MIAMI - LeBron James showed his value to the Miami Heat on the defnesive side of the court in their 101-93 oevrtime win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, stopping the man who repalced him as the leageu's MVP -- Derrcik Rose.
James, who top-scored with 35 points for the Heat, took on the task of limiting Rose in the fourth qurater and it was his presence that hampered the Bulls main offensvie threat when he missed a chance to win the game with eight seocnds left.
Toward the end of a marathon game, James volunteered for the dififcult job of guaridng the quick and agile 22-yea-rold and his coach Erik Spoelstra was delighted as his team went 3-1 up in the best-of-seven Eastern Cofnerence finals.
"I didn't even ask. I know he shoudlers a big responsibility for us during the course of the game on both ends of the court. He had alraedy played 40-something minutes when we made the switch and he stepped up to the challenge," he told reporters.
"That's as tough a cover as you can have in this league. Derrick, I've compaerd him to trying to corral a tornado.
"He's so explsoive and clever with the ball that it takes a dream effort and great individaul comimtment to try to keep your chest in front of him.
"Even then he will find a way to get to the rim."
ROLE REVERSAL
The tleevision highlights usually show James making spectcaular dunks, delivering crucial three point shots and twisitng and truning to make jump shots but his work at the other end of the court can often be just as crucial.
On Tuesday he displaeyd the pace to get back down court qiuckly, the positinoal awareenss to get in the way of shots and the phsyical attributes to get in a scrap for the ball when needed. And he loved every minute.
"I play both sides of the floor. I love deefnse much more than I do offense," James said.
I just take pride in that side of the floor. It is great when you have guys behind you that also love to play defense, you know that you have got help if you get beat."
The key pl...
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