NBA Finals: 3 Takeaways from the Cavs’ Game 1 Loss
By Reece Helms
3. LeBron James’ career high for points in the NBA Finals still wasn’t enough
Jun 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game one of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
As said before, if you were told LeBron James scored 44 points in Game 1, wouldn’t that make you assume the Cleveland Cavaliers won?
David Blatt couldn’t of asked LeBron James to play a better game. He took over the game offensively, forcing his way into the paint, and getting to the free throw line (6-10).
James had 8 rebounds, and dished out six assists. Although he would have liked to have more assists, six is still a solid number considering he took 38 shots, which was a career high:
LeBron James' 38 field goal attempts were the most he's ever taken, in the playoffs or regular season.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 5, 2015
It was a game that the Cleveland Cavaliers easily could have won. LeBron James gave you 44 points, Kyrie gave you 23 points and also played great defense on Stephen Curry. Tristan Thompson had 15 rebounds, and Timofey Mozgov played great offensively scoring 16 points.
LeBron James has had a great playoff run thus far, but you cannot expect him to score 40+ points every game for the rest of the series.
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We learned in Game 1 that it will take more than a dominant LeBron James for the Cavaliers to win this series. Someone else needs to step up, especially with the health of Kyrie Irving still uncertain.
A player has never won an NBA title by himself. It’s never happened. Despite popular belief, Michael Jordan had NBA All-Star, and Hall-of-Fame teammates, he did not win “by himself.”
Cleveland does not have any Hall-of-Fame players on the roster other than LeBron James. Kyrie Irving has a shot down the road, but that is a different story.
It was great to see LeBron take a lot of shots, but in order for the Cavaliers to win Game 2, he needs to get his teammates involved. He will not beat the Warriors scoring all of the points himself.
The health of Kyrie Irving will obviously have a huge impact on Game 2, as LeBron James desperately needs his fellow All-Star teammate to be healthy for the remainder of the NBA Finals.