Cavs want James to post up more

By BRIAN WINDHORST

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Cavaliers’ victory Monday night over the Golden State Warriors has the potential to mean more than just a tally in the standings. There’s a chance, at least the team’s coaches are hoping, that the results of the game also serve as a revelation for LeBron James.

With the outcome still undetermined and the Warriors deciding to play without a true center or power forward in the fourth quarter, James became ruthless in the post. Time after time he got in position on the block, both right and left, and called for the ball. Time after time he scored or drew fouls on Corey Maggette, who was not given help by teammates.

It wasn’t just that James was successful working his 6-foot-8, 260-pound frame, although he certainly executed brilliantly in scoring 15 of the Cavs’ last 19 points in the 117-114 win. It was that James was the one who requested — no, demanded — the ball to be given to him in that position with the game on the line.

The Cavs coaches have called post-up plays for James for years when they have felt he has an advantage as he had on Maggette. Often he hasn’t used the chances, preferring to operate with the ball out on the wing while facing the basket. This time he didn’t just accept it, he embraced it.

“That is who he could be every time he posts up, if he wants,” coach Mike Brown said after the team’s Wednesday practice in Oakland before flying to Salt Lake City for Thursday’s game against the Utah Jazz, which was not completed in time for today’s edition.