LeBron James was exceedingly gracious in the aftermath of a Christmas Day defeat that brought back bitter memories of the 2017 National Basketball Association Finals. He talked about certified game-changer Kevin Durant in glowing terms; “He’s one of the leaders in shot blocks a game. He had five tonight so he’s been doing a heck of a job of taking the individual matchup and protecting the rim, too,” the four-time league Most Valuable Player noted of the Cavaliers’ biggest thorn during their bridesmaid finish and through yesterday’s set-to.
Significantly, James could have lamented the spotty officiating that marred the highly anticipated contest. On at least two occasions in the crunch, he was fouled by the very player he praised; the armbar contact with 24 and a half ticks left in the match was particularly unsettling, as it turned what should have been a certain dunk into a turnover. And just like that, a one-point deficit turned into five, and the Cavaliers were done. Instead, he willingly gave Durant — with whom he exchanged pleasantries after the buzzer — props, in no small measure because he understood that he outcome was determined by a confluence of self-injurious events.
Given how James was amped for the occasion, he will, no doubt, lament his underwhelming showing; he went below his season averages across the board, with his seven turnovers glaringly making the Cavaliers’ uphill battle all the more Sisyphean in nature. Against the Warriors, whose chances of winning were pegged heading into the home stand to be anywhere between 75% and 90%, not taking care of the rock is fatal. And it certainly didn’t help that the visitors shot an atrocious 31.8% from the field.
Three weeks from now, the Cavaliers will try to return the favor at the Q. As with yesterday’s encounter, the upcoming one will not make or break their title hopes. James knows it, but couldn’t care less. At this point, and with the setback still fresh, bragging rights will be all that’s in his mind. He needs to pay the Warriors back. More importantly, he needs to pay Durant back. His body of work in his 15th year indicates that he’s as good as he has ever been, and he’s bent on showing it.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Basic Energy Corp.
