Photo: EFE
On a night when Lebron James scored 41 points, Dwight Howard played 28 foul-plagued minutes, and the refs called an unbelievable 58 fouls – the Magic won by 10 points. One fan on Twitter summed it up like this, “If you’re a Cavs fan, you’re officially worried.” I can only help but to agree.
The Orlando Magic hosted their first game of the Eastern Conference Finals before an extra rowdy Amway Arena. Orlando has been blanketed by thunderstorms and rain, which perhaps contributed to the restlessness of the Magic fans. It was either that, or the ridiculous “Witness” campaign Nike has been beating us over the head with.
As the first quarter started, Magic fans were glad to see the boys come out with a good first quarter. Even though Dwight picked up two quick fouls and only played five minutes and change in the quarter, Rafer Alston lead the Magic to a 24-17 lead.
In the second quarter, the Cavaliers came back as Dwight fouled Lebron and was forced to watch most of the game from the bench. Although backup center Marcin Gortat is no Superman, he is probably good enough to start on most teams in the NBA. He isn’t a difference maker on the court, but he is a solid role player; that’s more than the most teams have at center.
At the midway-point, Cleveland had drawn within one, 42-41. Although the game was close, Howard came out of the half ready to change that. He played most of the third, and picked up 10 points and 3 rebounds. When Dwight left for the bench again, he had helped the Magic grow the lead back to six.
With 2:17 left to play, the Cavs were back within four, and Dwight Howard drew a foul. He made both free-throws en route to 14-19 effort from the line. Down by six with two minutes to go, Lebron was fouled. He missed both attempts.
Lebron scored 41 points, but that number is a mirage. He played awful. I credit this largely to two things: (1) Mickael Pietrus played him tough on D (2) Lebron does not know if he has what it takes to close. Lebron can drive, I’ll give him that. His “much improved” outside game fails him in critical situations and against good teams. We saw it happen during the season, and we saw it happen last night. If you take out James’ lay-ups, he shot 4-21. Many of those missed jump shots were wide-open looks coming off of screens.
Lebron choked at the foul line when it mattered and he missed jump shots all night long, even air balling a few. To say he had an off game is an understatement. Watching Bron’s eyes in the moments that matter, you can see a scared kid that does not think he can make it. I’m convinced now that all of his bravado and absurd antics are just a big mask. This may explain why he has bulked up like he’s training for a Mickey Rourke movie. Lebron was big and physical when he came into the league, but he was no linebacker. Perhaps his love of the gym comes from a desire to appear “tough?”
Kobe is tough. Kobe doesn’t miss key free-throws. Kobe isn’t putting on a mask – he is a real closer. He puts games away.
Lebron had an off night, and that is OK, everybody has off nights. The problem in Cleveland is that when James has an off night, there is no one else there. The “King” is surrounded by empty bodies. Mo Williams? Not an All-Star, he was a replacement All-Star. It doesn’t count. Zydrunas Ilgauskas? 3-10 from the field. Delonte West? How many playoff teams does he start for at shooting guard? Anderson Varejao? He was a big force in the paint with 2 field goal attempts, four rebounds, and no blocks. Then there’s that bench that combined for eight points.
Seriously, it’s James, and a bunch of seat-fillers. Granted, Lebron makes them look good, or at least better than they are, but he can’t do it alone. What is Cleveland’s playoff destiny? To have Lebron be superhuman, or lose to Superman and his Superfriends.
