Warriors even NBA final at 2-2
Hometown hero has fans feeling as if he never left
CLEVELAND —The love that became hate is love again.
LeBron James is carrying Cleveland on his back, injecting more fire into Quicken Loans Arena with a patchwork team than the pre-game pyrotechnics, in a way no one could have predicted before the season began, much less the NBA Finals.
Cavaliers fans have responded to him rapping lyrics in pre-game warm-up, his slow motion claps and mimed bow-and-arrow celebrations, as if James is responsible for the invention of flames.
The Decision? The fouryear championship fling in Miami? It’s like it never happened. Pushing the Cavaliers closer to a title than they’ve ever been has only strengthened the connection.
“I think time heals all,” James said Wednesday. “It was a bitter moment when I left the first time, but it’s a sweet moment here now that I’m back. Both sides had an opportunity to kind of miss each other, and they say if it’s worth having and it’s supposed to be there, then it will always come back.”
It doesn’t hurt, of course, that heading into Game 4, James had scored or assisted on 200 of the Cavaliers’ 291 points in the finals. He’s taken 117 shots to score 123 points in the first three games this series. He is the first player with multiple 40-point NBA Finals games since his former teammate, Dwyane Wade, had two in 2006.
Jerry West and Michael Jordan share the record with four 40-point NBA Finals games in 1969 and 1993, respectively, and James might need to match that or set a new mark to deliver a championship that would arrive much faster than he anticipated.
“No one expected us to be where we’re at right now — and it’s because of LeBron James that we’re here,” teammate Mike Miller said. “He understands the situation, which is what makes him so special. He’s so smart. What makes him a great player is he adapts to his surroundings.”
Miami was able to get James at his physical prime and the height of his efficiency, but Cleveland is now experiencing the beauty of a more determined version whose mental approach to the game has reached sublime levels.
James has mastered the next move and counter-move of the opposition, can provide direction and belief for his teammates, and isn’t afraid of the sometimes gruesome statistical results of being overly aggressive.
Winning two championships in Miami has given him the confidence to understand the galactic reach of his talents and leadership. The only help James really needs is from within and his limited teammates can feed off the swagger and aura he exudes.
“Everyone knows in this room he’s an efficient guy, and he has that attitude going in,” Irving said. “But for us to be successful, we just need him to continue what he’s doing and have that killer mindset. Destroy anyone and everyone that’s in front of him.”
What the Cavs have become, and what James has been forced to become over the course of this season, has made a beleaguered fan base in a 51-year title chase more appreciative of its prodigal son.
“I know the fans are excited and exuberant about me being back,” James said. “Not only just about me, this team, putting this team back in the position where they can compete and have something to talk about from our side, the basketball side. And it’s been pretty cool so far.”