June 2, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) speaks to media following the 110-77 loss against Golden State Warriors in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
“Until it’s time for me to have one of those games, just relax”. That’s what LeBron said in Game 5’s postgame after citing the lack of adversity facing them tied 2-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals with the Toronto Raptors, but having lost two straight. LeBron, it’s time for you to have one of those games.
It’s time for LeBron James to put the Cleveland Cavaliers on his back. For all the negativity thrown in his direction, he’s been the best player on the floor during both games. He’s going to have to take over for the Cavaliers have any chance. Detractors say there are no answers for the Warriors, though the Thunder had some. Analysts and LeBron, say LeBron has to do more and better. What can he do?
Play 45 minutes a game. It’s not that he should never rest, but every game is now do or die basketball. Secondly, when he sits, the Warriors go on massive runs and the Cavs find it hard to score. This could be due to LeBron accounting for 30.8% of made field goals, 32% of made free throws and 39.6% of assists.
Score aggressively from tipoff. There is a need to set the tone in this game. Playmaking will always be his greatest strength, but in order to set the tone, he needs to take over from the start. Though he shot 5 times in the first quarter of Game 2, he was held scoreless. Even if LeBron has to force the issue, he has to make his presence felt for the rest of the series.
Be the primary playmaker. Let’s call it what it is. Kyrie Irving isn’t a consistent playmaker when it comes to getting shots for others. Look for the King to look like the Sheriff pre-snap. He’ll be responsible for getting everybody going, including Kyrie, who is 8-9 from the field in the playoffs when shooting after receiving a pass, versus 4-27 when simply doing it all on his own. In two games, Kyrie has five total assists, with just one coming last game.
Keep control of the ball. On drives, LeBron has consistently fumbled the ball leading to strips and unforced turnovers. Perhaps an earlier gather will let him cuff the ball further away from defenders. In addition, he has to make sure the others are ready for a pass. These things will allow him to cut down on his 5.5 turnovers per game in these playoffs.
Play terrific defense. He did this for the most part in Game 2 and most of the playoffs both on and off the ball. Last game, he had multiple steals, strips, deflections and was as effective stealing the ball as Andrew Bogut was blocking it. However, he hasn’t shown any effort in closing out hard on the shooter, leading to open threes. Draymond Green hit a couple of contested jumpers last game, the rest? He was incredibly open.
Communicate on defense. The Cavaliers need direction on where to go on both offense and defense. Point and bark LeBron has been absent. Point and wave your hand absently LeBron has been present. The Cavaliers often look lost on defensive assignments. Free safety LeBron James should position himself better on-ball and fly around on defense.
Box out and rebound. Multiple times, LeBron has stood back waiting to receive the pass from the rebound instead of getting it himself. At times, he’ll be the tallest player on the court. He really needs to take advantage of his size. Is Lue telling him that? Despite averaging 10 rebounds per game so far, and having four in total offensively they were all in the first game; he hasn’t really challenged Green and the Warriors on the glass as well as he could.
Keep other Cavs mentally engaged. His body language has been poor and he’s showing frustration and disappointment. There are many other Cavs that rely on his energy and confidence. As a leader, he has to keep the group focused and their mind clear. The Cavs look defeated while the Warriors have a parade on the bench and it’s only Game 2? There’s an issue with that picture.
Shoot the open shot like it’s 2013. Back in South Beach, LeBron was a killer from midrange. Perhaps Dwyane Wade should text him and tell him that. The Warriors are constantly going under screens and packing the paint to make it hard for LeBron to convert. Should he make his elbow and free throw line jumpers, it could open up opportunities for the Cavs to score in the paint.
Keep attacking Iguodala and making him work. Iggy is a great defender. Yet, LeBron can back up, attack Iguodala using a combination of his explosiveness, size, and the combined space from his steps back and LeBron’s positioning. Play him any closer and he may get the screen to take an explosive step towards the basket. Play under the screen, and like he’s still employed by the Miami Heat, he’ll make the three-point, elbow, free throw line, or baseline jumper.
This is the checklist LeBron James will have to go through in order to defeat the Golden State Warriors. The King said when it’s time to takeover and he will. Now is as good a time as any. I remember the triumph on his face after he won his second championship. It’s now time for the greatest player in the world to appear and put this Cleveland Cavaliers team on his back.
