| |
|
Golden State more than ready
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 14 Jun 2015
LEBRON James blamed himself, his limited passing and poor floor control, but there were two main culprits that hindered him and Cleveland in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
James finished with 44 points, his highest in a Finals match, but his usual effectivity, mainly in passing the ball to open wingmen from the point, was greatly hampered by Andre Iguodola, who sacrificed his body trying to hold and slow down LeBron.
Not to say James was not ready for the tough one-on-one defense. Iguodola, however, got covering support from teammates in pushing James far from the goal, while preventing their mighty main foe from making his usual nifty assists.
* * *
James also allowed a major distraction when he tried to check Curry, who shifted swiftly and was seen scoring twice on a layup against a baffled LeBron.
James, breathing hard, visibly lost his rhythm after those failed chases against Curry.
There were several other factors, like the concussed Klay Thompson stepping up for timely baskets.
On the whole though, it was a clear case of Golden State showing up more composed and organized, mainly in defense.
* * *
The Warriors also showed up more than ready for the worst.
If Warrior defense was excellent in regulation, it was unforgiving in the extra period of the Finals? Game 1.
Golden State came up with an unexpected total choke, thus limiting Cleveland to a lone conceded goal in the closing seconds of the five-minute extra time.
James also committed two costly turnovers during the extension.
* * *
?We haven?t have much luck, and we haven?t been healthy,? James explained after it got confirmed yesterday that the newly returned Kyrie Irving suffered a fractured knee cap and will not be able to rejoin Cleveland for the rest of the Finals.
Saying they?ve not lost their rhythm, James has refused to be discouraged.
However, if Cleveland hopes to spring back and even up, it must stop playing a reactionary role.
It must reorganize and spring its own surprises before it?s too late.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
, Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
, Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
, Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
, Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
, Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
, Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
, Tue, 10 Feb 202619-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
, Tue, 10 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
, Sun, 08 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
