The once and future KING
Bow down to LeBron
He has arrived. We all saw what happened, witnessed if you will. But this was much deeper than a marketing campaign slogan. His team stayed close in a game against a better team on the road, with Bron resting on the bench at the beginning of the fourth.
He refused to allow them to lose in the fourth quarter. No more of that passing on the responsibility to his overmatched teammates. LeBron took matters into his own hands, and kept making play after one-of-a-kind play. Vicious dunks, tipped balls and steals when he had the energy for defense, confident jumpers, some free throws… He had the game won at the end of the fourth. The Pistons kept responding and we went to OT. Vincent is writing the game notes, so I don’t want to get into play by play-ish specifics.
In the first OT, he took his game to another level, a higher place, the zone, all of the clichés that are 100% true. His borderline NBA caliber teammates started fouling out. It didn’t matter cause none of them deserved the ball anyways. LeBron started hitting crazier and more improbable shots. Detroit stayed in the game because they are the better team. When it looked like Cleveland had a comfortable lead, Detroit made their move, and thanks in part to Mike Brown’s brilliant overusage of timeouts, there was a second overtime.
In that second OT, he took his game to a level beyond what he had in the first OT. That is not physically possible, yet it happened. Chris Webber, once criticized for many of the same reasons that LeBron has been of late, delivered maybe the most clutch basket of his career, drawing a foul on Big Z for the three point play. LeBron responded with a three of his own like it was nothing. He was getting banged around by Pistons defenders, causing him to stay down on the floor in pain for a brief moment. He had the likes of Damon Jones assigned the task of playing key moments next to him. Finally, LeBron cruised down the lane for the game winning layup.
This was not a mere sporting event, and I refuse to look at it simply in basketball terms. The NBA is desperate for moments that transcend sports and entertainment, where even the most casual or uninterested fan will recognize greatness and a legendary performer. For the simple basketball view, yeah Flip blew this one by not double teaming, Rasheed was rattled and on the verge of going Sheed on us, Tayshaun and Chauncey couldn’t score one on one against Eric Snow, and the Pistons in general let LeBron blow right by them all the way to the basket without a challenge of any kind whenever he felt like it. But that’s all just basketball.
If LeBron was saving his energy all season long for one night like this, it was worth it. I’ve got no qualms with the MJ comparisons, in particular to the 63 point game against the Celtics, which was in a loss by the way – not a game that could launch him towards his first Finals – but I say this is LeBron’s day to be celebrated for being himself. No comparisons to people who will always be compared to until the end of time. I would go as far as to say that played like Achilles in the Trojan War, if I were to take it there. Uh, minus the death of course. He watched the battle from the sidelines, then decided to jump in and dominate.
Those last second losses in games one and two? Forget about them from a sports-media standpoint. This is all part of a real life myth. They were part of the larger storyline. First LeBron made “the smart play”, and he learned that wasn’t good enough. Then, he tried to do it on his own and it still wasn’t good enough. He broke through in game 3, kept the momentum coming in game 4 when Daniel Gibson came to his aid – and no disrespect to Gibson, but when he is playing like the second best player on a team in the Conference Finals, then that team is a one man show – and then there was last night on the road.
This feels like the ascension. The series is not over, and there is still the matter of the NBA Finals to be played, but we have now seen the real LeBron on the big (cable TV late on a weeknight) stage. Forget about all of the marketing, the money, the people that have made lives and careers off of the business of LeBron. This was strictly for the fans, his legacy, and history.
Today should be a fun, hater-free Friday. Unless you want to hate on Flip. I’m not even mentioning LeBron’s numbers, because this performance was so much bigger than them. No matter what happens in the future, even if this is the one night peak of LeBron’s career at age 22 – and honestly this was a performance that will be hard to top for anyone doing anything in life – we will always have last night. This year’s playoffs have been unusually boring, but last night they were saved.
75 Responses to “The once and future KING”
Jun.1 at 7:59 am
Ned says:
True say sam, true say…
(oh and “!Primero!”)
