James joins the Monday Morning Quarterback Show to Talk Bengals

James Appears on Cincinnati's ESPN 1530

NBA Finals: LeBron needs to raise his game for Heat to three-peat

When the “Big 3” came together in July 2010, the Miami Heat instantly became the favorites to win multiple NBA titles. This season they find themselves trying to win three-straight NBA championships. They’re making a fourth-straight NBA Finals appearance. If the Heat are going to join elite company, they need the best player in the world to play even better.

LeBron James is already one of the greatest players to ever play. Now, he is looking to join Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal with a three-peat of his own. James has the opportunity to show his greatness can cover up a flawed Heat roster against a well-oiled juggernaut like the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs have the better head coach, the better point guard, the better frontcourt and have a deeper bench. Can James be good enough in this series to help his Heat overcome it? The Spurs are going to force him to shoot jump shots. James, who is shooting 42 percent on midrange shots in these playoffs, is going to have to make them at a higher percentage. Why would Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich try to limits James’ drives? James is shooting 81 percent at the rim, and scoring on 69 percent of his drives in the playoffs.

Bryant was able to hit outside shots in the playoffs. Jordan’s jumper continued to improve and he embraced the challenge of having to make jump shots under pressure. Now it’s James’ turn. It’s his turn to show that he can take the next step. He is already dominant. He is the best player in the world. But, he does have limitations. If he can make jump shots early in the series it may force the Spurs to play him tight and open up more driving lanes.

James may need to average 30+ points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in this series for the Heat to be victorious. He is going to have to have one of, if not the greatest single NBA Finals performance ever if the Heat are going to get past the Spurs.

James is going to have his hands full with Kawhi Leonard. Leonard, 6’7” has slowed him down before. He held James to his worst shooting performance of the season (6-18).

Can LeBron James play at an historically great level
against the scrappy Kawhi Leonard?

In last year’s NBA Finals James shot 53 percent when Leonard was on the bench. Compare that to the 47 percent he shot with Leonard on the court and it becomes obvious that Leonard could be James’ kryptonite. His long arms and big hands make him a tough matchup for James. Leonard was named to the All-NBA Defensive Second-Team.

The Spurs are the better team. They are more determined than ever to win a championship. Tim Duncan wants to avenge last year’s defeat in the Finals. There’s only one player that can stop the Spurs from winning a fifth NBA championship. If James can pull it off it will be his greatest achievement yet. A series win would give him a three-peat and a legacy that will be solidified among the greatest ever. No one will be able to question who the King of the NBA is. He’ll have defeated the greatest organization in the NBA over the past 15 years in back-to-back Finals. If he loses, he will be 2-3 in Finals appearances. He will be apart of an aging roster with an option to become a free agent. James’ legacy will be affected greatly regardless of the outcome of this series.

People ask a lot of you King James, but it’s time for your game to reach even greater heights.

Darqueze Dennard Highlights

The Cincinnati Bengals picked Darqueze Dennard a cornerback out of Michigan State with the 24th pick it last night's draft. Here are some highlights to get you excited!

Don't Doubt Johnny Football

Johnny Manziel is a rare playmaker that
 doesn't come around very often.

Draft day is finally here and the speculation can end. We will find out who teams really value. The most talked about player in this draft is Johnny Manziel. Some people love him. Some people hate him. Others don't know what to make of him. A lot of people tell me he is going to be a problem. They say he has a big ego and they don't like his ‘smug' attitude.

I don't know him personally. I don't know all of the details behind the ‘Johnny Football' persona. But, please name me one player that is going to be a top pick in the NFL Draft that doesn't have confidence. You can't name one. And if you can, that isn't a player I want on my team.

Manziel has all of the intangibles you look for in your franchise quarterback. He is a hard worker. How do I know that? Because of the respect all of his former Texas A&M teammates give him. They wouldn't respect him if he were lazy. He's a polarizing figure. He will make a team like the Jacksonville Jaguars relevant instantly.

Johnny Football isn't afraid to take a hit. His film shows he will do anything it takes to win. Yet instead of talking about that, the media wants to talk about how he's 5'11" and not 6'1". Most of the doubters act like two inches is the difference between him being a star versus a bust.

Manziel can play football at a high level. His teammates have always had good things to say about him. He's dealt with media scrutiny and still delivered in prime time games, yet most people still doubt his ability to succeed in the NFL. We know he won't crumble under high expectations. That is a big deal in the NFL. It's something quarterbacks struggle to learn throughout their careers. Tony Romo, Andy Dalton, Phillip Rivers are still trying to learn how to perform under pressure. Donovan McNabb never did learn it. This kid has been through it already and he's just 21-years-old. 

What team will select Manziel on draft day?

He is a polarizing player that possesses playmaking magic. A player like this doesn't come around often. The magic he has is Brett Favre-esque. If he has a 20 percent chance to be the second coming of Favre wouldn't you want him on your team?

Everyone talks about the ‘risk' that comes with Manziel. I don't see the risk. He's never had any major issues with his coaches or teammates. People are worried about his durability, but he never missed a game in two seasons. He's proven he wants to win and he made Texas A&M relevant for the past two seasons.  Remember when the joined the Southeastern Conference? People were worried about the Aggies. Instead, he led them to back-to-back top 20 finishes; two bowl victories and a 20-6 record.

The team that drafts Manziel is going to get a playmaker. I've compared him to Tyrann Mathieu of the Arizona Cardinals. I loved Mathieu last season. People criticized his size. They didn't like his off the field activity. He did have more off the field questions than Manziel. However, he was a playmaker. And once he got to Arizona the coaches raved about him. I have a feeling the team that selects Manziel will feel the same way.

The draft is less than 24 hours away and we will find out where he lands. One team will get better instantly, while others will regret their decision, unless the Houston Texans take him with the first pick.

Manziel will have the biggest impact of any player is this draft, even if the rest of you don't know it yet.

NFL Mock Draft 2014

Most people give their mock draft 'analysis.' Well I'm not going to 

bore you with that. Here's my mock draft. Enjoy!

2014 NFL Draft Preview