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INDIANAPOLIS – With something as simple as the pressing of a palm and six warm words – "I got you back, young fella" – LeBron James had the power to manufacture a living lore surrounding Paul George, a rising young talent who had been downright gleeful, insisting the blessing bestowed upon him had been a moment he'd never, ever forget.

For the next day and a half, George's life was filled with testimonials over his burgeoning stardom. You're one of us now, young fella. "He's going to be a great one," James marveled in the losing locker room on Friday night. How George loved the way that the MVP's praise washed over him, the way it covered him like a second skin.

As it turns out, no one turns validation into vanquishment as swiftly as LeBron James. The best player on the planet built up George in Game 2, only to tear him down in Game 3. As soon as the ball was thrown up on Sunday night James did something that is so rare for him: He set aside all the cuteness, all the creative genius, backed George down into the post and obliterated him.

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James dribbled and dribbled and dribbled, turned on him and used the backboard for a sweeping left-handed hook shot.

And again.

And again.

And again.

"I think they might try to take away my left in Game 4 now," James said.

"So I will shoot it with my right."







This is the way James tortured George on Sunday night, the way he tortures teams every night of the season. Before long, James was running this devastating 114-96 victory out of the post with passes that generated swift ball movement and sure shots for those teammates desperately needing to become immersed into this Eastern Conference finals.

"Our defense isn't designed to let him take five, six, seven dribbles and just back his way to the basket," Pacers forward David West seethed. "We've got to get there and help Paul."

[Related: Heat's Spoelstra pushes all right buttons in Game 3]

From Dwyane Wade to Udonis Haslem, Mario Chalmers to Ray Allen, James understood that he needed to balance his own destructive desires on George along with elevating those teammates he'll need to win a championship.

The Birdman's been magnificent for the Heat, but he can't be James' co-pilot on the way to a title. As the ball moved swiftly, the Pacers were forever a step slow chasing it. Once Wade finally rediscovered his driving game and shot-making, once Haslem played pop-a-shot in the corner, the Pacers found themselves stranded in that nowhere land where defenses go to die against the Heat.

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