By Shandel Richardson, Sun Sentinel –
MIAMI — Heat forward LeBron James is human after all.
James was sidelined the final minutes of Game 4 because of leg cramps, but was back on the practice court Wednesday.
James is expected to play against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Heat hold a 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 series.
“I feel a lot better than I did last night,” James said. “That’s clear. I’m able to walk up here (to the interview podium) even better than I did last night when I talked to you guys. I’m still a little sore, more because of the muscles just kind of being at an intense level.”
James wore no extra protective gear as he shot jumpers with teammates during the 30-minute portion of practice the media were allowed to view. Coach Erik Spoelstra said James went through what he considered a “walkthrough.”
“He was able to rehydrate, get some rest,” Spoelstra said. “Hopefully, by (Thursday) he’ll feel even better. But he was able to go through practice, which was more of a glorified walkthrough.”
James said he received treatment after Game 4 and before Wednesday’s practice. He first experienced the cramps with a little more than six minutes to play in Tuesday’s game. He left with 5:15 remaining, being carried off the court by trainer Jay Sabol and teammate Juwan Howard.
James returned a minute later, hitting a 3-pointer that put the Heat ahead to stay. He then left for good with the Heat leading 99-96 with 55.5 seconds left.
“Him not being out there the last 55 seconds, I’m sure hurt him,” guard Dwyane Wade said. “But he trusted his teammates, and we were able to help pull it out.”
James said the late 9 p.m., start Thursday should also help his recovery.
“With the game basically being at midnight, I have all day to prepare,” he said. “I should be fine.”
Experience a factor
James was just in his third year when he played in his first Finals, facing a San Antonio Spurs team that had already won three titles.
After watching Oklahoma City lose three consecutive games in this series, he said he realizes how much experience can play into a series. It’s starting to show as the struggles and mental lapses mount for a team on this stage for the first time.
“One thing that I learned, and someone taught me this, the greatest teacher you can have in life is experience,” James said. “I’ve experienced some things in my long but short career.”
LeBron speaks with Hakeem
James, who spent the offseason working on his post game with former NBA All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon, said the two have remained in contact throughout the postseason.
James said they spoke three times.
“He asked me if I’ve been watching the film,” James said. “He tells me to continue to do what I’ve been doing.”
James also said Olajuwon has told him to continue having fun.
“That’s the thing he noticed with me this year,” James said. “He’s seen me have a lot of fun and I give a lot of thanks to him for allowing me to go down there and work with him for that week.”
Overcoming 3-1 deficit?
Although no team has ever rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals, it has happened in the playoffs.
There have been eight instances where teams have accomplished the feat. The last to do it was the Phoenix Suns against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2006.
Spoelstra was also on the coaching staff of the Heat team that rallied from down 3-1 to defeat the New York Knicks in 1997.
“This series has been decided by four or five plays every single game,” Spoelstra said.
“It’s going to be a grind and we have to be prepared for that. Our guys understand. That team is relentless, they’re not going to stop coming so we have to make sure that we’re swinging and throwing all of our stuff out there. We’re not leaving anything in the locker room.”
Rare company
James is vying to complete just the third postseason in NBA history with averages of at least 30 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson did it in 1963 and James in 2009.
James is averaging 30.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He needs just 29 more points this series to join Olajuwon, Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan as the only players to score at least 700 in a single postseason.
