Page 20 - ATD 27MAY2017

A20 SPORTS
Saturday 27 May 2017

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James celebrates after
sinking a three point shot during the second half of Game 5 of
the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals against the Bos-
ton Celtics, on Thursday, May 25, 2017, in Boston. Golden State Warriors’ JaVale McGee, top left, Kevin Durant, top center, Stephen Curry, center
Associated Press right, and Draymond Green, top right, join the rest of their team as they pose with the trophy after

LeBron James breaks Michael their 129-115 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference
finals, Monday, May 22, 2017, in San Antonio.
Jordan’s playoff scoring record Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — King James career postseason game `THREEMATCH’
has another throne. on Thursday night, when
LeBron James surpassed the Cavaliers beat the
Michael Jordan for the top Celtics 135-102 in Game 5 Continued from Page 17 ing next week. The storylines are many.
spot on the NBA’s all-time of the Eastern Conference Durant’s decision to leave Can James win his fourth
playoff scoring list, scoring finals to advance to the But there’s also a clear re- the Thunder for Golden ring? Can Durant win his
35 points against Boston NBA Finals. spect level between the State as a free agent last first? Will the Warriors be
on Thursday night to reach The Cavaliers star came clubs as well. summer meant the War- haunted by letting last sea-
5,995 in his career. into the game needing 28 “The best team in our riors went from mere over- son’s 3-1 lead slip away?
Jordan scored 5,987 in his points for the record and league the last three whelming favorites to win Will they become the first
postseason career in 179 hit a 3-pointer in the third years,” James said of the the West again to super- team in NBA history to go
games from 1985-2003. quarter against the Celtics Warriors. “And they’ve duper-overwhelming fa- undefeated in a postsea-
James played in his 212th to break it.q added an unbelievable vorites to win the West son? How will Golden State
Judge tosses suit player in Kevin Durant this again. They got a big scare guard Kyrie Irving? How will
year. So it makes it even
in late February when Du-
Cleveland try to contain
against NFL over more difficult. They’re go- rant had a left knee injury, Curry?
ing to challenge us a lot,
but he’s back and the War-
There’s also the irony that
defensively,
offensively,
riors have rolled since.
Brown, the first coach who
cheerleader wages mentally, physically. We “It’s a little different, defi- took James to an NBA Fi-
have to be ready for the
nals in 2007 — Cleveland
nitely.
challenge.” I can’t lie,” Durant said, was swept by San Antonio
SUDHIN THANAWALA of ‘who, did what, to whom For James, the Finals are an when comparing the 2012 — will now coach against
Associated Press (or with whom), where, and annual rite. Finals trip to this one. “I him, likely in the same lead-
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A when?’” For Durant, this trip ends a went when I was 23 years ing role he’s had for Gold-
lawsuit accusing the NFL Alsup gave the former five-year wait. old, and it felt like the West- en State since head coach
and team owners of con- 49ers cheerleader — iden- Durant’s only other time in ern Conference Finals was Steve Kerr was forced to
spiring to suppress wages tified in the lawsuit only as the Finals was 2012 when almost like the champion- take a break because of
for cheerleaders lacks “Kelsey K.” — an opportu- he was with Oklahoma ship. Just getting to that continued problems with
evidence to support that nity to amend her lawsuit City. The Thunder lost to Mi- point, you know how hard his surgically repaired back.
claim, a federal judge said. and refile it by June 15. ami in five games, a series it is and how much work “I don’t care who you’re
U.S. District Judge William Her attorney, Drexel Brad- that made James a cham- you put in to start the sea- playing, to make it to the
Alsup dismissed the lawsuit shaw, said he plans to do pion for the first time. son. NBA Finals, to win your con-
by a former San Francisco that, saying he has uncov- At the very moment where So it’s a little different now, ference finals, it’s a big
49ers cheerleader. The ered “significant facts” that the clock ran out in that se- obviously. We have a big- task,” Brown said.
lawsuit sought class action he thinks will lead the judge ries, the person James was ger goal in mind.” The biggest task awaits.q
status on behalf of all NFL to allow the lawsuit to pro- embracing was Durant —
cheerleaders. ceed. “We’re undaunted,” telling the then-Thunder
“To state an antitrust claim he said. The lawsuit was star, his offseason workout
here, plaintiff must plead among a spate of legal partner at the time, how
not only ‘ultimate facts, actions in recent years ac- proud of him he was.
such as conspiracy, and cusing NFL teams of fail- “Hopefully,” James said
legal conclusions,’” Alsup ing to pay cheerleaders that night, “I don’t contin-
said in his filing late Thursday for hours they spent prac- ue to have to run into him.”
night. “The complaint must ticing and making public They’ll collide again, start-
answer the basic questions appearances.q