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NBA Playoffs: Which superstar has the most to win and lose?

By Luke Dahlgren

May 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cavaliers Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning basket in the second half of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. The Cavaliers won 86-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cavaliers Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning basket in the second half of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. The Cavaliers won 86-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

LeBron James

LeBron James has already lifted the Cleveland Cavaliers with a stellar performance in Game 5 and a buzzer beating shot in Game 4, and he has the Cavs in position to move on leading 3-2 over the Chicago Bulls

How much does LeBron James have to win with a Finals victory?

Well, on one hand, LeBron gets to avenge the Finals loss he endured last year to the San Antonio Spurs. The difference between going 3-3 in the Finals and either 2-3 or 2-4 in the Finals is not that significant numerically, but psychologically it is massive. LeBron goes from someone who couldn’t quite get it done often enough to a fierce competitor at the highest stage win or lose.

But what makes this important is the return to Cleveland. Cleveland hasn’t seen a sports championship since 1964, when the Cleveland Browns won the NFL championship. The best chance for a new championship had quickly left with LeBron in 2011, and LeBron has the chance to make that championship happen in his first year back. He leaves a battered soul, he returns a conquering hero and he brings the city of Cleveland to the promised land.

How much does LeBron James have to lose with an early exit?

How much will people’s opinions of LeBron James change if they find a way to lose their next two games to the Chicago Bulls? He already has established himself as one of the top 10 players of all time and the premier player in basketball at the moment. The window of opportunity in Cleveland is not slipping fast, even if the return of Kevin Love remains in doubt and he has began to show his age while playing.

If the Cavaliers lose, then LeBron has plenty of excuses. The team was banged up. They were without J.R. Smith for the first two games. The Bulls were peaking at the right time. It is becoming abundantly clear that if the Cavs lose this series, it won’t be directly because of LeBron.

Next: Derrick Rose