Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James stuffs Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart and then proceeds to celebrate with a small group of Cavaliers fans.
In a massively important game between the two best teams in the Eastern Conference, Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James showed Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart whose boss.
James had a powerful, two-handed stuff of Smart in the paint. It was so moving that James had to go find a small faction of Cavaliers fans floating in a sea of Celtics green to go give his fans some high-fives. It was a big block in a big game from a big dude. One could argue James got a little fired up about it. Wouldn’t you?
This game will likely end up deciding who wins the Eastern Conference’s top seed. Boston and Cleveland entered Wednesday night tied atop the East with 50-27 records. Cleveland has largely underwhelmed since the calendar flipped. Boston has emerged as an NBA Finals contender in the last few weeks thanks to Cleveland’s recent troubles.
Boston may have 16 more titles than does Cleveland, but Cleveland has James and the Celtics do not. This was a highlight reel block by James, but it symbolized a bit more. It is an illustration of the type of monster truck force James plays with in big moments. Nobody imposes his will more on the hardwood than James. It’s why he is a three-time NBA Champion.
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James has carried a loathsome burden with the Cavaliers team still dealing with a championship hangover. Overcoming a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors was awesome, but that happened in June. That Cavaliers team clicked at the right moment last year. James is great, but he can’t do it alone this summer.