LeBron James didn't need to be clutch during Thursday night's Game 6 against the Celtics, because he was so good that the game was never in question. James nearly outscored the Celtics himself through the first quarter, and his final statsheet of 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists doesn't do the performance justice.
The voices were clamoring for James to put up or shut up. He chose both — but it's not him who has to shut up now. It's everyone else.
James left no doubt about his ability to show up when it mattered most, because his team needed him to show up for the entire game. If LeBron came out and rolled over on Thursday the same way he did against the Celtics two years ago, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh couldn't have carried the load without him.
Instead, James dropped 30 first-half points and never looked back.
Sure, there will still be those nay-sayers who still want to see LeBron step up in the waning moments of a game and take over. They want to see him want the ball with the clock winding down and the crowd rising to their feet.
For that, they will need to wait another day. For now, LeBron is better than that.
Photo of the Night
Keep your heads up, boys. Game 7's on Saturday night.
Quote of the Night
"Nobody likes having dirt thrown on your face before you're even dead."
–Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, probably reviewing Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter
Tweet of the Night
But we have so many more!
Please keep the "good job, good effort" jokes coming. Totally killing it. Laser accuracy.
— Taco Trey Kerby (@treykerby) June 8, 2012
Video of the Night
Speaking of closers, here's one who can throw 101.
