After two days of rest, the Cavaliers headed to New Orleans for the Finals opening game against the Pelicans.
New Orleans Arena was packed to the rafters, and ratings across major television networks had peaked before the game even began.
Although the media believed there would not be much suspense in this year's Finals, the league's pregame promotion still gave fans something to look forward to.
Even if the Cavaliers could not eliminate the Pelicans, if James could break the Pelicans' undefeated streak or put up a 60-plus triple-double in the Playoffs, that alone would be enough to make him legendary.
Besides, with the Cavaliers' other players performing so poorly, the Cavaliers had been a one-man team throughout the Playoffs.
If a one-man team beat the star-studded Pelicans, it would be even more impressive than Nowitzki in 2011.
Though the possibility was slim, people needed dreams.
After the pregame ceremony, the starting lineups for both teams were announced one after another.
The Pelicans went with their regular lineup: Four Brothers of Hard Work plus Dedmon.
On the Cavaliers' side, Lue rolled out a starting lineup he had never used before.
Wade and Kohlver were on the perimeter, James and Love were at forward, and Tristan Thompson was at center.
The starting lineup was unexpected, but once it was revealed, it received unanimous approval from TNT's Big Three at the commentary desk.
The Cavaliers' defense had always been terrible. Even the Warriors could not stop the Pelicans, so expecting the Cavaliers to do it was unrealistic.
Therefore, trading offense was their only way out, and the past had already proven it was the only way to compete with the Pelicans.
Starting Thompson instead of Whiteside was also the right choice.
Whiteside had declined considerably compared to last year, and he could