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How LeBron can dominate for the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 vs Phoenix

By Kevin Germany

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LeBron’s top five playoff scoring performances ranked:

The narrative that LeBron is a playmaker first and a scorer second is false! Except maybe for Wilt Chamberlain, nobody else is dominant enough to literally choose what he can do in a given game.

Another false narrative? That LeBron (and also Wilt) was a choke artist because his teams often came up short in the NBA Finals (or in Wilt’s case against Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics).

Without further ado…

1) 51 points – Cavaliers vs Warriors; Game 1, 2018 NBA Finals: 114-124 LOSS (OT)

Shortly before JR Smith made his infamous blunder, LeBron James finished a monster take to the basket with Stephen Curry and the four other Warriors defenders unable to stop him.

I said unable, not unwilling. Nobody can stop LeBron when he puts his head down and attacks the basket. Especially when defenses concede as many switches as Golden State does.

Phoenix is a lot smarter – they do not switch anywhere near as often on LeBron, whose bully ball tactics are far less effective with Deandre Ayton and other Suns defenders packing the paint.

The 2018 Cleveland Cavaliers had one of the greatest offenses in NBA history. Their three-point shooting was among the best in recent memory. Whereas today’s Lakers do not have enough shooting (or even finishing!) on the court to punish Phoenix if they were to double LeBron.

2) 49 points – Heat vs Nets; Game 4, 2014 Eastern Conference Semifinals: 102-96 WIN

Current Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd was the head coach for the Brooklyn Nets when he found an adjustment that he thought would overtake the Miami Heat dynasty.

Go small by moving Kevin Garnett to center and played Paul Pierce at power forward. What was the result of that adjustment? LeBron scored 49 points. Shortly after the series, Coach Kidd left Brooklyn to coach a young Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks.

I am sure Kidd is now thankful he is on the Lakers’ staff and not having to scheme against LeBron in vain. Still, an aging Paul Pierce and offense-only guys are not anywhere near as tough as Phoenix’s resilient, defensive-minded forwards of Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges, and Torrey Craig.

3) 49 points – Cavaliers vs Magic; Game 1, 2009 Eastern Conference Finals: 106-107 LOSS 

LeBron James dropped 49 points in a losing effort to Dwight Howard (miss him yet?) and the Orlando Magic in a thriller. The four starters playing alongside LeBron: Delonte West, Mo Williams, Anderson Varejao, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Even without Anthony Davis, don’t blame LeBron’s supporting cast if the Lakers were to lose Game 5 to the Suns!

LeBron took those dudes to the NBA Finals in 2007 all because of this game.

4) 48 points – Cavaliers vs Pistons; Game 5, 2007 Eastern Conference Finals: 109-107 WIN (2OT)

This was my favorite LeBron scoring exhibition against a formidable Detroit Pistons defense. This is the game when he went from future superstar to potential GOAT.

The offense was laughably predictable: LeBron always had the ball in his hands and everyone else was standing there on the baseline.

Are the Lakers going to be this predictable on offense? I doubt it. Maybe it’s going to take LeBron going 1 on 5 to jumpstart a moribund Lakers offense.

5) 46 points – Cavaliers vs Celtics; Game 6, 2018 Eastern Conference Finals: 109-99 WIN

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were on the brink of elimination. Then LeBron scored 46 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists against a feisty Celtics squad missing Kyrie Irving, LeBron’s ex-teammate turned (media-portrayed) arch-nemesis.

Check this video out! Lakers fans will love seeing their future King dismantle Boston and deny them of their would-be first NBA Finals appearance since 2009.

With just five of LeBron’s countless masterful performances on display here, how can LeBron James and the Lakers bring the Phoenix Suns fans back to earth?