If you checked the NBA standings this morning – and doesn’t everyone start his or her day that way? – you’ll find that LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers can finish no better than third in the Eastern Conference, regardless of the outcome of tonight’s regular-season finale against the visiting New York Knickerbockers.
For some folks who choose to undervalue the power and passion of James – as well as the fact that the Cavs are scoring only 1.1 points a game more than they’re surrendering – that’s reason enough to believe Cleveland’s finest will fall short of reaching their fourth straight NBA Finals.
To that assumption – or wish, perhaps – I have two words: Forget it.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) pauses before shooting a free throw against the New York Knicks during an NBA basketball game, Monday, April 9, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)Instead, when someone brings up the Cavs’ apparent aversion to defense, or that the 33-year-old James is wrapping up his 15th pro season, or that he will have played in all 82 regular-season games for the first time in his career if he gets on the court tonight, merely point that person to Thursday and Friday of last week, the Cavs hosting the Washington Wizards less than 24 hours before playing at Philadelphia.
Because if anyone anywhere needed proof that King James is still the baddest, best-est (hey, my daughters used to love that faux word in daycare) basketball dude on the planet, those two games proved it. With a cherry on top.