Current case in point: LeBron James.
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James scored 23 points, grabbed five rebounds and took over the fourth quarter of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 96-86 win over the NY Knicks.
James did not shoot the ball any better in the second half, but he took over the game in the fourth quarter. He was 2-of-6 in the first quarter and his only two baskets were dunks.
Frustrated by his play and his tough shooting night, James tore open the sleeves on his jersey in the midst of a 4-of-11 shooting half.
“I was in my own way”, he said.
“I’m hearing a lot of noise about this whole jersey thing that went on tonight. I couldn’t do nothing to my face”. I was a little frustrated with my shot, couldn’t make a bucket.
Small forward Richard Jefferson added 17 points off the bench and center Timofey Mozgov chipped in 13 points and six rebounds for the Cavs, who have trailed at halftime four times in six games.
With 51.1 seconds left in the third quarter, the Cavaliers saw their first lead of the game after backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova hooked up with forward Tristan Thompson for another one of their signature alley-oops everyone has become accustomed to seeing. However, Williams has already proven to be a suitable replacement in Irving’s absence, which is certainly aided by the fact that he and LeBron look like they never left each other’s side. They shot 8-23 from the field, 1-10 from behind the arc and put up an underwhelming 18 points. “You got to make adjustments to that”.
“Every time I shoot it feels like it’s just pulling right up underneath my arm”, James said in March 2014 after shooting 6 of 18 in a loss while playing for the Miami Heat.
The Cavaliers will be required to wear this jersey three to six times this season.
In the middle of the game, James ripped his sleeves as it is preventing him from shooting comfortably. And then he said he loves the jerseys and wants fans to buy them.
“To be able to accomplish something like that and my game is not predicated on just scoring, it’s pretty cool”, James told ESPN. “I’ve just got to continue to work at it. It’s not like I’m Steph Curry or J.J. Redick to begin with”.
Rose will be wearing a protective mask against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the National Basketball Association season opener.
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Of course, the 20,562 at The Q were highly appreciative of James, what he accomplished on the court, and of the Cavs’ 108-102 win over the Sixers. Perhaps it was the uniforms the Cavaliers unveiled. One fan waiting on a concession line thought the V-necked tops “look like pajamas”. I’ll wear them for 48 minutes in a ballgame.
