NBA Playoffs 2011 Memes: LeBron James Overcomes Celtics, Celebrates Wildly

All season, the argument went that the Miami Heat couldn’t get it done in crunch time. For much of the year, LeBron James was the one taking most of the shots then, and he wasn’t converting. This kick-started a vocal group that suggested that while LeBron could do his thing in quarters 1-3, Dwyane Wade, and not LeBron, should be taking the last shot. I guess all of those people need to rethink their position after LeBron sunk the Boston Celtics for good with a scintillating 10-point stretch, during which he hit two threes to give Miami a six-point lead, then stole a pass and went in for a dunk to put the game away.

To make things even more interesting, LeBron’s exploits came after Dwyane Wade dominated the game for Miami. If the argument above truly had much merit, then LeBron’s decision to take the big shots would have backfired. But it didn’t, and all those who thought that LeBron couldn’t come up big in a big spot need to reevaluate their position.

It was predictable, but it doesn’t make things less silly. Why shouldn’t LeBron be excited that he finally beat the Boston Celtics? None of us will ever understand what it must feel like for a superstar athlete to be thwarted at every opportunity by the same team. We can’t possibly understand the psychology of LeBron in that very moment. So why do we pass judgment so freely?

I liken Wednesday night to LeBron finally graduating college. He may have struggled a lot, and he may have transferred to an easier school, but it’s still him getting his degree. College kids celebrate graduation with a week-long party, a huge ceremony, a shiny diploma and lots of support from some of the most distant family members they’ll ever know. If we celebrate graduating college like that, why can’t LeBron celebrate beating the Celtics? Sure, he has more work to do to win a title, but by the same token, human beings aren’t automatically successful just because they graduate college. That doesn’t mean they can’t pause and be proud of passing a significant benchmark towards success in life.

Regardless, those are questions for another day. For this day, let’s appreciate the Celtics going out while putting up a great fight, unlike the other NBA Finals team from last season.

For all five of Wednesday’s 2011 NBA Playoff memes, click here.

I also really liked it when he and LeBron hugged after the game. Everyone by now knows the nasty rumors that spread involving the two men in the wake of James’ departure to Miami. That hug probably dispels them about as well as anything could. Here’s hoping West’s revival is complete and some team gives him a nice contract in the offseason.

For all five of Wednesday’s 2011 NBA Playoff memes, click here.