5 takeaways from LeBron’s eighth-straight Eastern Conference Finals win

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of teh Boston Celtics in the second half during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of teh Boston Celtics in the second half during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

5. Jeff Green is gonna get paid

Jeff Green is 31-years-old and has been around since the days of the Seattle Supersonics. He’s played for six teams (seven if you count OKC/SEA as two different teams. Seattle fans certainly do) and averaged 13.2 points in his career. He’s a nice role player who tricks teams into giving him a chance because he can tell them stories about young Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden.

And he made himself a lot of money in the last two games. Green was having a rather pedestrian playoffs until Game 6. Yeah, he played fine in the Toronto series, but J.R. Smith shot 77 percent from 3 against Toronto. Nothing LeBron and those around him do against the Raptors should be included in their potential Hall of Fame resume.

When Kevin Love went down in Game 6, it was Green who was asked to step up and fill the void. He did it. Because he’s Jeff Green. The only thing that’s ever held him back from being one of the best players in the league is poor coaching. If he played the same amount of minutes as LeBron, we’d be talking about him as the greatest player of all-time.

Green had 14 points in Game 6 and 19 points in Game 7. Had he started in the first four games, it’s likely that we would be talking about a Cavaliers sweep. That’s how good he was in the last two games. That’s what he’s going to sell some team on in the offseason.

Everyone will court LeBron in the offseason. Some team will be very happy when they sign him. The only team happier will be the team that signs Jeff Green. The real LeBron.