Closing gap on LeBron as the best
That wasn’t “Truth Juice” as Paul Pierce called it that gave the recently retired forward the television muscles to announce on Sunday that Kevin Durant, and not LeBron James, is the best player in the world. That was the pride of the Boston Celtics talking, plain and simple. It was Pierce, starting his second career as an ESPN analyst, taking a subtle dig at an old rival. And bravo to Pierce for delivering a hot take that may draw a response from LeBron. (That’s assuming LeBron will take the podium to address the media and end his silly two-day dais boycott.) The truth, of course, is that The Truth is wrong. Durant isn’t the best player in the world. LeBron still holds that title.
But Durant is clearly a close second.
He’s also been the best player in the NBA Finals through two games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have until Wednesday to figure out Durant, who has scored 71 points in the series and has the look of a player who is bound the lift the Larry O’Brien trophy in one hand the and the MVP award in the other.
Maybe that’s what has LeBron so ornery lately. After recording his eighth triple-double in the NBA Finals, James decided to ignore protocol and conducted his interview in the locker room as opposed to placating the league by sitting at the podium.
It’s a small thing but it also speaks to LeBron’s state of mind. The Cavaliers, after winning their first NBA title, made just minor alterations to their roster.
The Warriors signed Durant, who brings an entirely different element to the team and this series.
“They’re a different team,” James said late Sunday. “You guys asked me ‘what was the difference?’ And I told you. They’re a different team.”
He’s referring to Durant, who made the controversial move from Oklahoma City to Golden State last July. Durant claimed that he did it to evolve as a man while most took it for what it was: If you can’t beat them, join them.
Durant is now the best player on the team that includes a two-time MVP, Stephen Curry, and two other All-Stars, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. Assuming the Warriors can keep all four players under contract and healthy there is no reason why the Warriors shouldn’t dominate the league for the next four to five years.
LeBron will be 36 in four years. His time in now and he’s got one of the greatest teams ever assembled standing in his way.
Cleveland found itself in a 0-2 hole last year before rattling off four wins in five games, aided and abetted by Green being suspended for Game 5. The Cavs also had Kyrie Irving at the top of his game. That hasn’t been the case in this series. Irving is shooting 18 of 55 in the two games and has scored a total of 43 points. Meanwhile, Curry made 18 of 39 shots and has scored 60 points. The point guard battle belongs to Curry thus far.
Durant’s presence allows Curry to be the second option. Now healthy, Curry recorded his first career postseason triple-double. And when Thompson and Green become your third and fourth scoring options, the result is 14 straight playoff wins.
That’s why LeBron looked and sounded so demoralized late Sunday in Oakland. He’s beaten great teams before; the Spurs in 2013 and last year’s Warriors, who won a record 73 games during the regular season.
But this is his greatest challenge. And the Cavs can’t afford him taking just six shots in the second half after making eight of his first 12.
They also can’t afford Durant, not LeBron, being the best player in the series.