Bazemore takes dig at LeBron's clutch abilities
Apparently the league didn't learn anything from Stanley Johnson's folly.
Like Johnson before him, Atlanta Hawks swingman Kent Bazemore is about to draw the unenviable assignment of covering LeBron James in a playoff series. And like Johnson, Bazemore is jabbing at James with some insults.
In an interview with Sean Deveney of Sporting News, Bazemore repeatedly pointed to James' supposed inability to perform in the clutch.
"LeBron is equivalent to 7-11," Bazemore offered. "He doesn’t close."
It's the age-old knock against James about how he can't close games because he prefers to make the right pass than to take the game-winning shot. James has worn that scarlet letter since his first tour of duty in Cleveland.
But since winning two titles and qualifying for five-straight Finals appearances, that talk has died down. James has averaged 34.6 points per 36 minutes in clutch scenarios this season, along with 13.7 rebounds, and six assists while leading the Cavaliers to the best record in the East.
And of course, James had absolutely no trouble closing out the Hawks last season when they squared off in the Eastern Conference finals. James put up 30.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per match in a lopsided four-game sweep.
Petty banter aside, that's what Bazemore is getting at. He's pumping himself up for the most difficult defensive assignment of his young NBA career.
"I’m ready," Bazemore said. "I’m excited. Rematch from last year, they swept us last year and we definitely have a chip on our shoulder about that."