The NBA Finals aren’t about one player, even if that player is LeBron James.

The chances of the Miami Heat winning a second consecutive championship improve if James is playing well, but it’s going to take a lot more than a 40-point outburst for them to beat the Spurs. That reality, however, won’t stop James from accepting the responsibility for his team’s 36-point loss in Game 3. It also won’t stop him from accepting the challenge of getting the Heat back on track and in control of the series.

In James’ mind, it’s up to him to set the tone and lead his team to the title. With his intentions clear, the four-time MVP is ready for Game 4 and expects to perform at an all-world level.

“I'll be better. I'll be much better tomorrow night,” James said. “I take full responsibility for our team's performance last night. Me as a leader, I can't afford to perform like I did last night and expect us to win on the road. It's that simple.”

James, who is averaging 24.7 during the postseason, has yet to reach the 20 point mark in the Finals.

In fact, his shooting percentage has dropped in each of the series’ three games. The Spurs’ defense can take credit for some of James’ struggles, but the four-time MVP’s reluctance to attack the basket is also a big factor. James didn’t get to the free throw line in Game 3 and only twice during the Heat’s Game 2 victory, something he knows needs to change if the Heat are going to even the series on Thursday night.

“I have to do whatever it takes,” he said. “I mean, 7‑for‑21 isn't going to cut it. Zero free throws. I had 11 rebounds, I had five assists, but 7‑for‑21 and zero free throws ain't going to cut it. So I will be better tomorrow.

“You have to be able to shoot the ball high clip from the field if you're not going to the free‑throw line. You can't have both. It's impossible for me to go 7‑for‑21, shoot 33 percent from the field and not have free throws. You have to figure out ways offensively that you can make an impact”

James and his teammates have been great at bouncing back after tough nights.

The Heat haven’t lost back-to-back games since January and have no plans on allowing that to change. There is, however, an understanding that facing the Spurs in the Finals is a great and different challenge than the random schedule of the regular season. They’re a veteran team with championship pedigree that routinely goes on long win streaks of their own. At this point it’s unknown which team’s pedigree will prevail, but it’s clear that it’s a factor in the series.

“We'll see what happens,” James said. “Something has to give tomorrow night. They have a championship pedigree. They have four. We have two. So something has to give. We'll see what happens. We've been able to bounce back throughout adverse times throughout the season throughout the years that we've been together, these three years. We'll see.”

Win or lose, James is ready to make a statement in Game 4. He won’t forget about his teammates, understanding he wouldn’t be in the Finals without them, but he understands it’s time to place his signature on the series for something more than a spectacular block or bad shooting night. We’ll have to wait to see if there is a great performance coming, but there is no doubt that James has plans on having a herculean effort tomorrow night.

“I have all the confidence in the world in my teammates,” he said. “But I am the star, I am the leader. And they look at me to do things on the court, to make plays, and if I'm not doing it, I'm not doing my job. So I guarantee I'll be better tomorrow for sure.”