The LeBron James Game 5 Mystery.... Or Solution?

In case you haven't heard, the cool thing to do during the NBA playoffs is to start a rumor about an NBA player having sex with a woman close to LeBron James.

Many have speculated what exactly is the source of James' malfeasance during crunch moments in high pressure situations throughout his career. Dating back to his only other trip to the NBA Finals when he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs. Back then it was chalked up to youth and inexperience.

But since, it seems to be something a little deeper.

Rumors are nothing new to LeBron, ever since his highly polarized acceptance of a Hummer S.U.V. in high school and his foregoing of college to enter the NBA draft because of the allegation, James career has been in some sort of spotlight.

For a player to have never committed and felonious acts, James has been surrounded by as much scrutiny as he has had hype. As much criticism as he has had praise. As much admiration as he has had aversion.

So what gives??

You can look at the situation with LeBron James in a few different lights:

1. James brought it all on himself; self proclaiming himself "King" in a league with LEGENDS.
2. People just love to hate
3. It is a perfect way to get into his head without having to play good defense or score a single basket.

To think about, it might be the most genius idea invented to stop a dominant player since "Hack-a-Shaq."


So how did all this start....

We can go back to the series that raised eyebrows initially about James intentions to head to South Beach, taking his talents and baggage with him as well to link up with Wade and Ol' boy (Chris Bosh new name.)

During the 2010 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers went up against the Boston Celtics with a team that bolstered the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Antawn Jamison. James' and the Cavs had the series tied up when all of a sudden things for James offensively stopped clicking. He and guard Delonte' West were not on same page in the half court offense, James was however passing the ball with great efficiency, but played with absolutely no aggressiveness.

Could have been because shortly before the game it had been reported that James' mother, had been in an intimate affair with teammate and Gollum from Lord of the Rings look-a-like Delonte' West. A rumor that to this day has been neither confirmed nor denied.


Look closely at the stat line for LeBron.

I give props to the TNT and NBATV staff for sugar-coating the hell out of this game for the public. It would have undoubtedly crush the league if they would have exposed this mysterious play like this guy did that I found online.....

Also props to that guy for putting that in the air like that. But he was right about everything except one thing in my eyes. Well at least now that is.

It is not the elbow, it is not the fact that he wanted out of Cleveland (He just got Shaq, ironically enough,) it was the newest form of intimidation. Psychological manipulation of the competitive psyche.

This form of mental breakdown isn't unknown in recent years in the NBA, just this season Laker's forward Pau Gason went AWOL against the Mavericks and basically the entire postseason as a whole as rumors started to swirl around allegedly his fiance cheating on him. Some said it was Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa's fault while others told a story of Shannon Brown having an affair with her.

Not only did it appear to affect Pau's play, but his teammates were feeling the heat as well..

The Los Angeles Lakers ultimately were swept by the Dallas Mavericks and up-ended in front of the world. And although one person does not make a team, when it is one of the most pivotal forces on a championship team, it can be critical.

Let's take a look the performance LeBron put on after the news of

Once again kudos to the NBATV and the TNT staff for putting together another series of highlights without spotlighting the poor performance of LeBron James.

Just before Game 5 of the NBA Finals, it was alleged that James longtime girlfriend and baby's mom Savannah had an illicit affair with now Washington Wizards forward Rashard Lewis when he spent the last few days down in South Beach.

Although not as funny as last year’s sex scandal, this rumor is clearly taking its toll on LeBron. I mean come on, can this guy catch a break? Last year was bad enough and he was forced to shun the fans of Cleveland because of it.

Now LeBron is in the bright lights of South Beach and now has to hear that Rashard Lewis is piping his girlfriend and mother of his child? And it's not even like it is a MVP caliber player, like Dwight Howard or hell even Kobe! At some point in time we are gonna have to start questioning LeBron's ladies choice in men.

LeBron has been crumbling in this series much how he crumbled in the series past against the Celtics and the Spurs. And the reason behind it may just be the rumors. Jason Terry has been rumored to have been getting into LeBron's head with trash talk:

According to MediaTakeOut.com:

According to the insider, Jason Terry's trash talk goes WAAAY overboard. The insider explained, "He tells LeBron that [his fiance Savannah] is f*cking other players. He talks about f*cking LeBron's mom . . . [Jason Terry] says whatever he has to to get under LeBron's skin."

And the TRASH TALK seems to work. According to LeBron's teammate, "LeBron may [even] believe some of that [stuff]. It's effecting his play."

And the numbers may have the proof in the pudding. Let's take a look at LeBron's number after these alleged allegations surfaced.

Game 5 2010 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals vs Boston Celtics (After rumor about Delonte' West affair with mom Gloria James)

LeBron James - 41 minutes, 3-14 FG, 0-4 3pt, 15 points; Cavs lose 120-88

Game 5 2011 NBA Finals vs Dallas Mavericks (After rumor about Rashard Lewis allegedly sleeping with longtime girlfriend)

LeBron James - 46 minutes, 8-19 FG, 0-4 3pt, 17 points; Heat lose 112-103

Looks like teams have found out a way to finally stop the once uber dominant forward, without having to even play him.

Let's hope for LeBron sake next season if the Heat lose this series against the Mavs, that he doesn't have  a sister.....

Tune in tonight @ 7:30PM ET on ABC/ESPN or whatever affiliate broadcasts the game in your area to see how LeBron responds to his Game 5 subpar performance.

And for the love of all thats good, women in LeBron's life..

Stay in the house.

For more "Chicago, As I See It," go to chicagonow.com/asiseeit

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