Re: LeBron James: It's Still Just Basketball At The End Of The Day

[RealGM Wiretap]

LeBron James was asked if the Cleveland Cavaliers' position trailing the Golden State Warriors 0-2 in The Finals feels like territory he's accustomed to.

The Cavaliers were down 0-2 last season and then won four out of five games.

"Yeah, it's something I am accustomed to. It's something that I feel like is -- that it's okay for me to kind of always go back and know that I can refocus," said James. "I can get my guys ready, get myself ready. But you hate to continue to put yourself in these positions, but at the end of the day it's still just basketball, man, and that's what gives me comfortable and I'm more comfortable about it because it's just a game. I prepare myself, I'm going to go out and do my job and live with the results."

James said he can't remember how the Cavaliers felt down 0-2 in 2016.

"I don't know, I don't remember how I felt last year being down 2-0," said James. "That's last year and I don't even know the feeling anymore. So just mentally I'm just mentally strengthening my mind and getting my mind ready and focused on what tomorrow's going to bring, and so I look forward to it."

Via RealGM Staff Report

[FMX]

Sounds like a loser comment. He has joined 2 superteams and personally constructed the current team he is on. I like Lebron but KD has done him one better. When the Cavs lose are they going to blame Kevin Love? They doomed themselves by adding player who can't play defense. The Cavs can't handle a team with balanced scoring because they can't play defense.

[macNcheese3]

Wasn't just about basketball when he up and left CLE for MIA.

[Dino353]

And that is why you will never surpass Michael Jordan, because you stop playing in 2nd halves of games. You are the best player in the world right? You are the GOAT right by a lot of Lebron fans so why can't you beat the Warriors? You try to get in KD's head and he ignores you, KD is coming to take you out and take the throne from you and make you history. Play with a sense of urgency, Kobe or Michael with this roster you have would beat the Warriors and they would not leave the chamber half full. This is the Finals, you need to at least be taking 25 shots to win this series.

[GimmeDat]

In context, this quote doesn't bother me at all. It's a stressful situation being down 0-2 and probably the best thing LBJ can do put himself in the best mindset to go out there and get the best end result in terms of his production is to alleviate that pressure with some perspective.

As they say - 'just go out and play the game'.

[Hoopzilla]

"It's just basketball", "It's just a game". I like how Lebron tries to minimize the game he has focused on his entire life when it is obvious that he isn't the favourite anymore. You don't get to make us think you care about the game, then you don't care about it, then you do again. You can't shrug it off when you're losing and then tell us it is everything when you win. That is not how it works and that is why he will go down as a great talent on paper, but not even close to the best ever. His heart comes and goes depending on if he wins or loses. He's a bully that stares down Steph last year, but hides in the locker room and won't take the podium this year when he loses. Bad role model for any kid to look up to.