NBA News: LeBron James & These 5 Players Facing Most Pressure Entering 2014-15 Season
Winning an NBA Championship is the ultimate goal for most players, and the pressure always falls on the best players in the league.
Playing in a big market, being a high draft pick and receiving a large contract creates a lot of pressure on a player.
The 2014-15 NBA preseason has already begun and the quest for an NBA championship won't be easy. Latin Post lists the Top 5 players who will facing the most pressure this upcoming NBA season:
5. LeBron James
James has pretty much done it all. He's won two championships, four Most Valuable Player awards and he's widely regarded as the best player today. But in the end, the pressure never stops for "the King." James will be playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first time since the 2009-10 season. This time, he has Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love there to help him. The Cavaliers are heavy favorites in the East this season.
We'll see if James can end the 1964 Cleveland title drought.
4. Dwyane Wade
Wade won't have it easy next season without James. Chris Bosh elected to re-sign with the Miami Heat, but Wade has to get back into shape. Last season Wade started just 53 of 82 games, knowing that James would be able to fill that void. Wade still had a very efficient season, shooting a career-high 54.5 percent from the field last year, but he will be asked to do a lot more. Wade will have to play more minutes per game as well.
3. Deron Williams
The No. 3 overall draft pick from the 2005 NBA Draft has been extremely inconstant. With the Utah Jazz, he routinely disappointment in the postseason. With the Brooklyn Nets, Williams received one of the largest contracts of any player in the league. Unfortunately, many NBA fans have called Williams a "coach killer" because of his inability to adapt to new systems and players.
2. Dwight Howard
There aren't many great centers in today's NBA like we used to watch, but Dwight Howard is considered the best by most fans. Howard is by far the best defensive center because of his rebounding and size, but his offense, post-game and free throws haven't improved much throughout his career. Howard will not benefit from having Omer Asik by his side next season. Howard and James Harden are a duo who seem to want to have a lot of fun, with winning coming second.
1. Carmelo Anthony
The Big Apple hasn't witnessed an NBA Championship since 1973, when Phil Jackson was on the roster. With Jackson now the team president, maybe things will change. Scoring champion Carmelo Anthony has got everything he wished for: playing in New York City, Jeremy Lin out and a high contract. It's time for Anthony to start improving his defense and passing as well. Playing in a weak Eastern Conference should open up the door for Anthony and the Knicks this season. Just two career first round exits isn't going to cut it anymore.
For up-to-date sports news, scores, and more, follow Latin Post Sports on Twitter