Miami Heat star LeBron James had the best season of his career in 2012-2013 and captured his fourth MVP award of the season. The key to his startling improvements has been a frightening uptick in his scoring efficiency; he shot 56 percent from the field in the regular season, and 53 percent during the current playoffs.
This series, however, has seen LeBron's efficiency go down a bit, and his shot attempts increase. He has jacked up 20.3 shots per game in the Eastern Conference finals with Indiana Pacers' defensive maven Paul George harassing him. James' field goal percentage is still up (55 percent) but the Pacers have edged the MVP into shooting more, and forced the Heat into becoming more reliant on James' scoring.
The more LeBron shoots, the more likely it is that his efficiency will suffer. That is why Sunday night's Game 3 should alarm the Pacers. James was 8-of-17 from the floor, a stat line in keeping with his brilliant regular season. Each member of the Heat starting five was in double figure scoring; Mario Chalmers was the lowest of the group with 14 points.
James and the Heat recognized Indiana's strategy and countered it. "I made a conscious effort to get down in the post tonight, to put pressure on their defense," James said. "The coaching staff wanted me to be down there tonight, and my teammates allowed me to do that."
By posting LeBron up, he was able to utilize his improved low-post moves to combat George's athleticism. On the perimeter, George was able to bother James, even forcing him into two rare turnovers in the final minute of Game 2.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra echoed James' sentiments. "We wanted to be a little more aggressive, a little more committed to getting into the paint and seeing what would happen. LeBron was very committed and focused not to settle."
Now, Indiana will need to find a way to deal with the MVP in the paint. If they don't expect James' box score lines to show his regular season efficiency.
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