LeBron James crowned as the Finals MVP - NBA Update
The Miami Heat clinched their 2nd NBA championship in franchise history and the first since 2006 after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 in Game 5 here at the American Airlines Arena.
The Heat lost the first game of the series but won the next three to give themselves the chance of winning the championship in front of home crowd on Thursday, before the series shifted back to Oklahoma City for Games 6 and 7.
The men from the south beach dominated throughout, leading by as many as 25 at one point in the third quarter, to carve out a comfortable victory.
After the game, LeBron James was crowned the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. James had a triple double on the night, scoring 26 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds and led a Miami roster that had six players finishing with double
digit points.
In the five games of the NBA Finals, James averaged 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. He shot 47.2 percent from the field and was 38 of 46 from the foul line. He also had 8 steals and only 10 personal fouls for
the series.
James improved on his regular season average of 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists that landed him the regular season Most Valuable Player trophy. After failing to perform in the NBA Finals last year against the Dallas Mavericks,
James was criticised for choking under pressure and not being able to perform in big games. He admitted in the days leading up to the NBA Finals that he was playing to prove others wrong last season, rather than playing for the love of the game. Whatever technique
he used to get him ready for the Finals this year has paid off really well.
With a championship ring under his belt, James has catapulted his status as one of the best basketball players in history. This is by no means his last ring, as he has many more years ahead of him in the NBA. However, winning
the first one that had eluded him for so long will help remove the enormous pressure he carries on his shoulders.
“It’s about d**n time” said James when asked how he felt when the game clock hit zero and the Heat were officially crowned the new NBA champions.
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