There are plenty of articles about how Lebron is the best player in the world right now (true), should have won the MVP instead of Andre in one of the best NBA Finals battles I can remember (maybe), and works hard before, during, and after every game (no doubt). I’m from Steeler country and even I have to agree.
That said, Lebron is the most frustrating player in the NBA because he overuses his character strengths of inspiration, creativity, and confidence (Tilt 365 parlance) to fulfill the Magic/Michael prophesy bestowed upon him since he was probably 5 years old. Lebron would win more often and would dramatically increase his positive influence with more focus and less creativity.
Three ways for Lebron to become a better player and leader immediately (yes, it would be this easy):
1. Stop overusing creativity: Don’t play H-O-R-S-E with yourself during NBA Finals games for no reason. You are the best player in the world and have an extraordinary basketball IQ. Fadeaway 3’s, contested fadeaway 19 footers (the worst), cross-body runners, floaters, and jumping skip passes to a teammate that has fallen asleep after you’ve dribbled around pointing and grimacing for 15 seconds should be your last resort, not something you waste 23 seconds of the shot clock setting up with lazy (or perhaps overly macho?) isolation offense. Please take more efficient shots.
2. Stop overusing inspiration: Don’t keeping taking the other team’s triple-dog-dare to score in the most challenging and tiring way (even though you can). Yes, Lebron, you can score in isolation by backing up to 30 feet and taking someone off the dribble, but you can get much easier, more efficient buckets, which will help keep you fresh throughout a game and series (not to mention involve those sleeping teammates). There’s no shame in using numerous screens or even setting screens to win. (See, for example, 2015 NBA Champion Warriors) Jordan learned this as he matured by moving to the post instead of dribble isolation; you seemed to regress in the Finals. Fewer highlights, more wins.
3. Stop overusing confidence: Involve teammates by taking different roles in contemporary offensive sets. Watching the Cavs offense during the Finals was like watching a team from 1960 with bigger, faster players. Most players stand around for an entire possession; one player aims to score using isolation and brute force. Boring, inefficient, and exhausting! What would a team do to defend a J.R. Smith / Lebron screen-and-roll with Thompson/Mosgov on the glass and Shumpert/Jones/Miller/Delly knocking down corner 3’s? Lebron could have played the Curry or screener role with the Cavs running the same plays as the Warriors to great effect.