The Wood Shop: LeBron’s Game 2 and What it Means
2017-06-06
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
I’m going to keep this short, and I’m only focusing on the offensive end for LeBron James. After going back and looking at his game two performance in the 2017 Finals, two things have become clear. He needs to attack in transition as much as possible. And, he isn’t going to use screens to drive and kick at will. He might need to post up to create the open 3s he usually dishes out on drives.
*Please excuse the video quality. My girlfriend is studying for the Bar right now, and I have to be super quiet while she’s studying property law one room over. If you listen closely in the videos, you’re hearing some lady lecture about tenant rights.*
In the recap of game two I stressed how much LeBron needs to rebound. It just leads to good things for the team. They shot 55% after his 11 boards. Much of that was because he was just bringing down the ball and driving to the rack instantly. He’s a hard guy to stop when he has a head of steam.
On buckets in transition, LeBron went 9-12. On non-transition buckets, he went 3-6. Of his non-transition baskets, three of them were jumpers, which are not exactly his forte. He luckily went 2-3 on those jumpers though. His other three non-transition attempts used drives to get to the rim.
One resulted in him missing at the rim after the Warrior’s switched the screen and used their near side man to crash down and swipe at him on the drive.
Another one resulted in Durant’s superior length following LeBron and rejecting him without any other help being involved. And, the sole one he made in the second quarter came after the Warriors just messed up.
As you can see in the play, the King uses a J.R. Smith screen to get Iggy off of him. Draymond Green ends up on him. LeBron then drives by Green and Durant sags down. Durant just doesn’t swipe at the ball for some reason, despite being on Iman Shumpert, who has been struggling from deep and doesn’t need to be closed out on. Green has three fouls with two quarters of play left and contests weakly against LeBron’s layup.
If you’re one of the people that still believe the Cavs should try a “slow it down, take a screen, and see what happens” offense with LeBron because you think he can create in that way, I have some bad news for you. He wasn’t able to in game two. LeBron had 14 assists. That’s indisputable. However, they weren’t the type of assists he normally gets.
None. I repeat none. None came off of drives. He used screens on five of his assists. Each of the screens was stopped. The Warriors either trapped him, or had three-plus guys focused on him. It resulted in buckets, but the Warriors are long and most of the time they are going to get back out to shooters. The fact that the screens led to just one 3 supports that idea. The sole 3-pointer using a screen was Richard Jefferson hitting over Durant. It was a lucky shot. Usually, the King is generating 3s at will using screens.
LeBron was just unable to drive and kick in game two. In fact, just two of his assists originated from below the 3-point arc. One came from a triple threat stance near the elbow where he found a cutting Love. And, the other one came when he caught the ball in the post. That’s the one that needs to be examined.
In the early second, LeBron bullied his way towards the paint on the right side. Iggy resorted to face guarding him. Kyrie smartly lobbed a pass to LeBron and Kevin Durant left his man, Iman Shumpert,to help. The whole time Kyle Korver was chilling in the weak side corner with Ian Clark on him. Shump smartly came over and screened Korver’s man, as soon as Durant left to cover James. James quickly hit Korver who had an open shot.
Plays like that are what will allow the Cavs to score efficiently in non-transition situations. Those types of plays are how the King can maximize himself if the Warriors are going to stop him when he has the ball and tries to use a screen. LeBron needs to get the ball in a position where the Warriors are forced to help and will have to travel a distance to close out. It helps even more if the Cavs smartly use the Warrior’s help man’s assignment to screen and create completely open 3-point shots for guys like above.
LeBron needs to find a way to be more effective in non-transition settings moving forward, and the post might be the way to do that. Let’s hope guys have been practicing their entry passes for game three.
I predict that if the Warriors win this series, next year, the Finals will have much, MUCH lower ratings. The only reason they are at record highs right now is people are wondering if the superhuman LeBron can topple even this mega team. If he can’t, don’t expect fans to return next year in the same numbers. So enjoy that NBA… Durant breaking the league because he is a front runner.
I agree, JMay. Also, the disinterest the Cavs themselves showed in the regular season has already led to two guys I split season tickets with saying they are out for next year. Both just want to wait for the playoffs, and in their words, not “waste their money on the regular season.” I am not to that point, but the regular season malaise does make reaching into the pocketbook harder.
Thanks for the analysis David, to add to what you stated here I believe that the Cavs have to understand that they have to show that they really want to win on the defensive end they have to let it all out and be more physical. If they get tired then it’s up to coach to identify it and sub quickly. And based on David analysis since the Cavs depend so much on LeBron for offense then I believe the Cavs need to try Shump or JR on KD. I don’t believe LeBron will be able to push and create… Read more »
Nice insight, David. The Cavs are going to have to get past ball pressure to set things up. That’s the key. They’ll also need to loosen up the Warriors’ coverage. I’d like to see Dahntay give an elbow early to back Dray (but preferably KD) off and tighten up the game.
