For LeBron James this series meant it all.
It meant that he had another shot at going up against a team that had haunted him for years; it meant proving to the world that he did make the right Decision; and it was a milestone in his eight-year NBA career.
The Celtics have been the enemy since 2008, and LeBron James knew this coming into the series. No chalk-tosses at the beginning of games, no pre-game jokes, and no horsing around. This series meant straight up business for LeBron. And business is what James brought to this series, and it is exactly what he brought to Game 5 of this Eastern Conference Semifinals series.
Yes, this series meant it all for LeBron, and now that it’s all over there is only one word that I can use to sum it all up, one word that perfectly captures this moment in time for the NBA, for the playoffs, and for LeBron James:
Revenge
This series brought it all.
We had the rivalry between LeBron and the Celtics, which we have become used to seeing year after year. We had what many consider the East’s best two teams slugging it out with star power, defense, experience, and the determination that it takes to make it to June basketball.
If you didn’t enjoy this series, then I don’t think you will ever enjoy NBA basketball.
This series had been in the making for years now, and we witnessed it all in just five games. But somehow that’s all it took to show the passion these two titans possess to win an NBA championshp. One team was craving for a second while the other was craving for it’s first in their new era as a unit. A battle of old versus young, north versus south, and a battle that seemingly passed a torch.
But with all of the subplots this series possessed, there is one that captivates them all and takes the gold. The saga of LeBron James versus the Celtics, which possibly ended before our very eyes on Sunday.
The first time…
It started in the summer of 2008 when Danny Ainge made two bold draft day trades. One sent current Celtic Jeff Green and the fifth-overall pick to the Sonics for Ray Allen, and then not too long after Kevin Garnett was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves amidst a flurry of players being moved. All of these trades and acquisitions were to help surround Celtic great Paul Pierce with the pieces capable of winning an NBA Championship.
Once all of this was accomplished, the Boston Celtics changed the way the NBA was perceived for the new generation. The league hadn’t seen that much star power on one team in a while, and they were ready to wreak havoc.
Less than a year later, LeBron James and his defending Eastern Conference Champion Cavs would meet up with the new look Celtics squad in the NBA’s 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals. The series brought some amazing intensity, will, and heart. The Cavs threw everything they could at this Celtics team, but LeBron and Co. quickly realized how many dimensions Boston could bring to the table.
The series would ultimately reach a seventh game, and what a seventh game it was. LeBron and Pierce were going at it to the point that it was being compared to the classic Jordan-Dominique standoffs. Each finished with 40+ points, but we all knew Pierce knew he had a great team behind him, which would ultimately decide it all in the end.
Series over, Celtics advance and eventually win 2008 NBA Finals.
Second time…
The Cleveland Cavaliers were the East’s best team for a second straight season, possessing an impressive 61-12 record in the ’09-’10 season. But not only did they have the world’s best player in LeBron James, this time they also had a stronger core unit for Mr. James. With additions like Mo Williams, Delonte West, Shaquille O’Neal, and others, Cleveland looked like they had the ingredients to take down Boston this time for sure. Not to mention this would be the season before LeBron James’ contract would expire, which would give him the decision to stay or end up somewhere else in the NBA.
The Boston Celtics yet again were awaiting the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East’s Semifinals, but this time with a much more improved Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, and bench. Let’s not forget that the Big Three now possessed an NBA championship. This one was sure to be a heavyweight bout.
But from the get-go Boston was on top of Cleveland, sending double teams at LeBron, attacking Cleveland’s interior, and playing team-basketball better than I’ve seen all season. The Cavs weren’t playing to their full potential either as LeBron’s wingman Mo Williams seemed to be off during the entire series. Missed shots, poor defense on Rondo, and simply an overall weak performance hindered Cleveland’s chances at taking Boston down. LeBron seemed off for the series as well, and before we knew it the Celtics were advancing after a shocking 6-game defeat of LeBron’s Cavaliers.
With rumors of Delonte West, left-handed free-throws, and where LeBron might end up flying around, much was awaiting the NBA world for the 2010 off-season.
Then came the offseason that destroyed the perception of LeBron in the eyes of many.
With LeBron James rumors mounting on Twitter, blogs, radio, television, and everywhere else in the media, the suspense continued to build as to where James would end up. Would he stick to his home state, or would LeBron James do the unthinkable and leave the wine & gold?
In a controversial one hour TV special, LeBron James made the announcement that he was going to “take his talents to South Beach” and join the Miami Heat days after Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade had announced they would team up. And from there a super trio was born that made the 2008 Boston Celtics seem like something of a smaller ordeal. Not only would this create a new super team in the NBA, it would create a hate that has rarely been seen before in the NBA, a hate not only directed towards LeBron James, but a hate to the Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Pat Riley, and everyone else associated with the franchise.
