The LeBron James Thread

[steelcurtain311]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

How is this the easiest way? Many analyst think Boston and L.A. are still better teams. There will never in this day and age be a way to win an easy championship. First there's a salary cap and even if there wasnt it still wouldnt be easy *see New York Yankees.

You expect players who pride themselves on being winners to stay in a position that isnt conducive to winning? What player do you know who has done this?

How was Cleveland not conductive to winning? When was their last losing season? They put a team of roleplayers (and more) around him, they gave him decent talent. What GREAT player can't win with that? He's supposed to raise the level of their talent, like Kobe does. Did anyone think of Pau Gasol as a legit force at his position before LAL?

[jeebs9]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

How was Cleveland not conductive to winning? When was their last losing season? They put a team of roleplayers (and more) around him, they gave him decent talent. What GREAT player can't win with that? He's supposed to raise the level of their talent, like Kobe does. Did anyone think of Pau Gasol as a legit force at his position before LAL?

Oh no lol

Looks like LeBron is loving not having to shoulder the weight every night. I think the same can be said for Wade and Bosh as well. Also I don't see why they just don't call LeBron a PG already lol

[PrettyT11]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

Did anyone think of Pau Gasol as a legit force at his position before LAL?

YES. The man was rookie of the year, an all star, and took his team to the playoffs three straight years in the west with a below average cast. He didn't get the media attention he gets now but anybody who knew basketball knew Gasol was a damn good player. There is a reason why so many teams was crying foul when the Lakers got him for nothing and most if not all people put LA in the finals as soon as they got Gasol.

[TMagic]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

^^^^ Lol

I swear I was going to make the EXACT same post. I'm talking word for word. lol

[jeebs9]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

I heard Marc was mad that they got switched.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

How was Cleveland not conductive to winning? When was their last losing season? They put a team of roleplayers (and more) around him, they gave him decent talent. What GREAT player can't win with that? He's supposed to raise the level of their talent, like Kobe does. Did anyone think of Pau Gasol as a legit force at his position before LAL?

Here we go

What was LeBron's best Robin in Cleveland. Sasha P, Ben Wallace, Wally, Mo Williams, Larry Hughes, half a season with an old Jamison and old Shaq....

Do you think Kobe or Wade or Durant could have taken a team like that to a championship? The answer is no btw.

People act like James didn't help that team overachieve and win more games than they should have, and reached further in the playoffs than any other player could have taken that team. They won 60 games all those years because of James, because they played in the East and because the team was built well for the regular season.

[King_B_Mack]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

Here we go

What was LeBron's best Robin in Cleveland. Sasha P, Ben Wallace, Wally, Mo Williams, Larry Hughes, half a season with an old Jamison and old Shaq....

Do you think Kobe or Wade or Durant could have taken a team like that to a championship? The answer is no btw.

People act like James didn't help that team overachieve and win more games than they should have, and reached further in the playoffs than any other player could have taken that team. They won 60 games all those years because of James, because they played in the East and because the team was built well for the regular season.

In fairness to that part since I see people continue to bring up "old Jamison." Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Cleveland have the opportunity to get Amare before the deadline last year, went with James for the input on which player he would rather play with and he wanted Jamison. I'm almost certain this is how it went down cause this lending more credibility to the idea that he wanted Cleveland to not win a chip last season so that he could more easily leave the team after another failure of a season.

On another note. Since it turned into LeBron's team on opening night when he had the most points. Is it back to being Wade's team after the last four games and he's back leading in scoring?

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

In fairness to that part since I see people continue to bring up "old Jamison." Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Cleveland have the opportunity to get Amare before the deadline last year, went with James for the input on which player he would rather play with and he wanted Jamison. I'm almost certain this is how it went down cause this lending more credibility to the idea that he wanted Cleveland to not win a chip last season so that he could more easily leave the team after another failure of a season.

On another note. Since it turned into LeBron's team on opening night when he had the most points. Is it back to being Wade's team after the last four games and he's back leading in scoring?

If you think LeBron had a chance to decide between Amare and Jamison.. and chose Jamison.. well that's on you. There were reports saying several different things, so you can choose to believe what you want.

Jamison was and is clearly not a "Robin".

I mean if people really want to call LeBron out for not winning when he would have to overcome Boston's Big Three, ORL with Hedo and then with Vince, and LA.... well that's a bit unfair. Especially when you consider that LeBron only had a "decent" playoff team for half a season [when they acquired Jamison].

I wouldn't expect James to get his team through any of those teams with the cast he had. They just weren't built for playoff basketball. No inside presence to speak of, no Robin, terrible coaching.

