LeBron James’ two game-winning buzzer-beaters these playoffs might be more memorable, but his jump shot midway through the second quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals on Monday was the most historic.
The 22-foot jumper off a JR Smith feed was the 2,357th made field goal of James’ postseason career, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time lead in that category.
James had 44 points on 17-for-28 shooting in the Cavaliers’ 111-102 win over the Celtics in Game 4, which tied the series 2-2.
Perhaps having Cook and Cousins on board, coupled with one of the league’s top defenses, will help the Vikings get over the hump and win their first conference title since 1977. Or their first Super Bowl.
“Even though we didn’t play good in the championship game, I think it was good for us to see that atmosphere, because it is different,” Zimmer said. “It’s not like a normal Sunday when you go out there, or a Monday night game. It’s a completely different atmosphere, so for a fairly young team, I think it was good for us to be there, and hopefully we can get back again.”
Shepherd took an unusual path to the NFL. He grew up in Canada and opened his college career as a linebacker at Simon Fraser University, but dropped out to go to work because he couldn’t afford tuition. He returned to school at Fort Hays State in 2015 and moved to defensive line after moving up to 315 pounds.
All of that makes Shepherd older than the typical rookie at 25, but he impressed scouts during games and at the Senior Bowl before landing with the Jets last month.
Thompson’s excellent game — he had two of the Cavs’ eight blocks, one of the reasons the Celtics missed a frustrating 19 shots in the paint in Game 4 — got him invited to the podium. There he was asked about James’ game … on the eighth question.