The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, largely due to the efforts of LeBron James. James played the role of point guard for the Cavs against Chicago and it paid dividends. Here’s why they should employ the strategy more often.
Throughout the history of the NBA, there have been players to break the mold of their positions. Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Penny Hardaway all found success as point guards despite being taller than most of their peers at the position. Their height and strength allowed them to impose their will on smaller players, and they had the dexterity and basketball IQ to run an offense at a high level.
A player that also possesses those skills and attributes is LeBron James. The 15-year NBA veteran has often been his team’s primary ball handler and even its primary facilitator. Despite this, Tuesday marked the first time in over a decade that James was formally given the keys to the offense.
Coach Tyronn Lue announced the lineup change hours before tipoff, and it proved to be a good decision.
Ty Lue is starting LeBron at point guard tonight alongside JR Smith, Jae Crowder, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson https://t.co/4oliiLNJRF
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 24, 2017
In his first start at point guard since 2005, James scored 34 points and added 13 assists. He was able to take advantage of mismatches on the offensive end all night long. James’ strength allowed him to out-muscle the smaller Jerian Grant and Justin Holliday, and get to the rim for high-percentage looks.
Having James at point guard also allowed the Cavs to truly open up the offense for the first time this season. The Cavs shot 38 threes in Tuesday’s win, by far their most attempts beyond the arc so far this year. James’ ability to find the open man led to great looks for Kyle Korver and Kevin Love, who made a combined 6 threes in the victory.
With Isaiah Thomas out for at least the next few months and with Derrick Rose currently suffering from an ankle injury, LeBron as the team’s primary guard makes a lot of sense.
For one, it will create severe matchup problems for most teams. Most NBA teams do not have a player who is as physically imposing as LeBron, and there certainly aren’t many players who match up with him athletically.
When LeBron acts as the Cavs’ primary facilitator, it makes the job of the team’s other players easier. Kevin Love can be more aggressive on offense, Kyle Korver can focus on getting open, and players like Channing Frye become playable again.
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James’ ability to make the players around him better has always been one of the strongest parts of his game. On nights like Tuesday, he really has the opportunity to show that he still can, in a major way.