It's Good to be King

by Fantasy Junkie on May 31, 2007 11:46 PM PDT in News Comment 42 comments

Did you see the greatest performance of this postseason?

"Unstoppable Baby!" (Source: AP)

LeBron James: 48 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists
Cavaliers 109, Pistons 107 (2OT)
Cavs lead the series 3-2

The boxscore does not tell the whole story. He scored his team's final 25 points on to 29 of his team's final 30 points. Up to this point, this was the most important game of his career, and he stepped up BIG, Oliver Miller big. In Detroit with a hostile environment, he could not and would not be stopped. Determination. Will. Talent. When people said he could be the greatest player in the league, this is the kind of performance they were speaking of. To carry his team in a 4th quarter comeback and then score every point from then on out is simply amazing.

"I...I don't know what to do to stop him" (Source: AP)

Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "We'll definitely have to do something different next time."

I know this is a Warriors site, but when things this big happen you have to write something about it. But I'll be honest, I didn't watch the game. I had no interest in this series or the rest of the playoffs. BUT, I wish I watched this game. I would have suffered through the other 9 Conference Finals games just to get to see this game, this performance. This will go down in the history books as one of the greatest performances ever by an individual. So yes, as a basketball fan, I wish I wasn't out eating dinner when King James decided to devour the Pistons. Maybe I'll actually watch game 6 now.

This is what postseason basketball is all about. Yes, it's about the teams, but it's also about the individuals who rise to the challenge and separate themselves from the rest of the pack. LeBron has done that tonight. During momentous sporting occasions, people remember exactly where they were when that event occurred. Cleveland fans will remember exactly where they were when they watched the masterpiece unfold. People will talk about this performance for many, many years.

LeBron couldn't help but laugh at the Pistons D (Source: AP)

As great a performance, it was only 1 game. That puts the Cavs up 3-2 going home in game 6. It's certainly not over. The Pistons were in the same predicament last year. They were down 2-3 to the Cavs but came back to win the series. So, LeBron better ice his back tonight because he must be tired from carrying the other 11 Cavaliers tonight.

Did you watch the game? Was it as amazing as it sounds? If you didn't watch, do you wish you did?

Be sure to check out Sleepy Freud's diary, Commence the coronation

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i saw it

and it was pretty amazing.

bronbron was hitting fadeaway 3's and killin' em...but the game winner that he hit was because of a defensive meltdown by the pistons. they didn't deny him the ball on the inbound pass, and when he caught the ball at the top of the key, they didn't double, and when he penetrated, there was no help defense. lebron got the easy layup, game.

by jam3rz on May 31, 2007 11:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

i didn't watch it and had no interest. i won't watch game six either. but still, that is an amazing performance. talk about ariving on the scene

by AJC3317 on Jun 1, 2007 12:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

HUH?

Only a Warriors fan?

I missed the game but i wish i didn't. My interest in basketball is always high, Warriors or not. I admit that i'm in a mini-depression since the Warriors exited, but i still pride myself in still being a true hoops fan. Lebron layed the smack down.

by ssmokinjoe on Jun 1, 2007 12:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

sort of

it's hard for me to get interested in a game if the warriors aren't involved, i'll admit that. but i'm more interested in just fun basketball, something that the pistons don't provide and the cavs are usually lacking

by AJC3317 on Jun 1, 2007 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

jesus

that game was amazing. i just saw why this guy will soon be the best and maybe of all time. a tall strong quick guy with shot and good passer and could be a killer. ahhh if there was only way to have a Lebron movement here. i would seriously not care if we give up baron jrich tmnt sjax and 3 years of draft pics for this guy well maybe not that harsh but he is great!

by 24k state fan since 87 on Jun 1, 2007 12:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes

It was amazing.

by Zorgon on Jun 1, 2007 12:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That was

one of the greatest performance by any basketball player! I watched the game and I was totally amazed by the King. He was crazy and knocked down pretty much every shot, including 3s, layups, Js and crazy highrise dunks. I am so glad I did not miss the game (I missed game 2 and 3). LeBron pretty much told all his critics to shut the hell up.

by semarubaka on Jun 1, 2007 1:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

VIDEO GAME JAMES!

by Drew Gooden, is the perfect name for him. Better than King James.

by dj fuzzylogic on Jun 1, 2007 7:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It was nuts

I'm glad I had a late dinner last night and started eating with 5min left in that 4th quarter. Double OT- now that was an amazing game.

by Atma Brother ONE on Jun 1, 2007 8:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

great game

i was in awe. I have always enjoyed Mr. Lebron's game, but last night's game was just amazing. It was funny to see the other Cav's players revolving around him. Unbelievable.

