This is the key filter he runs all his decisions through regarding his future: “What’s the best decision for Lebron James the brand?” Regardless of how he feels personally about his hometown, Lebron James the brand is bigger than the city of Cleveland.
The Lebron James brand is larger than Lebron James the person and those must be viewed separately. It’s a decision about Lebron James the brand. Leaving Cleveland is not a personal decision. While nearly everyone in Ohio is sad to see the King go, it makes sense for multiple reasons and perhaps we can learn a few lessons about branding along the way. He had to build a team that would help him accomplish his goals… and it wasn’t going to happen in Cleveland. When I saw that same look during Game 6 against Indiana, I knew right then that Lebron was leaving. How can one man put an entire team on his back, play at the highest level of his entire career, break scoring records nearly every game and still lose? It was a look that said, “ I can play the greatest basketball of my life, and we still can’t win.” He was frustrated and exhausted.Īfter I saw that look in 2014, Lebron announced he would be leaving Miami to return home and bring a championship to Northeast Ohio. “He can’t score 40 points and still lose the game,” I said watching the Pacers celebrate their pivotal win. He had a look of exhaustion that proved he did everything he possibly could, but it still wasn’t enough. James was putting up a heroic effort every night leading the Cavs in scoring, rebounds and assists, but he wasn’t getting the support from the rest of his team. This time he was playing for Miami, but the situation was remarkably similar. I remember Lebron walking off the court during a Game 5 loss that handed the San Antonio Spurs their fifth title. I had seen that look four years earlier during the 2014 NBA Finals.
Lebron james lids series#
Cleveland hadn’t been playing with chemistry throughout the series and it was forcing Lebron to score 40+ points every night along with a few buzz beaters just to stay in it. The Pacers had been playing unusually tough for what was supposed to have been a first round sweep and they had just pulled off a shocking Game 6 win to force the series to seven games. "We gained momentum and it became infectious throughout the whole group."Ĭompatriot Josh Giddey also put up some impressive numbers, scoring 14 points and chipping in with 12 rebounds and four assists.We were watching Game 6 of the first round of the NBA playoffs between the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. "In the second half we were able to get stops, get deflections and we ran down the other end like we were going downhill, Mills said.
Lebron james lids free#
Harden was 19-for-20 from the free throw line, while Australia's Patty Mills added 22 points, two rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block to help the Nets improve to 12-5.
The Brooklyn Nets top the Eastern Conference standings after James Harden had 36 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to beat the Orlando Magic 115-113.īrooklyn overcame a 19-point deficit and the absence of Kevin Durant, who did not play due to a right shoulder sprain. The NBA-leading Warriors (14-2) sat out Curry with a bruised hip, and were also without Draymond Green because of a bruised thigh.
In Detroit, Jordan Poole stepped up in Stephen Curry's absence to score 22 of his season-high 32 points in the first half, while Andrew Wiggins had 27 and the Golden State Warriors beat the Pistons 105-102. Felt good enough that I could trust my body." "Obviously being out two-and-a-half weeks, I felt kind of like a rookie again, just being away from the game. James missed eight games with an abdominal strain, and the Lakers (8-9) have lost their last four road games.