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MIAMI -- The only thing that can stop LeBron James championship coronation is another Thunder comeback. Ray Rice Super Bowl Jersey . LeBron is on LeBrink, a victory from winning his first NBA title. Appearing relaxed Wednesday, he said he has recovered well from the cramping issues that knocked him out of Game 4. He apologized for his performance in last years NBA Finals and what he called his immaturity toward fans and media afterward. He appears completely different now, more comfortable on and off the court and seeming to have figured out everything it takes to become a champion. Hes almost there, but wont think about it until his Miami Heat have picked up one more victory. "As crazy as it sounds, I havent got caught up in it," James said. "I wont get caught up in it because Im not going to let, you know -- the human nature is to automatically think about after we win it, what are we going to do. Im not there. I wont get there until those zeros hit and I see that we won. "Im the leader of this team, and Im not comfortable right now. Im comfortable in my game, but Im not going to be comfortable until we seal this thing." The Heat have three cracks at it, starting with Game 5 on Thursday on their home floor. No team has overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals, but the Thunder already wiped out one big hole just one round ago in the Western Conference finals. "Ive been down 0-2 against San Antonio and everybody said it was over then, and we won," Kevin Durant said. "But its over with. Thats old. Its a new series. Weve got to be ready to come out here and try to get this Game 5 tomorrow. Well see what happens. Were not going to give up. Were going to keep fighting to the end and hopefully we can take this thing back to the crib." The series was hyped as a James-Durant matchup, the leagues MVP against its runner-up and scoring champion, the winner earning the right to be called best player in the game. They are fairly even in the box score but James is far ahead in the only place that matters to them: the scoreboard. And somewhat surprisingly, hes gotten more help from supporting players, from Shane Battiers 17 points in Game 2 to Mario Chalmers 25 points in Game 4, including a huge basket after James was forced from the game for good. Meanwhile, Durant has watched Sixth Man of the Year James Harden miss 16 of his 20 shots in Miami. "You know, everyone was excited to finally get an opportunity to see two of the best players go head to head, myself and KD, but for me personally, its not a head-to-head battle," James said. "When I go out on the floor, I do want to dominate the guy in front of me, but this is a team game, and I have all the trust in my teammates, and I try to do everything that needs to be done individually to help our team win." He couldnt do it in either of his first two finals appearances, his Cleveland Cavaliers getting swept by the Spurs in 2007and the Heat losing to Dallas in six games last year. James joined the Heat in 2010 after Miami convinced him that he would have enough help to win a championship -- more specifically, that he wouldnt have to carry the load by himself, like he did so many times in Cleveland over his first seven seasons. The Heat were keeping Dwyane Wade, adding Chris Bosh and filling out the roster with a mix that would be best described as unconventional. If that axiom -- more options are better -- needed proof, Game 4 provided it. James could not finish the game, though he returned after the first wave of cramps hit and delivered a tiebreaking 3-pointer. With James watching the final minute, Wade and Chalmers helped close out the Thunder, Miami winning 104-98 to move one win from the franchises second championship. "This team, I think we understand that the moment is the biggest thing," Wade said. "Were excited about the possibility of playing better, doing things better defensively, but also offensively. We dont feel like weve played our best game yet, and we feel thats still to come." Oklahoma Citys losses in the last three games were by four, six and six points. A play here, a bounce there, this series might look a whole lot different. And thats why the Western Conference champions are conceding nothing, especially since things seemed pretty bleak when they were behind 2-0 against a San Antonio team that had won 20 in a row. They went on to become the 15th NBA team to come back from that deficit. "You know, this group of guys never give up, regardless of what happens," said Russell Westbrook, who scored 43 points in Game 4. "Weve been through many different situations throughout this playoffs. Just another task for us. Weve just got to be ready to play for the next game." So will James. He was his usual self in practice