Screen cap of a frigid, yet blazing, LeBron James via RealGM forums.
Intense: “Y’all see that look [LeBron James] had on his face tonight? He had that look on his face since last night at dinner. We knew he was going to come out ready to play. That’s why he’s the MVP. I call it his ugly look.” —Mario Chalmers, assessor of intensity.
Balanced: I would say LeBron did a little bit of everything last night, but he actually did a lot of most things. As you know, the man dropped 45 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. In addition, he made some excellent passes which led to 5 assists, despite the fact that the rest of his team didn’t shoot very well (18-50, to be exact). His defense also helped Miami hold Boston to 42 percent from the floor, including 3-18 from Paul Pierce.
Flawless: Truthfully, it’s impossible to play a flawless game of basketball. That being said, LeBron’s game six plots about as close to perfection as any game ever has, or ever will. Against one of the league’s premier defenses, this man made 73 percent of his 26 shot attempts. Of all the remarkable numbers he posted in this game, that one stands out above all the rest. Seventy-three percent? This was a closeout game at the Boston Garden! People don’t just strut their way in there, take 26 shots, and shoot 73 f@cking percent. When they do, some knucklehead dumps a beer on their head. You know you’ve done something right when a fan is angry enough to sacrifice his ten-dollar beverage, and I’m sure LeBron has never been so thrilled to take an alcoholic bath.
Domineering: Not only did LeBron James completely impose his will on this game, but he did so in a beautifully-confident, borderline-arrogant, absolutely-merciless way. The one-handed rebounds, the brazen strut, the complete and utter lack of any emotion whatsoever… all of this impeccable bravado was part of his agenda, which was to show the Boston Celtics that they couldn’t even come close to f@cking with him on this particular evening.
Clutch: If Miami loses this series in seven I’m sure you’ll come across that idiot spouting off about how LeBron’s game six didn’t matter. Just understand that the idiot is indeed an idiot. This was an elimination game—that means Miami had to win it in order to survive. For the Heat, this was as crucial a battle as any, and on the enemy’s turf, no less. LeBron James dominated every facet of it from beginning to end. In the history of the NBA, I wonder how many players have recorded 45 points and 15 rebounds in a playoff game? How about an elimination game? I’m sure the information is out there, but these are questions which need not be answered. You know the number is small, and the names are probably Wilt, Magic, and Michael. Whether you care to admit it or not, this performance by one LeBron James was something very special. I don’t care how much you hate the guy… by looking at it as anything but one of the all-time great displays of individual dominance you are doing yourself a disservice as a fan of this great game.
