Burden falls on LeBron James, but he feels no pressure

PORTLAND — It was, as teammate Drew Gooden described it, "a David Blaine maneuver." The basketball vanished from LeBron James' right hand, reappeared in his left, and faster than you can blink, the winning shot was in the hoop. A reverse layup had never seemed so magical.

The best pure basketball player on the planet did something remarkable Wednesday night, in the tightest of situations, with a sore right ankle and throbbing left pinkie, and, oh well, it's just normal for King James.

Seventeen fourth-quarter points. Three consecutive three-pointers to tie the game. Incredible defense on Brandon Roy in the closing seconds. A clutch basket with three-tenths of a second remaining.

Typical.

"He really showed why he is who he is," Portland forward Martell Webster said of James.

Said James: "I just do what I do."

He does it better than anyone in the NBA. There are players who stand out more in certain areas, but no other NBA star has James' combination of skill and feel for the game. For that reason, he carries the league's heaviest load and does so with rare flair and effectiveness.

"I don't believe in pressure," James said an hour before his theatrics in Cleveland's 84-83 comeback victory over the Trail Blazers. "So I just go out and attack the game as if it's my last every time we go out on the basketball court."

The composed 23-year-old superstar visits KeyArena tonight for the only time this season. Cue the melodramatic line: With the Sonics' possible relocation, this could be the last time we see James in Seattle.

What a terrible thought. James is five years from his prime, and he's already defying the belief that it takes at least two All-Stars to win in this league.

He's a singular star with a decent supporting cast. That formula normally ensures frustration. First-round playoff exits. Heavy criticism of the lone star. Trade demands. But with James leading the Cavs, it has worked. So far, at least.

Coming off a surprise NBA Finals appearance last season, Cleveland has been tested this year. First, there were the bizarre holdouts of guard Sasha Pavlovic and forward Anderson Varejao. Now both players are hurt, continuing an injury trend that has kept this team out of sync all season.

If Cavs players keep getting nicked, management will have to sign all of "The LeBrons" just to have a full roster.

This team will manage, however. James will ensure it. He always does.

"He's been doing it for five years," Gooden said. "Hitting his standards, that's tough to do. It's amazing just to think about it."

James is enjoying his most complete NBA season. He's always been an impressive scorer and stat stuffer, but now he's become a defensive menace, too.

Late in Wednesday's game, he took on the responsibility of guarding Roy, and he won the matchup. Before his winning reverse, James forced Roy into an impossible jumper, which he missed. To Cleveland coach Mike Brown, that play was as impressive as the last-second shot.

"Brandon Roy is an All-Star, a superstar," Brown said. "LeBron, he had to body up Roy, get over the top of screens. He just did a terrific job on defense."

James makes you believe that, no matter the situation, he has it under control. And usually, he does.

With the re-emergence of the Boston Celtics, the first half of this NBA season has been all about three All-Stars joining forces to take over the league. We've heard over and over how difficult it was for Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to win without each other. It's impossible, you'd think, for a single perennial All-Star to do anything worthwhile. But here's James, excelling.

Not that he doesn't want more help. King James suggested a trade earlier this week, telling Cleveland reporters that his team should make a deal for disgruntled New Jersey point guard Jason Kidd.

"It's Jason Kidd," he said. "It's not someone else asking for a trade. It's Jason Kidd."

Then he turned bold and declared that his team would win a title with Kidd.

"Yeah," he said. "It's that easy."

It's that easy to dream — and that impossible to make happen. Most speculation has Kidd headed to Dallas.

So, James will likely have to manage with this current group, injuries, warts and all.

James understands his burden well, even if he hesitates to admit it.

Asked by a television reporter what fans typically ask him when they meet him, James said, "How does it feel to be LeBron James?"

His reply: "I don't know."

Jerry Brewer: 206-464-2277 or jbrewer@seattletimes.com.