MIAMI LeBron James has never been here before.
Hes been in nearly every imaginable situation over his nine seasons marked by three MVP awards, three trips to the NBA Finals with two teams and one decision that changed everything.
And now this: For the first time, hes one win from a championship.
I have a job to do, James said Wednesday. And my job is not done.
The job may get done tonight, when the Miami Heat up 3-1 in this title series host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Finals. Even after leaving Game 4 late with a cramp, James is on the cusp of finally becoming a champ. He was swept in his first Finals trip in 2007, then he and the Heat fell in the 2011 title series in six games.
After countless ups and downs, the 804th game of his career may be the one that ends his title quest.
I have no idea what Ill say before we go out there, said James, who got treatment against Wednesday but said soreness that followed the cramps in his left leg was easing. It kind of just comes to me when Im getting ready to go out there and stand on the floor. But hopefully whatever I say will inspire our guys to go out and give a good show.
James joined the Heat in 2010 after Miami convinced him that he would have enough help to win a championship more specifically, that he wouldnt have to carry the load by himself, like he did so many times in Cleveland over his first seven seasons. The Heat were keeping Dwyane Wade, adding Chris Bosh and filling out the roster with a mix that would be best described as unconventional.
If that axiom more options are better actually needed to be proven, it was done in Game 4. James could not finish the game, though he returned after the first wave of cramps hit and delivered a key 3-pointer. With James watching the final minute, Wade and Mario Chalmers helped close out the Thunder, Miami winning 104-98 to move one win away from the franchises second championship.
This team, I think we understand that the moment is the biggest thing, Wade said. Were excited about the possibility of playing better, doing things better defensively, but also offensively. We dont feel like weve played our best game yet, and we feel thats still to come.
The Thunder expect the same from themselves. At least, they hope thats the case.
No team in Finals history has successfully rallied from a 3-1 series deficit, or even forced as much as a Game 7 when presented with that scenario. But Oklahoma Citys losses in this series in each of the past three games have come by four, six and six points, respectively.
A play here, a bounce there, this series might look a whole lot different. And thats why the Western Conference champions are conceding nothing.
We didnt get here just to make it here and say we did, Thunder star Kevin Durant said. We made it to the Finals. We want to come in here and we want to try to get a title. Its all about keep competing until that last buzzer sounds, and thats what were going to do. Thats the type of city we play for, a city that never gives up. Thats the type of team we are. Were going to keep fighting, keep fighting, and well see what happens (tonight).
Russell Westbrook scored 43 points for the Thunder in Game 4 and they were for naught. It was the second time in these playoffs that someone had scored at least that many against the Heat. And like Bostons Rajon Rondo, who dropped 44 on Miami in the Eastern Conference finals, Westbrook walked off the court with a loss.
I cant really be too happy about what I (did) because we didnt win, Westbrook said. It doesnt matter. Theres probably a lot of different guys that put up so many points or so many amount of rebounds, and nobody remembers it. The only thing that people remember is if you won.


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