NBA Finals: LeBron's future at Cavs hangs in the balance after Game 2

After a chaotic Game 1, which was marked by crucial refereeing oversights, a historic performance by LeBron James and perhaps most memorably, a colossal blunder by J.R. Smith, the Golden State Warriors would have looked to steady the ship after narrowly escaping with the victory.

In typical Warriors fashion, in Game 2, they did exactly that. Stephen Curry’s record high nine three-pointers provided the perfect wind that set the Warrior’s sails into motion. With only a 7-point lead heading into the all important fourth quarter and the Cleveland Cavaliers nipping at their heels Curry took over exploding for 16 points including five threes that proved too much for the Cavs to handle.

In an astounding play, the two-time MVP, forced away from the basket by the hounding Kevin Love with the shot clock expiring nailed an almost impossible three, about 30 ft. from the basket. Curry, who finished the game with 33 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and most notably nine three-pointers made, broke the record for the most three-pointers in an NBA finals game, previously held by Ray Allen. Curry is also making a serious push for the Finals MVP, the only accomplishment that has eluded him in his illustrious career, and after leading his team in both points and assists in both Game 1 and 2, he has easily been Golden State’s best player.

The Cleveland Cavaliers on the other hand are left to rue a second loss albeit this one less heartbreaking that the previous. On the back of another clinic by inarguably the best player in the world, LeBron James, the Cavs up until the fourth quarter made it a game for 20,000 spectators packed inside the Oracle Arena. However, the burden of carrying a team who shot a miserable 40 per cent from the field against a superteam containing four all-stars seemed to be too much for even LeBron to bear. Adding to this, the psychological wounds inflicted by the heartbreaking loss in Game 1 were still fresh.

The raucous Warriors fans burst into wild cheers when their Game 1 hero J.R. Smith stepped up to the free throw line, sarcastically chanting MVP, MVP. Smith, who in the previous game grabbed an offensive rebound with the scores tied and four seconds left in regulation time confounded the entire arena when he dribbled the ball out, instead of scoring the easy layup that would have won them the game. It was later speculated that Smith, unaware of the actual score, assumed the Cavs were up by one and thus tried dribbling the clock out. Smith said after the match that he was indeed aware of the score but figured the team was going to take a timeout. Either way, it provided a mental blow from which the Cavs are still recovering.

“I always try and put my team in a position to try and win a championship. That’s my job, that’s my responsibility and that’s my obligation” said LeBron after the match. Game 3, which will take place in Cleveland on June 7, is a must win for the Cavs. They can take solace in the fact that they have an excellent record at home in these playoffs.

However, the Golden State Warriors are a different animal from the Celtics or the Raptors. LeBron will need players such as J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver and Tristan Thompson to step up and hit shots as well as play good defence. Cavs coach Tyronn Lue must also consider adding 6’7 guard Rodney Hood into the rotation to give that much needed offensive presence when LeBron is not on the court.

Game 3 will also be a crucial decider of LeBron’s future in Cleveland. Another loss will all but confirm his impending exit. However, should the Cavs win and at least make the series competitive LeBron might just decide that he wants to give it another shot playing in the wine and gold. That alone would enough incentive for his teammates to play as though their lives depended on it.