LeBron James Stops Doing His Pregame Chalk Toss Again (For Now)

Be the cause a hearty smack to a stairwell sign or silly mascot shenanigans, sports have long been the province of tradition and ritual. They’re part of what makes them so much gosh darn fun.

We’d just prefer if people would, you know, pick a plan and stick to it. LeBron James included.

Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon first reported the devastating news, presumably from a bunker beneath the city’s chaos-engulfed streets. This is how revolutions start.

A quick recap: The chalk toss—“talcum powder toss” just doesn’t have the same ring—initially became a pregame staple during James’ first go-round with the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron subsequently [mostly] shelved the stunt during his four-year stint with the Miami Heat, for what we’ll politely call “public relations reasons.”

Following his decision to return to the Cavs this past summer, James tackled the issue of resurrecting the ritual the way only a king with true Arthurian spirit would: by putting it to a vote.

"I swear I can't wait for this moment again!! #TheLand #PowderFillsTheRoom #StriveForGreatness" was the caption that accompanied this Instagram post:

The measure passed easily. Like, “pro-corn-subsidies-in-Nebraska” easy.

The results since James abolished the pregame spectacle: Over the proceeding three games—all Cleveland victories—James has averaged 25.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 2.3 steals, per Vardon.

But did he really "decide" to do it, or is this simply coincidence? The King himself speaks:

Superstitional silliness aside, you can’t exactly blame James for sticking with what works. Fans may cry and kvetch over having such a billboard-perfect shtick wrested from them, but so long as the Cavs keep clobbering teams into submission, don’t expect to see petitions passed around the aisles of Quicken Loans Arena.

It might well be the chalk toss that’s behind Cleveland’s sudden resurgence. It couldn’t be something as simple as the team playing better defense, though. That would be preposterous. Right, Fear The Sword’s Trevor Magnotti?

"

Perhaps more important, however, is that the Cavs have been phenomenal at contesting perimeter shots over this span of defensive turnaround. Over the last six games the Cavs' opponents have hit just 33.3 percent of their threes, and they're taking just 17 per game, a number only the Bulls allow less than on the season (and by less than, I mean 16.9). The Cavs have played better on and off-ball defense on the perimeter, and their rotations have been such that opponents are scoring more on cuts to the basket than getting open looks outside, which has made three-point looks harder to come by.

"

OK, so it’s probably the defense. Fine.

Following a sluggish 5-7 start to the season, Cleveland is finally finding its groove. Which is great for the city’s title-starved fanbase and certifiably terrifying for the rest of the league. Once this machine picks up a head of steam, not even an immovable object will stand much of a chance.

It’ll be fascinating to see whether another Cavs mini-swoon—a loss or two during the NBA’s February dog days, perhaps—compels the King to revisit his signature sacrament.

As for the fans? LeBron can sacrifice a goat at center court wearing snowshoes and an 18th century Parisian dress while a Frank Stallone cassette tape blasts from the arena loudspeakers, so long as the W's keep piling up.