LeBron James: Transition over, ready to take over

By Tim Reynolds

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, April 25 2012 9:10 a.m. MDT

Miami Heat forward LeBron James watches from the bench during the second half against the Boston Celtics in an NBA basketball game in Boston, Tuesday, April 24, 2012. The Celtics won 78-66.

Elise Amendola, Associated Press

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Summary

For LeBron James, something changes at this time of year.

MIAMI — For LeBron James, something changes at this time of year.

He wakes up at all hours, jolted by the recurring dream of what that championship moment may feel like. It's all-consuming, something that's difficult at times for his family and those around him to deal with.

He calls it playoff mode. And here it comes.

Still driven by last season's loss to Dallas in the NBA finals, James and the Heat enter the postseason this weekend as the No. 2 seed in the East. Their first-round opponent is still not determined. Their ultimate goal was determined long ago.

James is averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game. No one's done that since Michael Jordan in 1988-89 — two years before he started winning NBA titles.

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