The Lakers vs Warriors game stood up to every realistic expectation and then some. This clash between LeBron James and Stephen Curry was by far one of the most interesting games so far this season.
And easily ranks as the best game in play-in tournament history. Oh wait there’s only been 4 of such and this by far was the “creme de la creme.”
Stephen Curry went off during this game, scoring a very efficient 37 points, and grabbing 7 rebounds. He was (6-9) from the land of three as well.
However, as the game went on it was LeBron James and the zebras who played a huge role in the outcome. With less than a minute left in the game, and the shot clock winding down James hit a 30-foot heave over the outstretched arm of Curry.
That make proved to be the deciding factor in a hard fought 103-100 Lakers win. A win that clinched the 7th seed in the Western Conference playoffs and a date with the upstart Phoenix Suns.
FS1 personality Skip Bayless, a longtime LeBron James detractor always has a hot stove take following a LBJ performance and last night was no different.
So when this spectacular clash between the Lakers and Warriors concluded, many including myself couldn’t wait to hear his analysis which has become predictable at times.
“Lucky desperate three by LeBron with the pressure at the end of the shot clock. He’s at his best when there’s no drive-or-launch decision. He can just heave and hope. If he misses, no expectation, no fault. It’s an “impossible” shot. Besides, he was “seeing three rims.” Bayless said via Twitter last night.
To be fair to Bayless, LBJ did indeed did get a tad bit lucky on the shot. The player was clearly not in rhythm, and had to throw it up from deep to avoid a shot-clock violation.
However isn’t that the case with just about most clutch shots on NBA history? To make a clutch shot yes you need skill, but in many cases you need a bit of luck. And sometimes when those come together we get magical “LUCKY” moments that we witnessed last night.
Lost in all of this is how an undermanned Warriors team pushed the defending champs to the end and almost had them. With the great Steph Curry doing what he does, along with “Two Way Wiggs” aka Andrew Wiggins having a career year. Along with the heart and soul of the team Draymond Green providing great defense, grit, toughness and a basketball IQ not shown by many this team is dangerous.
They’ll face the Grizzlies on Friday at the Chase Center in San Fran for the eighth and final spot in the playoffs and a right to face the top-seeded Utah Jazz.
No matter what happens this Warriors team will be a problem next year with Klay Thompson returning. Hopefully they can swing a trade for Karl-Anthony Towns.
Finally all of you yelling trade Green for the longest have little to no understanding of his effect on the “DUBS.”
