Lived by the 3 and died with the 3

Congratulations to Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for winning their first NBA title and in the process end Cleveland’s 52-year drought in a major sports event. Their series against the Golden State Warriors is probably one of the best finals since the Michael Jordan era.

It was hard-earned ring for Lebron, maybe the hardest among all his championships because he was both scrutinized and criticized. He was called ‘cry baby’ and immature, worthy of barangay-level basketball game.  I, for one, has been one of Lebron’s critics because he refuses to be aggressive. He  passes the ball when he needed to take the shot and did not step up.

But I tried to be as fair as I can, even offering unsolicited advice and solution for him to win. I think it worked against me. I think LeBron got a copy of  The Freeman and read my article (how I wish!).

Despite knowing LeBron as one of greatest basketball players, I still gave the Finals 2016 and even predicted a repeat for the Golden State warriors either via sweep or a 4-1 decision.

But as the buzzer sounded on Game 7, James and the Cavaliers have accomplished many thought was impossible, becoming the first team in NBA history to recover from a 1-3 deficit to win a best-of-seven finals series.

Down 1-3, the Cavs needed a miracle. And that miracle came in the form of a suspension of Draymond Green, the heart and soul of the defense for the Warriors. Making matter worse was the injury of their top rim protector in Andrew Bogut and the back pains hounding Andre Iguadala in game six. 

But these were not an excuse for the Warriors. They lost because they flirted with complaceny and their bench was a complete absent compared to games one and two. Also, the Warriors were not patient on their offensive play which resulted to poor defense.

In the last 3:50 of play in Game 7 and the  score was tied at 89,  both teams went back and forth throwing brick after brick until the last 50 seconds when forgotten All-Star guard Kyrie Iriving finally had the ball to him, thanks to a play designed by Coach Lue which forced a switch on  Curry to defend  Irving. As Irving released the 3-pointer, it hit nothing but net.  But it was before LeBron came from nowhere to block a potential game-winning layup by Iguadala. Lebron put the final nail by making one crucial free throw to seal the deal.

The Warrioras lived by their lethal 3-point shooting that it gave them a historic record of 73-9, but I think the pressure of the breaking the record was just too much. During the playoff, their body was just too tired to play with the same intensity, when in fact this is just too glaring not to mention. The Warriors lost a total of 9 games in the playoff equaling theirt total number of loss the whole season.  The Warriors Lived by the 3 and sadly the team died with the 3!

After the final buzzer sounded, I felt sad because my Warriors lost but at the same time happy for Lebron James who proved his doubters wrong.  He was a cry baby indeed after the game as he sobbed and knelt on the floor clutching the basketball.  I felt teary-eyed watching this as the rest of the team also broke down and celebrated in the home court of the Warriors. Even Cavaliers coach Tyrone Lue sat on the bench towel on his face while crying his heart out as if asking himself if it is really happening. JR Smith was the most  iconic player during the post game interview, thanking his dad and family for sticking with him during his ups and down. The press crew, who are not allowed to applause, gave Smith a standing ovation after a gesture to his family.

My hats off to the Cleveland Cavaliers, most especially to Lebron James, who for me, is finally worthy to be called ‘King James’ and for Kyrie Irving for finally stepping out the shadow and show to the world how good a pointguard he is.