NBA Playoffs 2017: What We Learned Over The Opening Weekend

Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) fouls on Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) fouls on Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a dunk in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a dunk in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

LeBron is Back to Playing Bully Ball

Playoff LeBron is back ladies and gents.

It’s not like it’s a surprise, but if there’s one aspect of the King’s game that I respect is his pure, should be illegal, strength.

The man is pure muscle. He is built like a tank. Throw one defender at him, you might be able to slow him down just enough that he has to throw a quick pass to one of the various shooters the Cavs throw out there, but even those somehow have such force in them that it’s like watching a bullet be fired from a gun.

Throw two defenders at him, it doesn’t matter unless he’s in a corner, and even then he typically makes a smart play (or complains about a call because he thinks he gets fouled even when he’s on the bench. Sorry, couldn’t resist).

During Saturday’s matchup against the Pacers, every time he got a switch he was just pushing his defender into the paint minus Paul George and maybe C.J. Miles. Everyone else for Indiana looked helpless.

He might have a lot of wear and tear on his ties and seems to be showing no ill effects, but it’ll be interesting to see if he can keep it up….. no King’s reign is forever.