Lebron James and the Cavs may have lost Game 5 of the NBA Finals but his post-game press conference certainly got everyone’s attention. Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was asked about his confidence and comfort level in the NBA Finals after Sunday’s Game 5, a 104-91 Golden State Warriors victory. A reporter suggested that perhaps James was feeling more free because there’s less pressure due to the team being undermanned, referencing the deep 3s he made in the fourth quarter.
“Nah, I feel confident because I’m the best player in the world. It’s simple.”
James responded, following his 40-point, 14-rebound and 11-assist performance for his second triple-double of the series. And he’s right.
LeBron James: “I feel confident because I’m the best player in the world.” #NBAFinals#cavs
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) June 15, 2015
I like when LeBron gets real and says what he’s thinking. Best thing about stars getting older is they say what they want. Kobe is same way.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 15, 2015
If you’re a Cavaliers fan wondering about LeBron’s psyche headed into Game 6, please don’t worry, because his confidence clearly hasn’t missed a beat. Lebron would actually have to be delusional not to think that he’s the best player in the world and he’d simply have to be the Pope not to get overly cocky sometimes.
This isn’t the first time Lebron has displayed unmatched confidence in himself. After he scored 44 points in the Cavs Game 1 loss, James rejected the idea that part of the Warriors’ game plan was to allow him to rack up points while focusing on his teammates.
“You don’t let me have 40, I go get 40.”
LeBron said.
With his performance Sunday, LeBron joined Jerry West as the only players to have a 40+ point triple double in the NBA Finals. LeBron is averaging 36.6 points, 12.4 rebounds and 8.8 rebounds in the Finals.
“We’re going home with a Game 6 and we’ve got enough to win it,”
Lebron said.
“We protect home, we come [back to Golden State]. We’ll worry about Tuesday first. But if we protect home like we’re capable of doing, we force a Game 7.”
