We're trying to improve Conversations.
Please take a brief survey and help us out.

Daily Dime: LeBron's mettle shows in Game 1

By Chris Broussard
ESPN The Magazine

Saturday, April 18, 2009

The NBA's schedule makers couldn't have planned it any better. By sheer happenstance, the six Western Conference teams with playoff seedings at stake were slated to face off in three head-to-head matchups on the final night of the regular season. The slate of games was irresistible, but the implications were less tidy. You needed an advanced degree in mathematics to sort through the possible playoff scenarios. Lost amid the "if x, then y" chatter was the more imperative reality that these games weren't just about where and whom each team would play in the first round of the playoffs. We also got a glimpse of each team's resolve in what was essentially its first postseason test.

Read full story | Create Your Profile

Activate your ESPN Profile!

Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted

Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.


Conversations in Real-Time

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

ESPN Fantasy Salary Cap
Create your own fantasy game day living room and win BIG!
Heisman Vote 2009
Vote for the next Heisman winner and enter for a chance to win a trip to the awards show. Mor
Engineered to Win Challenge
Test your football smarts by playing NFL trivia and enter each week for a chance to win a 2010 GMC Sierra.