More so than in any other campaign in his illustrious career, LeBron has had to drag his teammates on his back. Even in years when Bron fell short of the Larry O'Brien Trophy, the supporting cast played their part on a consistent basis, inasmuch as they were expected. Coach Tyronn Lue said it best when he ranked his "gaudy" performance in Yesterday's 87-79 Game 7 Win over the Boston Celtics, as the very "the best."
"He's had a lot of gaudy games, but I just think Game 7, in Boston, all the circumstances that surround Boston, the history behind Boston, playing a team that's very well-coached, a good, young team that's undefeated in the playoffs at home," offered Coach Lue as an explication for his ranking. The naysayers will say LeBron went up against a Celts team depleted by injuries, serving little justice without Kyrie Irving on the front line. But in 2018, and perhaps more importantly in the Conference Final, it was the Rozier's and the Tatum's that made a discernible difference, and it was left to LeBron & LeBron alone to answer back on every possession.
Last night's Game 7 clincher was the 5th time in his playoff career that he went the distance for 48 minutes without substitution, in his 235th postseason game in total. Those who put stock in empirical data, will note that LeBron has been perfect in those 5 attempts when shouldering the load. LeBron was also without Kevin Love, his De facto wing man . It's come to a point where the Cavs should consider cutting off LeBron's assets, and let him run amok. A tougher task awaits him, be it Golden State or Houston in the Final. Can he continue down this lonely road.
