Professional athletes are conditioned to play for the home field, ice, or court advantage at all costs. That’s what we think they want. So it’s a surprise to hear that LeBron James actually prefers playing games on the road in the postseason.
“I just like the adversity of the road,” James said after practice Friday. “Home cooking is great; love the home fans for 14 years. But I love playing out on the road more than I love playing at home. It’s just a weird thing. I love the adversity, I love the ‘Tonight is not the night’ LeBron slogans. I love the ‘You’re overrated’ and all those things. I like all that. I don’t know, man. It’s the bunker mentality of knowing it’s 15 guys plus the coaching staff and whoever there that’s traveled with us against the whole state and the whole city.”
LeBron has played quite well on the road, including a record run of series with at least one road win, according to Cleveland.com:
James, 32, has won at least one road game in an NBA-record 27 consecutive series. He’s won a road game in 35 of his 38 playoff series over 12 playoff seasons.
James’ finest game of the most recent series against Indiana — Game 3, a triple double with 41 points — was on the road. It was only the latest in his laundry list of dominant road playoff performances.
Even his best game against the Raptors in the conference finals last season was Game 6 in Toronto, when he closed them out with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Toronto coach Dwane Casey said James “canceled Christmas” that night.
It’s funny, when you’re the absolute best player in the world, and you have been for more than a decade, along with being one of the best players of all time, maybe it doesn’t really matter which building you’re in. Plus, LeBron has had to deal with more hatred from crowds than just about any player in the NBA, ever, maybe? Despite being a generally likable guy. It’s no wonder he’d derive a bit of extra enjoyment out of ending a few seasons for opposing fans.
LeBron has never seemed to fit the role of villain, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be villainous from time to time.
