King James Gospel
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“X-Factor” LeBron James

By Quenton S. Albertie

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Tim Legler, though undoubtedly impressed with the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry, believes LeBron James is the Cleveland Cavaliers x-factor.

This statement, made on ESPN’s Finals preview last night, goes against the grain, as many believe Kyrie Irving will have to step up and Kevin Love will have to show up in order to get the Cavs past the Warriors, and that their play is the x-factor.

Often, x-factor players are more role players as well. Channing Frye, Matthew Dellavedova, J.R. Smith and others fit the standard description better.

However, Legler cites LeBron’s ability to cover all the holes of his team and elevate his game to a level needed to beat the 73-win Golden State Warriors in a seven game series. Some, also, might even point to the duo of Matthew Dellavedova and Iman Shumpert for the defense they’ll play against Steph Curry. Others still, might point to the recent personnel and coaching changes.

Yet, no player for the Cavaliers is going to match the potentially legendary show that Curry could put on except for James himself. His versatility, his mastering of the game, is the x-factor itself.

The 4 best lineups for the Cavs, to me, let LeBron play in his 4 distinct basketball styles to this point.

Traditional Starters

Kyrie Irving
JR Smith
LeBron James
Kevin Love
Tristan Thompson

Recently, we’ve seen LeBron do one thing most often within the starting lineup and that’s run through defenders on his way to the rim. He does it off hand-offs, screens, pick and rolls, cuts, in transition and just plain isolation. He’s as prolific in the paint as Curry is behimore so line, if not just slightly moreso. That type of play will be needed in order for the Cavaliers to control the pace and get easy points.

Looking For Revenge Lineup

Kyrie Irving
Matthew Dellavedova
Iman Shumpert
LeBron James
Kevin Love

This lineup is part ’15 NBA Finals & part injured for the Finals Cavaliers. I’d expect LeBron to focus on scoring a lot in this lineup, even without the ball. This is like a revenge lineup for the Cavaliers, who get to prove there would be a difference if Irving and Love were healthy last year. Three guards minimize the chance LeBron would have to guard Curry or Klay, and he’d spend a lot of time making sure Green didn’t gain momentum.

James Gang

LeBron James
Matthew Dellavedova
Iman Shumpert
Richard Jefferson
Channing Frye

This lineup has allowed NBA fans to remember “1-5” Bron. In this lineup, you see LeBron playing every position, from running the point to guarding the rim, from grabbing the rebound to shooting the catch-and shoot three. From guarding the best player period, making their midseason acquisitions look like the best midseason NBA pickups, period.

This group has run “Horns Rub” to perfection leading to LeBron layups or dunks, Frye shots from deep or Delly layups/runners.

More from King James Gospel

“BFF” Lineup

LeBron James
JR Smith
Richard Jefferson
Channing Frye
Tristan Thompson

This lineup features length, spacing, intelligence, but especially chemistry. These players will get him the ball where he needs it, do what he needs, and be where he needs them to be. He’ll orchestrate the offense and take what the defense gives him with mastery. He’ll wreak a lot of havoc in this extra-lengthy lineup.