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LeBron's refresher course in who's boss
Nick Jungfer
Roar Guru
10th June, 2014
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LeBron in his Miami Heat days. (Image: NBA)
Nick Jungfer
Roar Guru
10th June, 2014
4

After several unsuccessful trips into painted territory in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, LeBron James exploded towards the rim for a frustration-fuelled dunk. From there, it was game on.

It was a dominant performance; an emphatic answer to the most criticism he’s received since the ‘big three joining forces/he isn’t clutch/he isn’t a winner’ years.

On the way to 35 points, James’ first 11 shots were taken from in the paint before he adjusted to the Spurs’ adjustments. He then took his talents outside of the keyway, growing tired of the whole layups and dunks routine anyway, and knocked in eight mid-to-long-range field goals during the second half.

On multiple occasions Kawhi Leonard simply couldn’t have defended any better, yet James hit outrageous shots over him anyway.

You know a player is hot when one of the best defenders on the planet is inside and it still doesn’t matter. James had entered a special place few others have the keys to; a place where defence is a mere formality.

James carried the Heat, and it showed when he was out of the game just as much as when he was in it.

Miami played uninspiring basketball at times, especially early on, but always remained within striking range. Towards the business end of the evening, they ratcheted up their defence to the absurd levels they’re still capable of. James was in god-mode, parting the black and white sea, while Chris Bosh capped the night off in clutch-mode.

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Oh yes, and Bosh is clutch. We know this.

Bosh had a choice yesterday – to remain silent and be assumed as still clutch, or to kick ass and remove all doubt. He chose the latter.

First the ‘Boshtrich’ nailed a corner three via James to put Miami up by two in what a was a lead-swapping, tug of war final two minutes. He then put the nail in San Antonio’s coffin with a drive and dish to Wade that was as sweet as it was unexpected, then threw down this ferocious dunk for good measure.

Meanwhile, Dwyane Wade made a fool of both the referees and himself with this absurd act of floppery.

A $25,000 dollar fine may be coming Wade’s way, which is a sum of money of he’ll need to spend all of five seconds digging between his couch cushions or car seats to find.

It was another timeless performance from Tim Duncan, who tied Magic Johnson for post-season double-doubles with 18 points, 15 rebounds and 1 tip jam, all of it reminding us that Timmy somehow appears to be younger than he was two years ago.

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The Spurs struggled against Miami whenever they went small. Having Duncan and Tiago Splitter share the floor isn’t ideal for San Antonio’s offence, as they like to operate in similar areas, but it was a necessity on defence with the Spurs unable to match small-ball masters Miami at their own game.

San Antonio didn’t help themselves by shooting 12-20 from the line, at one stage missing four straight free throws in the blink of an eye. Super costly stuff.

With LeBron James being LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard sitting out various stages of the game in foul trouble, and Tony Parker out of the game with an elbow-shaped dent in his torso, the momentum had swung as quickly as Mario Chalmers’ elbow.

Miami tied the series and took home-court advantage back to South Beach.

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