LeBron James on Monday apologized (perhaps somewhat sarcastically) for not dunking more with the Cavaliers this season.
Through five games, James has dunked just three times. LeBron dunked 134 times last season with the Heat, which is nearly three times as much as the 49 he’s projected to have this season.
“I apologize I haven’t been above the rim, but I’m in the lineup,” James said.
The “but I’m in the lineup” part led Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon to speculate that a back injury that bothered James during the preseason could be the reason for the lack of James jams. However, LeBron thinks the lack of dunks has more to do with a dearth of opportunities.
“I understand those are huge momentum plays,” James said via Vardon. “We haven’t had too many fastbreak opportunities, as I have in the past. In the halfcourt they kind of put a lot of bodies in front of me. I’ve been able to find open guys.
“As the year goes on we’ll be able to start making more plays offensively. I’ll start getting to a point where I can start getting back above the rim. I hope so.”
LeBron has been attacking the basket plenty this season, so maybe it just is coincidence that he hasn’t dunked much. It’s only been five games so far, and the Cavs are 2-3. We expect a lot to change once the team starts to become comfortable and figure out a style.
Chest bump to Eye on Basketball
