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.
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| 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 89th 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.
