MIAMI — There was no chance LeBron James was going down quietly.
A two-point first half had some wondering if James had an MVP hangover after proudly displaying the league's top honor during a pregame ceremony.
He was passive. He was gun-shy. He was human.
Then something clicked after halftime at AmericanAirlines Arena. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra must have reinforced to James how he was the best player in the world and unstoppable to defend. Whatever the case, James played with more fire and more passion in the final 24 minutes.
It wasn't enough.
James scored 22 of his 24 points in the second half but didn't get enough help in a 93-86 Game 1 loss to the Bulls. He shot an air ball with 29.8 seconds left in regulation with his team trailing 90-86. That kind of took the air out of the Heat.
James made 8 of 17 field goals, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out seven assists. Dwyane Wade was the only other Heat player in double figures with 14.
When James knocked down a 3-pointer 59 seconds into the third quarter, one figured he was ready for a big second half. He talked a little smack to Joakim Noah after the shot, almost as if to let Noah know the Bulls were about to get it.
With 10 minutes, 11 seconds remaining in the game, James grabbed a deflected pass and emphatically dunked the ball in front of a trailing Noah. James was fouled by Noah, leading to a three-point play. The chants of "MVP, MVP'' started to ring through the building.
Later in the fourth, James converted another three-point play using his strength to finish despite being wrapped up with two hands by Jimmy Butler. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound James again overpowered the 6-7, 220-pound Butler a few possessions later, leading to a third three-point play and a 76-69 Heat lead.
Maybe the long layoff contributed to James' slow start. The Heat wrapped up their first-round series against the Bucks in four games and hadn't played since April 28. James spent some of the time during the extended layoff enjoying being a father. He revealed a trip to the movies on Friday to see "Iron Man 3'' with his sons, LeBron Jr. and Bryce.
"I've been able to do some things, some father things, that I couldn't do playing every other day,'' James said. "I had an opportunity to go to a couple of Bryce's games, couple of (LeBron Jr.'s) practices, like I said, take them to the movies and take them to get some ice cream and things of that nature. … It was definitely a blessing.''
The start of Monday's game felt like a curse.
Maybe it was the shoes. James started the game wearing rainbow-colored, custom-made sneakers commemorating his MVP award. He told TNT reporter Craig Sager those shoes were just for show and switched to a lighter shoe later in the game.
Butler had a lot to do with James' early struggles. Butler, who earned praised during the regular season for shutting down Kobe Bryant, harassed James into 1-of-6 shooting in the first half. Butler moved his feet well and stood his ground when needed.
If Butler plays with the same defensive intensity the rest of the series, James will have to work for every point. But he'll get his.
He is the MVP.
[email protected]
Twitter @vxmcclure23
A two-point first half had some wondering if James had an MVP hangover after proudly displaying the league's top honor during a pregame ceremony.
He was passive. He was gun-shy. He was human.
Then something clicked after halftime at AmericanAirlines Arena. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra must have reinforced to James how he was the best player in the world and unstoppable to defend. Whatever the case, James played with more fire and more passion in the final 24 minutes.
It wasn't enough.
James scored 22 of his 24 points in the second half but didn't get enough help in a 93-86 Game 1 loss to the Bulls. He shot an air ball with 29.8 seconds left in regulation with his team trailing 90-86. That kind of took the air out of the Heat.
James made 8 of 17 field goals, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out seven assists. Dwyane Wade was the only other Heat player in double figures with 14.
When James knocked down a 3-pointer 59 seconds into the third quarter, one figured he was ready for a big second half. He talked a little smack to Joakim Noah after the shot, almost as if to let Noah know the Bulls were about to get it.
With 10 minutes, 11 seconds remaining in the game, James grabbed a deflected pass and emphatically dunked the ball in front of a trailing Noah. James was fouled by Noah, leading to a three-point play. The chants of "MVP, MVP'' started to ring through the building.
Later in the fourth, James converted another three-point play using his strength to finish despite being wrapped up with two hands by Jimmy Butler. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound James again overpowered the 6-7, 220-pound Butler a few possessions later, leading to a third three-point play and a 76-69 Heat lead.
Maybe the long layoff contributed to James' slow start. The Heat wrapped up their first-round series against the Bucks in four games and hadn't played since April 28. James spent some of the time during the extended layoff enjoying being a father. He revealed a trip to the movies on Friday to see "Iron Man 3'' with his sons, LeBron Jr. and Bryce.
"I've been able to do some things, some father things, that I couldn't do playing every other day,'' James said. "I had an opportunity to go to a couple of Bryce's games, couple of (LeBron Jr.'s) practices, like I said, take them to the movies and take them to get some ice cream and things of that nature. … It was definitely a blessing.''
The start of Monday's game felt like a curse.
Maybe it was the shoes. James started the game wearing rainbow-colored, custom-made sneakers commemorating his MVP award. He told TNT reporter Craig Sager those shoes were just for show and switched to a lighter shoe later in the game.
Butler had a lot to do with James' early struggles. Butler, who earned praised during the regular season for shutting down Kobe Bryant, harassed James into 1-of-6 shooting in the first half. Butler moved his feet well and stood his ground when needed.
If Butler plays with the same defensive intensity the rest of the series, James will have to work for every point. But he'll get his.
He is the MVP.
[email protected]
Twitter @vxmcclure23