The Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves with their backs against the wall entering Wednesday’s Game 3 NBA Finals matchup down 0-2 to a powerhouse Golden State Warriors team.
LeBron James says the NBA Finals are ‘just basketball,’ but it’s bigger than that
The outcome of this year’s Finals could greatly impact LeBron’s legacy. Maybe that’s why he’s been short with reporters lately.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
But for LeBron James, this is nothing new. The Cavaliers were down 0-2 in last year’s NBA Finals against the Warriors and even fell down in the series 3-1. But that showdown ended with Cleveland making history to rattle off three straight victories to win the championship.
For James, fighting from behind with everything on the line is all too familiar.
“Yeah, it’s something I am accustomed to,” James said during media availability on Wednesday, according to Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon. “But you hate to continue to put yourself in these positions, but at the end of the day it’s still just basketball, man, and that’s what gives me comfort.
“And I’m more comfortable about it because it’s just a game. I prepare myself, I’m going to go out and do my job and live with the results.”
LeBron’s been a little agitated lately
On Wednesday morning, a reporter asked The King if the series had worn him down. His answer:
“Do I look tired? I’m averaging a triple-double in the Finals, I’m pretty good.”
Shortly after, another reporter asked James what the Cavaliers had to do differently to come away with a victory in Game 3.
Win.
Moments after Game 2, James was short with a reporter who asked whether Games 3 and 4 — obviously pivotal matchups given Cleveland’s 0-2 deficit — were must-win games.
“LeBron, is this a case where you need to defend homecourt at this point?” the reporter asked.
“Well, I mean, are you a smart guy?” LeBron answered.
“I think so.”
“You think so, right? So we don’t defend homecourt, what happens?”
“Yeah, I know. That’s what I’m saying.”
“I’m asking you.”
“Well, yeah, then you guys are looking at getting swept.”
“All right. So, that answers your question.”
That same night, he dismissed a reporter’s question regarding his decision not to conduct his postgame press conference at the podium.
Maybe it’s because these Finals are more than “just basketball.”
It wasn’t an earth-shattering, groundbreaking development. No, Golden State merely went out and signed the best available free agent: a former league MVP and four-time scoring champion in Kevin Durant.
They then refocused their defensive scheme around the versatile seven-foot forward, who has become a menacing rim protector for the Warriors this season. It led to the first 14-0 playoff streak in NBA history and a 41-point combined margin of victory through Games 1 and 2 of the Finals this time around.
That put a fork in the trajectory of James’ legacy.
James is currently 3-4 in the NBA Finals and is two losses away from falling from 3-5. For a player who competes to challenge Michael Jordan’s status as the greatest of all-time, that Finals record is a blemish on an otherwise pristine playing career. And if he can’t get past this Warriors team this year, there’s no assurance he can beat them any year in the future, especially if they keep the group together.
So even though LeBron says this is just basketball — which it is, there are more pressing life issues to deal with off the court than on — this lopsided series so far has to weigh heavily for his aspirations of becoming the greatest to ever play the game.
And if the Cavaliers don’t do something to change their fortunes soon, it could be the end of an era.
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