Anybody seen LeBron James?

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Nobody saw it coming, not even the second time around.  Perhaps a few bitter Cleveland residents had hoped for a repeat performance of what they were forced to endure during Game 5 of the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals.  But nobody could have predicted that one year later, after The Decision, the taking of talents to South Beach, Bump-gate, Cry-gate, etc, that LeBron James would check out of a playoff game again.  Only this time it happened on the NBA's biggest stage, in what should have been one of if not THE biggest games of his professional career.  It is one thing to defer as Robin to Wade's Batman as LeBron did in Game 3.  But the showing or lack thereof in Game 4 left King James looking more like Alfred the Butler, and many questioning what could possibly be affecting him off the court.  Much has been made of what may or may not have happened between Gloria James and Delonte West last season, and what LeBron may or may not have been informed of during that infamous series with the Boston Celtics.  Many believe that situation was one of the factors that ultimately lead to LeBron's decision to leave Cleveland for Miami last summer.  But now, with the Heatles and their supporting cast, James has exactly what he had asked for the past few years.  A strong core of role players and another superstar or two to carry the load so that he would be allowed to have an off night once in a while.  That is what makes last night's Game 4 in Dallas that much more perplexing.  Bill Simmons spoke for many as he was more "captivated by LeBron's meltdown than the Mavs resilience." Not only did LeBron not show up, but the imposter who was trotting around American Airlines Center wearing the red Heat #6 jersey didn't look like he had any desire to be there.  I turned to my brother midway through the fourth quarter and said "what is LeBron doing?  Why is he not attacking?  He looks like he doesnt even want to be there, much less actually win."  I can't imagine what Heat fans in Miami must have been thinking.   Dwyane Wade did everything he possibly could to carry the Heatles, but what more can you expect of Lennon if McCartney decided to stay at the hotel.  After the monumental collapse in Game 2 and the perplexing no-show in Game 4, many are left to ponder what exactly is going on in LeBron's head.  If the Miami Heat end up losing this series to the Dallas Mavericks, it may be something that LeBron James never lives down in his professional career.  Critics and Heat haters across the country are pining for his failure.  Somewhere in Cleveland, people are grinning devilishly, saying "karma is a bitch."