Jun.1 at 8:04 am
jj says:
The King was crowned…
Jun.1 at 8:10 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
Vincent just sent in his write-up. EARLY! It is thorough and it is everything it should be.
Today I shall kick my feet up and enjoy reading about last night.
Jun.1 at 8:22 am
nexus6 says:
please lebron,do that to the spurs so i can be able to overcome what you did to my pistons.you’re not a fraight train,you’re the brick wall i just crashed my car into.what a sad rainy day in lille,france…..aka brick wall city.please kill the spurs.i don’t want to see all those tony parker jerseys on the playgrounds this summer.i mean,these suckers weren’t even born when i began being a pistons(and slam) fan.
Jun.1 at 8:43 am
nexus6 says:
instead of watching the finals i think i will listen to mobb deep (HELL ON EARTH)and re-read that SLAM 98 Joe Dumars story.i feel like 2004 was ten years ago.at least i’ve got the games taped.it’s raining,our president is an asshole,there are so many homeless people all over the sidewalks you have to watch all the time to prevent walking on them,i have no job…..and my team is nearly dead…..courtesy of a freaking 22 year old basketball genius…..
Jun.1 at 8:43 am
MALONE_FT_CLOCK says:
“YOU CANT SAY NOTHIN BOUT THAT MAN” –MELO
Jun.1 at 8:54 am
nexus6 says:
i’ll say something:this kid is too good to be true.i have to give him credit for even if he just killed my beloved team.he loves to be challenged,he loves to be asked to do more.i know it is about what tou ask from yourself,but try this:average 40 against the spurs and block every Horry’s shot.make Horry look horrible.THAT would bring a smile back to my face.
Jun.1 at 9:00 am
K22C says:
Honestly, I am speechless.
Jun.1 at 9:13 am
Esco says:
Hey, I’ve been to Lille!! Jolie ville…mais je préfère Paris…désolé. Lol! I just had to shout out a fellow french resident…Salut nexus6.
Jun.1 at 9:16 am
Esco says:
Wow, only now I read your second post nexus6. For the record, I hate Sarkozy also AND Tony Parker. Anyhow, back to scheduled programming…
Jun.1 at 9:21 am
Andrew says:
I’ve read enough of LeBron today (everyone is on his jock but respect due). What i wanna know is - are the Pistons dunzo? If not, how do they fight back?
Jun.1 at 9:26 am
Keith says:
I respect what he achieved against Detroit but I still don’t like him.
Jun.1 at 9:26 am
Dblizzy! says:
I know he’s the Pistons coach, but Flip should not take blame for thier mistakes. Detroit is a veteran basketball team that WON a title a few years ago, they should no how to handle situations.
Jun.1 at 9:33 am
nexus6 says:
don’t be sorry Esco.i prefer Paris too…and it’s not hard to understand why.but don’t talk about sarkozy…the NSA is going to have us whacked.also,as i painfully rewatch the game 5 highlights,i keep wondering:where the hell is big ben?i mean,LeBron is great,but how the hell can he put on a show in the Pistons’s paint like that?i have to talk about basketball,because if i talk about politics,Dave Zirin will look like Dick Cheney.no disrepect Dave,i love nearly everything you have to say,but you’re still an american.so there are things you will never say.but i won’t,either.
Jun.1 at 9:38 am
Prophecy_projectz says:
nexus6 as a Pistons fan I too feel your pain. Unlike fans bickering back and forth in Michigan and in Ohio, this UK Piston fan will give Lebron and the Cavs the props they deserve. But damn, I dont think I have been this upset over a game since the Rockets swept Penny and the Magic in 95.
Jun.1 at 9:38 am
Esco says:
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Oh man…I’m having fun today!! Hope the weather permits me to go play ball tonight and try recreate what LeBron did last night!!! Oh yeah…I forgot about the NSA, I don’t feel like getting whacked. Thanks for the heads up!
Jun.1 at 9:42 am
Esco says:
I’m with Dblizzy on that one. The Pistons should be able to read situations and know when their coach is making bullsh*t decisions. This is all on them.
