I'm not going to make the obvious Michael Jordan reference after "The Chosen One's" two-point fourth quarter in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals.
That would be an insult to the newly-single Mr. Jordan because Jordan's Bulls won his first-ever conference finals game, 94-88 in the Palace of Auburn Hills. You can't make the argument that Jordan's Bulls were better than LeBron's Cavs, either. World-class players like Dave Corzine and Brad Sellers played major minutes on that '89 Bulls squad.
Ok, I know he's only 22 years old. But he's been in the League four years now, and he's in the Final Four of his league. The game was set up perfectly for James to make his seven years of hype (I'm including his final three years of high school) justified.
Cleveland led for the entire first half. The Cavs were down just one on the road. Right before the fourth quarter started, I said to myself, "Ok. This is where it starts. LeBron only has eight points. He's going to end up with at least 20 and Cleveland is going to win this game."
It didn't happen. Two points in the fourth on his way to a career playoff low of 10 points. A lay up. That's it. Yes, LeBron's facilitation skills (nine assists) helped keep his squad close. They had a wide open look with 12 seconds lef that would've given them a one-point lead. But when LeBron went into the lane on Cleveland's last possession, he should have said, "F%ck this play. I'm dunking it and we're gonna win in OT." He had a dunk. James went right around Tayshaun Prince. Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace showed help, but neither got to the spot in time to stop what should have been a thunderous slam.
It's been said several times over the past two seasons. LeBron needs to become a selfish player at times in order to become a great player. Dwayne Wade wouldn't have gone 5-15. Neither would Kobe. Great players' teams live and die with them. Not with guys like Donyell Marshall and Anderson Varejao.
But it's not all on LeBron.
If Cavs brass could, I would suggest them firing Mike Brown before the Tuesday shootaround.
Cleveland went 1-10 from three-point range. Damon Jones has stayed in the NBA based on his three-point shooting. Daniel Gibson led the team, shooting 42 percent from three during the regular season. Those two played a combined five minutes.
Detroit double-teamed LeBron throughout the contest. Brown did nothing to get James in a position to get easy looks. Whatever he got, it would have had to be the result of LeBron going coast to coast or getting the ball as the point crossed half court.
Yes, the game was close. Yes, all the games in the series could be close. But if Brown doesn't put his team, and LeBron in particular, in a better position to win, this series will be over quick.
It was a close game tonight, especially with Lebron only having 10 points, but that goes to prove that the Cavs are a solid team, not just a one man show, I hope that if the Cavs win the team will get credit and not just James, but in the same sense if they lose, They better credit the team and not just James. James is the reason they are there, but how far can 1 guy carry a team on his shoulders? just my opinion
Yeah this was a Jordan rules game-the type that Doug Collins was able to play against the Knicks. Keep the game close for 3 1/2 quarters and then let your superstar take over. I just wonder if LeBron has the same competitive fires burning inside him that Jordan was blessed with.
As you mentioned, the kid is only 22 (should be a college senior), so that has to be taken into consideration before deciding whether or not he has "it". Having just watched Cavs/Pistons Game 1, I think LeBron made the right move by dishing to Marshall for the win. You must be able to trust your teammates to compete for a title (otherwise, you look like Kobe in Round 1), and passing up a difficult jumper against a double team for a wide-open 3-point specialist in the corner is the right move. James didn't have his A-Game tonight, but his teammates have to make that shot if he is to ever win a title. If Steve Kerr or John Paxson don't hit clutch 3's, does Jordan win all those titles? Tough call, right? I think we should just appreciate a guy who has carried a very mediocre team to back-to-back 50-win seasons and a spot in the conference finals by the time most of us were ramping up for college graduation. Good post. Keep it up.
All of you guys make good points. I know the Cavs supporting cast kept them in it for three quarters, but LeBron didn't even attempt to take over in the fourth. He hit Big Z for a couple buckets, but even him just attempting to drive to the hole would've gotten his teammates more open shot, or got him free throws. He took three shots in the fourth people. That game was set up for him to play Mariano Rivera in the fourth. He did, but it was like Mariano this season.
had marshall hit that wide open short 3 pointer in the corner (keep in mind he had 6 of them last game), the cavs would have won the game and Lebron would have had a triple double. once play can swing all the blame. I think Lebron played well last night and got his teammates involved early to give his team a chance
I don't know exactly who I would pin that loss on. All I know is that Cleveland (like many other teams) is content to shoot from outside all day long. I guess that's fine when you're hot. But when the shots aren't going down, you just have to find different ways to score in the clutch - driving to the hoop, posting up, fast breaks, getting to freethrow line, etc.
Cleveland has a solid team, but something just isn't quite right yet. Just doesn't look like they are as efficient as they could be. But probably not too far away from getting over the hump.
Lebron's young, they have time. Just hope he doesn't turn into Vince Carter.
lebron doesnt have the mental toughness he acts like he is worried what people would say if he just started taking over the games the way i think he can toughen up mentally lebron go off they cant stop you
My name is Jason Carmel Davis, and I am a graduate of the Michigan State University School of Journalism. Yes, we do go to class in East Lansing, not just to bars and the liquor store.
I'm almost positive I had an SI with me in the womb, checking out Ralph Wiley. He's the main reason I ever decided to pursue a career in sportswriting .
I even remember the first highlight I ever saw on SportsCenter. I don't remember who was reading it, but it was Michael Jordan's 63-point game against the Celtics in the Garden in the 86 Playoffs. I've been hooked ever since.
