As the Cavs lost Game Seven in Boston, all I could hear around the media is that LeBron put up 45, but his teammates couldn't help him get a win.
Were they watching the same game as I was? The Cavs are slipping closer and closer to losing LeBron to a trade demand or to free agency because they can't win a championship.
However, I think it has more to do with LeBron than the supporting cast. Now I'm not a Cavs fan, but here is my take:
The Good
LeBron scored 45 points and shot just under 50 percent from the field. He knocked down three three-point shots, and he also got two steals, six assists, and five rebounds.
The Bad
He missed eight three pointers (3-11), five free throws (14-19), and though he had six assists, he failed to get his teammates involved when it counted.
The Ugly
The Cavs were close near the end of the game, but as always, LeBron collapsed under pressure. He missed crucial free throws, easy layups, and even a three pointer. They were down by just one point and failed to capitalize on it, but other opportunities came and went.
Down by five with just over 18 seconds on the clock, LeBron James missed what looked like a simple layup while there was a wide-open look from the perimeter. But was fouled, and then he missed one of his two free throws.
In the last three minutes or so of the game, LeBron hogged the ball as much as I have ever seen and made terrible decisions to boot.
So I say blaming the team is out and blaming LeBron is in, even though he had a terrific game otherwise.
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4 months ago
For a native Ohioan you sure are anti-Ohio.
4 months ago
I agree the free throws are an issue, but did Jordan not hog the ball down the stretch? Did Kobe not shoot a ton of shot prior to Pau Gasol? LeBron is paid to make things happen. Maybe it's lack of a supporting cast. I'm not sure this loss rests entirely on LeBron's shoulders.
4 months ago
It's not with Lebron it's with the Cavaliers organization not establishing a solid, reliable, supporting cast for him. The trade was good and all, but not for the post-season against the Celtics, only for weak regular season games. If they could get one more superstar on that team with lebron, I guess the Cavaliers have a shot of winning a championship. Ben Wallace, Varajao, Damon Jones: get the hell out, we want solid offensive players in Cleveland, not players who can only be efficient on one end.
4 months ago
I wish LeBron had been more selfish down the stretch. Trailing by 1 with the ball, and the shot clock running down, LeBron deferred by passing to a covered Pavlovic for no good reason. Ended up back in his hands with a forced/covered 3-pointer from 28 feet. You can't blame LeBron for missing that shot, but the pass made no sense. That's the moment he's got to drive the ball to the hoop.
All your other points are idiotic, by the way. Without LeBron, the Cavs lose by 30.
4 months ago
When LeBron tried to get his teammates involved, they missed eight of their first nine shots and the Celtics raced to a 10-point lead. Recognizing the Cavs were in danger of getting blown out like the Hawks were in their Game 7, LeBron took over and single-handedly dragged the team back in the game. Yes he did make some poor decisions down the stretch, but there wouldn't have been a "down the stretch" to worry about if it wasn't for his play the first 95 percent of the game.
It was a tremendous performance, not one of his best - even though he scored 45 - but still pretty great nonetheless.
4 months ago
I disagree whole heartedly. The man has played the entire game, and then has to muster the confidence to will his shook teammates to a win. At this point in his career, Lebron will miss foul shots - it comes with his player profile. He put up a great effort throughout, but he couldn't force it in when the Celtics dug in during crunch time. Delonte also missed an open 3 that could have tied the game, swinging the momentum to the Cavs. Very, very entertaining game. LeBron will definitely stay if they win a championship, but they have 2 years to get there. I want to see it happen.
4 months ago
I'm not bashing the Cavs here, I was rooting for them to beat Boston, I am just tired of LeBron going out to the press conference everyday and bashing his own teammates. Say what you want but his supporting cast isn't bad at all, put Jordan with that bunch and they would win, put Kobe there now and they would win, hell, even take away LeBron and put Grant Hill form the 90's in there and they would win. The point is that LeBron James is not as good as Jordan was and he isn't even close to being as good as Kobe is and he has no right to act like he is the greatest and his teammates are to blame for everything, how can you establish team morale that way? I hope LeBron leaves because until he grows up, He will NEVER win a ring. Cleveland is better off without him.
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