Finally, we can talk about something other than crab dribbles.
Since last summer, Lebron James has had a bitter taste in his mouth after nearly single handedly taking the Celtics out of the playoffs, and chalking himself up for a Finals showdown with the Lakers. He trimmed down, and took it out on the rest of the world bringing home a gold medal in the Olympics.
Enter game 1 of the season...Lebron was looking for some sort of redemption and revenge. Instead, Boston got their rings, and started their road to a 27-2 start. It was the first game for a new look Cavalier squad, and they still needed to mesh, and figure it out. Needless to say, I think they've figured it out.
Bron Bron is having an amazing season... With or without those 4th quarters. The chemistry behind the team is incredible, and everybody knows what they have to do. Tied for the best record in the NBA with Kobe's Lakers, I imagine Lebron would love to involve himself with five other teams contributing to Boston's official slump. Better yet, being Boston's fourth loss in a row?
"I can't say [Friday] is just another game, I'd be lying. You want to win as many games and try to get home court throughout the playoffs."
For Lebron, its truly is more than just a game. It's revenge. It's the beginning.
Of what? Many things.
The beginning of proving that Lebron and his team are at championship level. Yes, they one of the best teams in basketball. Some would argue the best. But let's look at their 6 losses.
Boston, 85-90
New Orleans, 92-104
Detroit, 89-96
Atlanta, 92-97
Miami, 95-104
Washington, 77-80
That's 5 playoff teams from last year, and a Miami team who would have been in the playoffs had Dwayne Wade been around all season.
It's often said, that good teams beat the teams they are supposed to beat. Great teams win the big games.
The Cleveland team that lost to Boston isn't the team that's playing in Cleveland tonight.
They are the team that is the only undefeated team at home, standing tall at 18-0.
After a media session on Wednesday following the victory over Charlotte, Lebron was glued to the televisions in the Cavalier locker room playing the Houston-Boston game. There wasn't a question that Lebron was rooting for the Rockets that night.
Tonight can be the beginning of a new swagger.
Boston has Cleveland's number. Paul Pierce has the MVP trophy that Lebron wants. The Celtics own the Larry O'Brien Trophy that Lebron relishes.
Since the 04-05 season, Cleveland is 9-0 against the Celtics at home. It's not saying much since the Celtics only recently became relevant again, but after losing to the Celtics on opening night, and with losses coming at the hands of teams they could very well face in the playoffs, it's not about just winning another home game tonight. It's about showing the rest of the league that these Cavs are for real. That Lebron can be the beast he is not against the Bobcats or the Bulls, which bring blowouts and 4th quarter rest, but against teams that matter. In games that mean something.
After losing to the Lakers on Christmas Day, the Celtics took their frustrations out on the Kings, dismantling them and winning by over 30 points. Losing 6 of 8 games, and a 3 game losing streak... I imagine this Celtic team has a lot of frustration to take out tonight. Just as Lebron has a lot to prove tonight.
You know Lebron gets up for these games. There's going to be just a little bit more powder in his hands tonight. He'll break a sweat a little bit faster in his pre-game warm-ups...and that Jay-Z album in his headphones on the way to game is a little bit louder.
Can he turn his already remarkable game up one more notch? And can he get his team to match that intensity?
I took a lot of heat for my first article hear at BSO about how Lebron was the best in the league. I'm sticking to my guns. People forget he nearly beat the Celtics by himself last year. He's really a big man away from absolutely making the NBA Finals his annual home.
He stole that chalk thing for me
Hello?
yes he did.