[malcolmk14]

Bill Simmons has a good take today on how big games 6 and 7 are for the Cavaliers and the NBA here: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...2&sportCat=nba

See, there was only one way LeBron was leaving Cleveland this summer: If the team fell apart so badly and indefensibly before the Finals that he could get talked into a "You just need a fresh start with a new team" case. He couldn't leave if they lost in the Finals to Kobe's Lakers; he'd look like a coward. He couldn't leave if they won the title; no great player leaves a defending champ at the altar -- it's never happened before. But if it plays out like this? He could leave. Absolutely. It's conceivable...

...Every career has a tipping point when you have to pour cement on the foundation of a career, have it harden and say, "How this plays out will probably determine who this player is going to be." For Jordan, it was the 1991 Finals. For Bird, it was the 1984 Finals. For Ewing, it was the 1994 Finals. For Magic, it was the 1985 Finals. For Malone, it happened late (the 1997 Finals). For Kobe, it happened early (the 2000 Finals). And so on. Always -- without fail -- it happens in the Finals, because it's the ultimate test of pressure.

Only this time, with LeBron James, it's happening right now. Round 2. At the age of 25. With the weight of a city on his shoulders. With a big decision looming. With the stench of a dreadful Game 5 still lingering. With an experienced Boston team (and crowd) waiting. On Thursday night, the cement will be poured for LeBron James. It's time.