Key Takeaways from Twitter Chatter Surrounding Cleveland Cavaliers' Game 5 Win

Ignited by a sterling display from LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers took a 3-2 series lead over the Chicago Bulls following a 106-101 victory Tuesday night. James didn't just lead the Cavs offense on Tuesday night; he drove the Twitter conversation in what proved to be a buzzy Game 5.

Regardless of merit, all the cliches about star players stepping up in the playoffs are old and tired. With injuries to Kevin Love, Pau Gasol, Kyrie Irving and Joakim Noah putting their mark on the series, James proved to be the great equalizer against attrition.

What's become increasingly clear throughout this series is that when James spoke this summer about bringing a championship to Cleveland, he didn't mean through his presence. If his performance in Game 5 proves anything, it's that James intends to will the Cavaliers to Cleveland's first title since 1964.

It's folly to say James' stat line Tuesday night puts him in rare company. As blogger William Bohl noted, James is the only person in that room.

Legendary basketball writer Jack McCallum pointed out there's something eerily familiar about watching James in this series.

These comparisons aren't media hyperbole and bluster. James has earned this level of praise on the floor. Via ESPN Stats & Info, James is rewriting the record books.

Language can fail when attempting to keep up with any manner of art, a label that basketball, at its highest levels, certainly qualifies. Art is more than capable of speaking for itself:

For Chicago, the issues extend beyond not having James.

Joakim Noah, the fulcrum of the Bulls defense, has struggled. Coach Nick, the proprietor of BBallBreakdown, lays some of James' success Tuesday night at Noah's feet.

The acerbic Frank Isola of the New York Daily News was altogether more blunt in his criticism in light of Noah's ever-simmering feud with James.

Whatever his struggles on the offense end, Chicago can't afford for Noah to go missing on defense. His activity and presence in the paint is just as important to the Bulls as Derrick Rose's penetration on offense.

That was just the tip of the iceberg for Chicago's frontcourt in Game 5. Already missing Pau Gasol due to a hamstring strain, the referees controversially ejected forward Taj Gibson in the fourth quarter for kicking Cavs guard Matthew Dellavedova after the two got tangled up.

After a physical end to its series with Boston, Gibson's antics did not amuse Cleveland.

Still, some in the media believe Gibson didn't deserve to be tossed.

The series could well and truly be over if NBA Commissioner Adam Silver suspends Gibson. In an alarming deviation from what one would expect, fans in Ohio think further punishment is both warranted and justified.

At least Cleveland's love for Gibson is not unrequited.

Game 5 spoke volumes about the series, but questions still remain.

Will James' historic performances be enough to overcome the injuries plaguing the rest of Cleveland's roster? Can Noah provide enough juice to spark Chicago's defense? And exactly what are we supposed to make of the Gibson-Dellavedova incident?

As with most questions, we'll know the answers in the fullness of time. But Game 6 looms on the horizon, a home game Chicago must win in order to extend its season.

In Chicago, all eyes will remain on the Bulls frontcourt leading up to Thursday night's tipoff. They need Gasol healthy, Noah revivified and Gibson active.

For Cleveland, all eyes will remain where they always are: on LeBron James.