LeBron James pursuit of Michael Jordan dented by Warriors
The Cavaliers star’s hopes of eclipsing Michael Jordan as the NBA’s greatest player have taken a big hit | VIDEO
NBA Finals 2017, Golden State Warriors v Cleveland Cavaliers game five: Hello and welcome to live coverage of game five in the best-of-seven series. The Warriors have beaten the Cavs 129-120 to claim their second title in three years.
• Durant delivers title for Warriors
LeBron emotional after loss
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James said his emotions were “all over the place” as he tried to deal with losing the NBA Finals despite another Herculean individual effort.
He averaged 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 10.0 assists -- the first triple double average in NBA Finals history -- but the Cavs dropped the best-of-seven series 4-1 to Golden State with a 129-120 loss.
“I just try to do everything to help this team win and more,” James said. “I just try to put in the work, in the film room, in my mind, my body every single day to prepare myself for whatever obstacle that this ball club entails.
“Does it always result in us winning? No. But like I’ve always told myself, if you put in the work and you leave it on the floor, then you can always push forward and not look backwards.”
That’s what the Cavaliers must do after falling to the Warriors in the final for the second time in three seasons, having rallied from 3-1 down last year to win the crown when James led the series in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks -- another unprecedented feat.
“I left everything on the floor every game, so I have no reason to put my head down,” said James, who scored a game-high 41 points Monday. “It’s just not my time.”
Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said there were tears in the locker room after the final defeat, including his own.
“I broke down so I couldn’t really finish my speech,” he said. “A lot of guys cried because they wanted it bad. And that’s all you can ask. If you give all your effort and all the fight and all the heart you got, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to win. That’s what’s tough about sports. They gave everything they had. We fought, we competed, and we never gave in, but they beat us.” Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, who scored 26 points, was already turning the pain into passion for another run at the finals.
“You feel obviously the disappointment of losing, a lot of decisions that you’ll replay over the summer,” he said.
“The next thing that I’m looking forward to is getting these couple weeks off and then get right back to it. They have an incredible team. They beat us, but I’m pretty sure we’ll be back and we’ll be ready to battle again.”
“It’s fuelling me inside right now,” he added. “I can feel it ... there are a few things you can take away from the series, but the only way to go is to grow from here.”
Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue lamented a game-ending 11-0 Golden State run to win game three.
“I don’t see a big gap. I thought we played well, got better each game, but against good teams you can’t give away games,” he said. “When you have them beat, you have to beat them. You can’t go back and forth or teeter on the fence.” “It’s over,” he added. “Nothing you can look back on and now we just got to prepare and get ready again.”
Never a ‘failed season’
James shook his head over injuries that kept the team from hitting full stride until just before the playoffs.
“It would have been great to see us at a full unit throughout the whole season so we can continue to build the camaraderie and chemistry out on the floor so you don’t have to wait until April to see what you’re capable of doing,” he said.
“We were able to hit the switch, but those games in January, November, games people think aren’t important, they’re important to me and they would have been important to our ball club.” “We weren’t able to get over the hump and accomplish what we ultimately wanted to do,” he added. “But no such thing as a failed season when you put in as much work as we’ve done.” Irving looks forward to joining James for a possible fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.
“He’s freaking awesome,” Irving said of James. “That’s the type of guy that I want to be with every single time.”
Durant delivers NBA title for Warriors
Sparked by 39 points from Kevin Durant and 34 from Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors won their fifth NBA title Monday, beating Cleveland 129-120 to capture the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons.
Golden State took the best-of-seven series 4-1, reclaiming the throne they lost to the Cavaliers a year ago. The Warriors completed a 16-1 playoff run, the best post-season win percentage in NBA history.
It was the first career NBA title for Durant, who left Oklahoma City last July to join the Warriors amid expectations he and Golden State would fill trophy cases.
“I couldn’t sleep for two days,” Durant admitted. “I was anxious. I was jittery. I just wanted to put it all out there.
