BOSTON — Here it was, another game where the free world that may never forgive LeBron James for “The Decision,” expected the Heat superstar to require a Heimlich maneuver before going silently into the world of NBA also-rans for another season. James was only too happy to shred those expectations.
“In an environment like this, you want to have a big game,” James said. “This was a gut check for us.”
So he didn’t have a big game. He had a huge game. Gargantuan huge. James was everything a superstar should be, pouring in an electrifying 45 points, always rising to the occasion to snuff anything that even hinted of a Boston comeback. He grabbed the game by the throat from the outset and never relented to lead the Heat to a thorough 98-79 rout of the misfiring Celtics last night and carry the Eastern Conference Finals back to Miami for a decisive Game 7.
“I hope now you will stop talking about LeBron and that he doesn’t play in big games,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers after James nearly single-handedly tied the series at 3-3 to force tomorrow’s game whose winner get the Thunder in the finals. “He was pretty good tonight. Now that’s to bed.”
Now maybe as long as he wears a Miami Heat uniform, James will be viewed as a villain, the guy in the black hat foreclosing on orphans. That may never change. And until James gets a ring, the critics will still unload about big game failures. But there was nothing to trash in James’ game this time. Start with “awesome” and work from there.
“He played amazing,” said teammate Dwyane Wade (17 points). “He was locked in from the beginning of the game like I’ve never seen him before. … He put on the MVP performance tonight. We gave him the ball and got out of the way.”
As Heat coach Erik Spoelstra put it, “He was absolutely fearless. … He showed great resolve.”
Along with great jump shooting, driving, passing (five assists), rebounding (15 rebounds). Every aspect. He shot 19-of-26 from the floor, hitting 12 straight in one stretch during his 30-point first half. His lone hint of mortality came by missing four free throws.
“He made some fantastic shots, but I don’t think we played with a lot of force,” Rivers said. “He brought it to us and we never gave it back.”
And when the Celtics tried, always there was James to force a detour. And when he didn’t, they did it to themselves. The Celtics received 21 points, 10 assists (however seven turnovers) from Rajon Rondo but were numbingly ineffective in so many areas. They missed 13-of-14 3-pointers. They shot 42.7 percent with Paul Pierce going 4-of-18. They were whipped on the glass. They fell behind early, thanks to James, and fought uphill all game.
“You just try to keep the pedal down and be aggressive,” James said. “It’s a great feeling when it feels like everything you put up is going in.”
Well, not everything. There were those four free throws.
When James, who never left the floor until 3:11 remained and the game was way beyond doubt, fed Wade for a score with 7:43 left for an 87-64 lead, the long silent sellout crowd of 18,624 started leaving, checking out Red Sox results. Soon after, Rivers raised the Celtics white flag as starters sat.
Because always, there was The King. And now he has to prove himself all over again Saturday in an even bigger game.
“I won’t regret Game 7, win, lose or draw,” James said.