What’s that smell?
http://deadspin.com/reports-cavaliers-locker-room-smelled-of-weed-after-ga-1795854364?
Reefer Madness !!!
Series is far from over. But the addition of KD.. well everyone already said their piece about him. Is this still winnable for us? I think so. But it would need 10x more than what we brought last year in order to win. This Warriors team is BEATABLE. BUT, maybe not in this particular time, not with the kind of roster we have, or at least not the kind of talent/skill/effort that we particularly give on the floor. If we needed to be almost perfect to beat them last year, we need to be perfect this year to beat them… Read more »
Warriors would undisputedly be the greatest team of all time if they won last year. They didn’t because of a whole lot of reasons, hubris being one. This series is far from over, Cav’s can play much better, and I believe they will. Even if they lose in this Final’s, I will be proud to be a Cav’s fan and make no excuses, the Warriors are beatable, but like everything in sports things gotta break right. Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you.
When the Cavs won the title I didn’t go to a warriors blog and gloat. That’s a pretty fraudulent move.
After Cavs won the title, I came to this site. You got it reverse.
Very true, Warriorsfan. I know your posts generate irritation here, even with me from time to time, but I do have to acknowledge – you came here after the Cavs victory with a classy congratulatory message. I do wish you went back to your previous handle though – “Warriors Fan – Not A Troll”. Maybe gives a few seconds of pause before people flame you :)
lol, thanks.
and warriors have not win title yet.
The comparison between this 2-0 deficit and last year’s 2-0 deficit is preposterous. KD is the gargantuan difference. Cavs need Lebron to take a sip from the fountain of youth and be 26 years old to compete with that difference.
Again, if the Cavs won a single game in this series, I would be so incredibly proud of them.
Cavs bench will play better at home, so Cavs will win atleast one game at home, IMO.
James and Irving need to keep attacking in transition.
From Zach Lowe
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19557495/zach-lowe-golden-state-warriors-defense-dominating-cleveland-cavaliers-2017-nba-finals
Are there no warriors blogs where you can go brag about Kevin Durant coming on board to lead your team past LeBron?
Your narrative of how things have happened can’t be more wrong and delusional but more importantly everyone of your post, you have given up on Cavs because Durant joined Cavs totally neglecting how Warriors D is leading things in this series and with or without Durant, Warriors D would have lead the way anyway. If Cavs lost games, then you can point to Durant’s as the reason to lose. but then again Lebron was supposed to own Durant, Lue was supposed to out coach Brown/Kerr according to you. BTW, Brown is still getting paid by Cavs. It is not just… Read more »
I think you are wrong that “with our without” Durant, Warriors D would have led the way anyway. You just can’t say without any direct evidence, which of course, it’s impossible given Durant is on the team. This is just your pure speculation. Since you are knocking all the Cavs except for LeBron and Love by saying the stage may be too big for them, I imagine you must feel that way about the mouthpiece then too, who certainly showed the stage was too big for him in the first two Finals vs Cleveland. And to suggest the stage is… Read more »
Mike P, is Curry the mouth piece ? his record against Cavs in finals so far is 9-6 or 7-6 before this one. He is enjoying the freedom from Delly even more.
You are right there is no direct evidence on my statement on D but given how warriors D was without Durant last two years plus healthy Cs this year., I was comfortable to say that.
LeBron owns both curry and Durant separately. When they team up with klay and Bray it makes things a bit more
Difficult.
Sorry but Brown is a horrible coach. I could had walked up to the coach’s chair from getting a beer and the Warriors would had played exactly the same. And saying he still is getting paid by the Cavs means nothing. Why even bring it up is rather confusing. Regarding the Durant aspect of things, he has pretty much ruined the spirit of competition in the NBA for me. He choked last year and went with his tail between his legs to the Warriors. Were the Warriors at fault? Not at all, Cavs would’ve done the same in signing him,… Read more »
“Question, would you root for the Warriors if LeBron was to go their next season? Say Cavs lose(which I’m sure they will – sorry fellow Cavs fans) and LeBron decided to go to the Warriors, would you call that a bitch move or be all for it? T”
I would be really disappointed if I were a cavs fan but then lament the FO for not providing the support or system for Lebron to succeed. You are calling Durant choked but it was Westbrook’s team last year too, he had the ball in his hand most of the time.
