If you were to design a co-pilot for LeBron James on the court, would it look anything like this version of Dwyane Wade?

That’s the question that keeps popping in my head as I watch a tentative James shy away from a packed paint in the Finals. Much of that unassertiveness could be attributed to James and whatever mental obstacles stand in his way from being the unmovable force that destroyed the league in the regular season.

But I’m not buying that the root of the problem is in James’ head.

Sure, the Spurs are playing off James when he has the ball, but if you watch the tape, something else becomes obvious: