How about this for a stat line on a New York Knicks opponent: 47 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals. No Michael Jordan has not risen from retirement. There is a new Knick killer in the NBA and his name is Lebron James. Lebron absolutely dismantled the New York Knicks defense this weekend, and once again in record fashion.
Is it possibly just a coincidence that Lebron James saves his best regular season performances each year for when the Cavaliers meet the New York Knicks, or is Lebron just toying with the Knicks fans that really believe they have a shot at acquiring his services during this summer’s free agency period?
From NBA.com:
The 23 points in a quarter matches a Quicken Loans Arena record, which James tied a mere week ago in a win over the L.A. Clippers. Meanwhile, his 35 points in a half are a team record.
He finished with 47 for the game on 17-for-31 shooting and 6-for-12 on 3-pointers. During his career, James has scored 52, 50, 45 and now 47 against the poor Knicks.
“It’s nothing personal,” James said afterward, smirking. “It’s strictly business. I wish I could score like that against every team.”
“I wish I could score like that against every team?” C’mon Lebron, we all know you can. The man can score at will in this league, its literally like watching a man against boys. The difference however, is that Lebron from a very young age realized that team play and distributing the ball can have twice as much of an effect as scoring in large bunches on your own. That in itself is something that even the great Kobe Bryant took quite a few years of playing in the NBA to figure out. By scoring in bunches on your own you in essence take your teammates out of play. They begin to get comfortable just standing around and watching their star player while on the floor. Whereas, Lebron has realized that keeping them involved offensively will pay big dividends defensively as well. Keeping their energy and motivation high is the key to a well rounded unit on the floor.
While watching the Cavs/Knicks game this weekend as the Cavaliers cruised to their 11th straight victory, it made me realize there is something Cavs Coach Mike Brown should be keeping in mind when directing his team.
Motivation.
The Cavaliers have such a well rounded team of shooters, slashers, and big men, that things are starting to get a bit too easy for them. It will be the job of their leader Lebron James, veteran Shaquille O’Neal, and coach Mike Brown to keep the entire team’s ‘eyes on the prize’, and that’s the NBA Championship. Playoff seeding is going to be critical come June when the playoffs progress to the NBA Finals, should the Cavaliers be so fortunate to advance that far.
Although this recent success could easily go to their heads, I think the Cavaliers will stay motivated given they were knocked out of the playoffs last season before reaching their ultimate goal…