Nellie's Schmoes

by tadams1080 on Jun 1, 2007 8:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Who

Are these "other Cavs players" you speak of?

by Sleepy Freud on Jun 1, 2007 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am a Lebron Hater

but I..... GUESS after watching Game 5 last night... I'll say: Lebron's pretty good at basketball. :)

Marv Albert: "I ain't trippin'!"

by ZombieWarrior on Jun 1, 2007 9:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

THe only reason James scored so much

was because his team is the worst I have ever had the dis-pleasure of watching.

Mike Brown is such an incompetent coach that Lebron was just going one on five against the Pistons.

Flip Saunders is such a fool that he didn't take the ball out of Lebron's hands by immediately doubling him as soon as he touched the ball.

It was comical how bad the coaching was in the game in the series. Bill Simmons in his latest comments totally called it. It was amazing to see what he was writing about unfold before your eyes, like watching a car wreck happen in slow motion.

You guys didn't miss much, trust me. Lebron made some amazing shots, yes, but you would have spent the rest of the time scratching your head over the stupid coaching and transparent Pistons defense.

by CallMeKang on Jun 1, 2007 9:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

WHATS THAT NOISE???

Its Lebron's bandwagon and it looks like everyone is jumping on!!! He is what he is. Lebron is young and very talented but unexperienced. He surely is not clutch! Last night was one of many more nights to come but he still is not "magic" or "jordan" or "bird"or even "kobe"-like.

gdubb

by gogomaplata on Jun 1, 2007 10:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You don't think he's clutch?

He came up big in last year's playoffs near the end of games- see Wizards, Washington. Had he gotten that foul call in Game 2 and Donyell knocked down that wide open trey we'd be looking at a Cavs sweep.

Lebron has lived up to the hype. Granted it's the Leastern Conference and they had a gift of a schedule in the 1st 2 rounds, but Lebron's stepped up big time. He deserves all the credit in the world.

by Atma Brother ONE on Jun 1, 2007 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

dont believe the hype

He passed up the game winner? Donyell for the game???OMG??? I'd rather have Damon Jones chuck it up from half court. I guess the element of surprise is a technique to close out a game but not in the post season. And Yes, there is a lot of "HYPE" to Lebron but even Mike had to go through Detroit to get live up to the "HYPE" but until then I will let this bandwagon pass me by.

gdubb

by gogomaplata on Jun 1, 2007 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get why everyone gives him so much heat ..

for passing the ball out to donyell after game 1. For all intensive purposes, that was the correct play. Donyell had been shooting a good 3 point % throughout the playoffs and a WIDE OPEN shot was their best chance to win.

by ThermoElectro on Jun 1, 2007 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clutch?

I'm not sure yet. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but I haven't seen enough his games to make that statement. But from the moments you write about here's my take on them:

The 2 Washington Wizards games: he travelled in both games. Took like 4 steps and then the ball went in. Usually they'll let a little travelling go on last second shots like they let a little contact go, but those two "game winners" were blatant travelling violations.
The pass to Donyell in Game 1: He had a clear shot at a layup to tie the game. You have to take that shot. It's an automatic 2 points. I don't even think the Warriors would pass up a layup like that.
Game 2: There was contact but LeBron was initiating a lot of it. He created very little separation between him and Rip so he missed the shot. If he's going to initiate the contact, then he doesn't deserve a foul call unless he gets hammered. Gotta earn it.

by Fantasy Junkie on Jun 1, 2007 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I couldnt put it any better...

I warn you though... some may take offense to this!

gdubb

by gogomaplata on Jun 1, 2007 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good points

You're right about #1. I do remember (and i was complaining) about those travels. Still, he and the Cavs made some noise in last year's playoffs.

#2- I would've liked him to take that layup too, but he saw a game winner if Donyell knocked it down. Donyell had been hot in the prior game or so from 3pt land. I don't agree with the decision necessarily, but I'm not about to fault him or call him unclutch for that.

#3- I thought he earned the call, but that's just my opinion. Reffing is subjective many times and this is an example of that.

Still, I gotta give the guy props. He's consistently come up big the past 2 years in the playoffs. Clutch doesn't mean just knocking down the final shot. It means playing big in big games.

Unclutch in the playoffs = TMac + Yao
I still can't believe the Rockets choked in Game 7 against the Jazz.

by Atma Brother ONE on Jun 1, 2007 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LeBron > TMac

That much has pretty much been confirmed by this year's playoffs.

Really, if you're talking about whose hands you want the ball in in a must-score situation, there are only two possible answers, Kobe or LeBron. Those are the two most unstoppable offensive forces on the planet, and there's not really a close #3 ... at least unless and until Kevin Durant blossoms.

Which makes me think a bit about this year's draft ... if LeBron gets to the finals and puts on a good show there (I won't say wins, 'cos there's almost no way) does that increase the possibility of going #1 in this draft? It is the Leastern conference, but LeBron has shown that a freakishly versatile, score-first forward can carry a mediocre team all to the brink of the NBA finals.

