LeBron James’ top 5 villainous performances against the Toronto Raptors
1. 2018 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Game 3
LeBron James essentially ended the DeMar DeRozan era with one shot. One incredibly difficult game-winning shot. James summed it up best with this classic postgame quote:
"“Tie game, down one. I live for those moments.”"
The Cavs were in control of the game for the first three-quarters, but a fourth-quarter push by the Raptors brought to a close game as time winded down. Lowry was hot and DeRozan was riding the pine after a night where he finished 3-12 from the field.
The Raptors were able to tie the game on an OG three-ball with about eight seconds left. If they could get themselves to overtime, they might have a chance at beating the Cavs and potentially getting back into the series. All they had to do was survive for eight seconds.
Unfortunately for them, they had to last eight seconds with the ball in King James’ hands. James was looking to end the game on his terms. It didn’t turn out very well for the Raptors.
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James managed to cover the length of the court, zoom past Anunoby and hit a fall away left-handed floater off the glass. It’s not known if James called bank, but he definitely called game. That shot wasn’t an easy shot to make and the recovery defense by OG was admirable.
This is a prime example of LeBron doing LeBron things, crushing the hopes and hearts of the Raptors and their fans in the process. Seeing the shoulder drops and the defeated posture of the Raptors players as they left the court said it all.
LeBron jumping onto the scorer’s table and embracing the fans threw salt on a wound that was rather fresh for Toronto. This called for another phrase change signifying LeBron’s chokehold on the Raptors, as many changed the ‘We the North” chant the Raptors claim to “He the North“, symbolizing how the King has ruled over Toronto time and time again.
King James had another phenomenal game, scoring 38 points on over 50 percent shooting, six rebounds, and seven assists. He once again put the Cavs on his back and carried them to a win, despite the Raptors’ commendable comeback.
That game ended the series, along with Dwane Casey’s and DeRozan’s careers as Raptors, even though it was only game three. It was evident that it something about the kid from Akron, Ohio that either put fear or instilled a sense of inferiority in the Raptors. Whatever it may be, it still was a legendary shot from LeBron and a painful memory in Toronto’s history.
LeBron James has terrorized the Toronto Raptors ever since he entered the NBA. He has given them heartbreak, pain, defeat, even embarrassment at times. Raptors fans respect LeBron, but they sure do see him as a player who has prevented them from achieving success over and over.
They saw what happened when he finally departed from the Eastern Conference, winning a championship the first year he was gone.
Next. Why the Raptors probably won't extend Pascal Siakam. dark
It is safe to say that LeBron James has solidified himself as one of the Raptors greatest foes. He is their kryptonite, their weakness, that evil villain who seems to constantly have the upper hand.
Luckily for Toronto, they only have to see him twice a year at the minimum, unless they see him in the NBA Finals. If that was to happen, James probably wouldn’t mind haunting the country of Canada again with his basketball prowess. Hopefully, for the Raptors sake, they can find a different Finals opponent.