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Lebron's All Just Isn't Enough

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Lebron's All Just Isn't Enough Friday, June 5, 2015 MN The Plain Dealer | cleveland.com *S3 NBA FINALS Warriors 108, Cavaliers 100 (OT) Commentary LeBron’s all just isn’t enough James scores 44 points, but multiple Golden State defenders leave Cavaliers star spent GUS CHAN / THE PLAIN DEALER LeBron James looks to drive in the first quarter Thursday. James, who is playing in his sixth Finals, has an NBA-best 55 playoff games of at least 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Oakland, sweating out James’ miss against man can’t beat five, but James has a shot since Davidson to hear the Calif. — Andre Iguodala on the last pos- pulled this off before. James beat national media tell it scored 10 Asked if mul- session of the fourth quarter and the Detroit Piston in the 2007 con- of his 14. James scored seven of tiple rested a breathtakingly close miss on a ference finals in the pivotal double his 19. defenders were desperate corner heave after that overtime fifth game, scoring 48 The way the Warriors came the league’s by Iman Shumpert, Golden State points, including his team’s last 25 back, against a Cavaliers team way of guard- pulled away in overtime. points, 29 of its last 30 and all 18 that was at its most brainy and Bill ing players of James scored 44 points , but his in the OTs. LeBronny in the first quarter (as- Livingston his size and teammates could not make the One man supposedly can’t beat sists on seven of their 10 baskets) strength, LeB- open shots he created in the over- four, either, particularly one All- showed the truth of their pre-game ron James said, time after the 98-98 regulation tie. Star against four, but James did replay board tributes to the city of “If they are, the Thus did the Cavaliers lose the that too in the rout of the Atlanta Oakland. league ain’t doing a good job of opener of the NBA Finals, 108-100. Hawks in the second game of this The Warriors tout their home- it .” James had called on everything year’s conference finals. Irving, the town as tough, gritty, hard-work- The trend in the NBA is to he had pledged to his hometown Cavs’ other All-Star, sat out half the ing. You almost expect to hear the confront a player such as James when he returned, that being ev- series, including that game, while “hard-working town, hard-working with a revolving cast of defend- erything he had. the Hawks’ four All-Stars were hale team” anthem of the Cavaliers ers. James’ matchup with what- As spent as their leader, the Cavs and hearty. when they had a lot of pretty good, ever and whomever the Golden did not score in the period.until a Can one man beat three? The not great players. State Warriors threw at him was James layup in the final seconds. Warriors sent Harrison Barnes, What was shocking was how the a big part of the first game of the Here is what James did in just Andre Iguodala and Draymond Warriors stole the Cavs’ identity in NBA Finals Thursday night at the first 10 minutes of the fourth Green at him in the first half, and the quarter, outrebounding them, Oracle Arena, a 3-point shot from quarter — jump hook in the lane the Cavs led, 51-48, with 19 points 15-5. Irving was the Cavs’ second- the 880 Freeway in this indus- over Klay Thomson, face-up from James. leading rebounder with four, all of trial city across the bay from San jumper, elbow fadeaway jumper Can one man beat 19,596? That which is head-shaking stuff. Francisco. lane, set-up of Kyrie Irving for a is the golden-shirted, hoarse- Some of the shots James made The Warriors ran their revolv- 3. Strongman runner in the neon throated, rowdy number of a ca- in the third quarter were with a ing supply of rested defenders at glow of the lane. Feed to Timofey pacity crowd such as the one that degree of difficulty that included James, did not help on him and al- Mozgov for a dunk. roared the Warriors to a 46-3 re- paths through arms and over low the 3-point shooters’ paradise On and on it went, one against cord here coming into the Finals hands and out of tunnels of ob- on which the Cavs had thrived in five, 35, 37, 39, 42 on the one thing first game. Their urgent, support- struction, with the big crowd earlier rounds, and forced James he’s lacked, the 3-ball. ing, shouting, sonic blasts brought howling in protest of foul calls. to expend huge amounts of energy So now what do the Cavs do the Warriors from from 14 points James’ pinballing muscle shots in one-on-one isolations. THOMAS ONDREY / THE PLAIN DEALER when everything from the best down in a ragged first quarter. off the backboard and rim and The league might not have the Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith puts up a 3-point shot as Golden player of his generation wasn’t The second quarter was not in were backed by Irving, look- answer to James, but the Warriors State guard Andre Iguodala reaches to defend on Thursday in enough? just a show, but a showcase. ing nimble and elusive with 15 did for one night, anyway. After Oakland, California. It is a basketball axiom that one Steph Curry, who hadn’t missed points. Congratulations Cavaliers On defeadefeatingting the Atlanta HawksHawks andand makimakinngg it toto The Finals! Also, a Special Thanks to all of our WAYSIDE $1.00 SLEEP EVENT We Are All In! Purchase any White Dove or Serta Mattress at our everyday low price & get a matching box Contest Winners…GO CAVS! GO CAVS! spring for just $1.00. See store for details. www.Wayside-Furniture.com 1367 Canton Rd. Akron 44312 (Rt. 91, Just 1/4 mile south of Rt. 224) Phone 330-733-6221 • Toll Free (877)-499-3968 Open Sundays 12-6, Daily 10-9, Sat. 10-6 3162190-01.
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