James is Incredible...and Incredibly Flawed

CLEVELAND - LeBron James just might be the most amazing basketball player in the world. He's built like a power forward, brute and strong like a center and agile and quick like a guard.

He's also the most perplexing megastar in the game.

James, who turns just 24 years old next month is already in his 6th NBA season. He has been a man-child with otherworldly abilities ever since his days in high school. With his multi-faceted game, he is the de facto best player in the league but doesn't seem to fully understand that.

While Kobe Bryant is the game's resident assassin, capable of laying a smooth 50 or 60 points on anyone at anytime, James is more disciplined as a playmaker slash let-the-offense-come-to-me-type performer. He's currently averaging a sick 29 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists for the surprising 10-3 Cleveland Cavs.

But why does he take so many dumb shots?

That's right, for all of his prodigious talents, James far too often shoots  three-pointers and off-balance long two's. While it is true that he can make those shots with great regularity when he's in a "zone," he has proven to be totally unstoppable off the dribble and attacking the basket. At 6'9 and 270, he is a little more daunting to stop than a runaway freight train.

But he falls in love with the long ball.

I always tell people that the worst thing to happen to LeBron when he's playing ball is for him to make a long jumper, especially his first one or two. Then, he believes he's a modern day Mark Price which is a fantasy.

This season, James is taking nearly four three pointers a game and shooting a horrific 22% from that distance. His overall FG% is a very good 48% which proves that his other variety of shots are the ones he needs to be taking. With him shooting those long shots so often, he bails out the other team because they know he can't be stopped when he drives to the hoop. If he's not going to utilize that great advantage of his more often, then it's almost as if he doesn't have that advantage at all.

But we know he does 'cause we see it.

Last season, he took an unforgivable five threes a game only to make 31.5% of them. I know he's a monster in the league and one of the most stunning in history, but his shot selection is abominable. He has posted up on the low block more often this season, and every time he does, he abuses his defender or defenders. With his dexterity and boatload of moves, plus his scintillating passing ability, he should be on that low box continuously, not sparingly like he has been thus far.

I admire LeBron for his great talent and incredible drive, but as a friendly suggestion...I say to him just one thing.

Take that damn ball to the hole!