There are two possible explanations for the way the Celtics are handling LeBron James. Let's start with the most likely: suffocating defense. The King followed up his 2-18 FG, 10 TO masterpiece in Game 1 with a 6-24 FG, 7 TO beauty in Game 2. Paul Pierce and James Posey are doing a number on this guy. And when James manages to slip past them, he finds Perkins and/or Garnett in the paint. Are you watching how the Celtics are defending the perimeter passing lanes? They're acting like cornerbacks, practically baiting the Cavs to swing the ball before swooping in and making the deflection or steal. It's gorgeous. But the Celtics defense can't be this good, can it? The other explanation falls along the lines of LeBron simply isn't making his shots. He said it himself, he's not making shots he normally makes. But if you accept this as the reason, then you must say James is choking. A-Rod style. Through no fault of anyone else, he's underperforming in the playoffs. That's a choke in my book. During the tail end of the regular season I was reminded several times, you don't want to play LeBron because he can take over a series and win it single-handedly. Well guess what - he just might lose it single-handedly. Before you start ripping me for jumping the gun on LeBron, I need to praise Tommy Heinsohn. Everytime LeBron got a phantom foul call, Tommy whined the refs were taking care of "His Majesty." Not to mention this worst non-call in the history of the league came when Paul Pierce got hacked twice on the same drive to the hoop. He had part of his thumb nail ripped off.

Chuck - Red's Army