After a brief hiatus, The Sporting Itis is back! And just in time to watch arguably the greatest individual athletic performance in the past few decades. Seriously, we are all witnesses.
For the past few weeks, the media and so-called “experts” (see: Stephen A. Smith and Skip
Bayless) have ripped apart the play and decision-making of LeBron James. LeBron helped silence the critics with his late game heroics in Game 4, tying up the series at 2 games apiece. But there were still skeptics who felt that Detroit had been sleepwalking throughout this series, and hadn’t shown their true fortitude just yet. Although Cleveland had won both games at home, the prevailing sentiment from experts was that the Pistons’ experience and depth would reign supreme when it was all said and done. And while the Pistons are much more battle-tested having played in the Eastern Conference Finals for 5 straight years now, and also have a more talented basketball squad (Four All-Stars on the Pistons compared to just one on the Cavs), the Cavaliers have a mega-ultra-superstar in LeBron Raymone James. James’ performance last night at the Palace at Auburn Hills not only silenced the critics, but gave them a year-long moratorium from saying anything other than “Wow, this guy is incredible.”
LeBron led the Cavaliers to a 109-107 victory over Detroit in double overtime. LeBron played 51 minutes and finished with 48 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and two kisses from Coach Mike Brown (and deservedly so). While his numbers are almost surreal, the stats offer only a glimpse into his overall performance. The Pistons were in the midst of a 10-0 run late in the 4th quarter with the game quickly falling out of Cleveland’s grasp. Detroit led 88-81 with less than 3 minutes left when LeBron hit a three-pointer at the top of the key. From then on, we were a witness to His Greatness (Side note: If this recent game has you moved beyond cause or reason, you may find the relatively new religious movement known as LeBronism perfect for you. I’m not making this up. LeBron’s profound basketball play, as well as his nickname – “The Chosen One” – alludes to his potential deity status). As the Cavaliers sought to close out a victory in regulation, I will remember three things:
1) With all eyes on him, LeBron crossed over Jason Maxiell and made a thunderous dunk in traffic. Tayshaun Prince had an opportunity to contest the shot, but he scurried away like a scared puppy, as the thought of losing a limb wasn't too appetizing.
For the past few weeks, the media and so-called “experts” (see: Stephen A. Smith and Skip
Bayless) have ripped apart the play and decision-making of LeBron James. LeBron helped silence the critics with his late game heroics in Game 4, tying up the series at 2 games apiece. But there were still skeptics who felt that Detroit had been sleepwalking throughout this series, and hadn’t shown their true fortitude just yet. Although Cleveland had won both games at home, the prevailing sentiment from experts was that the Pistons’ experience and depth would reign supreme when it was all said and done. And while the Pistons are much more battle-tested having played in the Eastern Conference Finals for 5 straight years now, and also have a more talented basketball squad (Four All-Stars on the Pistons compared to just one on the Cavs), the Cavaliers have a mega-ultra-superstar in LeBron Raymone James. James’ performance last night at the Palace at Auburn Hills not only silenced the critics, but gave them a year-long moratorium from saying anything other than “Wow, this guy is incredible.”LeBron led the Cavaliers to a 109-107 victory over Detroit in double overtime. LeBron played 51 minutes and finished with 48 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and two kisses from Coach Mike Brown (and deservedly so). While his numbers are almost surreal, the stats offer only a glimpse into his overall performance. The Pistons were in the midst of a 10-0 run late in the 4th quarter with the game quickly falling out of Cleveland’s grasp. Detroit led 88-81 with less than 3 minutes left when LeBron hit a three-pointer at the top of the key. From then on, we were a witness to His Greatness (Side note: If this recent game has you moved beyond cause or reason, you may find the relatively new religious movement known as LeBronism perfect for you. I’m not making this up. LeBron’s profound basketball play, as well as his nickname – “The Chosen One” – alludes to his potential deity status). As the Cavaliers sought to close out a victory in regulation, I will remember three things:
1) With all eyes on him, LeBron crossed over Jason Maxiell and made a thunderous dunk in traffic. Tayshaun Prince had an opportunity to contest the shot, but he scurried away like a scared puppy, as the thought of losing a limb wasn't too appetizing.
2) Seconds later, as avid Cavs fans are celebrating newfound hope from the greatness that is LeBron James, “Big Shot” Chauncey Billups answers with a crushing 3-pointer, making the score 91-89 Detroit with 22 seconds to go.
3) With all eyes on him (again), LeBron takes it to the hole for another dunk to tie up the game and send it to OT.
As LeBron said after the game, “[The Pistons] are definitely a great defensive team, but I was determined to attack.” Attack he did. To say that Detroit was unprepared for James to take the final shots in regulation would be foolish. Detroit knew he was going to drive, but they just couldn’t find a way to stop him.
That’s when you know you’ve seen something special.
LeBron followed up scoring 18 points combined in the two overtimes, facing occasional double-teams and Billups’ hounding defense. With 11 seconds left in double overtime and the score tied at 107 apiece, everyone on the floor, in the building, watching on TV, listening on the radio, following ESPN Gamecast, or anyone who knew just a pinch about basketball could predict that James was taking the last shot. As he got by the first defender, the four remaining Pistons
defenders collapsed on him. The rational move for any basketball player in this position would be to pass out of this quadruple team to an open man in the wing. But, he was ripped for pulling the rational move in Game 1. And in Game 2, he did the opposite, but was still criticized because he missed. James figured, the only way to shut everyone up was to score. And he did just that, weaving between the once impenetrable Pistons defense and scoring a tough, off-balance lay-up to put the Cavs up for good. LeBron’s complaint was that he got fouled, too.Mike Brown said it best after James single-handedly brought home a Cavaliers victory:
“In this atmosphere, yes, this is the single best game I've seen in this atmosphere, hands down. And I've been around some great players. He was phenomenal tonight, and I felt bad because my words don't give justice to what he did. He was awesome, and at 22 years old, wow. That's all, wow. Wow."
And he’s right. Even the most eloquent of writers cannot describe the magnitude of Lebron’s performance at the Palace. He played at the highest level imaginable. He was both selfish (hence, 25 straight points to close out the game) when the team needed a boost but also made his teammates better with his intensity and leadership, not to mention 7 assists to boot.
Sure, the Cavs don’t always look pretty. Their isolation style usually leaves four players watching LeBron (or occasionally Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Larry “DON’T SHOOT!” Hughes or Drew Gooden) dribble, with mixed results. Sometimes I even wonder how they got to being one game away from their first ever NBA Finals. It is hard to imagine how the Cavs even won 50 games in the regular season. And then I remembered they play in the Eastern Conference and have the most talented player in the NBA (sorry, Kobe).
Wise LeBron once said, “Playa Haters, Elevators, If you cross me, you will die.” From the media’s incessant criticism of the star’s last-second decisions, to the Pistons football-inspired physical defense, many were attempting to “cross” him, to get in his head, to bring him down. His statement proved to be prophetic this game as he decimated the Detroit defense, in the process humbling those who said he couldn’t carry his team. The experts said Detroit would have no problem making it to the NBA finals (Skip Bayless even said Mike Brown would be fired after the series was over). And maybe Detroit even thought they could sleepwalk to the finals. But the Pistons better wake up soon as they go on the road to the “Q,” facing a 3-2 deficit with their backs to the wall. Because if the Pistons don’t come back strong in Game 6, let’s just say Rasheed Wallace will have more time to work on his golf game.
And the Cavs will have the King to thank for that.
