"Yabba Dabba Threeeeeee"exclaimed Miami's sportscaster after Lebron James's three-pointer half a minute before the end of the Jazz headquarters.
At last they can smile with the friends of Heat and even more with James's friends. Lechoke was transformed into LeClutch, exhaling the ghosts. Since the start of the season, the permanent debate has been about how much "disappeared" is in the fourth period. But in this game 4 was the period in which he showed he was spiritually capable and could do it.
That's how I felt when I started writing this article. Right after James's three-pointer. Read more ...
Miami lost 18 points 4-5 minutes before the end of the 3rd period, but with a demarcation they covered the difference and entered the 4th in minus seven. Somewhere there, Lebron took action and with consecutive baskets of his own, but also of Wade, they managed to equalize and with 5 consecutive points of the first to pass 97-94, 26 seconds before the end. And yet the game that seemed to have cleared, after the Heat went ahead, was not over. Utah took the lead with a Harris goal-foul 4 seconds before the end. And there came the time for the last play of the match ...
Return from the outside and the ball to Lebron at the top of the key. The defense on it is non-existent. A step in and instead of shooting, he passes to free Osle, who misses the mechanical (usually tactile) shoot from the classic elbow.
Miami lost 98-99 to the 9 winning streak and we, who were finally excited about Lebron's "royal" appearance, stayed with the quest. Why; Why did not he take the last try? He put 18 in 3 bouts and 17 in fourth! Really impressive performance. Yet, at the time of the hot potato and while he seemed to be in a terrible situation, he did not even try. The same thing happened last Sunday at the All Star Game. He was hot and he did not get the last shot.
He is not psychologically and spiritually ready. His game is more mature than ever, but he is not yet able to win his own self.
Even in the last phase, he has the strength to "find" his free teammate. It takes a correct decision, which would give him credit at any time in the race, but not in the last second when the win is judged. By accepting the ball behind the ball, all he has to do is win with a dribble the necessary space to get up and score. Just 20 seconds before making much harder shots. He would put it again. But he did not dare.
And as long as he does not dare, he will not be able to win the demons that haunt his mind. Afraid of the critical comments, the losers of the shoot that judge the races. And the truth is we are not shameful when it happens. We "beat him" and we do not let him breathe.
Time to shut us up, Lebron. The next time, fuck!