LeBron Demonstrates Greatness
Last night the Cavaliers found themselves in a hole. A crater-sized hole. The Pacers led 74-49 at halftime. The Pacers had the Cavs right where they wanted them. Then it happened. LeBron took over. He went absolute beast mode, erupting for 28 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists......IN THE SECOND HALF. And to put a cherry on that, he had zero turnovers after halftime. LeBron was absolutely sensational and proved, for those who had any doubts, that he is still the best player in the world.
What is most remarkable about the Cavaliers comeback is the lineup deployed by Tyronn Lue in the fourth quarter. Lue left Kyrie and Kevin Love on the pine for the final frame as he elected to surround LeBron with Channing Frye, J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, and Deron Williams. The plan was simple: put the ball in LeBron's hands with shooters all-around. The Pacers had a decision to make: they could elect to take away LeBron's driving lanes by clogging the paint and thereby leaving elite shooters wide-open or they could stay locked on the shooters and give LeBron ample driving lanes. Both proved problematic for Nate McMillan's defense. LeBron was surgical, dishing crafty passes and getting to the rim almost at will. It didn't even look challenging for him. It was the equivalent of a college-student being tested on his times tables.
My takeaway from Game 3 is this: LeBron is indefensible when he is surrounded by shooters. Yesterday was exhibit A. The Cavaliers may have just found the key that unlocks a postseason of dominance. If that is the case, the rest of the NBA better be worried. Yes, even the Warriors.
