LeBron James Masterful in Forcing Game 7 Against the Boston Celtics

To gain a measure of perspective on just how dominant LeBron James was in Game 6 last night, understand this: LeBron scored 45 points, grabbed 15 boards and handed out 5 assists. The Boston Celtics’ famed Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen put together just 31 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists.

In other words, James was otherworldly.

The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics will meet for a do-or-die Game 7 back in South Beach on Saturday night, for a shot at advancing to the NBA Finals, largely due to one man’s performance for the ages.

From the Boston Globe and Miami Herald:

Asked if that was the best he had ever seen James, Dwyane Wade said, “Yes.” He added, “He played amazing. He was locked in from the beginning of the game like I’ve never seen him before. The shots he was making was unbelievable. Some good defense, and he just made it. So he really put on an MVP performance tonight. Not just scoring the ball, but rebounding the ball, defensively. He did it all tonight.”

“He was absolutely fearless tonight,” said Erik Spoelstra. “And it was contagious. The way he approached the last 48 hours, and not only LeBron, but everybody else. t wasn’t end of the world. Nobody likes getting thrown dirt on your face before you’re not even dead.”

A sign posted inside the Boston Celtics’ locker room following the game screamed, “Pack for a week.” An indication that they should be ready for not just Game 7 in Miami, but also for a trip to OKC where the Thunder are patiently waiting to start the NBA Finals. The sign applied to both the Celtics and Heat.

On his way out of Boston for the final time this season, LeBron James declared that he “won’t regret Game 7″, and left it unsaid that his intention is to make sure the Celtics do.

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Tags: Boston Celtics, Chris Bosh, Doc Rivers, Dwyane Wade, Erik Spoelstra, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Miami Heat, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen

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http://www.slamonline.com Real Player

It was written all over his face from the jump off last night. Even tho’ he put up 30 in game 5, i felt like he was way too passive in crunch time for such a pivitol game, and he’s done that in big moments too often for a player of his magnitude. Last night he put forth an epic performance, and you can’t just expect any player to “turn it on” and drop a jewl like that on command. Those are special. But, that attidude, that demeanor… damn. He was a bully out there, he looked like D-bo and the C’s looked like Dj Pooh. It was awesome, Even when Jordan had off nights he maintained that killer demeanor that always gave him a mental edge over his apponents. last night Bron looked as scary as MJ ever did with and even deadly display of total control to match. You could see how much he had got into every C’s head. Even if he doesn’t drop another joint like he did last night, if he shows that kind of intensity in game 7, the Heat as a squad are going to be hard to kill.
Smizz

Haven’t been much of a LeBron fan, but last night’s game was downright greatness. As with a couple earlier posts, LBJ isn’t the next Jordan, LBJ’s on his own, and if he gets past the mental aspect of showing competitiveness every day, he will end up the greatest to play the game. I’ve got nothing but respect for the dude now. He was supposed to have help in Miami when he left Cleveland, but he’s got the whole team on his back just like Cleveland. D-Wade hasn’t really showed up, nor has Bosh. I wouldn’t be surprised if in a year or so both D-Wade and Bosh are gone in Miami.
Yesse

I gotta give him props on the performance. I just hope the media won’t make too big of a hype of him after all the hate. I already see sports news on fire from this.
mike

Appreciate the game, but more a celtics fan. The truth should have a better shooting game and the celtics overall should play better. Great game seven coming. Basketball fans better be watching.
IGGI

@Ldub–So true I couldn’t say it better. Good Job.
mike

People talk like the heat are already in the finals. Hold up…wait. The celtics have at least a decent chance to advance. People shouldnt be hateful they should be grateful. Dont sleep on the truth. Remember KG’s comment after round 2… lets get it.
Ldub

mike I think what you are seeing is people responses to last nights game. If LBJ comes with that type of flow, intensity and determination…not many are giving BOS a chance. I think last night we all witnessed the Lebron James we had hoped would have been here years ago. Problem is…if you really think about it…he shot the ball 5-10 more times than he normally would have. Instead of passing he shot. If he would have passed, he would have had around 32,15 and 9 which if you look back…what he has been averaging anyways. (well not rebounds) but close.

