In the second half of Thursday night’s 121-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James decided to take on the responsibility of guarding Dennis Schroder.
After watching Schroder dice up the Cavs’ defense in the first half for 17 points, James, who finished Thursday night’s game with 24 points and 12 assists, held Schroder to 10 points in the final two quarters of play. The King also managed to emphatically block one of Schroder’s shots with time on the game clock expiring.
“He was kicking our butts in the first half,” James said of Schroder. “My teammates asked me to take the challenge. I wanted the challenge. I can’t give that up.”
In his post-game interview, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue, now in his third year at the helm, noted that the defensive switch “was big time” for his team.
Dennis Schroder, one of the more talented point guards in today’s NBA, says he tried to continue his aggressive style of play, despite the fact that LeBron James was guarding him.
“It’s amazing when the best player in the world tries to stop you and tries to guard you,” Schroder said. “I still tried to be aggressive. It doesn’t mean that I have to stop playing. He’s a big body and it’s tough to just go past him.”
Dwyane Wade, one of several new faces on the Cavs’ roster this season, says it’s hard to understand how difficult being guarded by James can be.
“I don’t think anybody understands how tough that is,” Cleveland’s Dwyane Wade said about James’ defensive challenge. “But that’s why LeBron’s one of the greatest players to play the game.”
James and the Cavs, winners of ten straight games, will be back in action on Saturday night when they host the Memphis Grizzlies inside Quicken Loans Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with Fox Sports Ohio and Fox Sports Southeast having live broadcast coverage.
