We’ve all done it before: watched LeBron James play like a regular human being and questioned his mortality. But Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals was not one of those nights. LeBron finished with 41 points (he shot 60% from the floor), 11 assists (most of which were stunningly beautiful), four steals, three blocks (including this instant classic) and only one turnover, despite being used on 35% of every play for 42 minutes. Dude was surreal last night, yet one man still seemed unimpressed.
Ladies and gentleman, I’m starting to believe Skip Bayless has a problem, cause this ain’t normal behavior…
No Bogut protecting rim. Iguodala has kept LeBron from rim 5 straight games – now HE can't move. NO WONDER LEBRON HAVING "GREAT" GAME.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 17, 2016
I imagine Skip frantically rifling through his couch looking for any hot takes he may have dropped behind a cushion, finding this gem, tossing it in his Twitter pipe and huffing the fumes.
Sure, Andre Igoudala’s back spasms and Andrew Bogut’s absence surely made it easier for LeBron to go off, but to assume what he did on Thursday was inevitable simply because those guys weren’t stopping him is indefensible. LeBron James has been on a tear in his last two elimination games, saving the Cavaliers from a near sweep with two consecutive 40-point outings. But Skip doesn’t care about the numbers — all he sees is a chance to guzzle another magnum bottle of haterade.
It’s so good once it hits your lips, right Skip?
For those raving about LeBron in elimination games: He turned it over 3 times late vs Spurs in Game 6, missed tying 3, Ray Allen saved him.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 17, 2016
The man even had an issue (if you’re even taking his opinions seriously) with LeBron’s swat on Steph Curry. Like, dude, can’t you enjoy anything? He blocked the shit out of the two-time MVP who essentially usurped his throne as the world’s best basketball player in last year’s Finals. Apparently we’re supposed to buy that Skip can’t fathom why Bron would, ya know, smirk after sending Steph’s soft-ass layup into the third row.
LeBron blocks Stephen Curry, and lets him know pic.twitter.com/UriDPukAEs
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) June 17, 2016
LeBron is talkin' big bad stuff after he blocked the shot of a 6-3 guard who can't really jump??? Give me a break.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 17, 2016
Today’s “First Take” might be a good time for an intervention, because this shit is getting out of hand.