people expect this huge performance from him night in and night out. I love his #’s…its his consistency and mental edge that are lacking. Dude looked kinda evil and demonic last night. Which was kinda like, no one is going to stop me. Loved it. He needs to play with this “intensity” more often is what ppl are saying. Because even when the next top scorer is almost 30 points behind…and they win by 20…just imagine what it would be like if everyone was hitting?
ChipS

@Riggs, Did anybody call you a hater? FYI, I was talking about the Lebron critics in general. All you saw on twitter was “put that headband back on” or “Still a Bald Headed bum”. So why don’t you get out of your feelings and stfu. And next time don’t be subliminal.
barnabusb

So is LeBron going to be “locked in” like that for every game from now on? It’s a lot of work playing that hard.
http://www.kb24.com The Seed

Bron tired himself out, not coming out and acting like he was zone out. I predict Celtics winning by 7 points and Bron is back to Lechoke. BOOK IT!!
http://rldinvestments.com/Free%20Picks.php RLD Investments

It was a great performance, but he’s going to need another if they plan on winning game 7.
http://www.slamonline.com Yvonne Jeter-Abdullah

Hi! It’s your biggest fan again Yvonne Jeter-Abdullah. Well first of all, I just want to say Congratulations LBJ and thank you for providing us with a performance that was so masterful. You were so focused and it was from the opening tip that you had your game face on and were going to handle your business. Your performance was unprecedented. It was dynamic exhilarating breathtaking and off the charts. I am so happy for you. Now go out and emulate that performance on Saturday and it’s a wrap for Boston. And as far as these comparisons that are being made about you and Michael Jordan. Well first of all, that is the problem that I see with America the nature of competitiveness it just does not have to be about that. Michael Jordan is who he is and LBJ is who he is. They are both very gifted athletes. And whoever said that LBJ even wants those comparisons to be made in the first place. Each of them in their own right will be as successful as “God” enables them to be and that does not necessarily mean that success is measured by how many championship rings you have. It is important to recognize what sacrifices an individual makes to get to where they are the trials and tribulations they had to encounter along the way the scrutiny they have to encounter while doing so and the pressures of living up to others expectations night after night not only on the court but off the court as well. We as a society put to much emphasis on winning. Well just having a portion of your health and strength makes you a winner. A person who is as classy on and off the court and is low key and is an ambassador for the league I would prefer over anything else. So it is not solely about winning championships because if “God” has that in his plan for you then you will and if not you can still strive to be the best that you can be as a person. LBJ you do that and this is also something for you to be proud of. Take care of business tomorrow night and don’t stray away from the game plan. I want to see that same look in your eye. GO HEAT!!! Sincerely, Yvonne Jeter-Abdullah
http://slamonline.com KDub503

^what is this hunk of text
http://yahoo.com Kevin

KING JAMES!
http://Slamonline.com nbk

I doubt with all of my ability to doubt, that LeBron doesn’t read the comment section on Slam.
http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

Damn it sucks I missed this game.
http://www.slamonline.com Redd

GOAT? stop..
http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

^Who said that??^
TP

Is there anyway someone at SLAM could write a counter-article for this: http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/shaun_powell/06/08/a-call-for-heat-thunder/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1

Thanks.
Sam

Jordan didn’t win his first chip till 28, jus sayin…
BostonBaller

Chicago didn’t purchase HOFers, they were made.
BostonBaller

One of the best scoring games I’ve seen in a long time. He was focused and determined. A Beast.
Brahsef

@BostonBaller I still don’t understand that. Jordan had Pippin, who’s even better than Wade. And they were free agents, aren’t teams supposed to try and get better. And on an individual level, when I look for a new job I also look for the place that will help me succeed most.
Da-REAL-Meat-Hook

Bostonballer, trades and free agency are part of the game. Funny how Boston fans have the nerve to talk with KG and Ray Allen doing the same thing Bosh and Bron did minus the Decision and the lil pep rally. I guess it’s only bad if the players are popular at the time of the sign and trades. “Purchased HOFers” describes any player since they are all paid a salary but w/e. As far as Chicago goes, Scottie and MJ were the only two significant players that were actually drafted by the Bulls. So what? Scottie and MJ were both better than Bron and Wade. Rodman was a free agent who already won a championship. He was “purchased” and the Bulls couldn’t have won 3 of their rings w/o him. I can’t wait til Boston hypocrites are crying at the end of tonight.
23

interesting fact, scottie pippen was NOT drafted by the chicago bulls. Just sayin.
Da-REAL-Meat-Hook

