So much has changed for James since then. He moved his family to Miami, became engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Savannah Brinson, and rededicated himself to his sport. Criticized in the past for lacking a midrange game, James worked with Olajuwon on post moves and spent the season honing them.
The payoff came in the postseason, and especially in these finals. Where a year ago James drifted, now he attacks. Where he once settled for lazy fadeaway jumpers, he now grinds through traffic for layups and runners, or sets up on the block and beats double teams with his passing.
In last year's finals, James averaged 17.8 points, 6.8 assists and 7.2 rebounds. Of his 90 field-goal attempts, only 57 percent came from 10 feet or deeper. In these finals, James has moved inside, taking 60.6 percent of his shots within 9 feet of the basket.
