LeBron James makes the cut on Vanity Fair's best-dressed list

LeBron earns recognition yet again, this time for his style off the court...

LeBron James finds himself at the top of many lists. Whether it's ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Day or Forbes' Highest Paid Athletes, James is no stranger to ranking high in just about every other category as well.

On Wednesday, it was no different as the Miami Heat forward was named to Vanity Fair's 74th International Best-Dressed List.

During an era where the NBA's elite players are recognized for their fashion sense off the court as much as they are for their game on the court, James is one of three athletes to make this year's cut. He is joined by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

According to LeBron's profile, his style icons are James Bond and Bruce Wayne.

LeBron James: Most Hated to Most Popular

In a recent poll by ESPN.com, it was said that LeBron James is now the most popular player in the NBA, surpassing Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. I find this hard to believe, though I do think LeBron is gaining his popularity back after losing almost all of it a few years back.

"This fall, I will be taking my talents to South Beach, and will be joining the Miami Heat." That statement didn't do LeBron any favors in the least bit. The only people "The Decision" really benefited was the Miami Heat of course, and The Boys and Girls clubs of America, the charity was given millions of dollars that The Decision had earned. It sounded pretty good before it happened; Go on Live National television, announce where you will be playing next season, and millions of dollars will be donated to charity, what can go wrong? 

Everything went wrong, except for the charity part. Cleveland Cavaliers fans were burning LeBron's Cavs jersey, and did not have any kind things to say about him. Not only did the Cleveland fans feel that way, but so did a majority of the NBA fans, and people across the world, which caused LeBron's popularity to go way down, to about zero.

15.6 percent, that's the percent of people that called LeBron James their favorite NBA player during his final season with the Cavaliers, before the decision. What was the number AFTER the decision you might ask? 10.2 for his first season, and 9.4 during his second season with Miami. That was a drastic change in that short of a time period. 

During that time, it was hard to be a LeBron James fan. He was constantly being criticized for his lack of clutch play in the 4th quarter, and even his hairline. You know little kids these days, we all know that guy that becomes a fan of a team the day after they win the Super Bowl. For a while there, people were jumping on the LeBron HATE bandwagon, just watching his games to root against him, or not even watching them at all.

LeBron's popularity and credibility took a huge hit in the 2011 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. He disappeared in that series, especially in the 4th quarter. LeBron James "you got change for a dollar jokes" and everything related to that took over social media. Some questioned if he was ever going to win an NBA Finals ring. We laugh at that today, but for a while it was a reality. He took his talents to South Beach to win Not 1, Not 2, Not 3, and after 2 seasons he didn't even have one. LeBron was a joke.

Then the next season in the ECF against the Boston Celtics, the Heat were yet again staring at elimination in Game 6 on the road at the TD Garden. Many were saying it was over, the Heat stood no chance. There was no way LeBron was going to come through, and the Celtics wouldn't lose at home, and Chris Bosh was guaranteed to cry after the game. Well, that theory was quickly disproven, as LeBron James arguably had the greatest performance of his career that night, and propelled the Heat to victory. We all know what happened after that, the Heat beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, and LeBron finally captured that elusive ring he so greatly desired.

Then this past season, the Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 to win yet another ring, giving LeBron his 2nd championship. Not only did the Heat win, but LeBron's late jumper in Game 6 was as clutch as it gets. 

So, what is LeBron's popularity now? 18.9 percent of people claim LeBron as their favorite player, which is the highest of James' entire career. Obviously the fact LeBron is a two-time NBA champion has a lot to do with this, but he has earned it. 

LeBron James will also grace the cover of NBA 2K14, the ever so popular video game. Not only was he on the cover, but he also had the opportunity to choose the soundtrack. If this was the case a few years ago, people would be starting riots, but today, they're not. It was a long journey back to the top of the popularity list for LeBron. He has been the best player in the NBA for a while, but now, we can call him "the most popular" too.

By Reece_Helms  @Reece_Helms

WITNESS HISTORY: LEBRON JAMES IS COMING TO MANILA.

Witness History.  That’s right. You. Read. Right. The King himself, LeBron James is coming over. Nike is bringing the recently crowned Back-to-Back Champ for his first ever visit.

Heat Win NBA Championship With 95-88 Win Over Spurs In 2013 Finals Game 7

The Miami Heat have done it again.

