The Drive. The Fumble. The Shot. The Decision. ... The Back?
LeBron James’ back, the one that required an anti-inflammatory shot almost a year ago and another one earlier in October, has been a constant source of discussion locally and nationally.
It figures to be a topic all season because James has so many basketball miles on his body as he approaches 31 years old, and any significant issue with his back will impact the Cleveland Cavaliers' chances to win a championship.
When he’s not in the game, he has a heating pad wrapped around his back and he’s sometimes stretched out on the hardwood near the Cavaliers’ bench, reminding longtime NBA fans of Boston Celtics great Larry Bird doing the same at the end of his career.
James dismisses that, but he has addressed his back. So has Cavs coach David Blatt, and even Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was asked about James’ back Friday before the Cavs played the Miami Heat.
And when James met with reporters Friday morning after the team’s shootaround, he was asked how he felt after back-to-back games in Chicago on Tuesday and in Memphis on Wednesday.
"I didn’t feel that great (Thursday)," he said. "I was able to come in and get some treatment, get some work in, so I feel pretty good this morning."
He obviously felt pretty good in Cleveland’s 102-92 victory against the Heat, scoring 29 points on 13-for-19 shooting in his best game of the early season. His back must not be too bad right now. The reports of his demise might be premature.
"Just worked on my game. Did three-a-days in the month of September, honing my skills, getting better," James said. "I’m comfortable with the system now. I knew what I was going right into. Every game is going to present different challenges. I’m very confident in my ability. I know what I’m capable of, and I feel great.
"I've got to continue to maintain the work I’ve been doing behind the scenes that will continue to help me."
James was good in a 97-95 road loss against the Chicago Bulls in the season opener (25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists), and not so good in an easy 106-76 road win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, scoring 12 points on 4-for-13 shooting but compensating for that with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Against the Heat, James drove to the basket, relied on his short game and away-from-the-basket shots, and maybe the biggest difference in his game right now is his willingness to acquiesce. Part of it is self-preservation, realizing he needs to conserve when he can. Part of it is understanding a deeper team can contribute more this season.
He's quite comfortable letting point guards Mo Williams and Matthew Dellavedova (10 assists, plus-23) run the offense. After James and Kevin Love, the scoring has been distributed among a deep and improved 10-man rotation.
James is especially content letting Love look for scoring opportunities. James realizes the Cavs need Love to be engaged, and Love’s contributions have been impressive. He had 24 points and 14 rebounds against Miami, and James on at least two different occasions has called Love the main focal point of the offense.
James drew askew glances when he adamantly said he wanted to play in 82 games this season, something he has never done is his career.
Blatt was diplomatic, knowing that the management of James’ playing time will be important for the Cavs throughout the season. They need James at his best when the playoffs arrive
"I want LeBron to be healthy, and I want ’Bron to come to the end of the season in the same kind of physical state that he was last year at the end of the season," Blatt said. "If what’s best for him is to play 82 games and he’s able to, then that’s what it’ll be. If it’s not or if I see or we see or together we see he needs a break, then we’ll give it to him.
"It’s not something we’ve predetermined. We did discuss it. We discussed different possibilities for intermittent rests. Right now, he wants to play, and we won’t fight that unless it becomes necessary to do that."
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