Can Cleveland superstar LeBron James work his magic tonight in Boston

James has been through all of this before and again tries to give his team a big lift against the green and its fans

By Arnie Leshin 

It’s fair to wonder whether LeBron James will play his final game in Cleveland Cavalier colors when he tries to work his magic tonight when game seven of the NBA’s East finals is played in Boston.

“I’m only concerned about tonight in Boston” he said. “The love of the game causes reactions like that. Understanding the situation and understanding the moment that you’re in, it’s just a feeling that you can’t explain unless you’ve been a part of it.”

And the best basketball player on the planet has annually been a part of it. The series is tied at 3-3, and the three won in Cleveland was James doing what he does best, and that’s rally his team. There’s nothing he can’t do on the court, so he comes at you as a threat whether on offense or defense.

What he has done at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland for the past six weeks is magical, creating memories not only for his hometown fans, but moments he is sure to cherish himself.

He faced game seven in 2015 at Golden State. The Cavs had fallen behind 3 games to one in the NBA finals, but James rallied them to win two in a row, and then the championship in Oakland.

So to James, a court is a court, a game is a game. He rarely takes a break, always wanting to be out there to encourage his team. No doubt his teammates listen to him, because when he plays, they know they have a chance, home or away.

But Cleveland has been hit with injuries and has lost all three starts in Celtic nation. The most important has been the loss of 6-foot-10 starter Kevin Love, who banged heads with a Celtic player early in game six and now has a concussion that will sideline him.

But James is not stupid. He knows that if he continues to work his magic, his team has a shot. But Boston is healthier, is undefeated at home in the playoffs, and a combination of youth and veteran strength has worked well for it under head coach Brad Stevens.

James typically banishes nostalgia to a back shelf in his head to savor after his elite career is over, but he has taken extra time to savor the ride a little.

“I have a drive,” he said. “I have a love of the game. I have a passion for the game, and while I have the opportunity to lace my shoes and put a uniform on, then I try to go out and do my job to the best of my ability.”

He admitted that it doesn’t always work out, and points out he obviously is not undefeated in his career.

Win or lose, an entire generation has been watching him make April, May and June evenings into stories for life. He is as talented as anyone who has ever played the game. He’s played hurt, but is always eager to overcome things like this.

He is the engine. Without him, it probably would have been a Boston sweep. With him, at least there’s a chance to beat anybody.

If you want to see his statistics through the years, his stats for this season, his 11th in the NBA, you don’t have the time or space to write a book. He’s an every-game star who always arrives and plays the game, and he just might be the best to ever do this.

Tonight’s winner will no doubt be watching game seven of the Monday night West finals pairing the defending champion Warriors versus the depleted Houston Rockets, with each team winning at home, and this one should be an advantage for the top-seed Rockets, but won’t because of the Golden State depth and experience.

Plus, no Chris Paul in the Houston lineup, and that is a big hurt because of his all-star skills, experience, and the ability to run the show. Without him, Houston lost by a lot in game six, and he won’t be available tonight.

Again, the Rockets will turn to the probable league Most Valuable Player, James Harden. He remains as his team’s best, but will need help from the rest of the Rockets.

Two game sevens, with the spotlight on James.