Effort wasn't compensating real well for the Heat's edge in pure talent. Watch video
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Halftime observations from the boofest.
1. Had to love J.J. Hickson's early dunk, with inside position, while the heralded chase-down blocker, LeBron James, flailed impotently behind him. James got much the better of the first quarter matchup with Joey Graham and Jamario Moon, but Hickson contributed more than style points. Almost everybody in The Q wanted to see James force-fed least a dose of humiliation.
2. Beyond boos and chants referring to a body part, "Yes we hate you!" was a constant refrain. James smiled when he was at the foul line during one of the latter refrains, then swished the free throw.
3. He did throw the powder before the game started, a gesture he copied from Kevin Garnett by way of Michael Jordan. Any thought that the rosin toss belonged here and would be retired when he left quickly became as out of date as thoughts that James' sense of loyalty was bigger than his sense of entitlement.
4. The Cavs were down 10 in the second quarter when another moan of little b's and double-o's broke out. It was sort of like covering a golf tournament by the gallery's cheers. At Augusta National, you might think, "Oh, Tiger just birdied in Amen Corner." Only it was, "oh, LeBron just got off the bench to check in."
5. Mixed reception, but more cheers than boos, for Z. Why not? He fought through a lot of injuries and adversity here and no longer figured in the team's plans. He looks 20 pounds lighter, at least.
6. Floppsy James drew a foul from Graham in the second quarter when a push light as a zephyr sent him sprawling. He tacked on a 3-pointer at the end of the possession, just because he could. He was also quite the conversationalist with the Cavs assistant coaches when Mo Williams was trying foul shots at the other end seconds later.
7. This is a terrible matchup for the Cavs. The teams that own the Heat (Boston, Orlando) can pound them to dust inside. But the Cavs are undersized and must rely on hustle by Anderson Varejao and on committee reboudning by everyone else. Effort wasn't compensating real well for the Heat's edge in pure talent.