise the 22-year-old. For starters I only refer to him as the King because the nickname was given long ago during his scholastic playing days, and secondly the coronations of him as the next Michael are entirely premature. He has yet to even win one ring, not to mention six, and nor does he have five MVPs, been named 1st-team All-Defense nine times, won six Finals MVPs etc.
But at 22 he has brought back the "magic" of the likes of Earvin, Michael, and Bird. And as Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins pointed out Monday, in a brash comparison to Kobe Bryant, he is the epitome of a team player. Throughout these playoffs Lebron has averaged 25.8 points 8.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists over 16 games. His unselfishness not only shows on the stat sheet, but was exemplified in Game 7 when he repeatedly set up rookie teammate Daniel "Boobie" Gibson who scored a game high 31 points. His recognition of when and when not to shoot has also helped silence critics of his Game 1 decision to dish off to a wide open 3-point-shooting-threat in Donyell Marshall in the waning seconds of the loss.
Yes this NBA finals could find the far more experienced and playoff-savvy San Antonio Spurs bringing the Cavs back down to earth quickly, but something tells me that this uncharacteristic poise and heart in a young player will make things far more interesting than many are predicting.
So, I apologize Jim, but tomorrow evening I'll be staying in to watch the team with the most rounded perimeter-player in the game square off with the team with the most rounded post-player in the league.