Jun.1 at 9:49 am
Shotcaller says:
@Dblizzy! - Flip SHOULD take the blame… how can you not double team the 1 guy that is destroying you through the 4th quarter and 2 overtimes? And why is Billups guarding him instead of Tayshaun, or even Hamilton, who can both get into LeBron’s jumpshot better? Those are coaching decisions - not the players. Joe D should fire Flip this morning, and fill in himself the rest of the way. I wish he would have done it last year. The players made mistakes too, like letting LeBron drive for uncontested dunks and layups instead of giving him the hard foul and sending him to the line, where he is not as effective. Again though, coaching? While I hated to see my Pistons lose like this, I gotta say LeBron was simply jaw-dropping last night.
Jun.1 at 9:50 am
nexus6 says:
Esco.i don’t know where you’re at,but there is no ball tonight for me.but somehow the rain is making me laugh about something:Roland-Garros and all these rich people in the stands.here i’m assuming you’re not rich and i must be true since you don’t like sarkozy.i’ll stop it here because i don’t have(for now) anything to say about basketball.oh wait…..GO PISTONS.
Jun.1 at 9:51 am
Toney Blare says:
I know this isn’t really important, but did anyone else noticed how depressed C-Webb was at the halftime interview? For real, C-Webb looked suicidal, it was awkward.
Anyway, we as fans needed this one.
Jun.1 at 9:54 am
Tom says:
If you watched last night then you saw, after he airballed that jumper at the end of regulation, he made his first bucket in OT and I’m pretty sure you could see him saying “I’m not missing again”, and I don’t think he did for the rest of the game……….this is one you tell your kids about.
Jun.1 at 10:09 am
Esco says:
Hahaha…I’m now looking at Rolland-Garros here on tv (cable sucks in France), but right here where i’m at, (92) it’s not raining. Rich??? Far from it, I’m a first year student, so you know money can’t stay in my hands even if I wanted it to…I’m keeping my fingers crossed for it not to rain. I feel for you…Rain sucks.
Jun.1 at 10:11 am
Esco says:
Actually i’m at La Défense, if you know where that is. 5 minutes outside of Paris…Nice area.
Jun.1 at 10:15 am
Max Airington says:
I just love how LeBron couldnt stop smiling after every shot he made. He would have to cover his mouth or turn his back on the camera. He knew he was hot in the third quarter.
Jun.1 at 10:16 am
ashok says:
that was vintage stuff from Lebron. Pistons is one of the teams that don’t need a coach. Lebron just played like GOD. No other comparison will do justice to his game yesterday. One of the best I’ve seen in sports not just Basketball.
Jun.1 at 10:20 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
Detroit could win games 6 and 7, since they always seem to play better with their backs against the wall, but no matter what happens, last night was “special” as they say.
I plan on reading “The Once and Future King” in its entirety when Lang and I are in Cleveland for a whole week. Not only because it’s a classic and it might pertain to young James, but my idol Magneto read it in prison during X-2.
If we’re in Michigan, lots of movies I suppose.
Jun.1 at 10:29 am
nexus6 says:
i guess i was wrong.esco may be rich.
Jun.1 at 10:32 am
Esco says:
hahahahaha. Naaaahh nexus6. Don’t leave the area fool you. Everyone says the same thing. Actually it’s my uncle who’s paying for the apartment along with the parental units. I just have to bust my ass in school. Sounds like a fair deal to me.
Jun.1 at 10:34 am
nexus6 says:
sorry,esco.just a bad scott pollard type of joke.i hadn’t seen the next posts.i think i’ve got to stop coz my eyes are beginning to look like a craig sager suit.again,sorry.i’m so sad about the pistons because i feel like this year they finally won’t manage to get out of this hole.but like always,they are the ones putting themselves in a hole.
Jun.1 at 10:41 am
nexus6 says:
to Sam:they actually may be able to win games 6 and 7.so what?they will once again be tired as hell and they will once again get beaten by the spurs.and once again…my heart will be broken.
