What’s wrong with right now?
Bigger than the banner of LeBron James’ witnessed chalk toss and dust blow outside the Quicken Loans Arena (one that no longer has rocks thrown at it as the back of James’ 23 jersey reads ‘Cleveland’ from when the King returned home), was one Cavalier logo one sailing up the stands of fans like a mid-quarter Mexican wave.
It simply read; ‘There’s Always This Game’!
Now living for the moment in this Mexican stand-off with the Golden State Warriors, the Dubs may have drawn first, but the Cavalier weapon has shot them down again…and this is even with Kyrie and Kevin having no more bullets left in the gun with their horse out this playoff race.
Make that two hits to one.
As LeBron and all LeBron’s men returned to Ohio’s Cleveland from the Oracle of Oakland, California they survived a late surge by Steph Curry on the road to win 96-91 to bring the series advantage back to them like their holding of home court. Now whoever takes the next game has it in more ways than one.
LeBron James had another iconic game of his career, almost recording another T.D. with 40 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists to the Cavs asset. He did touchdown another milestone however whilst beating and beating the Warriors in more ways than one. At a tie with the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan, James’ current Finals average of 41 points per game, moves him past former Warriors legend Rick Barry’s 40.8. While ‘Bron’s 123 points in three Finals games (whilst amazingly playing 142 minutes of a potential 154 in total so far this series) has passed Barry’s 122 for most in NBA Finals history. NBA logo and Los Angeles Laker legend Jerry West’s 118 holds bronze in this ranking.
“I’m so outside the box right now,” James told press afterwards. He may just be talking about the box-score. One that also read 22 for the ever-improving Matthew Dellavedova against Steph Curry’s 27 (and 17 and five threes in the almost comeback final quarter countdown) which wasn’t enough to dub the Warriors winners. Just like Thompson’s 14, Igudola’s 15 or David Lee’s 11.
Rick Barry may be beat now by the one, true warrior King, but the fellow losing Golden State could learn a lot from their big legend and a man that birthed an even bigger basketball family of Brent’s and Jon’s. Sure poppa Rick may have shot free-throws grandma (or hooping Niles Crane) style, but he’s still the daddy when it comes to scoring big on the biggest stage in the drought of Warrior championship history across the Pacific. Looking like early retirees themselves, the Warriors could take a lot of inspiration off Rick, especially Curry who should be heating up the box-score even more as one of the best and most prolific point men of all-time.
Oh well…
…there’s always the next game!
