ATLANTA -- After the Cleveland LeBrons ripped his team Saturday night at Philips Arena for the third time in three tries during the second round, Atlanta Hawks co-owner Mike Gearon Sr., declared with wide eyes, "They might not lose a game throughout the entire playoffs," and they might not.They are destroying folks with regularity, and two names come to mind. There is that Michael guy, of course, because King James suddenly has the same killer stare, style and substance during each millisecond of his playoff games as Air Jordan once did.
The other name?
Bob Knight.
You don't play the opponent. You play the game. That's what Knight used to say, and that's what these Cavaliers do, which is why only the Los Angeles Kobes will stand between them and the Larry O'Brien trophy in June.
Until then, when LeBron James will use the NBA Finals to turn Kobe Bryant into just another superstar, there will be more Cleveland blowouts. James is the engine of the Cavaliers' stifling defensive machine that generates enough offense from inside and outside to help crush opponents, too. In other words, what has happened so far during the postseason for the Cavaliers is neither a fluke nor a matter of the Cavaliers battling flawed teams in the Detroit Pistons and the Hawks.
The Cavaliers get it, because their engine does.
So there was James early Saturday, with that stare before he prepared to use that style and that substance to deliver his latest one-man pounding of the Hawks. "We don't change our game plan for anybody, whether we're at home or on the road," said James, daring the crowd around his locker to disagree. "We know how we're going to come out tonight. They're going to have to adjust to us."
To translate: The Cavaliers played the game, not the Hawks. Which is why it wasn't surprising that the Cavaliers ignored the three competitive quarters of their banged-up and overmatched opponent for a rout down the stretch. Both teams will meet here again Monday night, but only to make the Hawks' burial official. This will be another four-game sweep for the Cavaliers, and this will continue their trend of stomping an opponent by double digits. They did so in the first round against the Detroit Pistons, and then came the start of the second round in northern Ohio, where the Cavaliers flew past the Hawks twice with the greatest of ease.
This time, the Hawks actually showed a pulse, but they always do at home. They even shocked the Cavaliers during the regular season.
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ATLANTA - MAY 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers awaits play against the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 9, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James
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ATLANTA - MAY 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw against the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 9, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James
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ATLANTA - MAY 09: The team dancers for the Atlanta Hawks perform against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 9, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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ATLANTA - MAY 09: Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers rubs his neck and shoulder after getting fouled by the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 9, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anderson Varejao
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ATLANTA - MAY 09: Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers lies on the floor after getting fouled by the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 9, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anderson Varejao
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ATLANTA - MAY 09: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks drives the basket against Zydrunas Ilgauskas #11 and Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 9, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zydrunas Ilgauskas;Josh Smith;Anderson Varejao
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ATLANTA - MAY 09: Delonte West #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives the basket against Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 9, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh Smith;Delonte West
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ATLANTA - MAY 09: Maurice Evans #1 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 9, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Maurice Evans
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ATLANTA - MAY 09: Joe Smith #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers blocks a shot by Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 9, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Smith;Josh Smith
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ATLANTA - MAY 09: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks drives the basket against Zydrunas Ilgauskas #11 and Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 9, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zydrunas Ilgauskas;Josh Smith;Anderson Varejao
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It's the postseason, though, which means these aren't those Cavaliers, especially since Cavaliers coach Mike Brown joins James in getting it. To prove as much, Brown was named NBA Coach of the Year. His Cavaliers won more games than anybody (66), and they did so by holding foes to fewer points per game than anybody (91) and trailing only the Boston Celtics in defensive field goal percentage. They also perfected that Bob Knight thing. Said Brown, in his fifth season coaching the Cavaliers, "Well, I don't know if we've gotten it yet. The only ring I've got on one of my fingers is my wedding ring. So we're just like trying to figure it out just like everybody else."
But nobody else has James.
Nobody ever has had anybody like James.
This was ridiculous Saturday night. Several times, with Hawks defenders throwing more than a few hands in his famous face, he backed up and drilled three-pointers from the farthest zip codes of the arena. He even banked home a trey while almost giggling as the ball left his hand.
Twelve rebounds. Eight assists. There also was a steal, a blocked shot and another heavy dose of eye rubbing from LeBron watchers to go along with his 47 points. Said Gearon, a noted NBA wise man after three decades with the Hawks in various capacities, "He's better than Jordan. He's 6-foot-9, and he's got bigger hands. I've never seen anybody like him. You can put him at any position right now, and he'd be the best player in the league at that position. Here's the other thing: Jordan didn't make guys better around him, not like Magic and Bird, and this guy is like Magic and Bird."
No, James is like James.
That's more impressive.
Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Let's not go crazy just yet.
MJ played Malone and Stockton, Isiah and the Bad Boys, Kareem and Magic, Reggie fricken Miller.
LeBron has faced a Broken Sheed and Rip Hamilton, Joe Johnson? and Josh Smith? C'mon man let's stop being ridiculous.
The Hawks are not a defensive stalwart, they could throw the entire team including the bench at a broken Dwayne Wade and Wade could still get though them. In fact, Brandon Roy could probably light them up.
The media needs to remove its tongue from Mr. James' rear end.
I bet you are an east coast media guy Mr.Moore.
Which sort of explains the love fest but does not excuse it
Bryan I agree with you all he way. Not knocing on LeBron but he hasn't well his Team hasn't faced a good defensive team during these playoffs and it's true that the media wants LeBron to win the big one but there's only one problem. There's that guy Kobe Bryant standing in the way. People seem to forget about what Kobe can do. Black Mamba will win his 4th Championship against LeBron's Cavaliers.
