Lebron owning up to late game failures

After another brutal 87-86 loss to the Chicago Bulls Sunday, it was pretty hard for a Miami Heat fan to find any reasons for optimism.

Once again it had all the components of a "big-game Heat loss", such as blown double digit leads, lack of bench production, and missed final shots.

This time around it was the Heat's failure to secure a rebound that would have put them in position to close out the game.

With less than 20 seconds left in regulation, Bulls forward Luol Deng stepped to the free throw line with his team down 86-84. At this point, the Heat had to feel pretty good about their chances, considering that even if Deng hit both free throws, the Heat would still have about 18 seconds left to play for the final shot or at worst take their chances in overtime.

Deng would only convert on his first of two free throws, but in the ensuing scuffle for the rebound the Heat's Mike Miller was called for a foul on Deng which sent him back to the free throw line with a chance to take the lead.

This time Deng would convert both free throws giving the Bulls an 87-86 lead, and ultimately the win.

During the Heat's final timeout, Heat head coach, Erik Spolestra would draw up a play designed to get Bulls center Jokim Noah covering Lebron James at the top of the key. The play worked up to that point, but the mismatch wasn't enough as James missed on a driving left-handed layup. Dwyane Wade would then take one final fade away jumper after securing a great offensive rebound, but that wouldn't drop either.

But it's what was said after the game by the Heat's biggest star, and perhaps biggest culprit, that should make Heat fans feel a little better. During the post game press conference, a clearly worn out Lebron answered questions regarding the current mental state of the team and also alluded to his own late game struggles.

"I told the guys that I just keep failing them late in games," James said. "I won't continue to do that"

A simple, yet meaningful quote.

Lebron owning up to his struggles and taking the blame. Letting his teammates and fans know, that he has to be better.

And hopefully he will. Because being "clutch" in the biggest moments of the game doesn't always mean that you need to make the winning shot. Maybe creating for another teammate to have a better shot is what is sometimes needed.

But whatever happens in these last couple weeks of the season leading up to the playoffs, it's refreshing to know that despite the daily criticism from the media and the fans, the most talented player in the world isn't too big to admit his failures.