NBA Finals, Game 2: Cavaliers beat Warriors in overtime behind brilliant LeBron James

One superstar played like a superstar, putting together an incredible performance even compared with his other incredible performances. One superstar spent his night permanently stepping in dog poop.

And yet this was not a blowout. This game went to overtime. The Cavaliers won, 95-93.

So, it turns out this LeBron James guy is pretty good. He might not have won the MVP this year, but he’s proven once again that he is the best player in the world.

He’s averaging a ridiculous 41.5 points, 12 rebounds and 8.5 assists through two Finals games, and in Game 2 put up a triple-double of 39 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. But those numbers, incredible as they are, don’t do his greatness justice. Here are five that do.

It could have been the mismatch to define a lopsided NBA Finals.

IN THIS CORNER! THE REIGNING NBA MVP! THE GREATEST SHOOTER OF ALL TIME! THE PEOPLE’S CHAMP! THE ONE WITH THE ADORABLE BABY! STEPPPPHENNNNNNN CURRY!

Part of the beauty of the J.R. Smith experience is that J.R. Smith knows full well what he’s doing. Whether he’s exploding from downtown or throwing a game away, he’s in control -- erratic, yet totally self-aware. So it’s no surprise that, after a poor shooting performance and a run of six increasingly ill-advised fouls, J.R. was pretty hard on himself:

If I may criticize anything, it’s the choice of grawlix. “s&@$” looks to me like it says “saas.” I’d have gone with “s#!%.” I’d also not have bit on Stephen Curry’s pump fake and committed my sixth foul down the stretch in OT, but now we’re nitpicking.

Taking on the Warriors, one of the best teams in recent history, is one of LeBron’s greatest challenges yet, and the superstar has lived up to it so far with a pair of special performances. He’s averaging 41.5 points, 12 rebounds and 8.5 assists through two Finals games, which is impossible for anyone but LeBron, who needs to shine this bright to keep his team alive.

The Cavaliers still haven’t found the point where they ask too much of their superstar. The Irving injury was especially costly, taking away the team’s other primary ball handler and shot creator, but in response, LeBron has been relentless in taking over the team’s offense. The Cavaliers had 14 assists in Game 2, and 11 of them came from LeBron. No other player on the team recorded more than one. It’s hard to express the impact James must make on the court to bridge the talent gap between the two rosters, but he’s playing nearly every minute because the team can’t afford to be without him.

Stephen Curry Chance No. 2 to beat the Cavaliers in the final seconds of overtime:

No Kyrie Irving, no Kevin Love, no problem for the Cavaliers. That game was emotionally grueling just to watch, let alone play.

The NBA Finals aren’t over now because the Cavaliers have LeBron, and that’s enough to keep up with one of the best teams we’ve ever seen. Game 3 is set for Tuesday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

This is what Thompson looks like at his best. The Warriors’ shooting guard followed up a good Game 1 with an even better performance Sunday night, scoring 34 points on 14-of-28 shooting and taking over the scoring load with his MVP teammate having an off-night. On the biggest stage possible, we’re seeing just how good the Warriors’ other star guard can be.

★★★

Sorry, Steph. You’ll always be the second most popular member of your own family.

Sure, that one was with a few seconds left in the game and refs try to swallow their whistles late. But, my goodness, this absolutely unconscionable hack:

The other angle does it better justice:

Your answer probably hinges entirely on where you live.

I guess, if you look at it very generously, that could be 2.5 steps? But I think the “2.5 steps” thing is for when you’re gathering to take a shot, not when you’re idly moseying over halfcourt? So, I’m pretty sure LeBron James committed an egregious travel right in front of the ref? Guys?

It’s tough. If you want an easy uncalled travel, turn to Timofey Mozgov:

The Warriors got a fast break, and they got it to Marreese Speights in the open court. He was all by himself. There were zero human beings guarding him. He could’ve laid it in, he could’ve dunked it. Instead, he did this:

Welp.

No one makes a brilliant pass as casually as LeBron James.

SB Nation presents: LeBron’s surge in Game 2 evens the NBA Finals

Check out his long alley-oop to Andre Igoudala during the first half of Game 2.

Klay Thompson ended the first half with 20 points.

Bay Area native Carlos Santana performed the national anthem before Game 2 of the NBA Finals. This is just another reminder that the Bay Area is cooler than wherever you live.

SB Nation presents: LeBron’s surge in Game 2 evens the NBA Finals

Even LeBron knew this one was pretty bad. Bad omen, Cleveland fans! Just kidding, OK. LeBron will be fine -- hopefully. Meanwhile: Stephen Curry was burying shots from the tunnel.

Check out Brendan Haywood ducking out of the way like it’s a grenade.

But watching James’ final stand should be exhilarating. If there was ever a series that a losing player might win Finals MVP again, this could be it. And if he wins it? Well, give Irving’s and Love’s rings to him, too -- it should count for three or something.

Here’s how to watch.

This is nonsense. There is never a need for an asterisk on a championship. Every successful team has been helped to some degree by injuries and good fortune. This also fails to take into account how well the Cavs responded to Kevin Love’s absence, as well as Irving’s during parts of their series’ with Chicago and Atlanta. Of greater importance to Golden State right now is maintaining its edge.

“Yeah, the dynamics change,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged. “Obviously, in this case with Kyrie going out. But in any case where there is an injury and a key player goes out, it’s not just what happens on the floor. It’s how does the psyche change? That’s something that the only way we can really address that is just reminding our guys they’re still a great team. They won two games against Atlanta without Kyrie. They’re still loaded with talent. They’re going to be loose. Now all the spotlight is going to be on this injury and all that stuff. It can’t affect us. We just go out and play and we’ve got to do our thing. We’ve got to worry about our own game. We can play a lot better. We know that. We didn’t play particularly well in Game 1, so our focus is keep improving.”