Why LeBron James to the Boston Celtics makes too much sense
By Kane Pitman
The importance of adding to the jewelery collection
At this point in his career, LeBron James has absolutely nothing left to prove. He’s done it all, and yet the detractors will continue to point to him only collecting three rings along the way. I mean, I don’t know if you heard, but he is an embarrassing 3-6 in the Finals.
LeBron is the ultimate competitor, willing to run his body into the ground in pursuit of victory. With the Cavaliers trailing the Celtics 3-2 in this season’s Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron ultimately knew what was required if he were to reach his eighth straight Finals. Across Games 6 and 7, James was on court for 94:06 of the 96:00 of game time. He averaged 40.5 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists per game. It was an Herculean performance from a modern day sporting god.
LeBron James - who was the only player in the league to log more 3,000 minutes during the regular season, and leads the league in minutes played in the postseason, and has played 48 minutes in each of the Cavs last two games - played all 24 minutes in the first half.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) June 4, 2018
But this wasn’t a new development for James, who led the NBA for minutes per game in the regular season (36.9), while not missing a contest. For comparison, the Golden State Warriors, the team that eventually brought Cleveland down in a crushing sweep, were able to rest their stars. Klay Thompson ranked 16th in minutes per game, Kevin Durant 19th, Draymond Green 42nd, while Stephen Curry would have ranked 48th if he had played enough games to qualify.
This is where the Boston Celtics come roaring into the picture.
Staying in the East is without doubt LeBron’s easiest path back to the Finals. With Cleveland no longer a threat after his departure, Boston and Philadelphia stand out as the clear top-two in the East. The Celtics were able to blow by the Sixers without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.
Of course there would be a significant piece or two making way to secure James’ services in green, but with a core group of Irving, Hayward, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford and a plethora of future draft picks, they have more than enough to get a deal completed.
By staying in the East and joining the Celtics, LeBron avoids Golden State until the Finals, and almost guarantees a fifth straight dance with the Bay Area dynasty. It makes too much sense.
But what about an aforementioned old friend already situated in Boston, I hear you ask?