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LeBron James is one of the more unique players in the history of the National Basketball Association. He handles the ball and passes like a point guard, shoots the ball well, runs like a gazelle, and is as strong and powerful as many centers. He may be the most versatile player to ever play the game.
James came out of high school and was immediately anointed as the next NBA superstar. He has certainly had some bumps in the road, but by and large his play has exceeded what anyone could have expected. However, an NBA title has eluded him to this point. He led an average Cleveland team to the NBA Finals once, and was roundly criticized for leaving Cleveland for Miami last summer. His career is at a critical moment tonight.
In last week's edition of Goal Posts, we discussed how too much thinking can hamper performance. Athletes perform optimally when they are "unconsciously competent". That is, they are relying on muscle memory and playing their sport freely and easily. Recently, and particularly in the fourth quarters of games, James has appeared tentative. It is odd to see someone so gifted and dominant retreat into the background of games. James had the worst playoff game of his career on Tuesday in Game 4 vs. Dallas, a game that had Miami won, they would have had a nearly insurmountable 3-1 lead.
With all the analysis of his performance, James needs to find a way back to unconscious competence. Below are some simple strategies that James and the Heat may employ tonight:
1) The Heat could run plays for James that require him to move and be more involved. He took only eight shots last game and was rather uninvolved.
2) Provide James a challenge on the defensive end that will relieve pressure, get him playing fast and free, and trust that the rest of his game will come around.
3) Focus on the opportunity that lies in front of them. Before Game 4, ABC showed James' pregame talk to his teammates where he told them he still feels their backs were against the wall. Although well-intentioned, this kind of language can create an avoidance motivation. Framing Game 5 as an opportunity to take a 3-2 lead with two games back in Miami would put the Heat in a great situation to win the series.
4) Teammates rarely show emotion with James, particularly when he is struggling. Research by Dacher Keltner and colleagues showed that the more touching that goes on between teammates in the NBA, the better their teams play. James' teammates appear reticent to interact with him when he is struggling. If they can provide more enthusiasm and support, they may take some of the pressure off of James.
5) Talk to James. Find a trusted teammate or coach and allow him to express what he is feeling. Players like James often seem walled off from others because few can relate to their abilities. That said, many can relate to what James is going through. Much has been made of Dirk Nowitzki and his mentor Holger Geschwinder. James would seem to benefit by having a confidant who he trusts.
6) Stop thinking, go play, and have fun!
James said after the game, "You're at a point where you are just not in a good rhythm. You start aiming shots, you start thinking about plays too much. You start thinking about the game too much, instead of going out, reading, reacting and playing the game."
Coach Spoelstra said, "He doesn't need to overthink. He is a great player. He will be more aggressive and have more of an attack mentality."
James is two games away from being a part of his first NBA Championship. He should revel in the moment and seize this opportunity.