“We battled. But we did it. We’re champions. And we’re celebrating on our home court.” Durant, who was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, became the first player with five consecutive 30-point performances in the NBA Finals since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000.
The Warriors also won titles in 1947 and 1956, when the team was based in Philadelphia, and took the crown in 1975 and 2015 after moving to the San Francisco Bay area, but had never clinched a title at home.
“These guys are so gifted and committed to each other and so unselfish,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s a combination of talent and an unselfish nature.” LeBron James scored 41 points to lead the Cavaliers. He also had 13 rebounds and eight assists, giving him a triple-double average for the finals, an unprecedented feat.
But James, in his seventh consecutive playoff series and eighth overall, fell to 3-5 in the championship round.
Kyrie Irving added 26 points and J.R. Smith 25 in a losing cause. “Lebron and Kyrie, I’ve never seen nothing like them,” Durant said. “LeBron was the only person I’ve looked at that could look me eye to eye.”
‘Just want to do it again’
After dropping last year’s title to Cleveland making the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history from a 3-1 deficit, the Warriors vowed not to stumble again.
“We’ve learned from everything we’ve been through to bring (the trophy) back home,” Curry said. “I’m just proud to be part of something special and I just want to do it again.” Excitement was high for the contest. Two courtside seats reportedly went for $133,000 on the resale market while other confirmed resale prices for pairs of seats were at $82,000 and $90,000.
James hit a layup to open the fourth quarter and pull Cleveland within 98-95, as close as the Cavs had been in the second half after trailing by 17 in the second quarter.
Golden State responded with a 10-3 run, Durant scoring five as the Warriors stretched their margin back to 108-98.
Kyle Korver’s 3-pointer pulled the Cavaliers within 108-102 but dunks by Durant and Andre Iguodala boosted Golden State’s lead to 110-102 and the Warriors kept Cleveland at bay, a Durant driving layup stretching Golden State’s edge to 118-106 with five minutes remaining.
From there, the Warriors defence stiffened and the Cavaliers congratulated the Warriors as the finals seconds ticked off the clock and the crowd went wild.
“This is a great group of guys, great community, great fans,” Durant said. “I can’t wait to celebrate with my teammates.”
Warriors seize lead early
After leading from start to finish in game four, the Cavaliers began aggressively Monday as well.
Irving and James turned back-to-back steals into impressive tone-setting layups as part of a 16-3 Cleveland run for an 20-12 edge, James hitting 4-of-5 for 10 points at the start. The Cavaliers made 15 of 24 shots in the first quarter to seize a 37-33 lead, James and Irving each scoring 12 points in the period, as did Curry for Golden State.
James made a fast-break slam dunk over Durant for a 41-33 Cleveland lead, the Warriors forward getting away with a blow to James’s head that would have brought his third foul early in the second quarter.
Golden State answered with a game-turning 27-4 run, slam dunks by Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green and three Durant 3-pointers spicing the spurt that produced a 60-45 Warriors lead. Durant’s 11 points and Golden State’s attacking defensive work powered the surge.
That’s when tensions and emotions bubbled over after a heated rebound battle, leading to a face-to-face confrontation between Golden State’s David West and Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson.
Both were joined by Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith in getting technical fouls with 3:08 remaining in the second quarter before cooler heads prevailed, although James yelled at Durant for an extended span over the incident.
The Warriors kept a 71-60 half-time lead but the Cavaliers trimmed the deficit in the third quarter, Smith sinking a three-pointer to pull Cleveland within 98-93 entering the fourth quarter.
2.30pm: Roll of honour
The past 20 winners of the NBA Finals:
2017: Golden State Warriors
2016: Cleveland Cavaliers
2015: Golden State Warriors
2014: San Antonio Spurs
2013: Miami Heat
2012: Miami Heat
2011: Dallas Mavericks
2010: Los Angeles Lakers
2009: Los Angeles Lakers
2008: Boston Celtics
2007: San Antonio Spurs
2006: Miami Heat
2005: San Antonio Spurs
2004: Detroit Pistons
2003: San Antonio Spurs
2002: Los Angeles Lakers
2001: Los Angeles Lakers
2000: Los Angeles Lakers
1999: San Antonio Spurs
1998: Chicago Bulls.
