King James Gospel
Fansided

LeBron James: The myth of the “LeBron Stopper”

By Tony Pesta

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 27: LeBron James
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 27: LeBron James /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 01: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers sets a screen on Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 1, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 01: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers sets a screen on Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 1, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Stopper #3: Draymond Green

Playoff series: 2016 NBA Finals

The 2016 NBA Finals started off poorly for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. After four games, the Cavaliers trailed the series 3-1. James had been averaging only 24.8 points on 48.2% shooting. The Warriors looked certain to close the series out in game five.

Then, Draymond Green got suspended for taunting at the end of game four. Green had been the defensive anchor for the Warriors.

In game five, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving exploded for 82 combined points. James and Irving both scored 41 and put on two of the best Finals performances ever seen.

Warriors fans everywhere claimed the only reason for James being able to score 41 was because of the absence of Green. They said there would be no way James could have that type of an offensive night with Green playing.

With Green back in the lineup for game six, James responded to the doubt. James dropped 41 points for the second straight game. Green was hopeless in attempting to slow down James. After winning game six in impressive fashion, all the momentum was in Cleveland’s favor.

James finished the final three games of the series by averaging 36.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game.