After 13 seasons in the NBA, LeBron James shouldn’t have to be told that he needs to take over in big games. But on Sunday, millions of Americans were screaming at their televisions for the Cavaliers star to do just that for his dormant team. TVs must despise LeBron for all the abuse they’ve taken over the years.
He had no points in the first quarter Sunday, the first time that has happened to him in a playoff game, and the Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals with a 110-77 blowout victory. He finished with 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
Not good enough. Not nearly good enough.
Taking over is what NBA stars are supposed to do, and as much as I like LeBron and his all-around skills, that’s the hole in his game. Right now, it looks like a sink hole that swallows cars.
The Warriors have more talent than the Cavs do, and it allows them to spend more effort on stopping James. But still.
James has been to six straight Finals, an extremely impressive feat. But still.
He’ll go down as one of the top five players in NBA history. But still.
Too many “but stills’’ when it comes to LeBron. He needs to spend the rest of this series being the beast that he can be, that he should be. It’s not in his generous nature to be that way. But this isn’t the time for “facilitating’’ or “getting my teammates involved.’’ This is a desperate time for a team that needs him to lead the way.
The criticism aimed at James frustrates Hall of Famer Jerry West – and he works in the Warriors’ front office.
“I don’t want to sound like Donald Trump, but it’s hard for me to believe someone doesn’t recognize his greatness,’’ he said. “This guy does everything, and he’s competitive as hell. Frankly, I wish people would leave him alone.”
People do recognize James’ greatness. And those same people will leave him alone when he plays the way he’s capable of playing in the Finals. Simple — and as hard, apparently — as that.