For the second season in a row, LeBron James and Heat are NBA champions. James poured in 37 points in the winner-take all 2013 NBA Finals finale as the Heat outlasted the San Antonio Spurs, 95-88.

"It took everything we had as a team, credit to the San Antonio Spurs," Dwyane Wade told Doris Burke of ESPN on the floor after the final buzzer had sounded on a thrilling Game 7. "They are an unbelievable team, unbelievable franchise. This was the hardest series we ever had to play but we're a resilient team and we did whatever it took."

What it took, was a classic performance from James, 23 points and 10 rebounds from Wade and an incredible effort from Shane Battier, who scored 18 points and shot 6-of-8 from beyond the arc in Game 7. Although Chris Bosh was held scoreless by the Spurs in Game 7, Battier and Mario Chalmers combined for 32 points.

"It's better to be timely than good," Battier quipped to Burke as confetti fell following the presentation of the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Prior to his stunning Game 7 performance, Battier had managed just 21 total points in the previous six games.

Despite the presence of a "Big Three" in each lineup, it was Chalmers who delivered one of the most devastating blows in the seventh round of the classic Finals bout. With time winding down in the third quarter and the Spurs holding a narrow 71-69 advantage, Chalmers gave the Heat the lead for good with a deep, three-point shot that just beat the buzzer.

"It feels great, a dream come true," Chalmers told Rachel Nichols of ESPN of his second championship in the champagne-soaked Heat locker room after the win. "We worked hard to get to this point. We had to leave it all on the court tonight."

Although the Heat never relinquished the lead after Chalmers' improbable, buzzer-beating bank shot, Tim Duncan and the Spurs relentlessly challenged down the stretch, withstanding nearly everything that the Heat could throw at them. Nearly. Having come within seconds of closing out their fifth title since selecting Duncan as the No. 1 overall selection in the 1997 NBA Draft in Game 6, the Spurs closed within two points in the final minute of regulation in Game 7. With the Heat clinging to a 90-88 lead and less than a minute to play, Duncan got the ball on the block. With Battier on his hip, the 37-year-old spun to his left and got off a point-blank, right-handed hook shot in the paint. Unlike so many of the shots during his illustrious career, it missed. Reacting quickly, Duncan got his right hand back on the ball, tipping it up toward the rim. He missed again.

"The obvious word is 'disappointing.' Tough end to the game," Duncan, who finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 steals and 1 block, told reporters after the game, via ASAP Sports. "Made some bad decisions, missed some shots. I don't know what to say. Just give credit to the Miami Heat. LeBron was unbelievable. Dwyane was great. I just think they found a way to get it done. We stayed in the game. We gave ourselves opportunities to win the game, we just couldn't turn that corner. They made more plays down the stretch, bottom line"

Following a Heat timeout, James drained a 19-foot jump shot to push the lead back to two possessions. The Spurs would not score again. Miami closed out the series-clinching win with three free throws and the celebration at AmericanAirlines Arena was on. James would be named NBA Finals MVP for the second straight season and the Heat were the first back-to-back champions in the NBA since the Los Angeles Lakers won twice on the bounce in 2009 and 2010.

I work on my game a lot throughout the offseason," James told Burke after the game, specifically addressing his superlative midrange game. Nine of James' 12 made field goals in Game 7 came outside the paint. "I put a lot of work into it and to be able to come out here and (have) the results happen out on the floor is the ultimate. The ultimate. I'm at a loss for words."


--CREDITS http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Game 7 an opportunity for LeBron James to strengthen legacy

MIAMI —
The days of riding a bicycle home from AmericanAirlines Arena are gone.

No more late-night workouts. No more running with teammate Ray Allen from the practice facility to the team hotel.

Everything Miami Heat forward LeBron James did up to this point to display his workout mentality was no longer in the plan. On the eve of the game that determined if his basketball legacy takes a step forward or backward, James took a mild preparation approach to facing the San Antonio Spurs Thursday in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

He watched Sponge Bob with his two sons.

At 9 p.m., to be exact.

"It's going to be light-hearted around the house, man," James said. "…You don't want to think about the game too much. I understand it's a huge game. It's probably going to be one of the biggest games, if not the biggest game, of my life. But I'm going to just keep it the same way I've been doing and (Thursday) night I'll be able to focus in about on the job at hand."

