LeBron James is quite possibly the best all-around basketball on planet Earth and, perhaps consequently, also one of the most hated players in the NBA. Kirby Puckett was a very good player on a player on a pair of the World Series teams the Minnesota Twins put together back in what we will call the Glory Days.
It's still weird to see Pioneer Press columnist Bob Sansevere compare the two, however, as he did on Monday.
Item: LeBron James has 40 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists to lift the Miami Heat over the Indiana Pacers and tie the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday, May 20.
I think: Before Game 6 in the 1991 World Series, Kirby Puckett told his teammates, "You guys should jump on my back. ... I'm going to carry us." And then he did. If this 40-point game is the start of James pulling a Puckett, the Heat will win the NBA title.
If that doesn't motivate King James, what will?