Athletically speaking, LeBron James has never been the underdog, or if he ever was, it was long, long before the world began paying attention to him when he was about 15.

Bigger, stronger, faster … blessed with the best training and the backing of corporate America … hailed and hyped by the media as a teen … expected to dominate and then proving dominant. The Chosen One, “Sports Illustrated” dubbed him when he was a high school junior; it sure got that correct.

He elicits few sympathies and even fewer warm feelings. He lacks the smile of Magic, the humor of Shaq. He wasn’t introduced to the world in the engaging, welcoming way of Michael … come fly with me.

And he hasn’t always helped himself. When he couldn’t win in Cleveland, he bolted to Miami. When he won, twice in Miami, it was perceived to be because he had a stacked deck. Now that he’s back in Cleveland, maybe some feelings have thawed but only so much. He’s still the physically imposing one.

When he does things like go for 41 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists – as he did in an otherworldly performance in Game 5 of the NBA Finals – he hears analysts say it’s about time.

View photos LeBron James (23) blocks a shot by Warriors guard Stephen Curry in Game 5. (AP) More

Maybe though, just maybe, this is the four-day stretch in which some of that changes. Monday was the first step in an audacious effort to push the Cavs to become the first team in Finals history to come back from a 3-1 deficit. In this case, it would occur with two games on the road against the defending champions, who won the most regular-season games in history, to deliver a professional sports title to a city that hasn’t won squat since 1964.

This would be an unforgettable, impossible-to-dismiss performance. This would be the signature accomplishment of his career.

This would be LeBron James … underdog (sort of).

There is no need to feel bad for LeBron. Save that emotion for just about everyone else in the world who wasn’t born with such advantages. Still, it’s worth noting the complicated nature of his public persona.

There should be no denying his brilliance, although plenty do.

Some of the things he pulls off should inspire awe and excitement – yet for some it’s just what a 6-foot-8, 260-pounder should routinely manage. His stumbles – namely a PR disaster known as “The Decision” – shouldn’t turn so many against him, considering this is a guy who’s never been in any legal trouble, handles himself with relative grace and seems a heck of a lot better adjusted and more relatable than the average superstar.

Yet with such natural advantages, the wonder was in his ability, not the journey. LeBron is enjoyable to watch the way an excavator digging a trench is – the power is impressive, but entirely predictable. When people consider his career, it’s often not centered on the championships won, but on why he didn’t win more, sooner and without the need for so much help.

He’s one of the two or three or four best players of all time, yet seemingly everyone takes shots at him. He isn’t as good as Michael Jordan, they say. OK, but who is? He isn’t as tough or fear-inspiring as other stars. OK, but does that mean Mo Speights should feel comfortable tweeting a baby-bottle emoji at him? (Mo Speights? Really?) He’s easy and fun – and fair game – to root against, but he’s hardly some terrible guy or selfish player.

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