In new chess game, LeBron James has more pieces than Stephen Curry – 5/9/2023 – Sports

“Lonnie. I want to talk about Lonnie”, said LeBron James, still on the court, interrupting the first question he was asked after the sweaty 104-101 victory of the Los Angeles Lakers over the Golden State Warriors, last Monday ( 8).

He was referring to Lonnie Walker IV, unlikely hero of the purple and yellow team. The 24-year-old wing guard, who didn’t even enter the court at the beginning of the series, had zero shots attempted at the beginning of the last quarter. He finished the game with 15 points. And the entire Warriors team got 17 in the final period.

That’s how the team from Los Angeles opened 3-1 in the best-of-seven dispute, valid for the semifinals of the Western Conference of the NBA. It’s yet another duel between LeBron and his historic rival in the North American Basketball League, Stephen Curry.

The stars met four times in a row in the final, between 2015 and 2018, when James defended the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was agreed that Curry –winner of three of those four decisions– had a more qualified group of teammates.

Now, in a new game of chess between the experienced and cerebral players, it is LeBron, at least so far, who has been getting the most help. The Lakers, right now, have more pieces on the board. But remain cautious.

“We’re dealing with the defending champions,” noted James, more than used to facing the Warriors.

So used to it that he knew exactly the move designed in an attempt to draw the last game. TV footage clearly showed the moment the 38-year-old winger – in his 20th season in the NBA – told partner Anthony Davis what to do. After the exchange in the marking, Davis easily intercepted the pass that sought Klay Thompson in the dead zone.

Such is the knowledge among the stars that the clash actually takes on a chess feel. The difference is that this time around, with a newly reshuffled roster full of youngsters willing to help him – not to mention Davis, 30, who has historically been efficient at defense – James can afford to think more and run. any less.

Curry, in turn, finds himself in the situation where LeBron has been. Without consistent help from the most relevant teammates –in the only game of the series with good production from Thompson, Golden State ran over–, he has taken on tasks that he does not usually perform. Recognized as the best shooter in basketball history, he has adjusted his game to suit the opponent’s strategy and, surrounded by men in purple and yellow, has been assisting like never before.

In game 4, Stephen had only for the third time in his fantastic history in the NBA playoffs a “triple-double”, double digits in three statistical categories: 31 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. But, in what came to be called “game IV”, there was no Lonnie Walker IV.

“Steph was incredible,” said coach Steve Kerr, a four-time champion at the helm of the now 35-year-old point guard. “His effort is incredible, his stamina, with everything he [os Lakers] are putting in his way. Doing all that, attacking, distributing the ball… Incredible.”

While Curry is forced to do more, James seems content to do less, although LeBron’s less is a lot. It has been a challenge for the veteran to find a balance between securing victory and conserving energy for the next one. Therefore, when a teammate shows that he can carry the responsibility at the decisive hour (before Lonnie and the exceptional Davis, they decided games in these “playoffs” Austin Reaves, 24, and Rui Hachimura, 25, with little or no previous experience in the decisive of the championship), LeBron hands him the ball.

Not that I’m on the court passively. In the tough “game IV”, the four-time champion saw what was at stake and assumed the role of point guard as he had not done in the current duel with Golden State. With the ball, he actively sought to duel with Curry, a limited defender. So it was to the free throw line. Or it attracted double tagging and freed up space for Lonnie, the one he wanted to talk about.

But not much.

James made an ode to Walker. He rightly named Anthony Davis as the best defender in basketball. And – after 42 minutes and 57 seconds on the court, out of a possible 48 minutes – he ended the interview with Chris Haynes, from TNT, between joke and seriousness: “I’m tired as hell, get out of my way”.

Self-styled “The King”, LeBron James knows which is the most important piece in chess. “The King” also knows that he needs his subjects to overthrow Curry.

Game 5 is scheduled for this Wednesday (10), in San Francisco, home of Golden State.