I woke up this morning knowing I needed to write an article here on Down the Drive, but wasn't sure what I wanted to share. Where is the tie-in? Where's the story? Then it came to me... LeBron James.
"The King" put on a clinic last night in Cleveland in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, scoring 37 points (on 37 shots), securing 18 rebounds and dishing out 13 assists, making him the first player to ever put up those numbers in NBA Playoff history.
Not bad.
While I'm normally not terribly impressed by the obscure stats - "he is the first player to score three baskets from the left side of the floor, on a Wednesday in January" - James' numbers are very impressive and the media hoopla surrounding him today is completely warranted. He overcame a slow start and dominated the game in a way only he could and stepped up big at the end with clutch plays.
I know... you're wondering why you're here. What does this have to do with Cincinnati?
Most games w/ 30 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast, playoff history Oscar Robertson 8 LeBron James 6 Charles Barkley 2 Wilt Chamberlain 2
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 25, 2015
In what was ultimately a stroke of genius from our "Video Vault" writer Clayton Trutor, it all comes back to "The Big O", Mr. Oscar Robertson.
Here are Robertson's NBA playoff statistics for your enjoyment.
Robertson is the greatest player to come out of the historical Cincinnati Bearcats basketball program (we can agree on that, right?) and his professional success still peers through today, even after James puts on one of his greatest shows in a Conference Finals game.
Robertson was a multi-skilled basketball player who could impact games in so many ways, as evident from his eight playoff games with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. So, while the rest of the country basks in the glow of James (he does deserve it), we can take a moment here, as Bearcats fans, and remember Robertson's play and look at one of the few players who still holds records over "The King".
Please enjoy your lazy Memorial Day, take a moment to remember and honor the men and women who have sacrificed so much for us throughout the years, sit back and watch some Oscar Robertson clips.
If a full documentary is too much for you, please accept this shorter highlight video.