LeBron James dispels critics, wins the big one

(CBS News) Not only did LeBron James win "the big one" Thursday night, "he just completely sat on everyone," New York Times sports columnist William Rhoden said Friday.

"The guy (James) is phenomenal," Rhoden said on "CBS This Morning." "Relative to what we're talking about - case closed."

James and the Miami Heat won the NBA title Thursday night, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder four games to one.

Long considered the best player without a ring, James had a triple-double in the clinching game and was named MVP of the finals.

Rhoden in NYTimes: How LeBron James Can't Lose

"I've dreamed about this opportunity, this moment for a long time," James said Thursday night. "This my dream has become a reality now, this is the best feeling I've ever had."

The three time regular season MVP is both the league's biggest star and most polarizing figure. James left the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 and signed with the Miami Heat. He decided to take his talents to South Beach, to play with fellow stars Dewayne Wade and Chris Bosh, in a televised ESPN special called "The Decision."

However James and the Heat came up short in their quest for a championship in 2011, losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the finals.

"At some point in time, you got to focus and lock in. You got to do with substance. At some point, it can't just all be just style. At some point you got to deal with substance," Rhoden said. "Some time, you got to win. ...If he would have not got this done, it would have been, I think, one of the great falls in American sports history," Rhoden said.

Rhoden loved the moment Thursday night when James embraced the NBA trophy. "You really felt that this was really for real."