(Not) The Chosen One

     Once again LeBron James shied away from an opportune moment toward the end of a game. In Sunday's NBA All-Star game, LeBron backed down from the chance to hit a game winner. After last year's NBA finals debacle by James in multiple fourth quarters against the Mavericks, you would think the so called "Chosen One" would at least attempt to be clutch. Whether he makes it or not is another story, but I would at least have liked to see LeBron shoot the ball. Instead, he got bashful. After multiple opportunities to come up big at the end of games, LeBron continues to prove his doubters right. He is not clutch. The potential is there, but his refusal to take chances is hindering that possibility considerably.
      It appears as if LBJ is fearful of failure. Maybe he needs to read Michael Jordan's book. I hope nobody ever compares him to the great MJ. His killer instinct is non-existent, and his clutch gene has never been born. Therefore, he does not belong in the same sentence as. Michael Jordan. Yes I had to make that two sentences. I don't want to disrespect the greatest of all time by categorizing him with Queen James. In no way am I saying his game doesn't belong. Talent wise, Lebron is second to none.
      There is no denying his strength, athleticism, versatility, power, feel for the game, and overall skill set. The man can flat out play. But as far as his performance in the clutch, forget about it. It makes no sense why he would pass the ball and turn it over on the last play of the all-star game, when he clearly had an opportunity to rise up for a shot (after he had been feeling it from distance) with time winding down. The man had 36 points and had the hot hand from three point range. I guess it never occurred to him that he could have shot the ball, made it, won the All-Star game MVP, and won the game for the East. Maybe he just never thought of that. But I am going to guess that he is smart enough to recognize such laudable possibilities. I think LeBron just froze in the moment, like usual.
      Don't tell me he is still maturing. He entered the league in 2003. It has almost been a decade since he graced NBA fans with his presence. Let's be honest, LeBron James fears failure. It's the same reason he won't participate in the dunk contest. LeBron is perhaps the greatest talent in the league, but he fears failure and has no clutch gene. It's that simple.