Totally agree. Until he can win a championship he's just another player.
Maybe James turns Bryant into another superstar. But Bryant is a "just" a superstar on a championship team.
When the Lakers choke Lebron James defensively as they have their last 2 meeting Lebron will be unable to save the rest of his team of scrubs.
How many times will he be able to have stellar shooting games against a motivated Laker defense?
I will save this article/post until the end of the Finals. We shall see if your lack of logical analysis and facts becomes irrelevant and the Cavs do in fact beat the Lakers. If that so happens to be the case i will apologize and admit to King James being the greatest of all time
But if things do not turn out that way i will post a copy of this article/post on every one of your new articles/posts to highlight what a buffoon you were.
Maybe the Lakers do have a better team,but if they play like they did last year against the Celtics,the Cavs will take home the hardware.I actually watched the Cavs and Hawks game 3,I'm not so sure any of these other commenters here did.I'm 53 years old,and I am going to flat out say it,I have never ever seen a player do what James can do...period.This guy gets it.He is a coach on the floor and at 24 years old,he gets better every year.With their home court advantage,the Cavs will be almost impossible to beat 4 of 7 games,even for Kobe's Lakers.
You make a good point Mr.G.
"Maybe the Lakers do have a better team,but if they play like they did last year against the Celtics,the Cavs will take home the hardware."
As we all clearly saw Game 2 of the Rockets/Lakers series this is NOT then same team from last year. this time they fought back when they were pushed. they play like a team on a tear
Last year they were throttled in the playoffs AND the reg season by the Celtics. They went home beaten, but with a newfound commitment to defense. This year they stepped up in the big games and swept both the Cavs and Celtics
"I have never ever seen a player do what James can do...period."
I'll admit James is an athletic god. his quickness and jumping ability are unmatched in the NBA. But Kobe has been dropping 40 point games on fools since lebron was in still in high school
this is the guy that scored 81, remember.
I see no evidence to suggest the Cavs beat the Lakers in a 7 game series.
Lakers have lost 2 games. 1 was on a buzzer beater and another was after a week off. remember Utah would be seeded 4th in the east.
The Lakers cruised through the west last year and were beaten by a Celtic team that destroyed them in their regular season matchups. Lakers had it too easy in the west playoffs while the Celtics struggled through adversity.
Lebron's time will come, but not yet.
Mike Woodson, and his staff ain't Phil Jackson, & Co. That being said, LeBron is a freak..
I would like to see James play against real defenses like Jordan faced in the 80's and 90's. Honestly I think Lebron would have been another Shawn Kemp..
Until LeBron James & his team win the championship you can not compare him to Jordan, Kobe, Magic Johnson nor Bird, I rest my case.
Talk is cheap:
Lebron and his team of scrubs? Even though Lebron is the leader of this team, you don't blow through a conference with one guy. 2 years ago, you could make that clame, but not now. They are a complete team.
pleaseeeeeee!!!! lebron hasnt even had a challenge yet!!!!come the next round the celts or the magic will devour himlast year against the celts pierce was all over him(although he scored 44 in game 7 but pierce scored 40). none of his team scored alot the celts had garnett and allen putting up big numbers!!!!lebron youre not as good as michael jordan!
THEY ARE NOT A COMPLETE TEAM!!!!!!!!!
Please, you actually think the Celtics and Magic can make the finals? You are either dreaming, or you have some excellent drugs.
Jojo, Perhaps you should check their team stats from the season. When you learn something about Basketball, give me a ring.
The Cavs are a weak team. All year long they beatup on bad teams or teams below 500 but had problems with Elite teams (Lakers, Boston, Orlando). What the Cavs are doing now is consistent with what they did in the regular season.
Detroit 39 wins and 43 losses, below 500. Detroit shouldn't have made the playoffs.
Atlanta has the worst record of the current teams in the playoffs.
So, Lebron is really beating up on teams who have no offensive threat.
Most teams in the playoffs have 2 stars who are offensive threats which means a star like Kobe has to not only play offense but defense.
Utah - Williams/Boozer
Houston - Yao/Artest
Denver - Melo/Chauncey
Atlanta?
Detroit?
Of course this is the deck that Lebron was given, but in the long run it will hurt them because they will not have their first introduction to a team with offensive threats until they face the Lakers.
Kobe/Gasol/Odom
LeBron is good but no where near Jordan caliber. Jordan was called Air Jordan for a reason. While Jordan was in the air he was an acrobat. He defied gravity. He could just float stay up there forever change the ball from hand to hand while still floating. I don't think there will ever be anyone better than Jordan. I'm not a Bulls or a Jordan fan. I grew up with Larry Bird and the Celtics. Celtics are still my team but you have to give Jordan his props.LeBron is in a league of his own but still not in Jordans.
It's possible - but he has to beat some better defenses, and be able to excel in those situations as well, and as he is given more freedom to make more decisions - then he still has to learn to stay focussed after that with the extra weight on his shoulder's and not forgetting his teammate's - Mike already did all that - Kobe hasn't had to do that yet, in the same degree either.
@ #6
That same Celtics team from last years was taken to 7 games by LeBron, with a team that is not anywhere close to what this year's cavs are. Imagine where he can go now that he actually has a team around him.
@ #26
they will face the Celtics or the Magic in the next round. If it is the celtics, you have Pierce/Allen/Rondo three incredible offensive threats. If it is Orlando, they have an extremely effective defense, something the Lakers can't match. Along with offensive threats in Howard, Lewis, and Turkoglu.
By the time the Cavs face the Lakers (if they can get past the Nuggets), they will be more than prepared.