James remains constant while Cavs, Celts evolve

BOSTON — The jerseys and venues will be the same, but so much has changed since the Cavaliers and Celtics met in last year’s Eastern Conference finals.

Kyrie Irving was dealt to Boston in a blockbuster offseason deal for Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder. But following a roster upheaval in February, the Cavaliers were left with only five players from last year’s team that rolled past the Celtics 4-1 to earn a place in the NBA Finals.

Irving will watch this year’s rematch from the sideline after a pair of knee surgeries late in the regular season denied him an opportunity to see any playoff action. It was the capstone of an injury-plagued year in Boston that also saw the seasons of Gordon Hayward and rookie Daniel Theis truncated.

The one constant is LeBron James, who at 33 has again found another gear in the playoffs despite the different pieces surrounding him in Cleveland. His 34.3 points per game is his highest postseason scoring average since 2009

James can become the sixth player in league history to play in at least eight consecutive NBA Finals. The five others who have done so all played with the Celtics, a group led by Hall of Famer Bill Russell and his 10 straight appearances.

James hasn’t yet had a chance to reflect on his own run but says he isn’t taking anything for granted at this point in his career.

“You dream about being able to play in big games in the NBA,” he said. “And even when I got to the NBA one of my only goals (was) to be as great as I can be, play in big games and be remembered. I think I’ve done that in my career (and I’m) just trying to add onto it while I can.”

The series starts Sunday in Boston. This is the eighth playoff matchup between the teams overall, with the Celtics leading 4-3.

The Celtics are seeking their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2010, when they got past James and the Cavaliers in the Eastern semifinals.

Since Irving’s injury, Celtics coach Brad Stevens has relied heavily on veteran Al Horford and a youthful corps that includes 24year-olds Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart, 21-year-old Jaylen Brown and 20-yearold rookie Jayson Tatum. Horford is averaging a career playoff-high 17 points per game while carrying the leadership torch.

Rozier has flourished in a starting role since Irving was sidelined in mid-March and that has carried over into the postseason, where he is averaging 18.2 points per game.

“I feel we (are) more together (than last year),” Rozier said. “Obviously guys (have) been going down all year ... but we found a way. We pulled together.”

As for Rozier’s series prediction?

“Stay tuned,” he said.