They both choked. Durant was really never the leader of that team, even though he was the best player. He should have been. As for your question, bitch move. I mean really? What kind of question is that? If he went to a team that didn’t just beat him that would be one thing, especially one that he had faced three straight years and beaten at once prior to Durant and when the cavs were actually healthy. Still would tarnish LBJ’ legacy a little even then. It would be mildly understandable if he literally thought the only way to beat… Read more »
John B, What if he doesn’t want to be a leader or more comfortable with someone else being the leader. I can’t someone who just want to play and give it all. He already re signed with OKC one time even though at the same juncture, Lebron went to different team. I think Durant gave fair chance to OKC. In case of Warriors, Draymond is the leader even if he is like 3rd best player on the team, so may be that is what he is comfortable with, not being leader and just play ball. I don’t see anything wrong… Read more »
Warriors fan suggest you go gloat elsewhere.
Dude you must be delusional. Nobody in history could own Durant on a team with that many weapons. Too much space, too many options. The cavs put up 113 last game but have given up 113 and 132. I got news for you. Offense isn’t the problem. Defense is the problem. The warriors have too many weapons. The more weapons you have on offense and the better they are, the easier it is to score. Durant is cake walking through the finals. Cavs can’t load up on him like the warriors can on LBJ. Watch some film. Clearly you have… Read more »
“Dude you must be delusional. Nobody in history could own Durant on a team with that many weapons. Too much space, too many options. The cavs put up 113 last game but have given up 113 and 132. I got news for you. Offense isn’t the problem.” That statement was response to col and some Cavs fans here who kept harping that that before finals started. I said the same, offense was not the problem for Cavs in 2nd game. I am not arguing that Durant is greater than Lebron, that would be stupid. Lebron still is the best player… Read more »
With or without Durant? Lol Cavs offense would eviscerate the Warriors defense if they didn’t have Durant. And with that many weapons around Durant in a motion offense, no one in history could guard him.
I am assuming you didn’t see warriors record, especially on defensive end without Durant this year, in regular season and in playoffs.
They didn’t play Cavs’ much improved offense throughout that stretch. Game 3, 5, and 6 of finals last year. That’s what would be happening right now if there was no Durant.
you mean game5 when draymond was suspended. We can keep going but Durant is not the only addition to warriors team. Team improved also with Zaza and West signing, drafting McCaw. Cavs became worse losing Delly.
Lol Zaza, West, and McCaw. If you didn’t have Durant, you would be relying on Zaza, West and McCaw? Cavs would pulverize them. Durant is a massive plus, without him you would have no chance against the Cavs.
I watch warriors game more than you, so you have to trust me when I say those three improved warriors, but your choice. You are forgetting that it was a miracle comeback from 1-3 last year. Striking doesn’t strike twice, if warriors go up 3-0 or 3-1, there is no chance that happens again.
Also let me point out reality to you. The cavs, at least the first two games have been playing 5 on 8. You know it. LBJ had 5 free throws in game two despite massive contact and hacking on every drive. The warriors never kept both their arms vertical and they always came down on the shot, not to mention the blatant wrist and arm grabs that weren’t called on at least 6 of LBJs drives. I wrote down the time stamps for them. Through that he had 5 free throws. Curry had 14 despite hardly getting touched or going… Read more »
If you want a summary of what I am talking about warriors fan, read the part about the wcf.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_NBA_Playoffs#.281.29_Sacramento_Kings_vs._.283.29_Los_Angeles_Lakers
I didn’t even know Donaghy actually testified to league interference. Despite what Stern says, it is believable given his business strategy regarding marketability of certain stars and teams and the actual events of that series.
Who attempted more FTs in game 1? Draymond was in foul trouble and played limited minutes in both the games. If you read the warriors blogs, there are complaints about ref bias there too. I, for one, don’t buy into the ref as issue, not this year nor last year when Draymond was suspended.
I can point out few instances where refs didn’t call foul against Cavs but we will be going in circles and I don’t think reffing should be big part of the series especially when both games were blow outs.
It isn’t the main factor, but it is one. The games would definitely be closer. If one team is allowed to be physical and handsy on every possession out to 30 feet and another gets touch fouls, you can’t hope to realistically be competitive against a team like gs.
John B,
Do you agree that warriors are better defensive team irrespective of the result of last two games ? A good defensive team being physical is different from an average team on defense being physical.
Also, Curry is averaging 8 rebounds per game, that is more than Kyrie, JR Smith, Richard Jefferson and few others together meaning if Cavs are being physical and keeping warriors bigs busy, warriors smaller players are stepping up to fill gaps.
BTW, discussions all fun, from different fans perspectives.
LeBron has been great attacking the rim.