King James Dethroned

This past week the NBA world had a rude awakening when the Boston Celtics dismantled the Cleveland Cavaliers, in six games. Although the Celtics shouldn’t have been doubted, the series outcome became a shock to many and could almost be considered an upset. After all, the Cavs held the NBA’s best regular season record at (61-21) and held home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

The story was written before the season had even started that this was the Cavs year. Lebron James was coming off a grueling summer that started with a bitter taste, after the Orlando Magic sent the Cavs home early last year, but ended with the fulfilling feeling of winning a gold medal in the Olympics. It appeared that his game had been taken to another level and he was ready to lead the Cavs to a championship. As we all know and have learned, the NBA championship is not won by a one man show, which is why Cleveland Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry did the best he could to surround Lebron with a feasible supporting cast. They brought in a sharp shooting starting shooting guard Anthony Parker, they brought in an athletic wingman, who can defend and shoot from long range, in Jamario Moon, they signed a one legged Leon Powe, and the biggest (literally the biggest) free agent acquisition the Cavs made, was signing what I like to call a poor mans version of what used to be called “The Diesel” aka Shaquille O’Neil. These additions don’t sound like much, but to a team that appeared to be one player away last May, these additions filled many holes.

Even after dominating the majority of the season, there was just a vibe surrounding this Cavs team, that even with the off season additions, it was not going to be enough. So, Danny Ferry did what any good GM would do, he made trades to make his team better and kept his superstar happy. Out went fan favorite Zydrunas Ilgauskas and in came Antawn Jamison. Jamison was having a great year in Washington before being traded to the Cavs and it was thought that he would fit right in. He was supposed to cancel out Rashard Lewis, if the Cavs met the Magic again. He was supposed to be the x- factor. He can shoot from anywhere on the court, he has size, he rebounds and he can defend the pick and role. He was the last piece to the first championship team Cleveland would have since 1964.

Everything went as planned until the playoffs (the games that actually matter) started. In the first series, Cleveland dominated the Chicago Bulls, but showed signs that they were a little rusty. During this series, Lebron James made it public that he had a nagging elbow injury (the most famous elbow the world has ever seen…Yes, more famous than “The People’s Elbow”) that would plague him throughout the playoffs. Even with the elbow injury, Lebron appeared to be iron man as he averaged 31 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists per game, while shooting 56% from the field and 54% from 3 point range in the series. The Cavs talent was just too overwhelming for the Bulls and the series ended in five games.

Boston was Cleveland next and unfortunately final opponent. The team that was built for greatness and had seemingly gotten over the hump was no match for the Celtics tenacious team defense and the extraordinary play of Rajon Rondo. Even King James looked confused at times and showed signs that he had lost confidence in his team. Outside of game 3, when the Cavs looked to their leader in desperate times, he showed us something we had never really seen from him before…He disappeared. Typically, it is Lebron that leaves it all on the court and his teammates let him down but this time was different. I consider myself a big Lebron James fan but in this series he left me asking, “What happened?” Was he tired? Was his elbow that bad? Did the Celtics frustrate him that much? I was left with a weird feeling and pondering questions that will never be answered. This feeling has left myself and many others assuming that the Celtics series will be the last we see of Lebron James in a Cavaliers uniform. I wonder if after game 3, he realized that if he did not score 38 points in every game, his team would struggle and that this team was not as good as many of us had believed.

Regardless of what he may have been thinking, it shouldn’t have been anything new. We all knew he would have to carry that team but from my view of the six games, it appeared that he didn’t want to this time. The Cavaliers inability to win the big games may cost them their homegrown superstar this off season, as Lebron may be in pursuit of a greater opportunity. He should do what is best for him and his family but if obtaining an NBA championship is his ultimate goal then I’m afraid he should leave the city he loves.

Whatever he chooses, I hope he comes back next year with a mean streak because his scoring title was taken from him and his dream of winning the NBA championship. The king has been temporarily dethroned until next season.