LeBron James hinted at being more aggressive when the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Chicago Bulls on Wedneday night in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
James started slowly in the Cavs’ Game 1 loss to the Bulls in Cleveland on Monday night. He took just two shots from the floor in the first 10 minutes and Chicago opened a 14-point lead.
“I’ve always had to feel out things, but last night it was a little bit too much feel out,” James said. “I think I may have to change my mindset a little bit obviously with (Kevin Love) being out. It’s something we all haven’t been accustomed to this year with him being out for an extensive period or another of the Big Three being out for a long period of time since I had my injuries. So it might be a different mindset for myself and Kyrie (Irving).”
James finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists in the Cavs’ 97-92 loss but also had six turnovers, made just 9 of 22 shots from the field and in the second half was limited to seven points.
“I did have an off game,” James said. “If I have a great game my numbers will be a lot different. For me, that’s an off game just from the standpoint (that) I’m a very efficient player as far as my shooting and to be 9-of-22, that’s unacceptable. What everybody else says, I don’t really care what everybody else thinks.”
The Cavs, who played without the injured Love and suspended J.R. Smith, face the possibility of losing the first two games of the series.
“You can’t go down 0-2 on your home floor going on the road,” James said. “So it’s going to be a tough challenge.”