LeBron James is an NBA champion—that much is now an indisputable fact. There need be no baseless criticism or pessimistic projection.

The greatest player in the league now has an NBA title to his name and a glittering ring on his finger. James plowed through metric tons of criticism (and the Oklahoma City Thunder) and ultimately put together one of the most astounding playoff runs in recent memory.

It's been a tremendous ride, and we can say without even the slightest doubt that James earned this one. He overcame Dwyane Wade's physical limitations, Chris Bosh's injury and the Heat's shortened rotation. And though LeBron practically played every minute of every playoff game in the process, he propelled the Miami Heat and the Big Three to the championship they always seemed destined to win.

It's the burden of the league's finest that they're expected to win the grandest prizes available, and with so many other accolades to his name, James was missing this single honor.

And thus, he completes his trophy case, but hardly anything more than that. Perhaps the greatest wrinkle of all is that the Heat and Thunder will both be back in just a few months in familiar form, ready to start all over again.

It's a beautiful basketball world out there, and no matter what you think of LeBron James these days, the NBA is a better league with him as a deserving champion.