James heroics

So, yes, James is better than ever, a striking revelation considering that he’s an old 33 wrapping up his 15th season in the National Basketball Association. On the flipside, his teammates are collectively worst than ever. He just put the finishing touche

With exactly one minute left in the third quarter of yesterday’s do-or-die set-to between the Cavaliers and the Pacers, the 20,562 fans who packed the Q let out a collective gasp. The wine and gold were still leading, but they had seen the relentless visitors whittle down an 11-point lead to two, and the last thing they needed was bad news that indicated the slight advantage would turn into a permanent deficit. Unfortunately, they got it in the form of LeBron James, All-World megastar and resident one-man wrecking crew, heading to the locker room for an undisclosed reason. He planned to play for the entire contest because, well, he felt he had to, so his exit from the court was an unwelcome development.

For Cavaliers diehards, fewer scenarios can elicit thoughts of failure than that of James being unable to lead the Cavaliers’ charge, especially in an all- in Game Seven where playoff survival isn’t the only thing at stake. Early elimination for the first time in his storied career would likely prompt departure in June via free agency as well. Still, they clung to hope, if for no other reason than the absence of an alternative to bank on. The other supposed stalwarts were hitherto seen on milk cartons, beginning with All- Star Kevin Love (whose wrist injury reduced him to a poor second option) and ending with head coach Tyronn Lue.

As things turned out, relief would follow anxiety. James returned to the bench shortly thereafter, ready to check in but evidently requiring more rest after being treated for cramps. He headed to the scorer’s table with under 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, but bought some more time to nibble on orange slices following the supporting cast’s surprising resurgence in his absence. When he finally resumed burning rubber with 8:25 remaining on the game clock, the lead he left at a basket had actually increased to three possessions.

Simply put, the Cavaliers’ supporting cast delivered under pressure, and they would remain solid until the final buzzer. Obviously fatigued, James put up mortal numbers in the crunch; he could do no better than produce two baskets along with three fouls and two turnovers. Meanwhile, those around him had enough to keep the Pacers at bay. It was about time; in the aftermath, he spoke of being gassed, a stunning admission given the constant pronouncements on his fitness.

Then again, James did just about everything in order to upend the Pacers. In playing 42 minutes per contest, he put up ridiculous numbers that advanced analytics pegged the finest by far of any marquee name in the postseason. And broken down to brass tacks, there is this: The Cavaliers were outscored by a whopping 40 points in the series. They had no business advancing to the conference semifinals. And that they are still alive in the 2018 playoffs is due to his heroics. He had to score in the 40s in three of their wins, and he wound up norming 32.7 markers, 10.3 caroms, and 7.8 dimes for the round (the blowout Game Six in which he sat out the entire fourth period included).

So, yes, James is better than ever, a striking revelation considering that he’s an old 33 wrapping up his 15th season in the National Basketball Association. On the flipside, his teammates are collectively worst than ever. He just put the finishing touches on a best-of-seven affair that had no other Cavalier net 20 points. Which is to say he will need to stay otherworldly from here on. He wants help to come, of course, but has to operate as if it won’t. No wonder he is, in his own words, “burnt.” Even the best of the best have their breaking points.