HOW GAME 5 UNFOLDED:
2.25pm: KD the MVP
Kevin Durant has been named NBA finals MVP 10 years after being picked second in the NBA draft behind Greg Oden. Durant drove left, right and down the middle, knocked down 3-pointers, dished and dunked.
He knocked down a 17-foot fadeaway over James early in the fourth quarter, then assisted on a 3-pointer by Andre Iguodala the next time down as the Warriors pulled away.
“We were really good tonight. You’ve got to tip your hat to Cleveland. They kept us up all night,” Durant said.
“LeBron and Kyrie - I’ve never seen none like them two before. But we’re champions and it’s amazing doing it on our home court.”
The Warriors took a 3-0 lead in the series as they set a record for NBA playoff winning streaks with 15 straight victories.
They lost Saturday’s fourth game in Cleveland but won the decisive match after coming back from an eight-point deficit.
2.10pm: Shades of Shaq
Kevin Durant has become the first player with five consecutive 30-point performances in the NBA Finals since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000.
The Warriors added to their titles in 1947 and 1956, when the team was based in Philadelphia, and took the crown in 1975 and 2015 after moving to the San Francisco Bay area.
1.55pm: Tale of the tape
In addition to Kevin Durant’s 39, Stephen Curry added 34 as the Golden State Warriors won their second NBA championship in three seasons. Durant capped his first season with the Warriors in triumphant fashion with another big shooting night that helped Golden State avoid a repeat of last year’s Finals collapse when Cleveland rallied from 3-1 down to win the title. LeBron James scored 41 points and Kyrie Irving added 26 for the Cavs, who had won four straight potential elimination games against the Warriors before running out of gas in Game 5.
1.50pm: Durant shades James
Kevin Durant made the most of his controversial move from the Oklahoma City Thunder to Golden State, collecting his first championship ring. He is likely to win finals MVP honours after tallying 39 points in the clinching game. LeBron James was brilliant again, with 41 points.
1.45pm: Warriors win
Golden State have beaten the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 in game five, sealing a 4-1 series victory.
1.30pm: Golden State eye title
The Warriors hold a ten-point lead with six minutes to play, 116-106.
1.15pm: Into the fourth quarter
Cleveland are not going away in this one, and a three-pointer to JR Smith makes the score 98-93 in favour of the Warriors at the end of the third period.
1pm: Cavs battling
With just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Warriors lead 93-86 after a big three-pointer from Kevin Durant. He has 28 points, LeBron James has 27.
12.30pm: Warriors rolling
The Golden State Warriors have poured on the points in the second quarter to take a 71-60 lead at half-time of game five. Kevin Durant has 21 points and Steph Curry 20 points for the Warriors; LeBron James has 21 points for the Cavs.
Tempers flared in the second quarter as David West and Tristan Thompson tangled, and the refs handed out some technical fouls.
12.10pm: Cavs crumbling
Golden State have turned a 41-33 deficit into a 60-45 lead with a stunning scoring outburst. A flurry of three-pointers from Steph Curry and Kevin Durant spurred the Warriors run.
12pm: Foul trouble
Tight whistle in Game 5. Tight scoreboard, too. J.R. Smith knocked down a 3-pointer just before the first quarter ended to give the Cavaliers a 37-33 lead in a period filled with free throws. With an officiating crew that is trying to keep a handle on the physical play, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson both have two fouls for the Warriors while Kevin Love and Kyle Korver have picked up a pair for the Cavs.
After scoring just 14 points in Game 4, Warriors star Steph Curry is off to a quick start with 12 points, six of which came at the free throw line. LeBron James has 12 points and so does Kyrie Irving for the Cavs. Golden State shot 14 free throws in the first quarter to Cleveland’s seven. The two teams also combined for 12 turnovers.