Wednesday, laughing with teammates while shooting a few free throws, looking at ease. And most important to Miami, he was moving without too much pain. James had to be carried off the court in the fourth quarter of Game 4, unable to walk to the bench. A lot of fluids and rest later, some of the bounce was back in his step on Wednesday. "I feel a lot better than I did last night. Thats clear," James said. "Im still a little (sore) because of the muscles just kind of being at an intense level, very tight. Im still sore. I was able to get some treatment last night. I was able to get some treatment this morning. ... And also with the game being basically at midnight tomorrow night, I have all day tomorrow, too, to prepare. I should be fine by tomorrow night." Its a 9 p.m. tipoff, actually, but the point is made. By Thursday night, James will be ready for the championship stage. And so will his team. What started on Christmas Day in Dallas, watching the Mavericks hoist the banner that will forever commemorate their championship celebration on Miamis home floor last year, could end as the perfect turnaround story for the Heat. Or, it could be the start of another Thunder turnaround. A victory would force a Game 6 back in Oklahoma City, where they are 9-1 this post-season. That celebration that James wouldnt consider Wednesday would become no sure thing if the Heat have to try to win it on the road. "Game 5 is a Game 7 for us, you know, and its a must-win for them," James said. "But its a must win for us, too, and as a leader of this team, Ill approach it that way, and hopefully I wont have to be dealing with cramps tomorrow night." Limited Torrey Smith Jersey . Buck Pierce, New Mexico State (8th CFL/3rd Winnipeg) How can you not pull for a guy like this? A true warrior, that has no regard for his body and leaves it all on the field everytime he plays. Pink Torrey Smith Jersey . Cincinnati starter Mat Latos threw an inside fastball to Lowe during the fifth inning of Cincinnatis 5-3 win on Wednesday night. Lowe gestured toward Baker, who shook his finger back at him. http://www.nflravensgearshop.com/joe-flacco-jersey/ . After all, he joined the squad as a walk-on who was hoping to see the field as a special teams player. But Monday night, the Billings, Mont., native with deep Bobcats ties was named the 18th recipient of the Buck Buchanan Award, which honors the outstanding defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision. Limited Ed Reed Jersey . "Rick continues to build championship calibre teams and is one of the best field managers in independent baseball. We are pleased that he will remain with the organization for at least the next three seasons," said Goldeyes owner and president Sam Katz. Purple Ray Rice Jersey . Unfortunately for the Chicago Blackhawks, they followed suit a few games later. Hossa and the Blackhawks look for some revenge on Sunday night as they visit the Coyotes.VALENCIA, Spain -- Former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero will end his 14-year playing career after competing in his hometown Valencia Open next month. Ferrero moved to the top of the rankings in 2003 and remained there for eight weeks after winning the French Open and reaching the U.S. Open final, where he lost to another recently retired former No. 1, Andy Roddick. In 14 years as a professional, the Valencia native won 15 titles. Ferreros last trophy came in 2011 on Stuttgarts outdoor clay courts, but since then he has struggled and slid to 111th in the rankings. "It was a complicated decision to leave a world you have lived in intensely since six or seven years old," the 32-year-old Spaniard said on Wednesday. "But I have had a tough year and you start to notice that you dont have the same ambition and motivation." Ferrero helped Spain win the first two of its five Davis Cups in 2000 and 2004. "Thhe 2000 Davis Cup is something unforgettable for all Spaniards. Bernard Pollard Jersey. I was very young and little by little I realized how important it was both for me and the country," Ferrero said. "Winning a Grand Slam and becoming the world No. 1 are both unforgettable peaks of my career." Ferrero followed Carlos Moya (1999) and preceded Rafael Nadal (2008) as Spains three male players to have reached the worlds top spot. "What I will miss most is the competition, we (players) live for the competition. It will be difficult to fill the void in this new life I am going to begin now, but I have plenty of things to do," Ferrero said, adding he will dedicate his time to his tennis academy and hotel. Spain Davis Cup captain Alex Corretja, Ferreros teammate in 2000, said his retirement meant "the loss of a reference for a generation of players." The Valencia Open will be from Oct. 20-28. ' ' '
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