I sat in my chair to watch Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. In my mind, it was pretty obvious that Cleveland was going to come out on top.
I wasn’t basing this off any stats. There wasn’t a Magic 8-Ball in front of me. I didn’t even look at most of the matchups in the game.
Instead, I saw the look on LeBron James’ face prior to the game. That’s all I needed to know when determining what the eventual outcome would be.
Before you call me a fan boy, or some other term that’s become so prevalent in the social media age, consider this: Cleveland had lost the first game at home, and was facing the real possibility of an early exit from not only the playoffs, but this series. Over 90 percent of teams that fall down 2-0 in a playoff series over the past decade have gone on to lose said series. That number inches up to the mid 90’s when the first two games are lost at home.
James wasn’t about to let this happen.
The Cavaliers finished +31 with LeBron James on the court and -16 with him off the court in Game 2.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 7, 2015
The look I mentioned above. It was one of determination. One of world domination. And LeBron responded by putting up one of the better overall performances of the playoff season thus far. He scored 33 points, recorded eight rebounds, dished out five assists and finished with a plus-minus of +31. Cleveland opened up a 20-point lead after one quarter—a quarter that saw James go for 14 points. It set the tone for the remainder of the game. In the end, Cleveland evened the series with a 106-91 victory.
We can talk about stats until we are blue in the face. James’ overall statistical performance throughout what has been a Hall of Fame career compares favorably to the Magic Johnson’s and Oscar Robertson’s of the world. It is, however, his leadership ability on the court that will stand the test of time.
At one point in Game 2, Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson drove down the lane for what appeared to be an easy shot just inside the free-throw line. Before shooting the ball, he looked at James, who gave the forward permission to take the shot. To some, this might seem like James overplaying his role on the team. To others, it represented a perfect shot of him playing field general, even without the ball.
And the results are there.
Not only is James working to bring a championship back to Cleveland—a rallying cry for the team all season—he’s looking to earn his fifth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. Remember, that’s something that Jordan never even accomplished. In fact, the 2013-2014 Heat became just the fourth team to earn four consecutive trips to the Finals, joining Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics (10 straight appearances), Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers (1982-1985) and Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics (1984-1987).
Some may still hold ill-will towards LeBron for leaving Cleveland years back. It’s true that he joined a championship contender, and put that team over the top. It’s true that that Miami Heat were Dwyane Wade’s team.
Hold that against him all you want, but there’s no questioning that the Cavaliers are LeBron’s team. And he’s the primary reason they are in position to potentially earn a NBA Finals appearance.
Courtesy of USA Today: The Heat lost more than a player when James returned to the Cavs.
Kevin Love agreed to a trade to Cleveland because James decided on a homecoming. The front office made multiple in-season deals to improve the team because James was actually on the team. Heck, the Cavaliers possessed the first pick in the draft less than a year ago. They were an afterthought, even in a Cleveland sports scene that didn’t have much to root for.
Not only has James brought relevancy back to the city of Cleveland, he’s brought it back to the Eastern Conference as a whole. In doing so, he’s much more than a trendsetter. He’s transcendent.
James may never be on the winning side of a debate when compared to Michael Jordan, but he’s the closest thing the association has had since No. 23 hung up his sneakers. I just wonder whether we are going to appreciate what James has done a decade down the road. I wonder whether future generations of basketball fans are going to hear stories of the greatness that has been bestowed upon us since James entered the NBA in 2003.
For some reason, I don’t think so.
Photo: USA Today Sports