LeBron James poured in a triple-double for the Cavaliers in Game 2 Sunday night, tying Magic Johnson’s NBA Finals record. Unfortunately for James it didn’t mean much, with the Cavaliers losing to the demoralizing Warriors again 132-113.
LeBron James is tragically helpless against the Warriors
The Warriors bring too much to the hardwood for even LeBron James to defeat by himself. His teammates have to do more.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
I can’t help but feel bad for him.
James finished with 29 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds, but didn’t get much of any help elsewhere. Against the Warriors, that’s a recipe for disaster.
Kevin Love had a good game with 27 points and seven rebounds, but the other key members of the Cavaliers didn’t bring much to the table. Kyrie Irving finished with just 19 points. Tristan Thompson didn’t crash the glass with just four rebounds, and J.R. Smith didn’t score. That’s the perfect storm for a Cavaliers loss, particularly against these Warriors.
LeBron’s back has to be aching from carrying the Cavs. It already took an out of this world performance from him in last year’s Finals to get the job done in seven games. Right now, it seems that no matter how hard he can try or any stat line he can put up, it just won’t cut it.
Golden State already had a great team last year in a 73-win season, but the addition of Kevin Durant has made things downright miserable on LeBron. The most demoralizing part about Sunday night, was that the Cavaliers hung around throughout the first half, before things just became too much and the Warriors ripped their hearts out.
Golden State possesses so many weapons, that they are impossible to guard. Between Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson, they have three of the best scorers in the game today. Draymond Green is a player unlike any we’ve ever seen, being able to guard any player in the league at a high level. He’s also capable of having good offensive games too.
How is LeBron James, arguably the best basketball player that has ever walked the Earth, supposed to beat them by himself? That’s not a knock on LeBron or his game at all. We’re seeing a team unlike any other — one that’s changing basketball.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Follow SB Nation’s NBA Finals coverage as the Cavs and Warriors battle for the third time in as many years.
That’s overwhelming if you’re on the other side, and LeBron understandably showed that on Sunday night.
LeBron looked fed up just before coming out of the game as Durant beat him for another backdoor cut. When he made his way to the bench, he sat down with the force you do when you’ve had enough. Your rear end hits the seat harder than usual, putting a ripple through your body. He did what he could, and it didn’t matter much with the loss.
Often times in sports, we say that certain players or teams played in the wrong era. That they would have won or achieved more had it not been for a particular opponent.
Right now, the Warriors are looking like that for LeBron, and you can’t help but feel bad for him with the constant microscope put on him and his legacy.
The series is not over, as we saw last season when the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead. Yet if LeBron’s teammates don’t step up, this will be a quick series.
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