The regular season does not matter; you have heard this all season long. How last year ended, everyone was reminded of that. The Cavaliers have struggled the second half of this regular season, make no mistake about it. The dominance the Cavaliers displayed last post season and early this season has been all but forgotten about. When you’re the best player in the sport, and will only be judged by championships, how much does the regular season matter?

For LeBron James, he is consistently and unfairly compared to Michael Jordan. Fans of basketball have been so enamored with the idea of Michael Jordan, they do not truly appreciate LeBron James. LeBron is uniquely in a position of winning a championship, or it doesn’t matter. Russell Westbrook just completed a historic season averaging a triple-double for the first time since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62.

The takeaway from that accomplishment is how great Russell Westbrook has played. LeBron doesn’t have the same luxury. At this stage in his career, LeBron knows all he has to do is get a ticket to the dance. Yes, the Cavaliers have the No. 2 seed, but being ready for the real season is what is most important.

When the playoffs start, LeBron begins to play a different brand of basketball. LeBron begins to use his size and strength advantage and open up a different dynamic to his game. He plays closer to the basket and stops shooting as much from the perimeter. When LeBron posts up at a high rate, teams must send help. When that help comes it will open up the Cavaliers perimeter shooting. The Cavs have proven to be a very dangerous basketball team. If LeBron can get his primary defender in foul trouble, the opposing team will have no choice but to play behind the 8-ball.

Pressure

LeBron James has played his best basketball once the pressure is at its highest and everyone begins to doubt his abilities. Professional athletes need motivation sometimes to bring out the best in themselves. If you remember back in 2012, LeBron and the Miami Heat were down 3-2, to the Boston Celtics in Boston. LeBron entered the game and you knew from warm-ups that LeBron came to play. He finished the game with 45 points and 15 rebounds and went on to capture his first NBA championship.

In May of 2007, LeBron James was tied 2-2 with the Detroit Pistons. As we all know, LeBron James scored 48 points and the team’s final 25 straight to give the team the win before reaching his first NBA Finals. This remains as one of the best playoff performances in NBA history.

Last season, we all know that the Cavaliers came back from down 3-1 to win in Golden State. That Warriors team had the best regular season record in NBA history and were the favorite entering the finals.

No one can say he puts himself in these positions intentionally, but we can say LeBron James has relished in pressure situations. There are many people among the basketball community that don’t expect the Cavs to reach the NBA Finals. If one thing is for sure, LeBron will have something to say about that and it will be must see TV.