Looking at Lebron James’ dominant post-season performance, it seems like the Cleveland Cavaliers are poised for a championship finish this season.
Outside their 106-108 loss to the eighth-seeded Chicago Bulls in Game 3, the Cavs have been all business in the playoffs, which is one reason why Cleveland has a commanding 3-1 lead in the first round Eastern Conference series.
James has made big plays throughout the season, but it seems like he isn’t running out of any trick in his bags. He currently is averaging 35 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the first four playoffs games against the Bulls. MVP numbers by any standard.
Some would probably say, the Bulls have no one to defend James in any way in the playoffs considering that the 6′8″ Cleveland forward is simply too quick for his size, too many moves and too strong.
Well, that probably is a pretty accurate observation since the Bulls still have a lot to learn in the post-season while James, only 25, has been a veteran in playoff battles, having led the Cavs to the NBA Finals in the 2007 season.
While it may seem like James’ playoff performance is hardly tested at all in the first round, it would be interesting to see how LBJ could up the ante once the Cavs officially another Eastern Conference giant Boston Celtics in the second round.
At the moment, the Celtics hold a 3-1 series lead over the Miami Heat.
Boston and Cleveland split their head-to-head match up in the regular season, but since this is the playoffs, any record during the first 82 games don’t really matter.
The Celtics appear too old playing the Cavs during one of the regular season games held at Boston’s TD Banknorth home floor, where the Greens dropped an embarrassing 88-108 defeat.
Cleveland’s front office have prepared for this moment during the off season, acquiring many-time All-Star center Shaquille O’Neal, added wingmen Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker for good measure, before pulling off a stunner midway in the season with the acquisition of Antawn Jamison from the Washington Wizards.
With the cast of supporters in place, the Cavs are very much ready to clash head on with any Eastern squads trying to block their way to the NBA Finals.
The Celtics, though older by any standard (they’ve got 6 players above 30 years old), are still dangerous to play with. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce remain Boston’s “Big Three” even with all the issues on age and injuries.
The trio though, could still pull the trigger anytime if needed, while Rasheed Wallace, Boston’s supposed big off-season acquisition, could hopefully explode during the post-season since that’s the whole reason why he was lured to play for the Greens.
So much has been said. Lebron James’ dominant plays in the post-season will be put to serious test come the second round. And should they pull off another stunner against the Celtics, they are sure to face in all possibilities, Dwight Howard, Vince Carter and the Orlando Magic.
Until then, Lebron James and Co. will have to be ready, otherwise, the Cleveland front office might just find itself in a tug of war to bring LBJ back next season.
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