The Front Row: Two sides of Lebron

STAY AGGRESSIVE: Let’s be honest about something.

Despite the abundance of star power in this Boston-Cleveland match-up, most of this series has been borderline unwatchable.

Anytime the phrase “defensive battle” has to be used more than twice to describe what is happening in a series, chances are it’s dreadfully boring.

The one player who can elevate this series into something special — LeBron James — picked the wrong time to look into a masonry career.

Wait, you mean he isn’t? Well, he could’ve fooled me, with all those bricks he collected in the first three games.

However, when James flips that switch from “passive” to “aggressive,” he has been flat-out dominant.

His emphatic slam to seal Game 4 appeared to be that crucial turning point we’ve all been waiting for.

He started out Wednesday’s Game 5 with the same attitude, barreling toward the hoop with the quickness of a point guard and the power of a defensive end.

He ended the first half with 23 points and a Jordan-esque sneer, seemingly saying, “I’m the best player here. Nobody can stop me.”

Well, what happened to that guy?

That mean streak he displayed in the first half? Gone.

The Celtics adjusted their defensive approach, but instead of adjusting with it, James seemed content to settle for off-balance perimeter jumpers.

Game 6 is tonight in Cleveland. Which James will decide to show up?

For the viewing public’s sake, let’s hope it’s the unstoppable freight train.

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STUNNING: First Annika Sorenstam, now Justine Henin.

In a scant 48-hour period, two of the most dominant female athletes in the world decided to call it quits.

Henin, 25, became the first woman to ever retire while holding the world’s No. 1 ranking.

In a sports world where genuine greatness is in short supply, it is sad to see Sorenstam and Henin hang it up.

But both athletes climbed to the top of that proverbial mountain and could say without any doubt that they were the very best in their field.

Congratulations to both for putting together phenomenal careers.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747