Jun.1 at 10:42 am
Esco says:
Yeah i know how u feel. I was backing the Kings when they played the Lakers during the Webber era, and when Vlade batted that ball out to Horry, my heart sank. A Craig Sager suit? Damn, that’s rough…I wonder who dresses him? Maybe Stevie Wonder or someone like him…
Jun.1 at 10:43 am
nexus6 says:
where is dave zirin?
Jun.1 at 10:47 am
nexus6 says:
damn,esco.i wish i could meet you.
Jun.1 at 10:51 am
nexus6 says:
stevie wonder is great.and i think he should judge the 2008 dunk contest,since he could easily replace the 5 guys who can’t see anything except themselves.
Jun.1 at 10:51 am
Esco says:
Hahaha…I’m not going to Lille though…
Jun.1 at 10:55 am
Esco says:
Yeah, him and Ray Charles’ (R.I.P.) ashes…and that french singer who’s also blind…I don’t know his name…i listen to hip hop. if u visit my myspace u’ll kno what i’m talking about.
Jun.1 at 10:57 am
nexus6 says:
i understand.don’t go to lille/hell.you may crash into a brick wall.just like bruce bowen in the finals if he tries to guard lebron.
Jun.1 at 11:00 am
nexus6 says:
actually,i’m right now listening to mobb deep while watching the highlights of last night’s game,which i’m glad i didn’t see.
Jun.1 at 11:18 am
Sesa says:
When LeBron didn’t win the title this year, I’m pretty sure that the public will perceive LeBron as the Big next failure.
Public with their silly demands… It disgust me
Jun.1 at 11:20 am
Esco says:
hahah…u really hate lille. damn. my favorite track from Mobb Deep is Shook Ones a.k.a. Pistons (sorry, i just had to)…
Jun.1 at 11:26 am
Brian says:
Lebron doesn’t have any NBA caliber teammates? What about Jorda, I mean, Gibson. Dude takes a step forward and it’s free throw time. It will be interesting to see the Cavs play SA. All those fouls that are called on DET for trying to block shots will not be fouls when 21 does it. I am starting to think Cleveland can win it all though.
Jun.1 at 11:42 am
Dan says:
I saw an interview just the other day with Chris Meyers and the legendary forward in Dennis Rodman .Dennis proclaimed that he had not seen anything as special as MJ and gave big props to the toughness in IT .Also mentioned D Wade’s Championship performance as not being as special .Dude I seen all of those guys play … your trippin, Lebrons the %^#$.
Jun.1 at 11:46 am
Steve Piotrow says:
Sam: Don’t you think you’re exaggerating, just a tad? It was a great, hard-fought game all-around. Both teams played solid and LeBron put on quite a show, but it could definitely have gone either way. If LeBron misses one of those 3’s, then there’s a different ending to the story. He can’t take that responsibility every night and expect to win many championshps. Teams win basketball games; Jordan, Magic, Bird, Shaq, Kobe all had great supporting casts the years they dominated. The Pistons and Spurs are good examples, also. Your too-freely dispensed putdowns of the rest of the Cavaliers ring hollow with me. You should tone it down a little and then people might take you more seriously.
Jun.1 at 11:57 am
Nadav says:
wait, what about Kobe?!
Jun.1 at 12:09 pm
ForzaMilan says:
Hey Hey Hey. Let me stop you right there. Z Ilgauskus gave them an excellent performance last night, both defensively (well, webber) and offensively (critically efficient). If Lebron cannot replicate what he just did, then Z will take them over the top.
Jun.1 at 12:17 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
All of his good teammates kept fouling out though. Sorry about your team nexus, but they got a ring recently and this was bigger than them.
Jun.1 at 12:20 pm
deestarbuckz says:
VINDICATION… GO CAVS!!!
Jun.1 at 12:59 pm
Tommy Patron says:
The NBA sent out a special e-mail blast to anyone subscribed on NBA.com just to tell them about LeBron’s game. As Sam mentioned, they are desperate for moments that transcend sports and entertainment.
Jun.1 at 1:54 pm
Chukaz says:
Damn you LeBron!!! You are stealing Kobe’s thunder. Damn you Piston!!! You helped Bron steal Kobe’s thunder.
