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LeBron James: How a True Killer Mentality Will Lead Him to an NBA Title - Bleacher Report

Miami Heat superstar LeBron James has been criticized for a lot throughout the course of the past couple of seasons, mostly for his performance in last season's NBA Finals and his ability to frequently disappear from tight fourth quarters during the season.

Many of his critics feel that it is this that will prevent James from winning an NBA championship once again.

However, if Saturday's Game 1 against the New York Knicks is any indication, LeBron won't have to wait much longer to get that ring that has eluded him for almost nine years now.

Are the Heat unbeatable in a seven-game series if LeBron has a killer instinct?

Are the Heat unbeatable in a seven-game series if LeBron has a killer instinct?

  • Yes

  • No

LeBron showed an aggressiveness that he didn't have in the finals a season ago. James took the ball to the basket with force, and most importantly, he made shots, knocking down 10-of 14 attempts from the floor.

Of course, it helps when LeBron is getting calls as well. James got to the line 14 times Saturday afternoon, more than the entire Knicks team combined.

If LeBron is making his shots and gets to the line that many times per game, well, he's next to unstoppable.

But none of that is as impressive as the chip on his shoulder that LeBron played with.

James had a killer instinct from almost the opening tip and carried that aggression throughout the entire game. 

If LeBron can continue to play with that killer mentality and chip on his shoulder, the results will come, and so will the championships.

143536887_crop_650x440Marc Serota/Getty Images

It's not as if James hasn't had playoff success at times before, nearly carrying the Heat to the finals a season ago, but even the biggest of Heat fans have to admit that LeBron lacks that killer instinct at times.

When he's got it, to go along with his speed, strength and abilities, James is the best player on the planet, and the Heat are next to unbeatable. When he doesn't bring that killer mentality to the table, the Heat become nothing more than an above average team that can be beat in a seven-game series.

For LeBron and the Heat, it's one win down and 15 more to go to reach their ultimate goal.

LeBron's ability to put teams away at will is going to be tested. If he passes, James will get his first ring in a matter of a couple months.

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