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LeBron James’ Shot Lifting Cavs Past Bulls: 5 Takeaways

By Nick Dudukovich

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Time for five takeaways after LeBron James’ shot gave the Cavs some new playoff life…

The NBA Playoffs can be one cruel mamma mamma–the Cleveland Cavaliers are living proof. Their “Big 3” has been relegated to LeBron James jacking up a ton of shots because Kevin Love‘s out and Kyrie Irving is playing on one foot.

But James is getting it done, and has the best-of-seven series knotted up two coming back to Cleveland–and unlike Derrick Rose, LBJ doesn’t even an open bank!

1. Imagine the Cavs lost this game because David Blatt was whistled for a timeout when his team didn’t any. The Bulls win this game, and then probably the series, and Blatt is probably out of a job.

He’s not the first coach/player to commit this sin, and he won’t be the last. So, much for Tyronn Lue and Blatt not getting a long, because the top assistant basically had to mug the head coach in order to save him the embarrassment of losing this game. Blatt has talked about coaching under pressure overseas prior to taking over the Cavs, but the end of Sunday’s game showed Blatt may be in a little too deep.

With the clock reading 1.5 seconds, Blatt drew up an out-of-bounds play with James taking out the ball. He wanted to eliminate his best player from even being a threat to take the last shot. James nixed that idea in the huddle and told his coach he was taking the ball–according to the four-time MVP.

The bottom line: Not a great finish for Blatt and his team bailed him out.

2. Even after winning two championships, James still gets labeled as a guy who doesn’t have the clutch gene. This stat would prove the opposite:

I think by this point, James has shown he can hit THE big shot, but I have reservations about whether he has the killer instinct we all wish he possessed.

And while James talked with an alpha-male tone in the postgame presser–telling Blatt he was taking the ball–I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pass in a similar situation in the future. Passing and trusting in teammates is something that goes back to his high school days.

3. I can’t help but wonder if my NBA Title hopes are just a lofty dream at this point. The Cavs have scratched and clawed their way to a 2-2 split, and this is only the Eastern semis. Love is a casualty. Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert are barely hanging on. The two shot 3-of-18 from the field in Game 4.

Irving can barely jump, but still managed to get to the charity stripe eight times Sunday afternoon, not missing once. He’s playing on one foot and he’s still good enough to be a distraction.

Shumpert’s groin injury just doesn’t have time to heal. The playoff schedule is brutal, and his injury hurts the Cavs on offense and defense. Shump provided unexpected offense, as he showed in J.R. Smith‘s absence in  Games 1 and 2. But the former Knick is known for his defense, and it’s hard to stop anybody with a bum groin.

4. James committed eight more turnovers. That’s 15 in the last two games and 23 so far in the series. The jumper’s still not working. Maybe the game winnings shot is the jumper that gets LBJ’s shot back on track.

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If you watched the game, you know James is jacking up a ton of shots. James was 10-of-30 on Sunday. He shooting about 42 percent from the field, and hasn’t been this bad since the 2007-2008 season when he shot 41 percent.

The Cavs have a problem. Their star players are hurt, and James is putting the pressure to carry the load on himself. Broken jumper or not.

5. Tristan Thompson figures to cash in this summer, but what about J.R. Smith? It’s still incredible to believe that he was basically an add on player when GM David Griffin made the move to acquire Shumpert.

Smith was 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-6 from 3-point land. He was 4-of-4 for 11 points in the fourth quarter. Without Smith rising to the occasion, the Cavs lose this game.

Smith has a $6.3 million player option for next season. There’s no doubt he’ll opt out and try to cash in on his time with the Cavs.

6. And a bonus one because how often do Cleveland sports fans get to feel this excitement…

Ahhh…so nice to have a “shot” of our own.

Next: Other GMs Will Make Play For Tristan Thompson

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