With the postseason’s best playoff series heating up, the chess match is just beginning. 

Rajon Rondo has worn out Mo Williams.  He’s embarrassed Anthony Parker.  Now reports have surfaced that the Cavs will give LeBron James the option to guard Rondo.  LeBron, being the competitor that he is, almost assuredly will guard him at some point during tonight’s game. 

Obviously, this defensive wrinkle will work best whenever Paul Pierce decides to take a breather.  James has illustrated he defensive prowess by corralling Pierce throughout the four games that have been played in the series.  And he’s done it with relative ease.  Perhaps this soundbite from Pierce tells us why:

“I’ve never even been into those supplements or any of that. I don’t even drink energy shakes. I’m not into that kind of stuff. You just get me an In-N-Out burger and some Popeye’s fried chicken and I’m straight.”

Well, OK, now it’s clear to me why he looks a wilderbeast on roller skates. 

But back to the defensive plotting…it’ll be interesting to see if Doc Rivers can anticipate when LeBron will try his hand at slowing down Rondo.  If he is able to, he could instruct his team to watch for it and look for Paul Pierce on the block (if he is in the game). 

Making such a move if dangerous for Cleveland, however, because the Cavs are so heavily dependent upon James’ offense.  His offensive output requires a healthy amount of stamina, and he needs to be up to the task of ensuring that Cleveland wins at the Q tonight before heading to Boston for Game 6.

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