2013 Finals Game 1: LeBron "needed a little breather"

[bfrombleacher]

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/9354356/2013-nba-playoffs-lebron-shows-effects-long-season-tough-east-finals

"I had been accustomed to being able to start the fourth but the third quarter was so -- I was in the paint, defensive rebounding, I was closing out Kawhi Leonard on shooters," James said. "It took all in the tank from me in the third quarter. So I needed a little breather."

The comments section is filled with comments for and against LeBron's legacy as a great. As always I regret even looking.

But I can't help but think how maybe Pop had this planned all along.

Or perhaps it's just the Spurs are just "doing their thing" and playing team ball and the Heat having no answer. This just might be a case of Spoelstra's poor coaching that's being exposed. His money play is "ride LeBron" after all.

Even though Indiana faltered down the stretch, perhaps battling a team with such a huge advantage matchup wise has really taken a toll.

Go Pop! Go Spurs!

[j804]

All the analysts were killing the Spurs for pushing an uptempo game, that might just be one of the keys to the series and what Pop wanted all along. Miami is coming off a physical 7 game series while the Spurs are fresh look for more running next game and two hundred pick and rolls and screens everywhere.

If their shooters get hot and they drop 115 on Miami tomorrow the Heat are pretty much barbecue chicken-SHAQ voice

[LGC88]

Spurs are just too good this year. It will take a miracle for Miami to win that series.

[scaryjerry]

...the heat lost game 1 of the finals last season, and dominated game 1 of the finals against Dallas no? Calm down

[nickagneta]

I was watching a show on ESPN and Jon Barry was commenting on this. The host said something to the effect that at the critical junction of the game, Lebron asked to sit because he needed a breather.

Barry shrugged and said, in a tone that voiced his displeasure, "Well, if he needed a breather, he needed a breather but then Spoelstra should have had Wade out there then."

Then the host said, "But isn't this the Finals. There is no tomorrow. You can catch a breather when the season is over."

Barry said something to the effect "that is absolutely true and you would figure Lebron and Spoelstra would know that"

[Onslaught]

You think Russell, Bird, Magic, Kobe or MJ would be asking for a breather at a time like that?

[syfy9]

You think Russell, Bird, Magic, Kobe or MJ would be asking for a breather at a time like that?

They'd all probably refuse to sit out during a Finals game.

[LGC88]

...the heat lost game 1 of the finals last season, and dominated game 1 of the finals against Dallas no? Calm down

Spurs would have lost game 1, I would have said the same thing.
Too many threats on offence, Miami can't keep up the defence for 48mn.
Spurs defence is solid and too hard to crack for the small ball miami plays.
Don't turn the ball over, rebound for 5 or 6 games and they get the title.

[Celtics18]

I'm not sure I understand what the beef is here.  Is it with James or Spoelstra?

The Heat were up by 3 at the end of 3 quarters.  When James came back in the game with nine minutes remaining in the fourth, the Heat were still up three.  My initial reaction was "oh, oh, the Spurs could be in trouble now."  The Heat were able to maintain their slim lead while resting their superstar.  When you can stay even while resting a guy like James for the stretch run, that's good coaching, not bad.  It seems to me that's what you want in that situation. 

[LGC88]

I'm not sure I understand what the beef is here.  Is it with James or Spoelstra?

The Heat were up by 3 at the end of 3 quarters.  When James came back in the game with nine minutes remaining, the Heat were still up three.  My initial reaction was "oh, oh, the Spurs could be in trouble now."  The Heat were able to maintain their slim lead while resting their superstar.  When you can stay even while resting a guy like James for the stretch run, that's good coaching, not bad.  It seems to me that's what you want in that situation.

I don't get it either. They played well, wade and bosh contribute. Judas hits some 3s. Bench was productive. To me they ran out of gas, and they try to find excuses by thinking if James was on the floor they would have increase their lead... Who knows.

[Django]

Tom Haberstroh ‏@tomhaberstroh 2h
Through Dec. 18, LeBron had played a staggering 129 games over a 365-day span. And he has played 71 games since.

[hpantazo]

I'm not at all a Lebron fan, and I hate the Heat, but I can't fault Lebron for being honest on this. He gave his best effort and gave credit to the Spurs for wearing him out. I'm not sure why people are criticizing him for this.

[nostar]

I've been hearing for the past 2 days that the Heat are basically done. That is absolutely silly.

Losing game 1 at home in the NBA finals is not [dang]ing, the stats bear that out. Last year OKC took Game one and then gave up 4 in a row. Miami won game one against the Mavs and then lost in 6. In 2001 the Sixers won game one then dropped the next 4 to L.A. All I'm saying is that game one isn't always the best barometer to use when prognosticating. Those are just the notable ones.

Additionally The Spurs won by a razor thin margin. The ending score was only a 4 point spread. I've seen that many points given away on one bad call. Take into account that two of those points were on a miracle shot and...suffice to say the sky is not falling in Miami just yet.

If they drop game 2 in Miami then I'll be on the "cooked" bandwagon.

OP:

Needing a little breather is 100% okay. Taking it is another story I'd argue that Miami actually played a bad game rather than the Spurs dominating them. The margin was 4 on a miracle shot by Parker. Miami can improve and the Spurs don't have the same ceiling for improvement from their last performance. I guess Ginobli could show up. Or maybe their FG% could improve. 5 TOs and holding LBJ to 18pts is a pretty tall order to repeat.

I actually hope I'm wrong. I hope the Spurs are the superior team and that the Heat faceplant in humble pie. That said I'm holding my judgement until after Sunday's game.

Expect a very aggressive MVP. He does not like to lose.

[scaryjerry]

...the heat lost game 1 of the finals last season, and dominated game 1 of the finals against Dallas no? Calm down

Spurs would have lost game 1, I would have said the same thing.
Too many threats on offence, Miami can't keep up the defence for 48mn.
Spurs defence is solid and too hard to crack for the small ball miami plays.
Don't turn the ball over, rebound for 5 or 6 games and they get the title.

I actually cautiously agree with this but still it was only 1 game

[Onslaught]

I'm not at all a Lebron fan, and I hate the Heat, but I can't fault Lebron for being honest on this. He gave his best effort and gave credit to the Spurs for wearing him out. I'm not sure why people are criticizing him for this.

I'm not sure it's wise to admit you're worn out. Most players don't want people to know what's going on with them by the other team so they can't use it against you. But if the NBA keeps having games this far apart then the Heat should have all the rest they need.