“We have a goal and our goal is not nine wins”.
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James and Abdul-Jabbar first did the same, then embraced and patted each other on the back. What he’s been watching is, how will they react when the lose a game or two? In the first two series against Detroit & Atlanta, they won with a barrage of 3’s (including an NBA-Record 25) against the Hawks in Game 2. He complained in the past about being the only player on Team USA without playoff experience.
The Cavs haven’t blown the Raptors out through the first quarter, but LeBron James – who was 10-of-12 from the field in a Game 1 blowout – has been almost flawless in his first 8:13 of play. Sure. But it is doubtful that they handle the team that comes out of the West. Now, he takes James out near the end of the first quarter, starts him in the second quarter with reserves and the results in the playoffs are impressive.
It’s a rough proxy, but a glance at teammate efficiency and usage supports this line of thought.
“When Kyrie and Kevin play at a high level it opens the floor for LeBron”, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said.
They’re playing big roles, too.
23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists – and with a supporting cast headed by guard Kyrie Irving (26 points) and forward Kevin Love (19 points), the Cavaliers looked nearly unstoppable, seemingly headed to the NBA Championship series against either Golden State or Oklahoma City.
It’s his 15th playoff triple-double of his career and he also passed Shaquille O’Neal for fourth on the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring list. He’s never attempted so few mid-range jumpers over the course of a full regular season or postseason.
Love missed the entire championship series against Golden State a year ago with a dislocated shoulder, while Irving fractured a kneecap in Game 2. Before Game 2, Casey referred to James as a “computer”. The Raptors’ series stretched seven games twice, with overtimes thrown in for the fun of it. His burden here is markedly less than in his final Miami season, the first for which these SportVU stats are available. “We missed out on our chance previous year, and I think we’re relishing the moment and we just want to continue that going forward”.
Lead the playoffs in scoring at 29.1 points per game.
The aura of invincibility had been stripped from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the past year, losing in the NBA Finals to the Warriors and then facing internal strife this season.
Oh, what a difference a year makes.
Easier to assume with confidence are the benefits of a more complete supporting cast, both from a health and chemistry standpoint.
Love made his impact felt early. But with the Cavs’ undefeated in the playoffs and headed to Toronto to try to finish off their third sweep, it might not have been the only reason.
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“We’re a well-balanced team, not perimeter oriented”, James insisted Tuesday morning.
