“Playoff LeBron” is a real thing and if you have doubts, just ask the Toronto Raptors. They are in a 2-0 Eastern Conference semifinal series hole thanks to LeBron James otherworldly efforts. After last night’s Game 2 loss, Raptors star DeMar DeRozan sounded ready to for an and all suggestions on how to slow James, writes Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com:
Toronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan was frustrated in the wake of the worst postseason scoring performance of his career in his team’s 125-103 Game 2 loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
DeRozan scored just five points on 2 of 11 shooting, putting up only one point in the first three quarters, when the game was decided. That point came on a free throw after a technical foul.
“It sucks. It sucks. To lose like we did and play like I did sucks. It’s frustrating,” DeRozan said. “Now just have the idle time of having to wait until Friday night [Game 3] to redeem yourself.”
DeRozan said he would take suggestions on how to deal with LeBron James, who is averaging 34.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.7 steals for Cleveland in the playoffs thus far. James scored 39 points on just 14 shots in Game 2 against Toronto.
“If you can find somebody to stop LeBron in these moments,” DeRozan said, “I’ll give you $100.”
DeRozan didn’t say whether the offer was in U.S currency or Canadian.
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In last season’s conference finals, DeRozan led the Raptors by averaging 23 points and shooting 50 percent against the Cavs.
The Cavs clearly made slowing him a priority coming into this series, putting James on the back line of the defense to attempt to limit the options when DeRozan passes out of the doubles.
“With LeBron back there, playing like a free safety, you have to make the right pass,” DeRozan said. “He does a great job of taking the paint and also getting to our shooters at the same time.”
