Double-digit leads aren鈥檛 what they used to be in the National Basketball Association. The smallest ones can conceivably be overcome in three possessions, with the shift in momentum enough to turn what should have been a sure victory into a disappointing outcome. Which, in a nutshell, is why head coaches aren鈥檛 predisposed to changing their usual rotations no matter the scores. Even as they seek to maximize the volume of rest they can give their stars in an effort to keep them fresh through a long season, they remain focused in getting the job done to the point of playing safe.
Take, for instance, yesterday鈥檚 match between the Cavaliers and the Hawks. After a close first quarter, the reigning East champions found their groove in the second and built an advantage that went up to as high as 22 with four minutes and change left in the third. Unfortunately, they succumbed to a familiar failing: They got bored, thereby allowing the Hawks to get back in the match. In the process, they wound up missing a grand opportunity to give top dog LeBron James a much-needed breather.
Not that the newly named East Player of the Month wanted any. In fact, James was a model of efficiency in leading the Cavaliers to their 11th win in 15 set-tos at the Q. He matched a career-high 17 dimes and put up 25 markers on a remarkable 11-of-13 shooting from the field (including sinking two of three attempts from beyond the arc) in 35 minutes of exposure. And he had seven caroms, too, a significant number considering that he didn鈥檛 post his first until midway through the second period.
Considering all the miles on James鈥 odometer, it鈥檚 a wonder he remains the best player in the league by far. And, this season, he actually seems to have reversed the aging process. He鈥檚 about to turn 33, and yet he鈥檚 still posting otherworldly numbers; advanced metrics paint have, in fact, shown a progression in his offensive efficiency not seen since the turn of the decade. And because he has hit the ground running (as opposed to pace himself akin to his preference for the first half of campaigns in recent memory), he鈥檚 firmly in the Most Valuable Player conversation.
Whether James keeps up the pace remains to be seen. Trends actually point to a marked uptick in his performance as the playoffs draw near. That said, it鈥檚 clear that, now more than ever, the Cavaliers鈥 fate is determined by his showing. While they鈥檝e always gone where he leads them, it鈥檚 far more pronounced these days. And if their record is to be a basis, they shouldn鈥檛 have it any other way.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Basic Energy Corp.