How odd cartoon-night with the boys took precedence over James breaking down the film. This is the player who memorizes moments in history, some before he was born, because he's watched enough vintage NBA highlights.

Instead, he hung out with a few family members. A close friend flew into town. Some of his high school teammates from Ohio are here to cheer him on. The plan was to take the focus off basketball much as possible Wednesday night.

"We're going to laugh and joke about things that have happened in the past," James said. "…You don't want to think about the game too much. I understand it's a huge game."

The relaxation gave James a free moment before thinking the hours leading up to tip-off about the magnitude of what's at stake. If he wins, he becomes a two-time champion. He further silences the doubters who questioned his departure from Cleveland. He enjoys another "Summer of LeBron" media love affair.

"I want to go down as one of the greatest," James said. "I want our team to go down as one of the greatest teams. And we have an opportunity to do that. Hasn't been many peoples to win back to back championships. It's so hard. It's the hardest thing. I said last year it was the hardest thing I've ever done, winning my first. Last year don't even come close to what we've gone through in this postseason and in these Finals."

And if he loses?

Everything repaired about his reputation last year is no longer under warranty. The offseason story transforms from greatest team to what changes the Heat need to make. The preseason, regular season and postseason story become will he leave in 2014?

Where James ranks among the all-time greats also comes into question. Never mind the four most valuable player awards, the 27-game winning streak, the franchise-record 66 wins.

"I already know that," James said. "It is what it is. I understand the moment for me. I've been pretty relaxed, though. I've been pretty relaxed throughout the playoffs. I'm going to be antsy, I'm going to be excited. I'm going to have some butterflies. I'll be nervous. Everything. That's how I should be.The moment is going to be grand. Like I said, I'm happy to be a part of it."

For James to end the Finals with a smile, he will have to lead the Heat to consecutive victories for the first time in the series. The teams have traded victories, with each coach succumbing to the other's adjustment.

In the end, the victor will not be determined by the coach or teammates.

It all comes down to James, at least in everyone's eyes.

"There's a lot of great players in this series," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "I mean, he's the greatest one. He understands the spotlight that will be put on him. I think he's going to enjoy the moment. Game 7 here on our home floor, you know, it's going to be tough for him not to give it his all. Hopefully the outcome is great."

Win or lose, James is expecting some sort of criticism. He's fine with it because basketball has provided opportunity to fulfill his dream. He feels he's already won. He's playing in the NBA. His jersey is worn by millions across the country.

The criticism is the least of his worries.

"It won't stop me from loving the game, playing at a high level, doing it for my teammates, putting that uniform on," James said. "First of all, I mean, I'm blessed, man. I don't even know how I got here. I wasn't supposed to be in the NBA, if you go by statistics and things of me growing up where I grew up. Every time I go into my locker room and see the "James" on the back of an NBA jersey, I'm like wow, no criticism can deter me from playing this game because of that. I'm not supposed to be here. The fact that I'm doing what I'm doing and doing it for my teammates, it's all that matters."


--CREDITS @SUN-SENTINEL

LeBron, Allen help Heat rise from the grave and force title decider

LeBron James shrugged off a poor start to finish with 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the victory. AP

MIAMI — LeBron James led a title-saving charge, and now his crown will be on the line one more time in Game Seven.

James powered Miami to a frantic fourth-quarter rally and overtime escape as the Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs 103-100 on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time) to extend the NBA Finals as far as they can go and keep Miami's repeat chances alive.

Losing his headband but keeping his cool while playing the entire second half and overtime, James finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, making the go-ahead basket with 1:43 remaining in the extra period.

"If we were going to go down tonight, we're going to go down with me leaving every little bit of energy that I had on the floor," James said.

Tim Duncan scored 30 points for the Spurs, his most in an NBA Finals game since Game One in 2003, but was shut out after the third quarter. He added 17 rebounds.

Game Seven will be here Thursday, the NBA's first do-or-die game to determine its champion since the Lakers beat the Celtics in 2010.

"They're the best two words in sports: Game Seven," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

The Spurs looked headed to a fifth title in five chances when they built a 13-point lead with under four minutes left in the third quarter, then grabbed a five-point edge late in regulation after blowing the lead.

But James hit a three-pointer and Ray Allen tied it with another. Just 5.2 seconds remained in regulation. The Heat were that close to the edge.

