King James Gospel
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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 /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 19: Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James (23) watches his pass to teammate Tristan Thompson (13) go between Bosotn Celtics’ Aron Baynes (left) and Marcus Morris (right). The Boston Celtics visited the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game Three of their NBA Eastern Conference Finals playoff series at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH on May 19, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 19: Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James (23) watches his pass to teammate Tristan Thompson (13) go between Bosotn Celtics’ Aron Baynes (left) and Marcus Morris (right). The Boston Celtics visited the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game Three of their NBA Eastern Conference Finals playoff series at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH on May 19, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Stopper #4: Marcus Morris

Playoff series: 2018 Eastern Conference Finals

There was a lot of talking leading up to the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals. Before the start of the series, Marcus Morris told a reporter “Personally, I think I’m the best at defending him (LeBron James) in the league”. These comments had everyone expecting James to come out scorching in response for game one.

However, James did the exact opposite. In game one, James scored only 15 points and shot 32% from the floor. This performance had the league going crazy. People began to think that maybe Morris actually had the tools needed to stop James.

Well, James would put that narrative to an end very quickly. In game two, James scored 42 points but the Cavaliers still lost. Falling down 2-0 in the series, the Cavaliers responded by winning both home games. The Celtics won game five in Boston and the series returned to Cleveland. Facing elimination in game six, James scored 46 points and had 11 rebounds.

In the series-deciding game seven, James was as great as ever. James dropped 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists. Fittingly, James scored the dagger and-one layup over Morris himself.

Next: Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 30 all-time greatest players

After game one, James finished the series averaging 36.7 points, per game on 55% shooting. Once again, James showed the world that it takes a truly special defender to slow him down.