The 2018 NBA Playoffs has certainly added to the legend, legacy and overall greatness of Lebron James. In my memory, I can’t remember a team more unlikely to advance to the NBA Finals than the one that LeBron has carried across the finish line.
If there was one play that represented LeBron’s dominance and will in this year’s playoffs occurred last night in a critical moment that cemented the Cav’s game 7 win over the Boston Celtics.
On an unusual fourth quarter break out in what was a defensive struggle and scrappy, ugly battle, LeBron was able to get out in front of the Celtics after turning the corner on Marcus Morris. Knowing that there was no chance to stopping or getting in front of James legitimately at that point, Morris grabbed James by both shoulders trying to stop him from an uncontested layup. Even with the 6=9 Morris doing his best to slow LeBron, James was able to still get the shot up.
And even though Jaylen Brown would come flying in to goal tend the layup attempt, smacking the layup against the backboard, it still went in. It showed how strong and unstoppable LeBron has been — especially when he gets momentum and has his mind set on accomplishing it.
The frustrating thing for the Celtics and Morris is that Marcus did a fantastic job on LeBron when he was guarding him. IWas he the LeBron Stopper? I wouldn’t say that. It might not have translated in the boxscore, but Morris did more than an admirable job. For that play to be the lasting memory of the series is unfair to Morris, but appropriate due to Lebron’s will, skill and strength.
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