Be a Bitch, LeBron!

He was called a bitch. Not once, but twice.

Allegedly.

If that’s what he is, LeBron James turned in a performance akin to that of one being in heat. Rabid. Hungry. Ferocious. Vulnerable. A virtuoso performance matched by running mate, Kyrie Irving as the pair both notched 41 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. A feat never completed before, where a pair of teammates each go off for 40 points in a NBA Finals game.

Final score, 112-97.

Klay Thompson once again put up a big stat line which probably would’ve netted him the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy had they won, with 37 points on 11 for 20 shooting, scoring 26 points at halftime, but went cold thereafter, never to recover. Reigning two-time MVP Steph Curry also had a decent game tallying 25 points, with five 3’s but on a paltry 8 for 21 shooting, with 4 turnovers and offered little resistance to Irving’s onslaught. Those numbers from the Splash Brothers, in concert with whatever their Swiss army knife do-it-all forward Draymond Green would have given them, would normally be enough to secure the win and second straight title. However, against this cornered, motivated and soldiering forward Cavs, this proved unsatisfactory.

James also eclipsed another little known Michael Jordan playoff record by becoming the player with the most 20 point games (174 games) in NBA history in the league’s post season.

A thrilling game from start to finish, it lived up to the expectations and storylines conjured by the controversial ruling on Draymond Green who was relegated to spectator status in the suites of the neighbouring Oakland A’s stadium. By league rules, Green was forbidden on the premises for the game as punishment for the suspension received in Game 4. If the Warriors did win however, league reports state he would have been allowed back at Oracle arena which is connected via tunnel to the Oakland A’s stadium to join the championship clinching celebrations.

The NBA’s role in this as the all mighty retroactive ruler, drew the ire of many Golden State Warrior fans, fellow NBA players and basketball analysts alike, most notably, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith who described the sanction as “bogus and disgusting” repeatedly. Was the punishment deserved? A double swipe at LeBron, as James channelled Allen Iverson by stepping over Green as they got tangled up at midcourt. Whether James executed the move deliberately or not, to either show up Draymond or to bait him into the now regrettable reflex action precipitating the suspension is unknown, but it ultimately led to the most impressive outing by a duo in the NBA Finals.

With elimination at their door and the understanding of having to face the media again as the runner up, LeBron, Kyrie and the rest of the feisty Cavaliers mustered a gutsy performance to extend the series and their season.

Richard Jefferson once again provided a spark off the bench, with an inspired performance likely to earn him another short term contract in the league- with a flurry of sweet moves to the basket- one spin move in particular in the lane, he finished with a sweet finger roll that drew comparisons to his youthful New Jersey days being the highlight. JR Smith, though quiet delivered 10 points and Iman Shumpert chipped in with some solid defense in 25 minutes contributing 2 blocks to the win.                                                                                                                                      

Draymond pretending to be unconcerned with the action next door at Oracle Arena

Now with Draymond returning for the crucial Game 6 in Cleveland after spending time with Bob Myers and Marshawn Lynch at the Oakland Coliseum, LeBron and the Cavs better be very aware that these Warriors will come out with an almighty vengeance, seeking to end the series once and for all, sending LeBron to 2 wins, 5 losses in the Finals in 13 seasons and forcing him to contemplate earlier, whether he would like to represent the USA in the offseason at the Olympic games, likely with Draymond as a teammate, whilst Curry and co. make it a flawless 2-2 in their Finals appearances.

Steve Kerr lamented the fact that the Warriors defensive execution was not up to championship level and Thompson and the Warriors collectively may have gotten their feelings hurt but at least they have another opportunity to close this series out. One more win secures them another Larry O’Brien trophy and the right to debate their place as arguably the greatest team the sport has ever seen. Another loss delivers growing confidence and momentum to LeBron and his cavalry and an epic Game 7 on Father’s Day, this Sunday.

In addition to the Game 5 loss, Draymond Green may have costed himself a Finals MVP trophy as a reward for his all-round impact on this series so far, due to his suspension but he could prove that he is indeed valuable to this team and further solidify himself as an unquestioned star in this league. On Friday, he has the chance to have the last and most satisfying laugh if he can multi-task his way into his NBA record 89^th win of the season. It’s fair to say that this is all dependent on him and his impulses and the scoring and defensive prowess of his team.

