LeBron James takes over Game 5 vs. Detroit.
LeBron James has just joined elite company.
With his historic performance tonight, James put his name up there with the playoff greats of all time. After taking an enormous amount of criticism for his end of game performances in games 1 and 2 versus the Detroit Pistons, James left no questions after game 5 last night, scoring 48 points, including 29 of his team's last 30 points in the 4th quarter and the two overtime periods.
LeBron James didn't just beat the Pistons on Thursday night, he ripped their hearts out. James hit shots from every angle and distance, responding to every obstacle the Pistons threw his way, he drove to the basket and slammed it home with authority, with a look on his face that let you know that the Cavs were not headed home for game 6 empty handed.
James may have done all of the big things right, but he also did all of the little things too. In the first quarter, after Pistons forward Antonio McDyess fouled his teammate, Anderson Varejao, James ran across the court to confront McDyess, standing up for his fallen teammate. Along with his 48 points, James also grabbed 9 rebounds, dished out 7 assists, and had 2 steals.
The performance put forward by James tonight reminded fans across the nation of another number 23 who would take over games, will his team to victory and take the life right out of the opposing team and their fans, and that player is Michael Jordan. Ever since Jordan retired, many a player have been stamped with the "next Michael Jordan" tag and many have crumbled under it. But not James. James seems to revel in the spotlight, demands the ball, and wants to live up to those expectations.
This performance did more than just elevate James into the realm of the all time elites, it put the Cavs on the cusp of their first NBA Finals appearance in the team's history and has pushed the Detroit Pistons, one more time to the brink of elimination.
This position is nothing new for James, who just last year, pushed these same Pistons to the verge of elimination last year before eventually losing in seven games. However, this time, the Pistons may have no answer for James.
"We threw everything we had at him," said Pistons guard Chauncey Billups, "We just couldn't stop him."
"Its frustrating, he put on an unbelievable display out there. It's probably the best I've ever seen against us ever in the playoffs."
But if James has his way, its going to get more frustrating for the Pistons Saturday night when he looks to finish off Detroit in game 6 Saturday night.
With his historic performance tonight, James put his name up there with the playoff greats of all time. After taking an enormous amount of criticism for his end of game performances in games 1 and 2 versus the Detroit Pistons, James left no questions after game 5 last night, scoring 48 points, including 29 of his team's last 30 points in the 4th quarter and the two overtime periods.
LeBron James didn't just beat the Pistons on Thursday night, he ripped their hearts out. James hit shots from every angle and distance, responding to every obstacle the Pistons threw his way, he drove to the basket and slammed it home with authority, with a look on his face that let you know that the Cavs were not headed home for game 6 empty handed.
James may have done all of the big things right, but he also did all of the little things too. In the first quarter, after Pistons forward Antonio McDyess fouled his teammate, Anderson Varejao, James ran across the court to confront McDyess, standing up for his fallen teammate. Along with his 48 points, James also grabbed 9 rebounds, dished out 7 assists, and had 2 steals.
The performance put forward by James tonight reminded fans across the nation of another number 23 who would take over games, will his team to victory and take the life right out of the opposing team and their fans, and that player is Michael Jordan. Ever since Jordan retired, many a player have been stamped with the "next Michael Jordan" tag and many have crumbled under it. But not James. James seems to revel in the spotlight, demands the ball, and wants to live up to those expectations.
This performance did more than just elevate James into the realm of the all time elites, it put the Cavs on the cusp of their first NBA Finals appearance in the team's history and has pushed the Detroit Pistons, one more time to the brink of elimination.
This position is nothing new for James, who just last year, pushed these same Pistons to the verge of elimination last year before eventually losing in seven games. However, this time, the Pistons may have no answer for James.
"We threw everything we had at him," said Pistons guard Chauncey Billups, "We just couldn't stop him."
"Its frustrating, he put on an unbelievable display out there. It's probably the best I've ever seen against us ever in the playoffs."
But if James has his way, its going to get more frustrating for the Pistons Saturday night when he looks to finish off Detroit in game 6 Saturday night.
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