NBA Finals 2014: LeBron James confirms he’ll play in Game 2 on Sunday
By Chris Walder
A great deal of scrutiny and criticism got directed at four-time Most Valuable Player LeBron James after he sat out the final moments of the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Thursday night.
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The San Antonio Spurs won the opener of the series, defeating the Miami Heat by a final score of 110-95. James finished the night with 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including six rebounds, three assists, three steals and four turnovers.
During a press conference at the Spurs’ practice facility on Friday, James teased reporters by indicating he may not be ready to go for Game 2 on Sunday, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinal:
"If I had to say today, I would probably be out on Sunday. I probably won’t play."
Then, with a gentle smile and a look of confidence, James said “No, I’ll be alright. I’ll be in uniform on Sunday. I should be 100 percent on Sunday.”
While many have taken to social media to mock James for his somewhat dramatic exit from the game, there have been those in the media and around the league, including former player and Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas, who have defended the injury and how severe it can be.
With the air conditioning unit at the AT&T Center malfunctioning and temperatures rising to near unbearable levels in the building, it’s understandable to see someone who plays at the intensity James does to cramp up and be unable to compete.
The A/C will be ready to go for Game 2, so hopefully this is the last time we have to discuss something of this nature taking place.