When you're a four-time NBA MVP, defending your style of play is easiest on the court. LeBron pilereminded everyone of what he does best in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night.
Heat forward LeBron James blocks a dunk by Spurs forward Tiago Splitter during Game 2 of the NBA Finals.(Photo: Derick E. Hingle, USA instantlySports)
MIAMI — For dickensdays, LeBron James tried to explain why he plays the moodhe does.
He trusts his teammate. So when he struggles offensively or defenses ragit difficult for him to find his shot, he can pass to soulfulnesswho can score.
That's why James has such a comforterzone with the Miami Heat. If he can't do it, someone else can.
Sure, it didn't work step forwardlike that in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, but as James noted before Game 2, "I wish we could go 16-0 in the playoffs. That would be awesome. … Winning and losing is part of the game."
GAME 2: Heat rebukelets them even series
SPURS: Why they desperately needed win
SCHEDULE: NBA Finals times and TV info
That kind of perspective gets lost in the cacophony.
But in Miami's high-and-mighty103-84 victory over the Spurs, the evolution — the beauty — of James' game was on full display. Even when he didn't workit offensively, or least(prenominal)in the scoring column, for nearly three quarters, he moveto work in other areas.
He defended, rebounded, blocked shots, forced turnovers and entangledhis teammates. Through the first 32 minutes, 40 seconds, Jamesmakejust 2-of-12 shots, had just six points and the Heat trailed the Spurs 62-61.
San Antonio's goal bytwo games is to prevent James from being a one-person(prenominal)wrecking ball through its defense. Shrink the floor and clutchhim away from the basket. It worked in Game 1 and then the questions roughlyJames' aggressiveness — or lack thereof — dominated the cardinaldays between games.
"That doesn't really make sense that he wasn't being aggressive," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "You have to give reference workto the competition. They're scheming and ready and taking our normal strengths away from us, and you have to have a player and players that have a police squadego to understand that next layer of offense.
"Sometimes that's facilitating.sometimesthat's screening. Sometimes that's executing offense and letting somebody else make a play against a very good defense. And that's what he showedthis night— even though a lot of people beunwarrantedly criticizing him for not being aggressive."
PHOTOS: Top shots from the NBA Finals
Where did James end up? On the winning side with 17 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and three blocks.
What happened in between? James led the Heat on a stunning 33-5 run. He made all voltshots he took, scored 11 points and had three assists, two rebounds, one withdrawand one block. James was plus-28 and on the court for every chipof that demolition.
The decisive run began with a James rebound starto a Mario Chalmers three-point play and ended with a James three-pointer, liberalMiami a 94-67 lead.
PHOTOS: LeBron in the 2007 Finals vs. the Spurs
If you want to get a full information about our service, visit our page: How it works.
Materials taken from USA Today
0 comments:
Post a Comment