There is a cruel lot reserved for those who draw the full attention of LeBron James. Many teams will never know it. James is so cerebral and so physically imposing as to dominate games at a jog, summarily dispatching all but the most elite competition. Early in a playoff series, he tends to slow-play an opponent solely because he can. James takes the opening game to find his spots, all while gently guiding his teammates into their own rhythm.
This bout with the Pacers is different. It took all of a quarter in Game 1 for the stakes to be raised.