WGL Sports Performer of the Day (2/6/17)
Cleveland Cavaliers Small Forward LeBron James (32 points, 17 assists, 7 rebounds)
It’s hard to believe that LeBron James has already been in the NBA for 13+ years. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has pretty much done it all, but last night, he accomplished something he had never done before. LeBron posted a career high 17 assists to go along with 32 points and 7 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers to a 140-135 overtime win against the Wizards. This game had quite the wild finish. Down by 1 in the closing seconds, LeBron got away with a travel and missed an uncontested layup that would have given his team the lead. He made amends though on the final possession, banking in an impossible step-back three pointer to force overtime.
LeBron would foul out less than a minute into the overtime period, so the argument can be made that he was not even the most valuable player on his team last night, but he did most of the leg work to get them to OT and give them a chance to win this game. LeBron also became the first player in NBA history to rank in the top 20 in points (8th), assists (13th), and steals (20th). This was a big win for the defending champs, and it snapped a 17-game home winning streak for the Wizards. It remains to be seen if the Cavs will remain as presently constructed as the trade deadline approaches. Rumors are swirling that LeBron wants Carmelo Anthony in Cleveland, even at the possible expense of Kevin Love (who put up 39 points and 12 rebounds last night). LeBron has vehemently denied the reports, which leaves us to believe that this team is focused on just one thing right now: rediscovering their momentum and gunning for an NBA title defense.
