LeBron just keeps adding to legend
After heroic effort, James ready for next challenge in Finals
BOSTON— Just when you think you’ve seen it all from LeBron James, you see more. Just when you think another team besides a James- led squad is going to win the Eastern Conference, James proves the adage true: Beating him four times in an East playoff series is incredibly difficult.
James added another chapter to his legendary career with a phenomenal performance Sunday against the Celtics, scoring 35 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, delivering nine assists and playing all 48 minutes in the Cavaliers’ 87- 79 victory. Consider the circumstances: In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. On the road in TD Garden. Without Kevin Love, sidelined with concussion- like symptoms.
“It was asked of me to play the whole game, and I just tried to figure out how I could get through it,” an exhausted James said. “Throughout timeouts, I was able to catch my breath. At halftime, I didn’t come out and warm up. That was my time to recalibrate and catch my wind again. It’s what’s been asked of me from this ballclub. I’m the leader of this team, and I’m going to give what I’ve got.” He had plenty to give. James improved to 6- 2 in Game 7s, winning all six in a row. In eight Game 7s, James has averaged 34.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists. There’s no guarantee James will win a Game 7, but he’s going to produce.
He hasn’t lost a Game 7 since 2008, beating Boston twice, Indiana twice, San Antonio and Golden State. Two of those games were on the road, including one for the title against the Warriors.
This is Cleveland’s fourth consecutive Finals appearance and James’ eighth in a row, joining a handful of Celtics from the 1950s and ’ 60s as the only players in NBA history to reach at least eight consecutive Finals. It’s his ninth trip overall to the Finals, and he has won three titles.
“I haven’t really processed the fact about going back to another Finals yet,” he said.
James dragged his team into the Finals after trailing 2- 0 and 3- 2 against Boston. He helped tie the series with 46 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in Game 6. But there were times during the regular season and the playoffs when the Cavs did not look like a Finals team.
“I’ve said this has been one of the most challenging seasons I’ve had,” James said. “But like I told you guys, right before the trade deadline, I reset. Didn’t know if we were going to make trades or not. Didn’t know what we were going to do with our team.
“But I just kind of reset my mindset and said, ‘ OK, this is the season and let’s try to make the most of it.’ That’s what’s gotten me to this point, gotten our team to this point.”
This wasn’t a game of beautiful execution, but Cleveland and James wore down the Celts with their experience, focus and determination. And if you need to win Game 7 in Boston, it helps to have James on your side.
“You just know he gives you a chance,” Cavs guard George Hill said.
James had 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two blocks in the second half, when possession by possession the Cavs showed a young, talented Celtics team what’s required to win a series finale.
“He’s unbelievable,’’ Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. ‘‘ I think we’ve played now until May 25 and May 27 the last two years, and we started Sept. 25. That’s every day. Every day that you’re totally focused on this, and he’s gone past that eight straight times. It’s ridiculous, and he does it at this level and with the pressure, with the scrutiny. Doesn’t matter. It’s just unbelievable.”
If you can’t appreciate what James has accomplished, that’s on your stubborn inability to recognize greatness, for whatever reason that may be.
As Hall of Famer Karl Malone said five years ago, “Enjoy LeBron James because when he’s gone, you might not see something like that for 20, 30 years.”
So on to another Finals for James, and Cleveland will be the underdog.
“The game is won between the lines,’’ James said, ‘‘ and we have an opportunity to play for a championship. That’s all that matters. No matter what the storyline is going to be, no matter if we’re picked to win or not, let’s just play ball.
“We’ll have a great game plan. We’ll try to get better throughout the series, and we’ll see what happens. I just like to compete. I have a love for the game. I have a passion for the game, and everything else will take care of itself.”