Is this the moment for the King to ascend the throne?

LeBron James has taken it to the next level in 2008-09. The unstoppable force has led Cleveland to the best record in the league, they’ve lost just once at home all season, and James has taken the court every night prepared to leave nothing in the tank. There is no more exhilarating (or terrifying, depending on perspective) sight in all of basketball than LeBron in the open floor, steaming to the rim.

Now comes the biggest test of all. Sure, he’s been dominant in the regular season, but can he carry Cleveland all the way to a title? He’s not letting anything stand in his way. While you can expect teams to D up more in the second season, and LJ to have a target on his back, he’s gone for 28 PPG, with seven boards and assists every night as well. Those sort of MVP numbers don’t just disappear. The opposite should be the case—look for LeBron to find an even higher gear come playoff time.

But to get to the promised land, King James will need some help from his court. Enter: Delonte West. Since returning from injury, the perimeter deadeye has provided much needed floor spacing and a target for LeBron’s drive and kick. West is shooting just under 40% from beyond the arc, a number that is crucial to Cleveland’s dreams for a ring. Almost as important is West’s defense and the toughness that he brings to the table. A seven-game series is no place for softies. West isn’t one, for sure.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao provide not only an international flavor, but inside force, glass cleaning rebounding ability, and, especially in the case of Big Z., a spot-up shooting threat. Daniel “Boobie” Gibson is a pure shooter from the perimeter, and he has to be accounted for up high, preventing defenses from sagging in on LeBron.

Taken together, this is the best Cleveland squad since LeBron arrived, or beamed down, or whatever. Can they bring Ohio that elusive championship? Only time will tell.

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