Jun.1 at 2:11 pm
Dblizzy! says:
@Shotcaller
I know those are all coaching decisions in theory, but this ain’t the biddy league. The Pistons are vets I would hope they would realize that LeBron was killing them and maybe make a STRONG SUGGESTION to Flip that they change up there defense. Why play him one-on one, get slaughtered and then say, “Well the coach didn’t say to double.” That’s dumb
Jun.1 at 2:19 pm
Shiz says:
Lebron played well last night. I tuned in right about the start of the 1st ot. It was like those Amped energy drink commercials..If you wanna penetrate the lane, then PENETRATE THE LANE!. LeBron could not be denied. Certainly an indelible mark in Cav’s history, but Im still never gonna call this kid King James. But I loved the Wise Lebron commercial. “Shoot, even I had to go through Detroit to get to Pittsburgh”. I laughed. Loudly.
Jun.1 at 2:23 pm
Gerwin says:
Flashes of Redman pass through my mind…”Iz he 4 real?” What a performance! Jordanesque indeed! Stop talking about Kobe. He’s amazing too, but he ain’t Lebron by far.
@nexus6: I feel you. Drove past Lille last week (from Lot-et-Garonne to the sunny Netherlands) and yep, not a great sight. Just like the suburbs of Paris by the way.
Jun.1 at 3:29 pm
Chukaz says:
Bron: I’m Laughing Straight To The Bank Wit This
(Ha-Ha-Hahaha-Ha, Ha-Ha-Hahaha-Ha
I Keep Nothin’ But Hundred Dollar Bills In The Bank Roll
I Got The Kind Of Money That The Bank Can’t Hold
Gottem Of The Street Moving Bunduce And Olds
Seven Three Caprice Old School When I Roll
Freeze Pass Wit The Heat Pass F**k The Toll
No More Platinum, I’m Wearing Gold
I’m Internationally Known As The King Wit The Flow
That Brings Enough Dough, It’s Never Enough Dough
S**t I Need More, New S**t Out The Store
Baby Blue Is Old, Fresh Of The Floor
Stash Box By The Dash Box In Case They Want War
Make The Purple Bring The Green Then F**k The Law
I’m Oh So Raw, I’m Hot I’m Sure
I’m Like The Coolest Mothaf**ker Around The Globe Boy
I Set The Pisontons On Fire, I Told Ya
I’m The King Salute Me Soldier
Jun.1 at 3:29 pm
DP says:
Wow…………………………………that’s a big step. play wit it.
Jun.1 at 3:48 pm
Chukaz says:
By the way, Coach Brown is doing the laughing efferct. Ha-Ha-Hahaha-Ha, Ha-Ha-Hahaha-Ha
Jun.1 at 4:52 pm
Shiz says:
ummm…rrrriight…how bout them Cavs
Jun.1 at 5:01 pm
Chukaz says:
The Cavs ain’t got a chance against the Spurs.
Jun.1 at 7:02 pm
FR says:
Yea LeBron was crazy yesterday, before i wasnt tht big of a fan but now daaamn he pulled me over with 48 points, and like what? all da points in OT nd double OT?GO CAVS!!!!!!!
Jun.1 at 7:15 pm
Tariq says:
Sam,
don’t talk about the Trojan War without Spoiler Alert. Two can play that game: Beware the Ides of March.
Jun.1 at 7:35 pm
Sam says:
The kid is awesome. Except he is no kid anymore. He IS the KING!!!! He is a genius and has the skills.
Jun.1 at 8:12 pm
rickson says:
Used to be the best thing to come out of Cleveland was I-90…now for sure it’s LeBron.