But at this point in time it was clear that LeBron James had taken note of what Boston had done. He had noticed the key to success in the current NBA’s game, and it was the blueprint the Celtics had laid out for the rest of the NBA in 2008, and that was to not have only a single focal point in a team’s offense, but multiple.
And at that point the new-look Miami Heat were created and the rest of the NBA had reason to fear. But let’s not forget who Miami would have to get by in order to accomplish the ultimate goal: the Boston Celtics.
Third time…
The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics were about to meet up in a series that included numerous stories. First and most important, it was LeBron’s third time at getting a shot to bring down the experienced Boston Celtics. There was the return of Shaquille O’Neal to Miami in a playoff series, there was the entire Delonte West gossip, and plenty more. But at the end of the day this series was about getting things done and finally putting to rest the question of who is now the beast of the East.
Dwyane Wade was ready, Chris Bosh was ready, and most importantly LeBron James was ready…and it showed.
From the start of this series Miami stuck to the foundation coach Erik Spoelstra had insisted on from day one: defense. Not only were the Miami Heat as good of a defensive team as the Boston Celtics, but there was a chance that they were even better.
The Heat quickly took the advantage in the series by putting their mark on Games 1 & 2 as they used their defense, speed, athleticism, and age advantage to take down the Celtics. Not only did the Heat show their strengths against Boston, but LeBron James began to show why he is not only of the game’s best offensive threats but also one the game’s best defenders as well, especially in Game 2.
One the Heat had taken a 2-0 advantage, the series left for Boston as the world was beginning to notice that this Miami Heat team was finally becoming what Pat Riley had hoped for.
After more than three days of rest, the Boston Celtics were going to return home fully rested and ready to handle whatever the talents from South Beach were going to throw at them. The rest showed clear signs of working in the Celtics’ favor as the veteran ball club stuck to its champion-like ways with team basketball, defense, and experience down the stretch to take Game 3 of the series.
Little did the Celtics fans know, this would be the best they would get.
Game 3 reminded LeBron James and the Miami Heat that not only are the Celtics tough to beat, but they are extremely tough to beat at home. Dwyane Wade knew this, as did LeBron.
So the Celtics and Heat both came out gunning  to start Game 4. Boston was showing that they still had enough energy in their tank to keep up with the onslaught of attacks by Wade & James and that they had enough offensive options to keep the Heat on their toes. Back-and-forth both East elites would go, as Pierce would knock down jumper after jumper while Rondo was attacking the rim despite torn ligament in his arm. As the two teams went at it, it began clear that this one would go down the stretch.
With a few clutch offensive and defensive plays by LeBron, the Heat were able to rally in the closing possessions and take the Celtics into overtime. The battle would not stop, as Pierce and LeBron were seemingly the only two left with energy in the game, both attacking one another with jumpers, layups, and clutch defense. In the end, the Heat’s advantage of fresh legs would prove to be the downfall of Boston as Miami won Game 4 and took a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Celtics.
The series was now headed back to Miami, and there was a feeling in the air that something special was about to happen. Many began realizing the Boston Celtic’s age was catching up and that Miami’s dual threat of Wade and James was proving to be too much in seven games too handle. Their were winds of change in the NBA, and it all became clear in end of Game 5. Let’s fast forward to the 4th, shall we?
With clutch play after clutch play after clutch play, LeBron James began to seal the deal on a team that had haunted him not once but twice in recent postseasons. And within seconds after the buzzer, the emotions began to hit James like a train. With the crowd roaring behind him, LeBron could only do one thing and that is kneel to the ground and hide his face from the world:
And just like that folks, LeBron James with the help of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the rest of the Miami Heat, had done it.
LeBron and the Heat had proven to the NBA world that they were better than the Boston Celtics and that all of the hate, criticism and war-of-words needed to be put to rest. They have proven that they can now beat the NBA’s best in a seven game series and are one series away from what they had hoped for: a shot at the NBA Finals.
But there is more to this story than just that. Much more.
This has to do with LeBron James more than anything.
This has to do with LeBron getting over his longtime hump. Sure he did need help, but it’s obvious that the NBA world is quickly changing before our eyes. Teams are adding stars, power, and strength. Give credit to LeBron James for being a pioneer in a new generation of NBA basketball.
LeBron James now has taken down one of the opponents that has been keeping him from his first ever NBA title, and on the path to do so he has faced a great deal of adversity, verbal abuse, and mountains of hate from seemingly everyone, from NBA front-offices to the people in your house. Not only has this made him a stronger player, but it has made him a stronger individual through the years.
But don’t feel bad people, because you helped fuel him. And now that the Celtics series is done, the sky is the limit for LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