James was just 3 of 12 after three quarters, the Heat trailing by 10 and frustration apparent among the players and panic setting in among the fans.

Nothing to worry. Not with James playing like this.

He finished 11 of 26, even making a steal after his basket had given Miami a 101-100 edge in the OT.

Before that, he was 12 minutes from hearing the familiar criticisms about not being able to get it done, from having to watch a team celebrate on his home floor again.

Then he changed the game and erased that story.

The Heat, who haven't lost consecutive games since Jan. 8 and 10, had too much defense and way too much James for the Spurs in the final 17 minutes. They are trying to become fourth team to win the final two games at home since the NBA went to the 2-3-2 format for the finals in 1985.

James came in averaging 31.5 points in elimination games, highest in NBA history, according to a stat provided through the NBA by the Elias Sports Bureau.

This wasn't quite the 45-point performance in Game Six of last year's Eastern Conference finals in Boston, but given the higher stakes may go down as more important — if the Heat follow it with another victory Thursday.

The Heat were in the same place as they were in 2011 at the end of their Big Three's first season together, coming home from Texas facing a 3-2 deficit in the finals.

This is a different team. And oh, what a different James.

They said they welcomed this challenge, a chance to show they how much mentally tougher they were than the team the Dallas Mavericks easily handled in Game 6 that night.

James made sure they did, looking nothing like the player who was so bad in the fourth quarters during that series.

He was simply unstoppable down the stretch of this one.

Kawhi Leonard had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs. Tony Parker had 19 points and eight assists, but shot just 6 of 23 from the field.

The Spurs had one final chance down 103-100, but Chris Bosh blocked Danny Green's three-pointer from the corner as time expired.

Bosh had said Green wouldn't get open the way he has all series — and he didn't.

Green finished 1 of 5 from behind the arc after going 25 of 38 on three-pointers (65.8 percent) in the first five games.

The Heat, the NBA's 66-win powerhouse during the regular season, will be playing a seventh game for the second straight round, having needed to go the distance to beat the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.

"See you in Game Seven!" the public address announcer hollered as Heat fans either left with or tossed their usual white T-shirts that hang on chairs in the arena. These read "First to 16 Wins," meaning the number of victories it takes to win the championship.

The race will go down to a final day.

The Heat are 13-0 after losses over the last five months, though this was nothing like the previous 12 that had come by an average of nearly 20 points. Nor was it like the previous four games of this series, which had all been blowouts after the Spurs pulled out a four-point victory in Game One.

San Antonio had an 11-0 run in the first half, then a 13-3 burst in the third quarter for a 71-58 lead, and a final flurry late in regulation that seemed to have them ready to walk off with another title.

Parker's three-pointer over James tied it at 89 with 1:27 left. He then came up with a steal, spinning into the lane for a 91-89 lead with 58 seconds to go. Miami coughed it up again and Manu Ginobili made two free throws, and he made another after a third straight Miami turnover to put the Spurs ahead 94-89.

James nailed a three-pointer with 20 seconds left, and the Heat had one more chance after Leonard made just one to give the Spurs a 95-92 edge. James missed but Bosh got the rebound out to Allen, the league's career leader in three-pointers, who made another one from the corner to even it up.

The Spurs went ahead by three again in overtime, but James found a cutting Allen for a basket, then scored himself to put the Heat on top. They clinched it when Bosh blocked San Antonio's final two shot attempts.

Bosh finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

--credits SPIN.PH

Ray of hope as Allen's clutch trey rescues Miami's season

Ray Allen still has a chance at what he wants most: A second championship. It's why he came to Miami. And without him, it probably wouldn't be happening for Miami. AP

MIAMI (AP) — For years, Ray Allen's routine has not changed. Show up for work hours earlier than just about everyone else, go onto the court and take hundreds of jump shots.

It paid off for him on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time).

And he'll be back out there on Thursday — since the Miami Heat season still has one game remaining.

Allen's three-pointer with 5.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter capped a huge Miami rally plus essentially took the championship trophy out of San Antonio's hands, and the Heat found a way in overtime to hold off the Spurs for a 103-100 win.

"Ray did what he's done for so many years," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, whose team trailed by 13 in the second half and was down by 10 entering the final quarter. "And we've seen it on the other side so many times."

