Categories: Editorials

10 Important Lessons We Learned from the Cavs-Warriors Christmas Day Game

Published by

Brad Sullivan

10 years ago

9. LeBron Needs More Rest

Now in his 13^th NBA season, LeBron James has logged countless minutes on the court, both during the regular season and playoffs. Given the toll that can bear on anyone, even with someone with the physical stature of James, the Cavaliers’ plan has been to try and get him some rest when possible.

Maintaining a set number of minutes per game can be difficult, given the different game situations encountered and James’ overall health. However, it appears that 36 minutes should be the limit the Cavs set for him.

Against Golden State, he saw 38 minutes of action and had a rough afternoon of shooting all around. While playing two minutes over that unofficial threshold obviously wasn’t the difference in the game. A look at Cleveland’s record in these circumstances is telling: under 36 minutes played by James, the Cavaliers are a perfect 12-0, while anything more than that becomes a crapshoot, with the team sporting a 7-8 mark.

Next: Defense Matters

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Brad Sullivan

Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.