^^Technically true but since the Sonics traded him him right away the Bulls were the first team he played for. In any event it actual furthers my point about the Bulls trading for talent like every other team in the league has been doing for decades.
IGGI

@Da-REAL, Good point thanks for telling it like it is!!!!
BostonBaller

You are right in some of what you write Brahsef, on an individual level you try to get the best deal, but how often do you AND a buddy from another job go to the same NEW job?..sports is sooo different from real life. MJ & Pip were both original Bulls as Da-Real stated above. Da-REAI, yes trades & FA are a big part of the game & yes I actually said similar things when we got both KG & Ray. I was happy as heck though. You mentioned the lil pep rally but that lil made for TV thing didn’t bother me. I should had referenced my earlier statements differently as the packaged buying but even then it might have come off wrong to most. Trades and FA are two different animals. Weren’t KG & Ray acquired by trades (swopping players/cash/draft picks) and FA is like a flea market.
Allenp

People have weird issues with free agency. It really doesnt make sense.
Da-REAL-Meat-Hook

Bosh and James did their former teams a favor and actually did sign-and-trades since they were free agents who were courteous enough to not just leave the teams with nothing. That’s something they really didn’t have to do, btw. KG and Ray Allen were acquired by trades after it was known that neither of them were happy where they were playing before the Celts. Not so different than the other two guys, except Bosh/Bron weren’t actually under contract. Not sure why people perceive it so differently. Players making decisions for themselves seems to rub people the wrong way.
23

just curious, what would we be saying if lebron stayed in cleveland and signed a max contract and became the highest paid player in the league, but his team was improving? would we be saying lebron was too selfish? too big of an ego? waste of money? cared more about himself than ACTUALLY winning? i think when it comes to lebron its lose-lose all the time.
23

as far as i know, that miami heat pep rally was intended for HEAT FANS ONLY! it was NOT broadcasted on national tv. they were trying to hype up the new guys in miami. nothing wrong with that at all! many other teams have pep rally type events. and lebrons comments that night were soley intended for the ears of heat fans. he has never gone out of his way to tell any reporter that he is guaranteeing anything. as a fan of lebron i liked it. if kobe/bynum/gasol did the same thing i would not care. because im really not a laker fan anyways.
Heals

The only diffs (some brought up before) I see between Mia and Bos coming together are; KG and RayRay were older at the time of acquisition, both acquired via trade (Bosh and Lebron were technically sign-and-trades but neither Tor or Cle benefited from the trade exception they received), neither was considered a “top 5″ player at the time of the trade, KG, RayRay and PP34 were humble (about what they could achieve as team not as ball players) and hoping to be accepted by the past Celtic greats, no 7 chips talk, no decisions, no pep rally. I had no beef with how Mia joined together I’m just pointing out why I think people who “hate” the Heat/LBJ often draw a distinction between how these 2 teams were assembled. What isn’t brought up enough when people mention how the Heat came together was the $$$ the Beach3 left on the table so that Haslem and Miller could also be part of the party. Overall I agree with what your saying d-m-R-h that the differences aren’t all that significant, but just think there were a few more factors besides the New3 not having a pep rally that made people a little less critical of their formation…
mike

Go celtics. Lets ride killah.
http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

The difference is that for some reason Lakers fans treat LeBron as their mortal enemy and see him as Kobe’s arch nemesis… So LeBron joining the Heat and one-upping Kobe (after surpassing him as the best player in the league) p!ssed off a whole lot of Lakers fans. That’s pretty much it. Notice how the people most critical of LeBron are usually Lakers fans. Which is odd, because it’s not like LA got Kareem and Shaq via free agency… Or Glove and Mailman… And suddenly everyone hates free agency. Things that make you go hmmm…
JIM

MJ > KB > every D-bag in South Florida…

LeBron James Masterful in Forcing Game 7 Against the Boston Celtics

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