LeBron proves to be the most fearsome player in basketball. Broken nose mask for court intimidates other players LeBron James wants to make one thing clear to the basketball world – he is still, unquestionably, the most fearsome player in basketball. The Thunder, led by current MVP frontrunner Kevin Durant, commanded much of the attention for the first half of the season. The talk surrounding James was generally overly critical of his play, varying from accusations of going through the motions to even speculation as to whether or not LeBron’s era was over. But, following the All-Star break, LeBron cranked up the intensity tenfold. 
After suffering a broken nose in the fourth quarter of the Feb. 20 matchup against the Thunder, he was sidelined for a week. Prior to the injury, James had torched the Thunder for 33 points, making a big statement by coming out of the gates red-hot to score the first 14 points for the Heat. After the injury, it was determined that he would have to wear a protective mask in games, for a few weeks. 
However, no one predicted that James’ injury would result in him becoming even more intimidating on the court. LeBron debuted an all-black carbon fiber mask in his return against the Knicks, and to say it made him look absolutely menacing would be an understatement. LeBron played fearlessly, as usual, and finished with 31 points against the struggling Knicks. 
Social media was buzzing with talk of LeBron’s new look and the sports media latched onto the story, likening James’ appearance to that of a superhero. One play, in particular, when LeBron drove to the basket, took off from about eight feet and delivered a thundering one-handed posturizing dunk in the face of guard, Damon Jones, stands out as a fitting highlight to LeBron’s big night with the new mask. Although the NBA has come out and ruled that Lebron must wear a clear mask in the future, the black mask game will go down as a signature moment of the 2014 season, adding to LeBron’s already endless highlight reel. 
When the hype surrounding the injury and the mask dies down, LeBron will remain focused on his goal to lead the Heat into the playoffs and to play for a third consecutive NBA title. Now, with the second half of the season in full swing and the MVP race being narrowed by James’ spectacular playing, the basketball world can agree on one thing – LeBron James is still the most dominant athlete in the NBA. He continues to assert his dominance even in the face of Kevin Durant’s rapidly growing excellence. Unless Durant keeps playing out of his mind and wins the MVP and the NBA Finals this year, it looks as though King James will continue to sit atop the basketball throne as the greatest player in the world.