Warriors Overcome LeBron’s 51 Point Performance
5-31-18- THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS “SURVIVE” AN EPIC PERFORMANCE BY LEBRON JAMES (19-FOR 32 FROM THE FLOOR FOR A PLAYOFF CAREER-HIGHT 51 POINTS, 8 REBOUNDS, 8 ASSISTS) TO TAKE GAME 1 OF THE N.B.A. FINALS BY A FINAL SCORE OF 124-114 IN OVERTIME; STEPH CURRY (29 POINTS, 6 REBOUNDS, 9 ASSISTS), KEVIN DURANT (26 POINTS, 9 REBOUNDS 6 ASSISTS, 3 BLOCKED SHOTS), KLAY THOMPSON (24 POINTS-INCLUDING 2 CLUTCH 3 POINT SHOTS IN OVERTIME), AND DRAYMOND GREEN (13 POINTS, 11 REBOUNDS, 9 ASSISTS, 5 STEALS) LEAD THE WARRIORS TO A 1-0 LEAD IN THE BEST OF 7 SERIES.
*JAMES became ONLY THE 6TH PLAYERS IN N.B.A. HISTORY TO SCORE 50 OR MORE POINTS IN AN N.B.A. FINALS GAME (JOINING HALL OF FAMERS BOB PETIT-50 IN 1958, ELGIN BAYLOR-61 in 1962, RICH BARRY-55 in 1967, JERRY WEST-53 IN 1969, AND MICHAEL JORDAN-55 IN 1993). The difference is that he is now THE ONLY PLAYER IN LEAGUE HISTORY TO REACH THE LOFTY MILESTONE AND “LOSE” THE GAME.
*There were “several” controversial plays and calls in this contest. But a call involving Durant and James with 36.5 second left in regulation will have people talking for a long time. With the Cavaliers leading 104-102 Durant, covered by Jeff Green, drove to the basket. James stepped in the lane and made contact with Durant. Referee TONY BROTHERS called a BLOCKING FOUL on James. Referee KEN MAUER ruled a CHARGE CALL against Durant. After a video review the call was RULED to be a blocking call. Durant was given 2 free throws. He made both free throws to tie the game at 104.
*With seconds remaining and the Warriors holding a 107-106 lead Cavaliers guard George Hill was fouled, making the first of 2 shots to tie the game but missing the 2nd. J.R. SMITH rebounded the miss AND DRIBBLED THE BALL AWAY FROM THE BASKET—THINKING THAT HIS TEAM WAS LEADING AND ATTEMPTING TO RUN OUT THE CLOCK. SMITH’S ERROR PREVENTED the Cavaliers a chance at a game-winning shot in regulation time and was the break of which the Warriors took full advantage as they outscored the visitors 17-7 in overtime to win.
**DURING THE POSTGAME INTERVIEW SESSION, LEBRON JAMES CHOSE TO DWELL ON THE BLOCK-CHARGE CALL THAT WENT AGAINST HIM. HE WAS MISTAKEN!!! VIDEO REPLAY SHOWED HIM COMMITTING A BLOCKING FOUL ON THE PLAY. WHAT HE FAILED TO EXAMINE WAS HIS TEAMMATES (I.E. PARTICULARLY J.R. SMITH) MENTAL MISTAKES IN THE CLUTCH MOMENTS OF THE GAME.
***THIS ALL LEADS TO MY LONG-STANDING THINKING “THAT PLAYERS LOSE GAMES.”
Jimmy Myers