LeBron James benched after just 10 minutes - since when was Tyronn Lue this tough?
Today is the final day of the NBA 2017-2018 regular season
And today's marquee matchup
is undoubtedly the Timberwolves versus the Nuggets
The two teams sitting at eighth and ninth in the West
are battling today for a playoff berth
In the end, the Timberwolves edged out the Nuggets 112-106
and ultimately advanced to the playoffs
The last time the Timberwolves made the playoffs
was way back in 2004
Beyond the outcome of this game
what people cared about most was probably the individual records of Westbrook and James
Today the Thunder hosted the Grizzlies
The Thunder still needed a win in this game to secure a better seed
At the same time, Westbrook needed to grab at least 16 rebounds
to achieve a season average triple-double
Westbrook really went all out for rebounds in this game
He attempted just one three-pointer in the first quarter
and somehow had only 2 shot attempts by halftime
Westbrook's focus in this game was almost entirely on assists and rebounds
By halftime Westbrook already had 1 point, 11 rebounds and 12 assists
Before the third quarter was even over
when Simmons missed a floater
Westbrook quietly grabbed his 16th rebound of the game
The man who secured a triple-double season average for a second straight season
was as calm in expression as he was in his heart
because all he wanted was to win this game
In the end, Westbrook not only led the Thunder to victory over the Grizzlies
but also put up a terrifying 6+20+19 stat line
completing the epic achievement of a triple-double season average for two seasons
What? Stat-padding? Come on!
It's the same as always
First, the team won, and Anthony, George and Adams had an easier time out there
Second, you're just 16 rebounds away from becoming the first person in history to do it
Anyone in that position would go for it
And didn't James also play today just for a record?
James had already played 81 games this season
just one game away from the first full 82-game season of his career
And James also had his streak of consecutive games scoring in double figures to keep going
Although the Cavaliers had planned to rest their starters and give up on this game
in the end, for James' record
the team still chose to let James play
Of course, even with him on the floor, the Cavaliers said they would be careful to protect James
After all, the playoffs are almost here
In the Cavaliers' pregame interview, Lue said:
I kept wanting to rest him, but it didn't work
so he can play all 82 games
and extend his streak of 872 consecutive games scoring in double figures
But if he gets 10 points, I'll take him out immediately
Since when was Tyronn Lue this bold?
Does he not want to stay with the Cavaliers anymore...
But just like what Donovan did
when a record is on the line, you really can let a player play one game
And James didn't keep Tyronn Lue worried for long
In the first quarter, James played 10 minutes and 33 seconds
going 4-of-9 for 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists
Tyronn Lue didn't hesitate to send James to the bench
Even when the team ended up falling behind and losing, Tyronn Lue didn't budge
For Lue, the goal of this game was clear: winning or losing didn't matter
James' health was what mattered most
James also achieved the first full 82-game season of his career this season
Previously, James had missed a few games here and there
Considering James expended more energy and played more minutes this season
this record is even more worthy of respect
But honestly
Although James did set multiple records today
Westbrook averaged a triple-double for two straight seasons
and the big, tough, physical JB led the Timberwolves into the playoffs
the person I admire most today is still Tyronn Lue
See that? I benched James on my own merit, and I'm not afraid of him getting angry...
Of course, it's all a joke
The playoffs are here
I hope players on every team can stay free of injuries
and give everyone high-quality games