One more game is all that stands in their way. One more slugfest between the league’s two pre-eminent champion contending teams. With loads at stake, we all await with baited breath what Game 6 has to offer.

Take-Away Number From Game 3 is 3!

3 syllables.

Dis-man-tle (verb) = raze, take down, tear down; Take apart into its constituent pieces.

3 letters O-K-C

25 point deficit.

This is what the Warriors faced by the half of Game 3 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals. You have to think the Warriors PR team were probably a bit reluctant about hitting "Send" on that tweet.

I don't know if the 72-10 Bulls had a deficit like this, ever, at any point during their regular or post season run but at this point, it is besides the point. Will go Stugotz-sian on this and not even look up the comparative stats on that too! No need.

As I sit here at 2:38 a.m. in morning (UK) watching this thrashing by OKC, I unapologetically felt excited and nervous by the fact that this could be a defining moment for these Thunder. Win this game and be completely in charge of this series and maybe the minds of these defending champs...Lose and be the subject of absolute and unrelenting ridicule until Kevin Durant's free agency decision either this summer or next.

3! Another 3 from Dion Waiters, jersey number 3 for OKC in the third quarter, just after Curry missed his attempt a few possessions prior. The Warriors are now being beaten at their own game. Score now? 92-59! Ouch.

What happens immediately after that commercial break is even more of a gut-punch to the Warriors, Andre "Self-Check" Roberson (thanks Bomani Jones, that's a brilliant nickname! Though he's going against it in this series) hits another long range shot to push the lead to 95-59.

Dismantle.

The Warriors are now staring down being another record breaking statistic. Albeit this time being on the opposite end of the outcome. Becoming the 57th team to understandably lose a playoff game after trailing by 25 points at the half.

117-80 at the end of the third. This isn't getting any better for the defending champs. They were definitely taken apart into their constituent pieces. They were the lesser team in field goal effectivity shooting 41% in the game to the Thunder's scorching 50% (was up to 58% at one point in the third)!

They were shut out on the boards 52-38, with Ibaka, Westbrook and Durant all corralling 8, whilst Kanter hauled in another double-digit effort with 12. Not outstanding like the Raptors' Bismack Biyombo's 26 the night prior in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers, but enough.

They were also beaten at the free throw line, giving up 37 attempts to their 25.

Out-blocked 8-1

Cameron Payne, Kyle Singler and Anthony Morrow are now on the floor, game is essentially over.

Final score, fits the numerical theme perfectly-133-105. Franchise record for points in a playoff game for the Thunder.

Steve Kerr now has to go back to the drawing board to summon all his knowledge from his 2 years of NBA coaching experience and 15 year playing career to find a way to light a bonfire under his team to get them to play with the requisite focus, energy, poise, urgency and determination. More fluidity in the symphonic ball movement that made them a team for the ages. Less leg flicks to the groin (Draymond Green reportedly told ESPN's The Undefeated that it wasn't intentional and wanted to apologise to Adams after the game; Russell Westbrook in the post-game press-conference believes otherwise- intentional).

The Warriors reverting to their deadly range shooting won't hurt either. But like Charles Barkley says over and over, you either live or die by the three. They've shown they can definitely eat and live by them for the last 2 years, however they'd definitely hope that a reliance on the shot to create space and bludgeon teams into submission will not be a further cause for their demise.

They have got to figure out Westbrook, who again was the sensational half of his Jekyll and Hyde on-court persona (30-8-12); contain Durant (33 and 8 on an efficient 10 of 15 shooting); focus on boxing out Steven Adams and worrying less about getting into his head; getting a hand in Dion Waiters' face (13 points) and rendering Self-Check or The Return of Thabo (Roberson went for 13 points, hitting 3 of 5 from beyond the arc) as the guy who plays defence on himself.

We all want to see a LeBron-Curry rematch in the NBA Finals, it would be the ultimate treat to the fans of this game after being cheated of the opportunity to see what that match-up should have been with everyone healthy. But at this rate a hungrier and more experienced Durant and Westbrook against the Cavs, knowing what's at stake for both LeBron and KD (2-5 Finals record for LeBron versus impending free agency for a future Hall inductee with no ring...yet) has got to have all of us salivating and giddy in anticipation.

The Warriors better be careful though or their season can very possibly end in two games...or three!

Like it was June 14th 1996 again!

