The Western Conference finals G2 of the Lakers and Nuggets, although the process is different, but the finishing method is very similar.
James missed a key shot, made a key mistake, the Nuggets grabbed the free throw to close the game, and the Lakers trailed 2-0.
In the whole game, James scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists, objectively speaking, this data does not reflect James's embarrassment and unbearable in the game.
This loss was a huge blow for the Lakers.
In the first two consecutive rounds of eliminating the Grizzlies and Warriors, they have never fallen behind by a scoreline, let alone lost two games in a row.
In this year's playoffs, the Lakers lost four games before this series, and each time they were able to fight back with a win, but they didn't today.
At the same time, they also allowed the Nuggets to keep the home record of winning all. And the Lakers themselves, as another team that won all home games, now the problem has come to their own side, but if they lose a home game in G3G4, it seems that it is difficult for them to complete the turnaround.
At the same time, a series of statistics is also very bad for the Lakers.
In NBA Division Finals history, when one side fell behind 2-0, they ended up with a series record of 6-56.
The Nuggets have led 2-0 in the playoffs six times in their history, and they still hold the record for all promotions.
In all seven best-of-four series in NBA history, the probability of a turnaround from 0-2 is only 7%, and only 33 teams have completed this feat.
So, is there any hope for the Lakers?
The answer is, of course, yes, as mentioned above, there are 33 precedents in NBA history for 0-2 downturns, and James himself has achieved 3 0-2 reversals, and he is also the highest star in NBA history to achieve this achievement!
Not counting the Nuggets who are now 2-0 behind, James has fallen 2-0 down eight times in his career, and his report card is 3-5.
Most of the five losses occurred early in James' career and thanks to the Warriors, James' three reversals were the greatest series of his career, milestones.
James' first 0-2 comeback: 2007 Eastern Conference final, Cavaliers 4-2 Pistons.
After a year, James and the Cavaliers met again, and in the first year, the Pistons eliminated the Cavaliers 4-3. This time the Cavaliers started 2-0 again, and the Cavaliers successfully held on to both home games. In the crucial battle of Tianwang Mountain, James played the strongest performance of his career at the time, he scored 25 consecutive points in the final minute of the final quarter, and frantically cut 48 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists to help the Cavaliers win on the road, and when they returned home, they won firmly and reached the Finals 4-2 with revenge.
What's there: This is the Cavaliers' first playoff appearance, and it kicks off James' 10-time career Finals.
James second 0-2 comeback: 2016 Finals, Cavaliers 4-3 Warriors.
Against the 73-9 Warriors, the Cavaliers lost by 15 and 33 points in their first two games, and they were not only 2-0 down, but also 1-3 at one point. Faced with 3% hopes of a turnaround, James led the Cavaliers to a nearly impossible mission. In the most important game of James' career, he scored a 25+ triple-double, and gave Iguodala a key cap in the final moments, and the Cavaliers completed a comeback to win the championship.
Significance: James won the third career championship, the first in Cavaliers history, and for the first time in NBA history, a team won the championship 1-3.
James made it 0-2 for the third time: 2018 Eastern Conference final, Cavaliers 4-3 Celtics.
Without Irving, Love's performance was also disastrous, with James leading the Cavaliers alone to defeat the Pacers in the first round and sweeping the Raptors in the second round. Against the young Celtics, James led the team to two home games while trailing 2-0. After losing the battle of Tianwang Mountain, James took a total of 114 seconds off in G6G7, and James repeatedly responded to the excellent performance of rookie Tatum, and finally eliminated his opponent 4-3.
What's there: James' final series victory in the Cavaliers' jersey for eight consecutive Eastern Conference championships and the only defeat in the series that gave the Green Army a 2-0 lead in history.
Today, however, the situation does not seem so promising.
In the two games that have been played so far, James has made a total of 0 of 10 from three-point range. In two consecutive games, James missed key goals in a row when he needed him the most, and then made mistakes to bury the game victory.
This is difficult for even many media people who have always supported him to accept.
Mike Greenberg tweeted: "The Lakers really had a really good chance tonight, but their best players cost them the game. ”
And Skip, who has never supported James, seized a good opportunity: "LeBron James: No genes for key moments!" ”
James also had two broken feet in today's game, which made the 38-year-old look difficult to cope with the rest of the game.
However, in an interview, James said: "I'm fine, I'll be ready for the next game, I just stepped on a player's foot and nothing could stop me from playing." ”
Coach Hamm said for James: "James was evaluated after the game, but it was difficult to miss him from G3. ”
Trailing 2-0 for the ninth time in his career, James knows how tough things are.
He said: "We're not playing the NCAA, we're winning four games before we win. Until a team beats you 4 times, you are truly out. If we can get better between G2 and G3, then we can win. We need to go back home and play with a sense of despair and urgency on the edge. ”
James has done wonders for us countless times throughout his career.
And it is already a miracle that the Lakers can play so far this season. They were once third from bottom in the West, but caught the last train of the playoffs at the end of the season and eliminated the famous youth Grizzlies and defending champion Warriors without home-court advantage.
So this time, can we continue to trust James? Like he has done for the last 20 years? Don't forget, he's 38 years old.