11.45am: Early edge to the Cavs
Clevland lead 37-33 after the first quarter, behind 12 points apiece from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Steph Curry has 12 for Golden State.
11.30am: King James
The hot start continues for LeBron James. He's up to 12 points. #NBAFinals on #NBAonABC pic.twitter.com/55QsfxC61I
— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2017
11.20am: Wobbly Warriors?
Golden State start well, taking a 9-4 lead on the back of some good work on the boards, but the Cavs rally and skip out to a 20-12 advantage almost halfway through the first quarter. LeBron James has half of his team’s points.
11.10am: Game five is underway
10.50am: Pre-game theatrics
As players from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors warmed up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals, members of the musical Hamilton offered a preview of their national anthem set for a few hours later.
They practiced it several times as heads turned in Oracle Arena to watch and listen.
One of the fans watching the players go through their pregame routines was Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Looking to secure his 2nd title with a win, @StephenCurry30 warms up for tonight's #NBAFinals action. #DubNation pic.twitter.com/lQDVEIs5CW
— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2017
Preview
Seven technical fouls, one flagrant foul, stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant jawing at each other and several other dustups.
For Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue, the physical turn the NBA Finals took in Game 4 is just what he wanted and is the recipe he hopes the Cavaliers will follow for the rest of the series against the Golden State Warriors.
“I liked it,” Lue said. “I thought the first two games we were being too nice. The first three games, helping guys up off the floor, smiling, talking to guys and - yeah, I didn’t like that. So I think Game 4, talking trash, being physical, whatever you got to do to try to get that edge to win, you got to do it.”
The Cavs will once again try to stave off elimination, trailing 3-1 following a remarkable turnaround 137-116 win at home in game 4. After two straight Golden State blowouts to open the series and a thrilling comeback in Game 3, things turned feisty in Game 4 as the teams that are meeting in a third straight Finals series showed some animosity.
James said the Cavs were upset by comments from Golden State’s Draymond Green about wanting to celebrate a title on Cleveland’s floor for the second time in three seasons.
Two of the best! âš½ï¸ @ThierryHenry & 🈠@AaronRodgers12 are at Game 5 of the #NBAFinals tonight! #NBAAllNighter pic.twitter.com/DS5E8waHEP
— NBA UK (@NBAUK) June 12, 2017
The game started off with an edge and things really took off in the third quarter. It started when Durant took exception to a blow to the head from Kevin Love that led to a flagrant foul and a face-to-face confrontation with James. It escalated late in the third after a scramble to the floor for a loose ball led to a jump ball. Cleveland’s Iman Shumpert stood over Pachulia and tried to grab the ball after the whistle. Pachulia then delivered two swipes to Shumpert’s groin area, leading to technical fouls on both players.
“It was totally between the lines and with the respect of the rules,” Pachulia said of the physical play. “Nothing has crossed the line. It’s emotional. It’s possibly the last game of the season, so you definitely don’t want to give up anything easy. We know it’s not going to be an easy game for us. We’re going to earn it.” The more physical play appeared to be just the thing to get Cavs power forward Tristan Thompson unleashed.
A key player the past two years because of his relentless rebounding and hard-nosed play, Thompson had been mostly invisible the first three games with just 11 rebounds.
Thompson had 10 alone in Game 4, including four on the offensive end that gave Cleveland extra opportunities to score and prevented the Warriors from getting out in the break.
“T-Lue has been saying that since Game 1, the team that has the starting lineup that comes out and sets the tone early and is more physical will definitely have the advantage in the game,” Thompson said. “We did that Game 4 and we got to have that same type of effort and even more in Game 5.” That’s exactly the attitude Lue wants.
“They’re coming right after us, so we have to get after them,” he said. “I don’t see anything’s funny or anything’s to smile about. So hitting and being physical and just everything they do to us in the first three games, we have to do that.”
Additional reporting: AP/AFP
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