Basketball: When greatness isn't enough

LeBron James' immense triple-double wasn't enough for the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

You have to feel for LeBron James.

As he continues to set new records with his superhuman playoff performances, he can only watch in despair as the Golden State Warriors utilise their depth and health to their advantage to edge the NBA Finals away from the grasp of James' Cleveland Cavaliers.

James' numbers are something out of a video game.

40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists - and averaging 37, 12 and nine in these NBA Finals. He's averaging 46 minutes per contest, because his side can't function when he leaves the floor; James scored or assisted on 71 of the Cavaliers' 91 points in their 104-91 loss.

He was doing everything for the Cavaliers today. Scoring in the post? You betcha. Hitting ridiculously deep threes? No problem. Setting up his array of teammates for open looks with mind-boggling passes? Sure thing.

And yet, it still wasn't enough.

While the Warriors may not possess an individual with the pure all-around brilliance of LeBron James, they have elite skills in other areas.

In Steph Curry, they have the best shooter to have ever graced the NBA. His step-back threes were devastating, and his abilities to fire up accurate three-pointers off the dribble are unmatched. It was Curry who eventually wrenched the game away from James' reach with a stunning fourth quarter seeing him end with 37 points.

In Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green the Warriors have two players capable of making James work for his baskets, while also mixing great passing and the ability to stretch the floor with shooting and playmaking. They have Klay Thompson, a knock-down shooter, and heck - the Warriors chose not to play Andrew Bogut, a Defensive Player Of The Year candidate.

The Warriors can call upon an array of healthy bodies to do their bidding - their depth is what has helped make them an elite side this season. Due to the injuries to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, James is forced to operate with the likes of Iman Shumpert, Tristan Thompson and Matthew Dellavedova - fine players, but not the players you want as your second options in an NBA finals.

Yet, the Cavaliers have been so close all series, all because of the greatness of LeBron James.

The microscope will be examined if the Cavaliers can't come back from this 3-2 series deficit. James will be 2-4 in the NBA Finals, and his naysayers will be quick to point that out.

Despite defeat, this is not a time to criticise.

This is a time to appreciate the greatness of LeBron James.