Leave it to the Cleveland Cavaliers, those supposed bottom-dwellers who would never recover from the nastiest of divorces, to overshadow their promiscuous ex-spouse's big night.
LeBron James participated in Miami's first win of the season (you won't be able to say LeBron led his team to victory every time the Heat win this year. On Wednesday, Dwyane Wade and James Jones led the charge. LeBron participated), but the win was so expected against such a mediocre team, it barely registered on the radar.
Then LeBron's small market, less attractive ex scored the NBA's first eye opener of the year, upsetting the Celtics. Boston was likely worn out from an emotional win against Miami the night before, but it doesn't matter. For Cleveland it's really like Stella getting her groove back, and much quicker than anyone anticipated.
The Cavs accomplished what LeBron couldn't, no matter if it their win was 70 percent symbolism. Boston has LeBron's number, from the memorable Game 7 James-Pierce shootout in 2008 that the Celtics won, to the ugly series of shame in 2009, to the Super Friends' nine point first quarter on Tuesday.
Then the no name Cavs went out on Wednesday and made the Celtics look silly. For those predicting Cleveland at the bottom of the East, you're more likely to see the Cavs facing the Heat in the first round of the playoffs in an 1/8 matchup (could we take that much drama?)
The Cavs won 66 and 61 games in recent seasons. James is great, but he's not Jesus. He had some help in Cleveland, especially on the defensive end. Byron Scott is a coach who gets the most out of his players, and the Cavs will survive in the post-LeBron era.
And if for just for one night, they'll sleep in peace, knowing they're not just the pieces LeBron James left behind.
No comments:
Post a Comment