Reply With Quote
Say what you will about the East offering no compe ion, or about Kobe and the Lakers playing so well...It really looks like it's LeBron's time.
LeBron just too much for Hawks
By Bill Trocchi, SI.com
ATLANTA -- Wrapped in towels from head to toe, LeBron James looked more mummy than king. He sat in the corner of the visitor's locker room at Philips Arena, put his head back against the wall and shut his eyes.
What thoughts were going through the greatest basketball player on Earth's mind as he iced his knees and soaked his feet? Was he thinking about how he controlled virtually every aspect of Cleveland's 97-82 win (RECAP | BOX) over the helpless Hawks in Game 3? Was he plotting a sweep for Monday night to earn some extra rest for his taxed body? Was he dreaming about the ultimate victory parade in Cleveland that could await in June?
Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry approached the King's corner, saw his star's trance-like state under his towels, and walked away with a big smile. Hey, Ferry seemed to think, if he scores 47 points, grabs 12 rebounds and dishes out eight assists, he can wrap as many towels around his head as he wants.
Around LeBron, various Cavaliers talked about how their star propelled them to this near-clinching series victory. Joe Smith said James, "put us on his back and carried us." Guard Delonte West said James "thrives under pressure because he doesn't feel it." And veteran Ben Wallace simply said, "We go where he goes."
The Hawks (figuratively) threw some punches. Unlike in Cleveland, Atlanta showed some heart, protecting the rim, getting out on the break and attacking the basket. Joe Johnson (21 points) did not play passively, and the Hawks turned the ball over just once in the first quarter.
"It's not like we didn't show up," said Josh Smith, who had 18 points and five rebounds.
No, they showed up, and after a very strong half on their home court they trailed 47-46 thanks to James, who has seemingly scored on the last possession of every quarter this series. He had a hand in 13 of Cleveland's 17 first-half baskets either by assists or scoring the hoop himself, thwarting an energized team almost by himself.
"I knew how important this game was," James said. "I needed to let my team know early how I was feeling."
Cavs guard Mo Williams said James told him before the game he felt "excellent," and then he went out and played like it.
James drained five three-pointers, shot 60 percent from the floor and had one turnover in 43 minutes. In the second half, the Cavs' offense became James dribbling at midcourt and then making something happen.
"At one point, I saw all five (defenders) looking at LeBron," Williams said. "That defense isn't going to win too many games against us."
The Cavs led 72-65 at the end of three (thanks to another quarter-ending drive by James) and stretched it out early in the fourth when James asked coach Mike Brown not to give him his customary rest early in the quarter. The strategy worked, as James continued to dominate until he put the Cavs a game away from the Eastern Conference finals.
"I've seen LeBron do a lot of things," said Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who scored most of his 14 points off James passes. "Sometimes we take for granted how good he is."
Stud of the Day (non-LeBron James edition)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The big man was 6-for-9 from the floor and had 14 points and eight rebounds. His reliable jump shot burned the Hawks when they paid too much attention to James.
Dud of the Day
Zaza Pachulia. Rather than give the Hawks a lift off the bench, Pachulia did little in his 12 minutes, and then got tossed out of the game for arguing a legitimate blocking foul on him. He had four fouls and three points, and did not make the energy plays he customarily makes.
Turning Point
The Cavs put together a 9-0 run with 9:10 to play that pushed a six-point lead to 15 and pretty much put the game out of reach. James had six of the nine, including one ridiculous fallaway.
Stat of the Day
The Cavs outrebounded the Hawks 46-23, with James leading the way with 12 and Anderson Varejao grabbing 10, including seven offensive.
Courtside Confidential
LeBron entertained before the game, as well, swishing an underhanded half-court shot during warmups on his third attempt. ... Cavs coach Mike Brown was asked before the game if his players were aware of the different statistical records they were approaching in terms of consecutive wins and field goal percentage defense, and Brown appeared ready to answer "no." Instead, he called an unsuspecting Darnell Jackson to come in front of the media to answer the question. Jackson said, yes, LeBron talks about goals before they take the floor in terms of field goal percentage defense and other statistics. Brown was clearly surprised. "You learn something new every day," he said. "I'm just trying to win games by one point."
Looking Ahead
The question is whether this one ends in a sweep on Monday or gets back to Cleveland for a Game 5 finale. One thing the Hawks can take away is they looked healthy. Johnson and Al Horford did not look limited, and Marvin Williams played a bigger role off the bench than he has in a while. It took a man-sized effort from Mr. James to put this one in Cleveland's corner. The problem for the Hawks is, he's got plenty more in him. Cavs in four.
Say what you will about the East offering no compe ion, or about Kobe and the Lakers playing so well...It really looks like it's LeBron's time.
Thanks E20.
What is everything that Tim says there. Like when he first talks to LeBron.
The first couple of lines are hard to hear. Something like:
"Good job. I love how you run this team. How you drive these guys."
But this is clear:
"This is going to be your league in a little while. I appreciate you giving us this year."
TD is very classy. I thought that's what the first compliment sounded like.
Thanks.
Goddamn I had to listen to that soundbyte at least 50 times and the best thing I could come up was:
"Good job buddy. Hey man I love how you've become a good team this series. Stay that way man stay that way."
Sounds like he's encouraging Lebron to stay in Cleveland.
Playing ty teams must be nice.
They earned that right by earning the #1 seed.
That IS the whole point of a #1 seed, right?To get home court and to, theoretically, get easier draws in the early rounds.
34/10/7 on 55% is just ridiculous regardless of the compe ion.
You missed the point.
Obviously they earned the right to play teams that probably wouldn't have even made the playoffs in the west.
We're talking about inflated stats. Apples and oranges.
lrn 2 reed k thx bai
cavs only look so good because they haven't met any real compe ion. this le is the lakers to lose. their biggest enemies in the spurs, rockets, and boston all went down with major injuries, practically handing the championship to them. cavs have yet to face a team that plays defense and when the lakers get serious, they actually do play some defense. lebron is great but even he can't carry this cavs team to the championship. he needs a legit low post presence because mo williams won't be enough.
^ Wow, nice post. I can appreciate a well spoken and insightful fan.
He is a basketball god!
Mike, we're witnessing a breathtaking level of basketball by Lebron right now, and he's showing everyone why he is the MVP. The court vision, the athleticism, the shooting, the defensive mind set, it was truly a pleasure to watch last night.
You can't blame the Cavs that Detroit and Atlanta are inferior to them. They don't pick thier opposing teams.
BTW has anyone seen how Mike Brown talks? He talks like he has food stuck in his teeth.
Let us pray that either CLE/ORL/BOS can knock off the Lakers. Dr. House deserves to cry and it will surely be the end of her time at SpursTalk if the Lakers do not win the le.
u really praying for that stuff? God, can you put misery on these people, i know its against your teachings, but only for this one time. Dr House deserves pain.
Feeling guilty? You can pray for forgiveness.
guilty? You're the one "praying" for peoples misery.
Repent for having fans such as Dr.House and the misery will stop.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
