Getty ImagesThe Pistons had four players, led by Richard Hamilton with 26 points, scoring more than the Cavs second highest scorer, Zydrunas Ilguskas with 16. You get the feeling that was Detroit's best shot.
Could the Cavs have gotten to the Finals without winning this game?
No way. They still might not as the Pistons came back from trailing 3-2 in last year's conference semifinals against the Cavs to win in seven games. But you get the feeling that was different and this is a different Cavs team, even a different James.
He's been impressive, but, really, never quite to the hype of the commercials and advertisements.
Critics doubted his shot, even his competitiveness and confidence the way he has passed on big shots like in Game 1 of this series or missed key free throws down the stretch of games.
That changed Thursday.
Anytime anyone new comes into the game with the reputation and the game, he is compared with Jordan. Is there a next? Should there be? It doesn’t matter.
James made his statement Thursday. He's ready to take over this era. Come and be a witness.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
ProBasketballTalk tweets |
|
Source: Twitter. For more, follow @basketballtalk. |
Video: NBA from NBC Sports |
Knicks, Lin still streaking Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni and point guard Jeremy Lin discuss the team and Lin's recent success. |
Slideshow |
more photos |
Special feature |
Who will be MVP? Interactive: Rank each player on a scale of 0 to 10 (10 = best player, 0 = barely worthy of consideration). NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
more photos |
Slideshow |
The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |