Let's just remember that the game where people are claiming James failed physically he scored 26 points, shooting 50% from the field, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists. He did have 6 turnovers and he played over 39 minutes. I'll take that sort of physical failure all of the time from my players.
The Cavs problems have been and continue to be that Ty Lue is a downright awful coach. He has no understanding of rotations, play calling, etc. He is just awful. I mean this a guy who said Kyle Korver didn't play more minutes because Semi Ojeleye was removed from Boston's rotation. Here is the exact quote "Well, initially, he's been putting Ojeleye in," Lue said of Stevens after the game Wednesday. "So that's been kind of Kyle's matchup when he comes in the game. He didn't play him tonight, so it kind of threw us for a loop." Semi Ojeleye not playing threw the Cavs for a loop and led to Korver playing only like 18 minutes. That sums up the Cavs problems and is all anyone really needs to know.
I don't think anyone is laying blame at Lebron's feet for the loss last night. Tyronne Lue and Lebron's supporting cast really let Lebron down.
But...Lebron was tired from almost the beginning of the gamed and looked completely gassed many times in the 2nd half. Lebron was constantly not getting back on defense after a miss or turnover, spending time haggling with the refs. He didn't constantly go inside to force the Cs into fouls. He was looking more to pass than score for almost the entire first half. In the 2nd half his jumpers and turnarounds were short and his layups rolled out. Heck, he didn't even try a run down block on Tatum which is his signature defensive move.
Thats being tired, being exhausted. And when he was sitting he looked out of it as he wiped himself down and chugged fluids. His body language was awful. I am not sure I have ever seen Lebron putting his hand on his hips while trying to catch his breath but that happened last night.
I give Lebron all the credit in the world for posting the numbers he did but last night he was just too tired to make his teammates better or to carry this bad supporting cast on his shoulders