Sure, LeBron has about 40 pounds of muscle on Durant, but Durant sould fill out a little, and he appears to have about a foot of reach on LeBron. They both seem to have that rare, unteachable "winner" gene. If I'm Portland, I'd at least give Durant some serious thought.

by Sleepy Freud on Jun 1, 2007 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Although I don't

enjoy lebron's game too much, I think he still deserves some props. Granted, he's not any of those you mentioned, but we forget that Jordan didn't win his first championship until he was at least 28-39. Both Magic and Bird were beyond phenomenal, but they both had HOF players playing alongside them. The Cavs are quite incompetent, but if Lebron actually had ONE decent player to run with him, I often wonder how much better Lebron might be.

but i agree with you, he is very inexperienced. i think he just doesn't have that desire to kill at will yet...i think once he starts caring (if he ever does), he might seriously be unstoppable (but not unstoppable baby! like the Warriors are).

by dj fuzzylogic on Jun 1, 2007 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oops

meant to write "28-29"

by dj fuzzylogic on Jun 1, 2007 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HOF

Anderson Verajo isnt a HOF player? LOL

gdubb

by gogomaplata on Jun 1, 2007 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vareajo is HOF

like Foyle or Dun will ever be most improved player(s) !!!

by dj fuzzylogic on Jun 1, 2007 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh give me a break...

he scored the last 25 points in that game vs. the pistons(great defensively) in game 5 in auburn hills in the eastern conference finals and he is not clutch?!?!?!?!?

I cannot respect anything you say if you make claim to that you are a joke.

by dallaswarrior on Jun 1, 2007 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lebron is great but

Robert "Big Shot Bob" Horry is clutch, Bird was clutch, MJ was clutch, Kobe is clutch, I'd even consider Boom Dizzle clutch!!! Last night was a great performance and Lebron did carry the team but for every game he is responsible for winning we is twice the blame for them losing.

gdubb

by gogomaplata on Jun 1, 2007 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you are an absolute joke

27 of his teams last 28 points agains the pistons in the estern conference finals, including EVERY clutch shot in the game is not clutch. Oh I get it now thanks for enlightening me.

by dallaswarrior on Jun 1, 2007 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let me recant my statement...

Lebron is inconsistently clutch. I admit, he had a great game but it was only one game.

gdubb

by gogomaplata on Jun 1, 2007 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he is 22...

he was clutch last year against the wizards with 2 game winning drives. Game 3 he was clutch down the stretch, game 4 he hit 2 Big free throws, then last game speaks for itself, I think he is more clutch then you think.

by dallaswarrior on Jun 1, 2007 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Define "CLUTCH"

gdubb

by gogomaplata on Jun 1, 2007 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You guys are ridiculous

Lebron is very close to bringing his otherwise mediocre team to the NBA finals as a 22 year old.

He has hit a lot of clutch shots and missed some others. All those guys that have been mentioned missed "clutch" shots too-- you just don't remember them. Plus they had better teams surrounding them than Lebron. Go back and see what Kobe was like in his first few seasons-- he was definitely NOT clutch.

Lebron has surpassed the incredible hype that came with him into the league. And he comports himself admirably. In that sense, he is most certainly clutch.

by DrDre on Jun 1, 2007 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What playoffs?

Is there still games going on after the shaft jobs the warriors and suns got? I wouldn't give the NBA the satisfaction of adding to their skanky ratings.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Jun 1, 2007 10:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

whats amazing about this is

that he was the only person that scored in both overtimes and i think it was after the 8 minute mark, thats incredible

by guutbaby on Jun 1, 2007 10:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1Px-jPm_TU

NUBAYProductions
http://www.nubayproductions.com

by SinghaYadadaYeeYEE on Jun 1, 2007 11:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've been watching this series

Because if detroit wins i know I won't watch the finals, and I sure as hell didn't watch the WCFs.

Personally I've enjoyed it for two reasons:

LeBron
The Cavs are the antithesis of the warriors. Walk the ball up every time. Have two bigs on the court at all times (not counting LBJ who is more of a big than any warrior besides Biedrins). Really only one consistent scorer (compared to about 4 for the dubs). No swingmen- just pure guards and bigs (compared to the warriors 3-4 GFs).

Thats not to say I don't enjoy watching the warriors style. I actually prefer it MUCH MUCH more. But the Cavs are still fun to watch and show the game in a different light.

Here's to hoping we don't have to suffer through San Antonio-Detroit.

by BingBluNT on Jun 1, 2007 11:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The past three games

LeBron has won for the Cavs. Last night was just crazy, it wasnt just the scoring it was how he did it. I was wondering if the Pistons could stop him from dunking, much less scoring. Down 1, and he dunks it, chauncey hits a 3, and he dunks it again. then he starts making some crazy jumpers. If you guys havent been watching the series I think you have been missing out. The 5 games have been decided by a total of 16 points, and every game has gone down to the wire, at least turn on and watch the last 2 minutes of game 6 and/or 7 if it happens.