1. LeBron is locked in and Kyrie is making plays
LeBron James has been playing at an entirely different level than the players that surround him.
Averaging 37 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals through the first two games while shooting 62.2 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from three, LeBron is absolutely locked in with a chance to repeat as the only item on his agenda.
He’s getting to the free throw line at will and shooting much more efficiently than he has the entire season, hitting from the charity stripe at 75.9 percent on 29 attempts.
Norman Powell and DeMarre Carroll are in no position to stop LeBron and he has been taking full advantage of the constant mismatch he faces every time down the court.
LeBron has been getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants, and this short clip proves it.
*LeBron gets fouled going to the basket and despite the fact that he never even went into his shooting motion, he briskly jogs to the free throw line where the referees decide that it is within their best interest to let LeBron do whatever he pleases. So he ends up shooting two free throws. Yes, we know the Cavs were in the bonus. Just go with it.*
LeBron’s running mate, Kyrie Irving, is playing above his standards as well, but not how you might think. While his shooting efficiency has been below his season averages, Kyrie is doing much more than just getting shots off.
Through the first two games against the Raptors, Kyrie is averaging 23 points per game while shooting only 37 percent from the field. However, his passing and playmaking is where Kyrie is stepping up.
Kyrie has 21 assists through the first two games, recording a double-double in both, and has deferred potential shots in favor of finding the open man, taking a step away from his typical iso-ball play style.
His assist-to-turnover ratio is 4.2 so far and his +58 net rating is tied with Tristan Thompson for the highest on the team.