A pair of free throws by Allen with 1.9 seconds left in overtime sealed it, and on the last play of the game, Danny Green — who took Allen's three-point Finals record earlier in this series — had no chance at getting a potentially tying shot anywhere near the rim, the play snuffed out by Miami's Chris Bosh.

So Allen lost his record in these NBA Finals.

He still has a chance at what he wants most: A second championship. It's why he came to Miami.

"There's a lot of shots that I've made in my career," Allen said. "But this will go, you know, high up in the ranks, because of the situation."

And without him, Game Seven probably wouldn't be happening for Miami.

"This is the reason why we wanted him, in games like this," Miami's LeBron James said.

The Spurs were up 95-92, and workers were surrounding the perimeter of the court with yellow rope in anticipation of the trophy-awarding celebration. Heat players, like Bosh and James, said they noticed and were upset by that move, and others around the team called it "disrespectful." When time expired, those workers were to rise and basically use the rope to keep fans and others from getting on the floor for the Spurs' party.

The Heat had other ideas.

One of the subtle moves that set up Allen's game-winner came with 19.4 seconds left, after Kawhi Leonard missed a free throw and Spoelstra inserted Bosh back into the game in place of Mike Miller. Leonard made the second to push the Spurs' lead to three, and James took a three-pointer that would have tied it for Miami.

James shot missed and Bosh got the rebound. Allen took several steps backward, both getting ready to receive the pass and getting his feet ready for the shot that only would potentially decide Miami's season. He caught the ball, as James stood alone at the top of the key, both arms raised, wanting the shot.

"If it's not me, I have no problem with Ray taking that shot, man," James said. "He's got ice water in his veins. Like I've said before, Ray can be 0 for 99 in a game. And if he gets an open look late in a game, it's going down."

Sure enough, the shot went down. Allen never thought about passing the ball — shaking his head no, somewhat comically, when asked if shipping the ball to James was an option. He shot, waited and then saw the ball drop with a swish.

"When I parted ways with Boston, they went their direction and obviously I went mine. The minute I got here, this team made me feel welcome. I didn't win it last year with this team, but they made me feel a part of it. The redemption has been winning 66 games this year and having the best record in the NBA, making it to the playoffs and getting to this point and being with a great group of guys."

After Allen's shot, the rope was quickly re-collected, and won't be back until Thursday night.

Question now is, how will the Spurs collect themselves?

"I have no clue how we're going to get re-energized," the Spurs' Manu Ginobili said. "I'm devastated. But we have to. There's no Game Eight."

The 2013 NBA championship comes down to one game: Winner take all, Game Seven, Thursday night. No one could have envisioned this when the Heat talked Allen out of taking a longer, more lucrative deal to stay with the Celtics last summer and successfully lured him to South Florida instead.

He scored only nine points, grabbed one rebound, had two assists. The numbers were downright paltry compared to LeBron James' 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, but certainly Allen earned a ton of the credit.

When time expired, he skipped toward midcourt and let out a scream. A few moments later, he walked off the court coolly, a white towel draped over his neck, slapping a few hands.

Allen had been the best three-point shooter in Finals history, making 22 of them in the 2008 series with the Celtics. Green took his record in Game Five, and now has 26 for the Spurs heading into Game Seven.

Given a choice, there's no question what Allen would want more: His record back, or a second ring.

His thoughts, down the stretch: "Until the clock runs out," Allen said, "we still have an opportunity to win this game."

So when Bosh turned and found him in the right corner with a few seconds left, the opportunity was not only there, it was his. He set his feet well behind the line, let that quick-release shot of his fly, and waited for the outcome.

"It just gave us another life," James said.

Referees reviewed it, but there was no question that the shot was a 3.

"Bad. Very bad," Ginobili said. "It's a tough moment. We were a few seconds away from winning the championship and we let it go."

The Heat saw that last play differently, of course.

"We actually got a couple of decent looks out of it," Spoelstra said. "LeBron's first look, at least it was clean. That's all you can ask for at that time. But Chris made a heck of an effort to give us that second possession and found Ray."

And with that, it's on to Thursday night.

"If there's one guy that you want the ball to be swung to on a situation like that it's Walter Ray Allen," Heat forward Shane Battier said. "After years of doing that to us, it was great to be on the right side of that for once."

--Credits @spin.ph