Save for citizens in Seattle and Cleveland (locales where either the coffee or the people are bitter), all hoops buffs should be pleased with the NBA Finals pairing. LeBron has let it be known he will be content, regardless of the outcome: "Whatever the results, I'm going to be satisfied with that." It's a curious comment that calls his competitiveness into question. That doesn't sound like a statement from someone with a killer instinct; it might not even be a wounder instinct. The last two men to hold LeBron's hallowed place in the game - Jordan and Kobe - would never express or even entertain that thought. Winning was the only way to feel fulfilled, championships were their criteria for measuring success*. They were Machiavelli, Malcolm-X; LeBron is McFerrin, Bobby - he won't worry, he'll just be happy.
LeBron may be the most talented player in the league, but the Thunder are the more talented team, so LeBron will have to duplicate his Herculean effort from the Celtics series for his club to achieve what they were assembled to do. His attitude needs to adjust from patting himself on the back, to wanting to break the back of the Thunder, because until he wins a title, the critics - whether reasonable or so rabid that they should be put down for the safety of others - won't get off his back. The meek may inherit the Earth, but in the NBA they don't receive rings.
*well, that and number of Nike ads
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