Still Fast and Very Furious

Anybody who has paid even a modicum of attention to James’ outstanding career realizes that’s not how he does things. He’s only 33 years old, and his legendary offseason workouts demonstrate a commitment to building a body capable of withstanding anything he chooses to do.

So, this season, he decided to lead the NBA in minutes played per game—for a second straight year. He wasn’t out there for 40-plus a night, as he was four of his first five seasons in the League. But at a time when players are looking for ways to get needed rest, and coaches are sitting stars periodically to preserve them for the playoffs, James played every game of the season—for the first time—and was on the floor for 36.9 minutes each night.

When the playoffs started, James was even more omnipresent, logging 41.1 per game in the First Round playoff win over Indiana. Afterward, he admitted the seven-game series had left him “burnt” and said he was exhausted. “I want to go home,” he said. It was the only glimpse into the incredible burden he carries and a revelation that even the most conditioned, strong-willed athletes sometimes need to recharge.

Not that anybody thought for a second James had spent his substantial physical reserves in helping to vanquish the pesky Pacers. Cleveland head coach Tyronn Lue wasn’t about to throttle back on his usage of the game’s best player.

“That’s why you play the minutes throughout the course of the season the way he does: When these types of situations happen, you’re prepared for them,” Lue said. “So he’s used to playing 41, 42 minutes and being able to take it with his body and still be able to produce. A lot of guys, they get in the playoffs, they’re not used to playing that many minutes, and then it being a high-intensity atmosphere, it’s kind of hard for those guys to perform. So he does a great job of taking care of his body, a great job of conditioning himself for these types of situations.”

Had James merely spent a lot of time on the court, it would have been impressive, given the mileage he has already accumulated. But he doesn’t just show up for work. He delivers, too. James averaged 27.5 ppg, the most he has since 2009-10. His 9.1 apg were a career high, and his 8.6 rpg tied his best effort. He led the League in Value over Replacement Player, which measures how good a player is versus an ordinary replacement. He was third in win shares and third in Player Efficiency

Rating. While people debate his place in the hierarchy of the best NBA performers ever, James simply piles great season on top of great season. He has the supreme talent of the true greats and the grinding mentality of the 10-day contract guys. The product is a combination that has been seen rarely throughout the League’s history.

When the playoffs come, that remarkable blend gets even more impressive. People can speak all they want about James’ 45/8/7 line in the closeout win over Indiana, or his buzzer-beating bank shot in the third game of the Toronto sweep. Even more noteworthy is his minuteby-minute intensity and willingness to prevail. James understands that taking a few minutes off during a February visit to Brooklyn isn’t going to harm his team—or his legacy. Relaxing for just a second in the postseason can be disastrous, no matter how well the rest of the Cavs happen to be playing. The great ones must be present at every moment, ready to provide what’s needed, and more.

“At the end of the day, you have to do whatever it takes to win, and we found a way to get another win, so, it doesn’t matter how it happens,” James said after lifting the Cavs to a 3-0 advantage against Toronto. “We’ve just got to be a little better. That’s basically what I’m trying to say. We’ve got to be a lot better, especially coming into Game 4.”

That’s the mindset of a winner. He may have rejoiced after the shot went down, for good reason. It was a big one. But James knew that even though Cleveland had a 3-0 lead, its play wasn’t good enough to win in the Eastern Finals and especially the ultimate round. So, he retreated, regrouped, and led the Cavs to a series-clinching rout.

James may not admit it, but he is clearly conscious of his legacy, which includes three titles but five Finals losses. He can’t control anything other than his effort, his leadership and his willingness to be the front man for his team. That’s true in January, and it’s especially valid in June, when the money has all been pushed to the middle of the table.

“Every time we come to the playoffs he has that edge,” Lue said. “Starting in the second round, I could just see it. And he’s a special player, and we all know that. Just run out of things to say. What he does for us is big.” Every minute of the season.