LeBron James talked to the
media on Saturday and it became clear he was frustrated with his team. Waiting three days to play game two can have that effect.
"You think about it a lot and it eats away at you," James told Gregg Doyel of CBSSports.com on Saturday. "But at the same time it allows you to really pinpoint ways you can get better."
As the Miami Heat
players walked out for practice they were shooting long jump shots and James
was the first to tell them it was time to shoot free throws.
Then, after the team
began to shoot free throws, James noticed they weren’t focused. Within seconds
Doyel said Lebron yelled at the team: "Hey, c'mon man." Stop f---ing around."
LeBron James needs to be in attack mode if the Miami Heat are going to defeat the San Antonio Spurs. |
This is the NBA Finals and
the Heat are James’ team. He will take the criticism if they lose and the glory
if they win.
He was the first to call out
his teammates. He’s told the media that Chris Bosh needs to play in the paint
and not outside.
"Wherever [Bosh] demands
the ball in the post, we'll give it to him," LeBron said after game one.
"We need that paint attack from him."
Oh and what about Dwyane
Wade? He was supposed to be the Robin to James’ Batman? James knows he needs
more from Wade.
"Even if sometimes
you're not in the rhythm, I need to see your face that you're in tune and
you're ready for the next possession and ready to move on from whatever is
going on,” James said referring to Wade.
James knows he needs his team
to step up. After posting a triple-double in game one where James tallied 18
points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists, does he need to do more?
James is the best player in
the world. It isn’t a secret. This is when the best player takes over. It’s the
NBA Finals and if the Heat are going to beat the Spurs, his teammates will have
to play better. However, James is going to have to take his game to another
level.
In game two, James will have
to guard Tony Parker early and often. Parker did hit the game winner with James
on him in game one, but it took one of the most clutch plays we’ve ever seen in
the NBA Finals for Parker to do so. James will slow Parker down.
In game one there were times
when James passed the ball instead of shot. That needs to change. James taking
a 10-foot jump shot is better than Bosh throwing up a 25-foot three pointer.
James needs to raise his
game, which may sound like a crazy statement. After all, he did have a triple
double. But, it’s not, because he is the greatest player on the court. His
presence needs to be felt on both ends of the court.
James needs to attack the rim.
There isn’t a single player that can guard him on the Spurs if he is attacking
the basket. He needs to be aggressive and run. If he has the ball in the open
floor and there are three Spurs back on defense, most players should bring the
ball out and set up the offense. Not James. He should attack the rim and make a
play for his team.
After four MVP’s one may
assume James has reached the height of his powers, but he has more in the tank.
He can dig-deeper and become even better. These are the moments he needs to
shine brightest.
The King must be in attack
mode in a must-win game two tonight in Miami. He clearly wants his team to be
focused. But, LeBron, it is your team and it’s time for you to lead them to the
Promised Land.
Maybe you should look in the
mirror, before you tell your team to: “Stop f---ing around."
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