It was Wednesday 13th April 2016, on a night when the polar opposite (in conference standings) New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder got nights off to be couch potatoes and take their pick of the 14 NBA regular season finale games on schedule, NBA players and fans got an almighty tweet treat. Summarised, in part ,with one photo:

Stephen Curry (and Steve Kerr!) sure do look smug...and so far have a reason to be!

An obvious photoshop of "His Airness" Michael Jeffrey Jordan, the greatest player to ever play this game, cradled by his heir apparent to the sport's singular dominating throne. The picture, of course, references Jordan's 1997 NBA Finals "Flu Game" in Utah, where Michael put on a sensational show, tallying 38 points, despite being ravaged by the flu in a 90-88 Chicago win in Salt Lake City. Michael, for those not old enough to know/remember/or just clearly missed the train on what everyone paid attention to at that time, was helped off the court by teammate Scottie Pippen, after squeezing every ounce out of his body to get the win for his team, who were now one win away from repeating as NBA champions.

Not so funny now is it!

But on this night April 13 2016, Stephen Curry, the NBA's reigning MVP and champion fictionally carries MJ as if to say "there there...I got you...AND your record!" A fitting smirk plastered on his face, satisfyingly given to all the doubters, including myself, who thought that the whole Grizzlies team and their collective kitchen sinks, would exhaust all their defensive options and flagrant fouls to prevent the previously impossible 72-10 wins record achieved by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls team, from being reached.

The 2016 Golden State Warriors actually eclipsed that hallowed, sacred, mythical and revered 72-10. That same record those "untoucha-Bulls" amassed in their dominant season en-route to their fourth title! That time has actually arrived!

What a night!

But wait we're not done!

The other "part" of the night was equally dominated by the finale for one of the game's greatest individual talents giving his last curtain call.

Kobe Bryant played his final NBA game in the city he raised five banners for. I watched every minute of it, whilst simultaneously peeking at the Golden State-Memphis game. Thank God for an inadvertently purchased season subscription of NBA League Pass!

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe embrace after Kobe's final game,
whilst Draymond Green addresses the crowd after his Warriors closed the regular season at...
73-9!

"Mamba out" Kobe proclaimed as he respectfully dropped the mic on the Staples Centre hardwood floor (he actually should've dropped the mic, for effect, channelling his inner Kanye- who was also courtside along with the usual suspects). The court was also fittingly adorned with his jersey numbers 8 and 24 on the opposite baselines, which he graced for 20 long years.

A buddy of mine in Canada, in our Whatsapp group of secondary/high school graduates asserted "[Kobe won't just need] ice bags after [this]...[he'll need to] sleep in a freezer...!" People probably won't put it past Kobe either, as we've all heard the stories of the lengths he has gone through to remain prepared, recover and get ready to approach every one of his games on court. From high school young gun to old school "O.G." as he was referred to in USA basketball camps, he remained consistent and relentless.

As Kobe approached 50 points on the night, I wondered, why not pack his ego in next season (2016-17), come back refreshed and challenge for another ring, Tim Duncan style? Kobe just dropped 60, albeit on 50 shots (!), shooting 44% from the field, with a plus-minus of +7….but the dude just dropped 60! The most scored individually in the NBA this season and the sixth time in his career he's reached that figure….on the final night of the season, in the final game of his career!

He surely still has something left in the tank. No?

This night for me, April 13th 2016, will almost stand out like June 14th 1996. A "where were you when..." moment. Any self-respecting NBA fan did not miss that night then and would not miss this night.

A team for the ages (and record books), reaching a once near-impossible regular season wins milestone and an individual career and performance that both come to a seemingly sudden halt like no other. Never seen like this before.

Wow!

We now live in a cyber world of infinite immediacy. One dominated by social media, less and less kids playing sports, who substitute physical activity with selfies and "empowerment." For one night, it felt like it did almost 20 years ago on June 14 1996.

For one night I was a reminded of what it felt like to be an absolute basketball junkie once again.

In all this immediacy and technology, as I paced the pavements of Romford, Essex in England at 8:11am, typing this piece on my iPhone, on my way to a job I look forward to also being able to also say "#insertnamehereOUT" to, I felt good about the sport again. Prompting me to try to resurrect my old Bleacher Report profile (to no avail), where I wrote my last article in October 2009, to say goodbye to the old and hello to the (relatively) new.

On this night April 13 2016 (or for those of us in the UK, the morning of  April 14) this can also be summarised in this new age as:

#73and60

Let the playoffs and reminiscing begin!