So much has been made of LeBron James postseason.
There are those 40-point games. There are the triple-doubles. James has even had two game-winners en route to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Still, James real moment, the moment of truth, if you will, is tonight against the Celtics in Boston.
Oh yes.
With the best-of-seven series tied at 2-2, James needs to beat the Celtics on their own turf.
LeBron James EPIC Full Game 4 Highlights vs Celtics 2018 Playoffs ECF – 44 Points, LeBOSTON!
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For sure, it wont be easy. Boston is 9-0 in the playoffs at the TD Garden.
But this is a moment for a great player to do something great. To carry his team on his back. To win when it doesnt look possible.
If James wants to enhance that legacy, try to convince some that he is, indeed, equal to or better than Michael Jordan. Heres a good spot.
We dont know what were going to see in Game 5, James tod the media. Only the game gods know that. We know its going to be a hostile environment. We know their fans are going to be very energetic, but we have to just have our same mindset we had when we came home for those two games.
If our minds are there, we can put ourselves in a position to be victorious.
We get it. The Cavs arent that good. Ive been saying that even after all those trades at the NBA trade deadline. And weve heard all the LeBron lovers cry that he doesnt have enough help. Its true.
Still, it doesnt mean that James cant beat the star-less Celtics in the pivotal game in this series. If anyone can do, its James.
We seen James deliver huge Game 5s in his storied past. In 2007, he scored 48 points in Detroit. It turned that series and helped the Cavs get to the Finals, James first trip there.
LeBron James dominates Pistons in Game 5 of 2007 Eastern Conference finals | ESPN Archives
LeBron James scored 48 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.
This will be the 15th time LBJ has played in a Game 5 with a series tied at 2-2. In those games, he averaged 32.3 points. But his team was just 8-6 in those Game 5s.
James needs this Game 5 win badly.
It would be one thing if Kyrie Irving was healthy and playing with the Celts. But hes not.
You probably could say the same thing if Gordon Hayward never got injured in the first quarter of the seasons first game and missed the entire year.
James cant lose to this group. And its not disrespect to the young and hungry Celtics that refused to fold despite all the injuries.
There are times when a star, and thats clearly James, has to impose his will on a game, take over and let the Celtics know that their storybook postseason wont have a happy ending.
Instead, the Big Bad Wolf will prevail when it matters most.
And this moment will be different from the two game-winners. In both cases, those shots weren’t as big as many made them out to be.
Dont get it twisted. Both were great makes.
Neither, however, were clutch. You see, the score was tied in both games. It was a win-win shot for James. If he missed that shot against Indiana, the game would have gone to overtime. Same thing against Toronto.
Clutch is making a basket or play when your team needs it or it could result in a loss.
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In this case, James has a safety blanket. If the Cavs lose tonight, they can tie the series at home in Game 6. After all, the Celtics are 1-6 on the road these playoffs. They should be 0-7. Philly gift-wrapped Bostons lone win.
But the road the Cavs want to travel is not a Game 7 in Boston. Its a Game 6 closeout game in Cleveland.
LeBron can make it happen. Hes that good, that talented.
A win in Game 5 would put James just a home win away from his eighth straight trip to the Finals. And while most will be amazed if they get there – remember the Cavs were down 0-2 after the first two games – peeps shouldnt be.
James is the best player on the planet. And little help or no help, he still should have been able to beat a talented group of role players.
Thats what great players do, especially in big games on the road.
