LeBron Answers Critics In Game 4
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami Heat superstar and NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James looked like a shell of himself in Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
He promised he would play better in Game 4 and just like the mailman, he delivered.
LeBron led the Heat in scoring dropping 33 points on the Spurs and grabbing 11 rebounds. It was LeBron's first game scoring at least 20 points in the Finals after being held to the teens in the first three games of the series.
"It was on our shoulders," James said. "We had to figure out how to win the game for us and play at the highest level. When all three of us are clicking we're very tough to beat."
LeBron took the brunt of the criticism for Game 3's debacle and welcomed that criticism as much as any player would. James was very candid with the media on Wednesday saying in Game 3, "I played like *expletive*."
It was a very candid admission in a time when players rarely share what they're really thinking. But in Game 4, James reminded fans why he was the MVP and the best player in the game.
LeBron played more than 41 minutes of the game and shot 15-25 and 1-2 from behind the three-point line. He also pulled down 11 rebounds, dished out four assist, had two steals, and blocked two shots in the game.
"When Bosh, Wade and James score the way they did tonight and shoot it the way they did tonight, a team is going to have a difficult time if you help them like we did," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "When those guys are playing like that, you better be playing a perfect game."
No team had ever overcome a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals to win the Larry O'Brien trophy. Thanks to the Heat's Big Three stepping up and dominating the Spurs in San Antonio, Miami won't have to try to overcome that historical hurdle.
