For the past couple of seasons, many fans and analysts have been imploring LeBron James to take defenders into the post. He has never really done it, and last night against the Celtics, that inexperience showed.
Paul Pierce initially does a very good job of forcing LeBron way out of the lane. However, LeBron eventually is able to get himself into a good post position.
To do so, LeBron first faces up…
And then takes a quick step into the lane. At this point, you see Paul Pierce starting to overplay on top, forcing him towards the baseline.
James feels Pierce’s body and correctly starts a dropstep move.
However, instead of completing the spin and powerfully exploding to the rim, LeBron hesitates. Despite still being in good position to get a shot up, LeBron pump fakes twice.
After the second pump fake, LeBron inexplicably turns the opposite direction and attempts a crazy, off balance jump shot. Here is the play in real time:
This video really shows you how uncomfortable LeBron looks in the post. He’s going to get it eventually (or at least Heat fans should hope they do, he could benefit so much by having a post game in this offense), but it is interesting to see someone who is so good at so many things on the court struggle in the post.
