Erik Spoelstra reveals how LeBron James was always one step ahead in NBA Finals
By John Buhler
Erik Spoelstra says nobody makes better in-game adjustments than LeBron James.
During the 2020 NBA Finals, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra marveled at how great his former star LeBron James was at making in-game adjustments for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Spoelstra’s Heat may have defeated James’ Lakers on Saturday night at Staples Center, but Los Angeles beat Miami 4-2 in the best-of-seven series down in the Orlando bubble. While Spoelstra has earned a reputation as one of the best coaches in basketball, even he was no match for the basketball mastermind that is James. Try Spoelstra’s quote about the 2020 NBA Finals on for size.
Spoelstra on LeBron, "In the Finals, he was making adjustments to our adjustments to the adjustments. And not making an adjustment to the adjustment I thought about making an adjustment, but I bluffed the adjustment, and he knew I was making a bluff." . . .
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) February 21, 2021
LeBron James is truly a complete basketball player
James may have one of the most imposing physiques in the game today, but it has always been his game above the shoulders that has separated him from the pack. A perfect example of this is how he approaches the game. While he could lead every team he is on in scoring, James would rather be a facilitator offensively to get his teammates involved so that they can win together.
During their four seasons together in Miami, James and Spoelstra won four Eastern Conference Championships and back-to-back NBA Finals in 2012 and 2013 over the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, respectively. While James has been to many more NBA Finals since leaving Miami, this was the Heat and Spoelstra’s first since James decided to head home to Ohio.
Trying to play basketball chess with James usually results in a losing effort for the opposition.
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