The pressure is on King James

Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Yao Ming and yes even Tracy Mcgrady will be spectators for the rest of this postseason. NBA executives and network executives had to be squeamish at best as their most marketable stars were taking it on the chin one by one. Fortunately, the posterchild and the NBA's franchise player is still standing as we speak.

King James.

Now before anyone responds with the statement "Tim Duncan and Steve Nash are standing as well!!!", I'm well aware of that and I'll even go as far as to say that Nash's legacy is in the balance as well, fair or not. But no star is under more pressure to deliver right now than Lebron especially with the early exit of the superstars above. All the attention is squarely on #23.

For Lebron to deliver, it would have to mean at least getting further than the second round. Anything less than that is a failure. It seems so much to put on Lebron's big shoulders. The fate of an entire franchise. The fate of an entire city which hasn't tasted a championship since 1964 with the Cleveland Indians. Yet, that's just the way it is. The New Jersey Nets are more than a formidable opponent with a team way better than their 41-41 record. This series may very well go the distance. But a loss for the Cavs in this series may produce potent and immediate changes. Mike Brown may be feeling the heat this year and even more next year.

As well as questions.

Of course, one man cannot do it alone. The supporting cast {Hughes, Gooden, Ilgasaukas, Pavlovic} will have to deliver as they did in Game 1 today. Their defense down the stretch and rebounding on both ends have made strides.

So with these advantages at his disposal, Lebron has what he needs to deliver for the second round and beyond.

Not to mention a whole lot of pressure and few excuses.

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

969 days ago

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Not to be a homer, but you don't have to be concerned about the Cavs getting past the second round. Not only are some of LeBron's supporting cast finally stepping up in the playoffs, but they have the easiest road in the playoffs. That may not bode well for them in the third round, but I don't expect them to lose more than (n)one against Jersey. However, I don't this there's as much pressure on LeBron as you're implying. Sweeping into the second round is a big step for Cleveland. Winning the second round would be enough, though I think they will push hard into the finals.

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False ProphetAll-Star

969 days ago

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same. I have the Bulls over Detroit, and Cleveland over the Nets. I then have it as a coin flip in 7, and to wrap it up, the East is victorious again over the Spurs in 7.

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