What Defines a Legend.

Legend - A romanticized or popularized myth of modern times. One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame. I believe sports fans all over the world are witnessing a legend in the making. A basketball player that will be talked about for years to come. One that will inspire others, one that achieves fame. What does it take for one to become a legend?
1. NBA Finals Performance - If a basketball player leads his team to victory in the NBA Finals for three straight games, averaging 40 points per game, this is stuff that legends are made of. In each of the three games (and he is not finished, count on one more massive game from this legend) our legend has thrown his team on his back and crossed the victory line. There are few players in NBA history that can claim this at this level of competition. Regular season, yes. NBA Finals, very, very few.
2. NBA Career - The same player has lead his team to regular season and playoff victories in throughout his short career, this is legendary. People will talk about it for years to come. The same player over his career has hit shots in the most crucial time to lead his team to victory, time and time and time again. It will be romanticized, popularized. His career thus far is representative of his performance in the NBA Finals, simply brilliant. The scary part is that this is just the beginning of a career that will go down in history.
3. The Man - In order to be an inspiration to future legends and further his influence as a legend he must have mass appeal. He must be liked as a person. He must be marketable. Done. We are talking about the man who is being publicized more than any other NBA player or sports figure right now. From "People Magazines 50 Most Beautiful People" to his Gatorade commercials to Converse commercials to the biggest selling NBA jersey. This is just the beginning. Keep your eyes peeled for many more legend sightings. Lines of clothing (no joke!), cologne (kinda weird, but yep.), mainstream television sightings and movies. This legend will now be the face of not just the NBA but professional athletes.

**We are watching a legend being made right before our eyes. This happens once a generation in certain sports. Other NBA legends Wilt, Kareem, Magic, Bird, Jordan, Shaq, . The current NBA legend-in-the-making, Dwyane Wade.