In the wake of Monday’s dismantling at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, LeBron James issued a warning to the Cavaliers: nothing is guaranteed, and the reigning Eastern Conference champions have a long way to go if they intend to get back to the promised land.
“I think we’re a good team,” James said, via CBS Sports’s Ken Berger. “But I don’t think we’re a great team right now. We’ve got to continue to get better. I really think it’s absurd to think about May and June; it’s not guaranteed, man. If we continue to win and put ourselves in position and we do make the playoffs, then we give ourselves a chance. But that doesn’t guarantee you anything. One shot here, one shot there, a turnover here, a turnover there, can change a series. So for me, to focus on down that road when tomorrow isn’t promised, I think, is absurd.”
James understands pressure. He was part of the Miami Heat teams that had it foisted upon them from the moment he signed.
“I experienced this in Miami, too,” James said. “People want instant success. When guys come together, it’s like instant oatmeal. Throw it in the microwave, in 30 seconds it’s done and it’s ready to go. It doesn’t work that way. You need time and you need adversity together. You need hardships. You need times when you don’t like each other. You need the worst of times in order to become really good. I’ve experienced that over my career.”
James is stepping up and leading his team, just as Kevin Love seemed to insinuate he should. At 28-11, the playoffs are almost certainly going to happen for the Cavs, but James knows that they’re going to have to find a way to gel and beat the top teams eventually.
