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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts next to Boston Celtics forward Marcus Morris (13) during the third quarter of Game 1 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference Finals, Sunday, May 13, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts next to Boston Celtics forward Marcus Morris (13) during the third quarter of Game 1 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference Finals, Sunday, May 13, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

Skip Bayless: LeBron James Has More Pressure in Game 2 'Than Any Player Ever'

Kyle NewportMay 15, 2018

When LeBron James steps onto the floor against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar will do so while facing an unprecedented amount of pressure.

At least according to his biggest critic.

Fox Sports 1's Skip Bayless believes that the pressure on James in Game 2 of the 2018 Eastern Conference finals is more than any player has ever faced. More than Michael Jordan. More than James dealt with as a member of the Miami Heat. More than Kevin Durant faced in his first season with the Golden State Warriors last year.

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Don't tell that to James, though:

James had only seven points in the first half of Game 1 and finished with just 15 points in a 108-83 loss. Now, Bayless thinks the three-time NBA champion has to step up.

While some believe James' supporting cast is suspect at best, Bayless expects one of the greatest players ever to be able to carry his team to its fourth consecutive NBA Finals appearance, and his eighth straight overall. Another loss in the Finals would certainly not help his legacy, but a loss to the Kyrie Irving-less, Gordon Hayward-less Celtics? That may be a different story.

The four-time MVP essentially single-handedly carried the Cavs to a seven-game victory over the Indiana Pacers in Round 1. His teammates stepped up in a sweep against the Toronto Raptors in the second round. 

In the end, however, the Cavaliers go as James goes—and that's a heavy burden to bear.

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