Good LeBron & Bad LeBron, All In One Quarter | NBA Playbook

Good LeBron & Bad LeBron, All In One Quarter

The Bulls were fighting for their playoff lives, and they were able to keep Game 5 close throughout the 4th quarter, but while the Bulls were working hard, it was really what the Cavs weren’t doing that kept the game close.  For instance, up by 6 points LeBron James got the ball with Joakim Noah covering him on a switch:

He settled for a three point shot, and that is what makes LeBron really frustrating late, especially because he can do this:

There is no difference in the plays, in fact, the Cavs run it to get Noah on James.  Noah is a great defender and he shows a ton of heart, but there is no way he should be able to cover LeBron on the perimeter.

Late in games, LeBron tends to get into “hero” mode where he wants to hit that backbreaking three pointer, and against the Bulls it didn’t hurt the team, but against a good team who can take advantage on the offensive end, this isn’t going to work.  I think the Cavs are going to make past Boston, but if they don’t, I guarantee you LeBron settling for jumpers is going to play a major role in the series loss.

28
Apr 2010
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POSTED IN 2010 Playoffs 4th Quarters Cleveland Cavs
DISCUSSION 5 Comments
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  • Jaffe

    whats interesting is lebron has decided to take the 3 as he catches it look at the way he handles it in the first clip there is absolutely no way if he was thinking about driving that it would take him 6 seconds to reach the 3 point line

  • http://shotdoc.blogspot.com/ James

    Well, while I agree with your point about being passive, it’s not really LBJ’s fault on that play. It’s a problem with the spacing. On the first exchange Delonte West is in no-man’s land. He half-heartedly picks down for Jamison, allowing Kirk to squat in the middle of the key (and kill any driving lane). The second time they run it, the slow development allows the big guy to get to the opposite block and leaves the shooter alone in the left corner. This creates much better spacing and gives LBJ the lane to drive. Still, he needs to drive more.

  • Clancy

    honestly my problem is with the play design it’s self. it’s isolation 1v5 basketball, which works against a bad team like the bulls and, well, most of the NBA… but when a team like boston, who have terrific help and top down rotations, and recover very well… it simply does not work as well as it does against the lesser teams.

    lebron may not need to leave cleveland to win a title… but he needs to leave mike brown. this man needs to run an offense.

  • jambalaya

    he’s probably trying to mix it up so the bulls can’t adjust. if he makes the open three, then what does this page look like?

  • David

    Well look at the Boston-Cleveland Series now. Lebron is trying to stretch out the floor with his jump shot too much. Only reason Cleveland won in Game 1 was because Lebron decided to attack again. In Game 2, he was settling for his jump shot and not only that..his handle was not there along with his decision making. Thus, Cleveland lost Game 2. Is it all his fault? No way but the rest of the Cavaliers tend to feed off his play.

    jambalaya :
    he’s probably trying to mix it up so the bulls can’t adjust. if he makes the open three, then what does this page look like?

    Why would Lebron need to mix up anything? Teams know his strengths and weaknesses. Everyone knows he kills you with his drives, but his jumpshot is suspect at times. By taking that 3, Lebron plays into the Bulls plan. Even if he made it, the Bulls would’ve gone back over the game film and know that they made him take the shot they wanted him to.