PHOENIX SUNS

NBA analyst thinks LeBron James needs mental help

Jun 16, 2011, 4:27 AM | Updated: 2:55 pm

PHOENIX – LeBron James is taking the brunt of the blame for the Miami Heat losing in the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks.

Some are suggesting that James’ biggest problem resides between the ears.

“LeBron James has proven he’s a guy that is in need of a sports psychologist. He obviously has a problem handling anxiety, stress and pressure,” said ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler on the Sports 620 KTAR’s Gambo and Ash show on Wednesday.

“What he did in the Finals was one of the biggest meltdowns I’ve ever seen.”

Legler said it was night and day when comparing James’ performance in the Finals from other playoff series this postseason.

“He was tentative, passive and scared. He did everything he could to deflect pressure to the other guys on the team. He was running from the moment. It was too big for him,” said Legler.

Those are very harsh words to say about any player in any professional sport, but especially for someone many regard as the best player in the NBA.

The analyst did acknowledge that he’s never seen a player suffer such negative backlash before.

“It’s a once in a lifetime phenomenon in terms of a guy fall as far as he’s fallen in terms of his popularity around the world,” said Legler.

Still, it’s difficult to even feel sympathy for a player like James who openly boasted about how many championships his team would win.

If you talk trash in any walk of life and don’t back it up, people will call you out on it.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

17 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

21 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

NBA analyst thinks LeBron James needs mental help