LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers stood no chance against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, but LeBron isn’t concerned in the least bit.
LeBron James has advanced to the NBA Finals every year since 2011 and despite a tough Game 1 loss to the Boston Celtics, he isn’t concerned about the series just yet. While I’m sure everyone will be quick to change their pre-series predictions based on the Celtics 108-83 drubbing of the Cavs, there is still a long way to go in these Eastern Conference Finals.
After the Game 1 loss, James told reporters, “I have zero level of concern. I never went to college. This isn’t March Madness.”
LeBron asked what his level of concern is: “I have zero level of concern. I never went to college. This isn’t March Madness.”
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 13, 2018
If that wasn’t confident enough, LeBron made it clear that he is already plotting and figuring out exactly how to rebound from his rough night. James was 5-for-16 from the floor and only managed 15 points. The King has always been great at adjusting game to game in the playoffs and it won’t be a shock to anyone when he inevitably comes back and has a great Game 2.
LeBron: “I got a good sense of how they played me today, and how I need to play going into Game 2.”
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 13, 2018
And if you’re doubting that LeBron has a “good sense” of the gameplan used to slow him down, he already remembers everything he needs to. He remembers every single possession of tonight’s game and the wheels are spinning in his head already.
.@KingJames' recalls the 4th quarter…in extreme detail.#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/86LNe2r2gX
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 13, 2018
By now we all know that LeBron can put a team on his back and win games through sheer force of will, but he’s going to need his teammates to step up if he wants to take this series. The Cavs were a woeful 4-for-26 from three in this game.
Guys like J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, and George Hill are going to need to step up in a big way to take some of the pressure off LeBron. Those three combined for 14 points on 6-for-19 shooting from the floor and 2-for-10 from deep.
This one was all Boston from the jump, but this series is far from over. No one knows that better than LeBron.
The @celtics had 36 points after the first quarter.
The Cavs have 35 points at the half. ? pic.twitter.com/4qAYPVFPwa
— ESPN (@espn) May 13, 2018
Statement half in Boston ? pic.twitter.com/8m5OJgwtdm
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 13, 2018
Jaylen Brown denied Kevin Love, let him know about it … then buried it on the other end. ? pic.twitter.com/jFgNPTqmnj
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 13, 2018
Smart, right in LeBron's grill. pic.twitter.com/CGyhr0wMOx
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 13, 2018
Jayson Tatum with the hesi pull-up jimbos ? pic.twitter.com/8aox7RsZcu
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 13, 2018