Jun.1 at 9:52 pm
Bigfundamental says:
along the same lines as Magic playing in centre… along the same lines as isiah passing to bird… along the same lines as MJ n craig elho… u get the idea- beautiful basketball in its purest…
Jun.1 at 10:14 pm
Joel O's says:
@Chukaz: I think so too, the Spurs are a machine right now. Detroit was really clinical this playoffs, but somehow against Cleveland they’ve just been struggling… Deep inside though who doesn’t want to see Lebron dominate every game with against the Spurs? Flat out dominate. Pop isn’t Flip though…
Jun.1 at 11:16 pm
KMG says:
“This year’s playoffs have been unusually boring, but last night they were saved.”…Amen to that. Aside from the Golden State upset of Dallas, LeBron’s perfomance against the Pistons was classic. I’m all for team ball, but if you have the ability to manhandle a team on your lonesome (especially when all of your teammates catch a bad case of sphincteritis), then by all means, handle your business.
Jun.2 at 1:12 am
Chukaz says:
@Joel O’s: I agree with you. Pop ain’t Flip. I’m pretty sure that the only coaches in the entire NBA that would have allowed Bron to score all those points late in the 4th and both overtimes are Mr. Thomas from the Knicks, Flop Saunders(yes; flop, not flip), and Mike Brown if he wasn’t coaching Bron.
Jun.2 at 5:41 am
nastruthomas says:
i know this is deep down on the responses, but dude you couldnt be more right, we should enjoy this and what is about to come, sincerely, from a true fan, rise up!
Jun.2 at 9:07 am
The Real Dan says:
Does anyone else feel as though the Cavs are getting more respect as a team since the LeBron Show on Thursday night? I mean sure, people are still ripping into their individual talents, but I feel as though the Cleveland Cavaliers, with LeBron leading the way, have earned their spot. They have proved that they deserve to be here, and perhaps in the Finals too.
Jun.2 at 12:04 pm
hartadi says:
EVERYBODY NOW START TO FOLLOW THE KING AND TRAIN IN THE POOL !!!!
Jun.2 at 3:44 pm
AJ says:
It was a great performance but when did one great performance translate into greatness, its def a start but some of you and the media are spoozing all over yourselves from one game…
Jun.3 at 1:43 am
FerrariGTO says:
WITNESS
Jun.3 at 1:48 am
The Real Dan says:
Is anybody still posting on here? I want some Playoff-talk! ! !
Jun.3 at 1:49 am
Dan says:
Is anybody still posting on here? I want to talk Cavaliers! ! !
Jun.4 at 8:16 am
chalkboard guru says:
Great words my man. LeBron has shown all those haters that he can be clutch also. I hope LeBron humiliates the Spurs and “Floppin’” Ginobili!
Jun.13 at 2:19 pm
Blackadam06 says:
Well I guess those so called “Boring” Spurs are at it again. I just don’t get this generation. Since when has a 1 game performance warranted the status of “greatness”? When? You know, everytime I log on to spots like these, I see these kids & their extemely flawed logic talkin about someone is the “next” this or that, better than this legend, soley based on a 1 game scenario LOL!!! Do y’all not know how stupid that sounds. Let me get this straight: a one game scenario Vs an entire body of accomplishments for a career..Wow… What criteria are you guys using to come to this conclusion..style over substance? Is having a great highlight reel better than championship rings? Take away a bad call last year vs the Mavs..take away a miracle 3 pointer by derek fisher in ‘03, Tim Duncan would be competing for his 6th championship. That my friends is what you truly can call “Jordan-esqe”. Tim Duncan, not Kobe, not Lebron, or anybody else you want to throw in the mix, has been THE BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE, for the better part of the last 10 years people. When are people gonna give this guy his just due? Call me crazy, but I thought the title of Best Player in the league was judged by one’s ability to win championships or “CONSISTENTLY” lead one’s team to the Finals to compete for that honor..I’m not even a Spurs fan, but the way this guy is short changed by these “casual fans”, & lets just call them what they are, ’cause they certainly can’t be astute students of the game, you’d think they were referring to some reserve off the bench when it comes to ranking Tim Duncan. It’s ridiculous. Sooner or later y’all wil learn, y’all can’t keep duckin’ the obvious forever..
Jun.15 at 12:15 am
blackadam06 says:
I meant miracle 3 pointer in 2004 by derek fisher. Not ‘03..