LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are still in first place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. But it hasn’t been easy.
A frustrated James admitted this season has been one of his most “challenging” on Saturday night after a big loss to John Wall and the Washington Wizards.
James and the Cavs had no answer for the surging Wizards, allowing 70 first-half points in a 127-115 loss. Speaking to reporters after the game, James admitted it’s been a struggle this year though still sporting a conference-best 47-25 record.
“This has been one of the most challenging seasons of my career just because of all the injuries,” James said. “It’s been challenging for our ball club—the lineups and different guys in and out. The one guy coming in and another guy out.”
Saturday’s game in particular was tough when it comes to injuries. James said the team expected to be “whole” but Iman Shumpert didn’t play in the loss. James himself was a game-time decision with an eye injury and wore glasses for part of the game before throwing them on the court in frustration.
R.I.P LeBron James' goggles 7:30 – 7:55 https://t.co/7QMZB7FQ2m
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) March 25, 2017
He finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists in the loss, but most of the postgame talk involved fixing the team’s defense. Wall scored 37 and picked up 11 boards, while Bradley Beal had 27 in the Wizards win. James said the postseason allows for more time to prepare for an opponent defensively, but you can’t expect the team to just get it together without putting in the work.
Earlier in the year, James has said the team lacks toughness, something that needs to be fixed for the postseason. It’s there that James has put on his most impressive defensive performances, so maybe it will all snap back into place when the playoffs start.
“We just have to figure it out—continue to see what fits our group, our line up, our team as a whole,” James said. “We can’t base last year on this year. This year is different. Every year is different.”
The Celtics and Wizards, I’m sure, are hoping that this season is indeed different.
