'Melo is such a player, but his perceived level of greatness depends on his ability to take over and lead Denver toward June.

While reasonable playoff success is required for many players to make their superstar bones, let's not forget two established greats who still have something to prove.

Cleveland Cavalier LeBron James has a head start toward Springfield, but his candidacy for membership in the MJ, Oscar and Magic club depends on bringing his team an O'Brien trophy (it should be noted that Mr. Robertson did win a title with Milwaukee in his twilight years but was already considered an all-time great — we're more demanding these days).

Through one sweep of the Detroit Pistons, LeBron looks more than capable.

Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant, who seems to be riding a league's-greater-player teeter-totter with LeBron, has an obvious motivation — win a title without working with Shaquille O'Neal.

Kobe already satisfied one burden of proof by making the game easier for his teammates (the concept of actually making teammates "better" can be tricky to quantify) and making the Lakers a seemingly invincible force in the Western Conference playoffs.

But that won't matter if Los Angeles finishes with anything less than a championship.

To leave a big footprint on the NBA's historical trail, the burden of proof has to be extreme.