- NBA teams aim for right lane traveling Final’s Road - April 29, 2018
“The Cavs road to the title has gotten tougher and tougher and King James can blame himself,’ said ESPN Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith. “It’s his fault.”
This year’s NBA Finals may or may not end up with a fourth trip for Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron and his team shouldn’t pack their bags just yet. Their performance in Game 1 of the series was depressing.
LeBron and the Cavs disappointed their fans after losing Game 1 to the Indiana Pacers. The Cavs played with little intensity. LeBron’s performance wasn’t bad, however, he just didn’t play like we are used to seeing him play.
After Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoffs, fans wonder if the Cavs will be able to keep up with the Pacers.
Indiana Pacer, Victor Oladipo, had an incredible first game. The former Indiana Hoosier who was traded at the beginning of the season for Paul George has been biding his time, perfecting his game and now he looks like he’ll be getting some votes for most improved player of the year award. He finished with a game high 32 points while drilling six three-pointers. If the Cavs can stop him they may have a chance at evening the series. But, it will not be an easy win.
The Cavs had been having a hard time winning all season. Rebuilding after overhauling the team and trading several key players has taken a toll on the team’s chemistry. In February, the Cavs traded guard Kyrie Irving to Boston in exchange for guard Isaiah Thomas. But in less than a year, Thomas and forward Channing Frye were sent to the Los Angeles Lakers, and guard Dwayne Wade to the Miami Heat. In addition, guard Derrick Rose and forward Jae Crowder were sent to the Utah Jazz.
On top of that, tension between LeBron and Cavs coach, Tyronn Lue, heated up after their loss to the Portland Trailblazers in March. Players and fans got a close-up, camera-shot of the two arguing about a play. Twitter lit up with comments from fans rumoring that Lue was probably on his way out. Soon after, Lue took a leave of absence, citing health issues.
“My legacy is bigger than basketball. I’ve always told you that.’ Said LeBron after their loss in Game 3. He has never lost a first round series and he’s not about to lose one now.
The Cavs proved, during Game 5, that they could turn it around when they beat the Indiana Pacers with a three-point, buzzer beater by LeBron James. During his postgame interview, LeBron said “I told my teammates to give me the ball’. The series is now 3-2.
LeBron James caps classic performance with epic buzzer-beater
The other East Coast match that was on the radar was the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers series. These two teams who are young and hungry were primed for what was the most physical first round series of the playoffs. Nevertheless, on Wednesday, the 76ers secured a spot in the second round by clinching a 4-1 series win over the Heat. “I’m picking the Philadelphia 76ers to go all the way to the finals.’ said Stephen A. Smith.
Sixers player, Embiid, celebrates win with comic Kevin Hart
Things were different out West. The 2-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors who are expected to repeat as NBA champions by most ESPN analysts finished their first round series with the San Antonio Spurs, Tuesday with a 99-91 win. Steph Curry who is out with an ankle injury sat out the whole first round and is to be reevaluated this upcoming week. With Curry sidelined his teammates and fellow all-stars Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green lead the Warriors to a 4-1 series win.
Up north, the Oklahoma City Thunder who have been called possibly the most disappointing team thus far went down three games to one in their match up against the young and upcoming Utah Jazz team lead by rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell. With 8 minutes and 36 seconds left in the deciding Game 5, the Jazz lead by 25 points.
“I just about turned my TV off and was going to get five hours of sleep instead of four.’ said former ESPN analyst now producer of the talk show Undisputed, Skip Bayless when reigning MVP Russell Westbrook with the help of fellow superstar Paul George lead a surge that sent Oklahoma on a 32-7 run. Westbrook finished with a game high 45 points and 15 rebounds while George poured in 34 points to lead the Thunder to a 107-99 win. Game 6 will be in Utah Friday with the Jazz attempting to close a determined Thunder squad at home.
Russell Westbrook, Paul George fuel season-saving comeback for Thunder
1500 miles away, the Houston Rockets, who hold the NBA’s best team record this year, opened up their run for a shot at the NBA championship against the Minnesota Timberwolves. James Harden, the leader for the MVP award was phenomenal averaging 29 points per game leading his team to a 4-1 series win. The Houston Rockets await the winner of the Oklahoma and Jazz series for their second-round matchup.
The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers have met in the last three championship series and are 2-1 in favor of Golden State, but things could turn out different. The Houston Rockets are looking like they could be threat for the title while Lebron and the Cavs are fighting against a Pacer team that is tired of losing to Lebron. “That team over there never gives up’ Lebron said after Game 5 in Cleveland.
The road to the NBA Finals has been easy the last couple years for both Warrior and Cavalier franchises but these playoffs could be different.
