The 2009 Magic series is a perfect litmus test for who actually watches ball and who gets their basketball knowledge from Skiyuuup Bayless.
Game 1: Lebron scores 49 points on 67% shooting, 50% from 3 and has 3 blocks and 2 steals while being + 7 from the floor and hitting a go ahead 3 point play with 20 seconds left to go up by 2 and the Cavs still lose.
Game 2: Not quite as great, but still has 35 points on 52% shooting and hits the game winner from 3.
Game 3: not his best game and despite scoring 41 points has a poor shooting night and Magic maintain a comfortable lead throughout the game
Game 4: Lebron goes bananas again and scores 44 points making 40% from 3 and pulling down 12 rebounds against a team with Dwight Howard. He’s + 6 from the floor yet the Cavs are down 6 with 2 minutes left. Lebron gets an assist for a 3 point play, a dunk, and goes 2-3 from the line to send it to overtime. Including being down 100-98 with .5 seconds and hitting 2 free throws in a row with all of Orlando screaming in his face to send it to overtime. That’s how you know Skip Bayless a fukking unathletic cac has crafted a completely false narrative around Lebron being afraid to go to the line in clutch situations and fukking idiots buy it.
Well in overtime Orlando starts to wash Cleveland, except they don’t as Lebron hits shot after shot to keep Cleveland in the game and is able to close it to 2 where he misses a desperation heave with 3 guys on him.
Game 5: Lebron goes bananas again and scores 44 points. He also personally fouls out Dwight Howard the defensive player of the year who is just camping in the paint the entire game because he does have to guard anyone. Lebron is + 11 from the yet the game is still close for most of the game. With Lebron hitting basket after basket finally breaking the Magic’s will.
Game 6: Game is basically over before it started. Magic start the game 9 for 21 from 3 and it’s an immediate blow out. Lebron plays 45 minutes even has his team is being run out of Orlando.
Criticizing Lebron for this series just shows a complete lack of basketball awareness.