Here's part of the reason LeBron needs to have legit counterpart. If he is allowed to just cheat on defense and save energy, he is likely to be that much more likely to succeed on offense, as it leads to many steals and fast break points.
Again, that really wasn't the case against Dallas in 2010.
I guess the trouble I have with a lot of the arguments in the thread is that most of the reasoning has already been proven wrong.
Argument: Lebron can't lose unless he's got a small forward on him who can both score and play elite defense.
Reality: Lebron lost in the 2010 Finals, despite playing against Shawn Marion. He also lost against Hedo Turkuglu / Rashard Lewis.
Argument: Lebron is unbeatable unless the other team clearly trumps him at all other positions.
Reality: Lebron lost to Dallas despite having Wade and Bosh, and should have lost against San Antonio. He's won two titles in ten years, and again, one of those titles had to be gifted to him, despite having two other all-stars.
Argument: Lebron radically makes things easier on his teammates, amplifying their shooting percentages.
Reality: There's very little amplifying effect, if any. Lebron certainly isn't turning inefficient players into efficient ones.
Argument: There's no such thing as a "wrong" opinion.
Reality: (Biting my tongue.)