LeBron James’ inspired performances have Miami Heat within reach of NBA crown – NBA Feature Part 2
LeBron James had 30 points in Game 1, 32 in Game 2 and 29 in Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has now gone 13 straight games scoring at least 25 points. Of the 21 games Miami has played this postseason, he has 30 points
or more in 13 of them.
In Game 3, James finished with 29 points and 14 rebounds. He took 13 of his 23 shots from the paint and 5 of his 14 rebounds were on the offensive end. He has taken 29 free throws in the three games so far, which is a testament
to his aggressiveness. Even Dwyane Wade has taken notice;
“He's just a totally different player. Up until The Finals last year he was having an amazing playoffs. He had a game where he struggled, and he kind of let that get into his mind a little bit, and he was thinking too much. Now
he's playing, he's on attack and being very aggressive. When he puts his head down to go the rim, you have no other choice but to foul him or he's going to finish,” said D-Wade referring to James.
Besides being a potent force on offense through the first three games, James has also done an exceptional job on the defence. His has been assigned to cover Kevin Durant, which is not an easy task in itself. For him to be guarding
Durant and still have the energy to put up the numbers he is putting is beyond spectacular.
“Just trying to make plays. I told you guys, last year, I didn't make enough game-changing plays, and that's what I kind of pride myself on,” said James after game 3.
After being the most criticised and scrutinized player in the NBA at the moment, the ability to take all that pressure and come into a game with stellar performances on a regular basis shows the resolve and determination he has
of winning an NBA championship. With the type of figures he is putting up, that is a very real possibility now, more than it has ever been before.
James is playing with a lot more aggressiveness and not settling for three pointers or jump shots. He is relying more on driving into the paint and going for the high percentage shots. It has him going to the free throw line quite
often and he is nailing everything from there as well, making it difficult to guard him. Thabo Sefolosha of the Thunder has been given the defensive assignment to guard James but so far, James has had the better of him.
In the NBA Finals last year, James averaged 17.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists. This year, he is averaging 30.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4 assists so far. That difference alone could be enough for Miami to clinch the championship
this time around.
And they will have the opportunity to advance one more step towards their ultimate goal on Tuesday night at the American Airlines Arena when they host the Thunder for game 4. It is all in their hands now. The title is for James
and company to lose.
Tags: