LeBron is the next Shaq

Currently, the Dallas Mavericks are leading the Miami Heat 3-2 in the 2011 NBA Finals, and the big story is how LeBron James is sucking it up. In all 5 games, he has played all 12 minutes of each 4th quarter, for a total of 60 minutes. In those 60 minutes, he has scored only 11 points. For a lesser player, like Mario Chalmers, this might be acceptable, but for a 2-time MVP like LeBron, it is not. Last night, he had a crappy 17-10-10 triple-double. Only LeBron can have a crappy triple-double. He only scored 2 points in the 4th, and they came after the game was already decided.

The worst part about this is Jason Kidd was guarding LeBron. Not Shawn Marion, not DeShawn Stevenson, not even Corey Brewer. Jason Kidd. Who is 12 years older, 4 inches shorter, and at least 40 pounds lighter than LeBron. Why didn't he score 50 on him? And it's not like Kidd really played that great defense — he gave LeBron 3 feet of space every time he got the ball. What did LeBron do? Attack the basket? Post Kidd up? No. He either took a crappy jump shot or passed the ball away and tried to be invisible. Anyway, that's enough ranting about last night's game (which I thoroughly enjoyed, by the way).

By now, everyone knows LeBron is not the next Michael Jordan. Jordan never would have given up against Boston, joined Dwyane Wade, or given up against Dallas (especially after getting called out by DeShawn). So, if King James is not the next Jordan, who is he? Well, you probably already read my title, so here is why I think LeBron has more in common with Shaquille O'Neal than Michael Jordan.

First, let's look at Shaq's career:

• 19 seasons: Impressive
• 15 All-Stars: Quite impressive
• 4 NBA titles: Also quite impressive
• 3 Finals MVPs: Most impressive

But ...

• 8-time All-NBA First Team: He was the league's best center only 8 times?
• 6 teams played for (Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavs, Celtics): Why couldn't he stay anywhere?
• 1 regular season MVP: How is this even possible?

I remember in 2000 when Shaq was invincible. I prayed for the day when his large frame would destroy his knees and feet and end his career and give the rest of the NBA a chance to compete. I truly believe that he was as dominant as any other player has ever been at any time in the NBA.

Problem is, I don't think Shaq really cared about being dominant. He seemed more interested in starting his rapping and acting career than winning titles until Phil Jackson came along and found a way to motivate Shaq. Then he won his rings, seemed to grow complacent, became out-of-shape and overweight and then could only watch as injuries slowly ended his career. (He really should have retired 2 years ago.) Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that Shaq could have had a much better career if he wanted to. But he won enough and was content to just have fun and good around. Sure, he kept saying he wanted to win another championship, but that's what NBA players are supposed to say. You'll never hear them say, "I only want to make millions of dollars and have fun playing basketball. It really doesn't matter if I win or lose." But I imagine a lot of them really think that way. Now let's look at LeBron.

I've only been able to see LeBron live once, and it was a real treat. He was still with the Cavs and when he had the ball everyone stood still to watch him. This really sucked for my Jazz because this often led to him scoring or getting an assist. But I had never seen a player in person before who commanded so much attention (and I got to see Vince Carter in his prime). It was an unbelievable experience. In the end, the Jazz lost a close game, but we really didn't feel that bad. We got to see the King — the future.

Fast forward to today. LeBron hasn't really improved that much. Yes, he's won 2 MVPs, and this is his second trip to the Finals, but he hasn't developed a consistent jump shot or any low post moves, despite being roughly the same size as Karl Malone. LeBron seems to be more concerned about building his brand right now, as evidenced by his terrible cartoon series, "The LeBrons," starring 4 different versions of himself. Meanwhile, he continues to shy away from the spotlight of the NBA Finals. The first time he got there, he was destroyed by the Spurs. This time, it's not so different.

Keep in mind, I'm not judging LeBron by some unrealistic standards of how good I think he could be — I'm judging him by what I have already seen him do. He single-handidly demolished a great defensive Detroit Pistons team and he dominated this year's MVP, Derrick Rose, on both sides of the ball, leading the Heat to the Finals. So why is he choking right now?

Come to think of it, I never remember Shaq choking this bad. True, he never did become a decent free throw shooter, but he hit a few clutch free throws to help Miami win the title 5 years ago. LeBron may be like Shaq in the wasted potential/only-wants-to-have-fun area, but I don't think Shaq would have been caught failing this miserably on the biggest stage in basketball.