All hail the new king!

When Lebron James said earlier in the series "Just get me there (the 4th quarter). If its close I'll win the game", he wasn't kidding around. Sure he needed a couple of overtimes to prove his point. But he proved it alright and how!!! James' superhuman 48 point effort, last night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, is the most dominant performance i've seen this late in the playoffs since the days of a certain other No. 23!! I was just happy that i got to watch it.

Forget the athletic prowess, the vision on court, the ability to work the officials. The thing that stands out the most for me is his will to win. He goes out on court and says adamantly "We will not lose tonight, not on my watch". And it is this single-minded determination to win at all costs that made people like Schumi and Lance achieve what they did. And to think that Lebron is just 22. Unlike formula 1 and cycling, basketball is a team sport. But watching Lebron last night, you could be excused for thinking that it wasn't.

He was the only Cavalier to score in the last 18 minutes of the game. Up until then he had missed 13 of his 20 shots. He made 11 of next 13. Tough fadeaways, creating looks with behind-the-back dribbles, three pointers when double teamed, dunks and that poignant layup driving past 4 Detroit defenders to settle matters at the end, he did it all. He was also the only Cavalier who was visibly disappointed when they couldnt close it out at the end of the first overtime.

The Cleveland Cavaliers may not win the title this year but looking at Lebron's steady progress in the last 3 years, it cant be long now! In the career of Lebron James this will be looked back on as his defining game. Yes, he needs a few rings on his finger before we can start comparing him to the all time greats. But the NBA has been searching for the heir to the throne that was vacated nine long years ago. They can stop looking right now.