'You’ve got to sacrifice your body,' says battered and bruised LeBron
James is feeling the pain as he drives Cavaliers to NBA Finals, but he won't let that stop him
LeBron James hurts everywhere, the King of Pain.
One win from taking the Cavaliers back to the NBA Finals, and one step closer to a title he covets more than any other, James leaned against a padded wall and hardly resembled basketball’s most undeniable force.
“I’m feeling all right,” he said, forcing a smile that showed he wasn’t being entirely truthful. “I’ve been better, but I’ve been worse. I think I’ve been worse.”
James moved slowly and not with his usual grace one day after his brilliant performance in Game 3 lifted Cleveland to a 114-111 win over the Atlanta Hawks in overtime, moving the Cavs within a victory of their first Finals appearance since 2007.
James wore a sleeve on his right calf, which cramped so severely he asked to be taken out Sunday night before reconsidering. Instead, he pushed through the pain and delivered 37 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists – all after an 0-for-10 shooting start – to help the Cavs take a 3-0 series lead.