How are you going to leave JJ Hickson on the bench? Are you mildly ********?

[jeebs9]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

In fairness to that part since I see people continue to bring up "old Jamison." Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Cleveland have the opportunity to get Amare before the deadline last year, went with James for the input on which player he would rather play with and he wanted Jamison. I'm almost certain this is how it went down cause this lending more credibility to the idea that he wanted Cleveland to not win a chip last season so that he could more easily leave the team after another failure of a season.

On another note. Since it turned into LeBron's team on opening night when he had the most points. Is it back to being Wade's team after the last four games and he's back leading in scoring?

This is the weird part I don't think people are seeing. These guys specially LeBron is in cruise control. I think (and we know) LeBron could easily go off for 30 points if he wanted too. But he is willing to take the passer/playmaker role right now. No one can stop him. I don't think it matters right now. I think we have to see what happens in those clutch games where they need a basket. Its no one's team at this point. If they can get 20 from LeBron, 25 from Wade, 10-15 from Bosh and throw in there house/jones/haslem etc for 10-15. Thats some crazy scoring.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

It's gonna switch back and forth in terms of the primary scorer. Early on since there is no offensive cohesion, James has taken on the role of the facilitator to smooth the offense out and to find a rhythm and a heartbeat. Wade on the other hand is a pure scorer himself, so he's taking advantage of having James set every thing up and it's paving the way for him to put up big nights.

Once December ends, I have a feeling the gloves are gonna come off and James is going to let his hair down... and it's going to be a scary thing to watch... I think he'll be going off for monster scoring games like a streak of 7 games with 35 or 40...

By that time they should be used to playing with one another... and they should know their roles. Bosh should be putting up bigger numbers because right now he's struggling to find his role.

And once Mike Miller come back

At least offensively they should be filthy. By March they should be firing on all cylinders.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

I don't know if Lebron will go off for big scoRing numbers later in the season, but I don't think that's the most natural or best way for Miami to execute. What we're seeing right now is a rough basin of what should be going down as they get better. Playrunning from Bron great offense from Wade, Bosh getting his numbers according to rhythm and matchups and the role-players gettting extremely easy shots. Miami doesn't have the types of players that can consistently score in an offense where Bron is going off. Lebron goes on big scoring games when his outside shot is falling but in this team, the more he shoots from the outside, the worse off they are. A few games here and there we'll see him go off but chances are Miami will have a bigger mismatch at another position.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

You don't know if he will? I'd wager you a large sum he will, all that scoring ability won't be hidden for long. The team right now just doesn't need for him to initiate the offense in that manner. Once their roles are more defined, Miller returns, and the playbook flows, James is going to use Wade/Bosh to get huge scoring numbers eventually. Not saying it's going to last for the entire season, but there will be long stretches of

It might not be the "best way" for Miami to operate, but it certainly wouldn't be a hindrance or "unnatural" as you put it. There will be plenty of stretches where Wade will be the one facilitating, and James will be the one the offense is run through.

Either player can go off for a big scoring night, and they could get a win. Playoffs included. Both guys are going to be expected to have big scoring nights if they want a chance at a title.

Obviously the only interior presence they have is Bosh right now. And he's more of a face up/perimeter player. This problem automatically forces Wade/LBJ to be the primary playmakers.

I envision this team really embracing a swarming defense and on the other side ball movement. Obviously the ball is going to be dominated by Wade/LBJ but both guys are willing passers and it doesn't matter who the focal point on any given night is because Jones/House/Miller/Haslem are all spot up shooters.

So I question you saying "they don't have the players to consistently score when James goes off"... so they can consistently score when he doesn't go off? At this point they have two guys who dominate the ball, and all shooters, with one wild card in Bosh. These guys need Wade or LBJ to go off so the defense will collapse and leave the shooters open to spot up.

[jeebs9]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

I think the best line up for LeBron is when House, Jones/Stackhouse, Haslem and Big Z are on the floor. I think playing LeBron with the bench will really make the team a little more effective in the scoring department. Then when they hit the 8-9 minute (second and fourth quarter) mark they can come back with Bosh and Wade.

[Jasong7777]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

IMO there is nothing wrong with Lebron playing the Magic Johnson role for the Heat, setting up his teammates. Thats what he's good at. Thats more of his style anyways.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

It's crazy/hilarious reading this thread in it's early stages. One of the posts I read was that he should go to NY because then Cablevision would give him his own On Demand in which he would make videos/shows giving out Basketball Tips to Kids.