The LeBron James Thread

[da ThRONe]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

How so? You think he quit on purpose... I don't. I think he isn't mentally ready to be the player he claims he is. He's got all the talent in the world so that could come out and shine at any point but it has never been consistent on the highest stage. That's why there are so many debates about him being clutch. He is at times bc he's that good, but other times he's just not. The Heat struggled in close games against good teams during the regular season bc of LeIso. Even big 3pters that he's made have been bad shots bc that's not his game. And honestly, it'd be great if he matured and reached his potential... we've seen him grow a ton in these playoffs alone. I just wouldn't put my money on it. He may have a big game in 5 or 6 (or 7 if there is one) but I doubt it'd be all 3, and I HIGHLY doubt he'll shine tomorrow if the game is tight late in the 4th qtr (unless it's just shooting 3's bc if he's making them then he's making them but they're still bad shots for someone who can get to the basket like he should be able to).

If he would have just played bad I would agree with you, but just watching it he just didn't try. It's one thing to fail, but it's like he knew he had no intention to even try from the beginning.

[Graphik]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

If he would have just played bad I would agree with you, but just watching it he just didn't try. It's one thing to fail, but it's like he knew he had no intention to even try from the beginning.

Like Simmons had pointed out, you can see it in his face. Its like he was a lost dog on the court at times. It could be a host of factors that killed his mental.

One good one that comes to mind is when JVG basically snapped out on national tv about Lebrons wack flop. Many ears saw and heard it so I'm sure it got back to him. Could of took him completely off his game if somebody higher up bruised his ego a tad.


just sayin....

[King_B_Mack]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

That was a great article. I think I agree with HM on this one though. We knew from the begining of this whole thing that the Heat were going to be different from the Cavs and the power he had there being the only thing worth a damn for that org. The Heat have Wade so Bron can kick rocks if he thinks he's going to have free reign on them like he did on the Cavs. I wouldn't be surprised at all if last night was part of some childish temper tantrum cause daddy Riles said no to him. I still think he goes off tomorrow, but we'll see what's up for sure in these next two or three games.

[brahmagoul]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

To me, it's pretty simple: LeBron and Wade cannot play together in a half-court set. Yes, there were times they both went off in a game, but that's when they can get out and run by letting their defense take over.

When the game slows down, and you have two guys who play similar in that scenario, they don't blend. That's why when LeBron went off against the Bulls, Wade disappeared. I think the best they played together in the playoffs was Game 1 of the finals. I could be wrong.

[23]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

To me, it's pretty simple: LeBron and Wade cannot play together in a half-court set. Yes, there were times they both went off in a game, but that's when they can get out and run by letting their defense take over.

When the game slows down, and you have two guys who play similar in that scenario, they don't blend. That's why when LeBron went off against the Bulls, Wade disappeared. I think the best they played together in the playoffs was Game 1 of the finals. I could be wrong.

They cant play together, exactly

I mean, they made it to the finals off of their charm right?

[Scott812313]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Man, Simmons writes insightful and intelligent articles. The Tyson/LeBron comparison is spot on to me. Both bigger and stronger and more athletic than their foes, but if you stand toe to toe with them and punch back, they fold rather easily. I don't even really blame LeBron for this though. I blame the way, he, especially, was treated since a very young age. Look at the other great players that came straight from HS and notice only 1 has had alot of championship success. Kobe is the exception from the other guys (KG,LeBron,TMac,Dwight) because he grew up in Italy, the son of a pro basketball player and wasn't treated the way those guys I mentioned here were. LeBron and those other guys I'm sure, didn't know what losing was before they got to the NBA. Never faced a player as big or athletic or talented. Kobe had the advantage of being around pros because of his dad and I think that's a big reason those other guys have struggled in the playoffs. They're used to everything coming easy to them and when adversity strikes, those players haven't risen to the moment.

[Jano]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Great post Scott and I agree with ya! Glad to see I'm not alone with thinking thoughts like that lol!

[TheMatrix31]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Man, Simmons writes insightful and intelligent articles. The Tyson/LeBron comparison is spot on to me. Both bigger and stronger and more athletic than their foes, but if you stand toe to toe with them and punch back, they fold rather easily. I don't even really blame LeBron for this though. I blame the way, he, especially, was treated since a very young age. Look at the other great players that came straight from HS and notice only 1 has had alot of championship success. Kobe is the exception from the other guys (KG,LeBron,TMac,Dwight) because he grew up in Italy, the son of a pro basketball player and wasn't treated the way those guys I mentioned here were. LeBron and those other guys I'm sure, didn't know what losing was before they got to the NBA. Never faced a player as big or athletic or talented. Kobe had the advantage of being around pros because of his dad and I think that's a big reason those other guys have struggled in the playoffs. They're used to everything coming easy to them and when adversity strikes, those players haven't risen to the moment.

Not to turn this into a Kobe thread....but Kobe is above the whole adversity/maturity thing? The same guy who bitched and moaned about every single little thing? The guy who has had some long drawn out battles with multiple players on his own team? The guy who cried day after day and flip-flopped day after day after day (quite literally) regarding wanting to stay in LA versus being traded away? The guy who wanted out after wanting his own team? The guy who flat out QUIT on his team in Game 7 against the Suns in 2006?

I understand your point that the players are spoiled brats, but let's not act as if Kobe's above it because he has some sort of pedigree that put him above it.

Kobe's immaturity still seeps through in his game and personality today.

[Scott812313]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Not to turn this into a Kobe thread....but Kobe is above the whole adversity/maturity thing? The same guy who bitched and moaned about every single little thing? The guy who has had some long drawn out battles with multiple players on his own team? The guy who cried day after day and flip-flopped day after day after day (quite literally) regarding wanting to stay in LA versus being traded away? The guy who wanted out after wanting his own team? The guy who flat out QUIT on his team in Game 7 against the Suns in 2006?

I understand your point that the players are spoiled brats, but let's not act as if Kobe's above it because he has some sort of pedigree that put him above it.

Kobe's immaturity still seeps through in his game and personality today.

I wasn't trying to glorify Kobe with my post at all. He has had his share of dumb moments that even a Kobe fan such as myself can't deny. My point was that he has consistently performed well in the playoffs and in the Finals, while the other guys have struggled to win in the playoffs. TMac never won a playoff series. KG didn't have much success until he went to Boston. Dwight had the 1 run to the Finals. Even LeBron has had his share of struggles (obviously his stats aren't bad, but I've always considered him a bit of a stat hunter) in the postseason, most notably in his 8 Finals games and his 2-6 record in those games.

[Jasong7777]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I will never understand why every great basketball player has to be compared to Jordan. Jordan is the best ever, he did it all, now **** him.

Stop comparing other players to Jordan, it only diminshes what those other players have and are doing. Let these players develop their own identity.

[jeebs9]

I will never understand why every great basketball player has to be compared to Jordan. Jordan is the best ever, he did it all, now **** him.

Stop comparing other players to Jordan, it only diminshes what those other players have and are doing. Let these players develop their own identity.

Humans need some sort of level of measurement. I love Jordan. But he messed it up for alot of young cats out there.

I've always felt Lebron is a mixture of all the greatest talent. Bird, Magic, Jordan and Kobe...

He'll get a post game eventually they all do. People just want now now now. It sucks..but that's life

[King_B_Mack]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Humans need some sort of level of measurement. I love Jordan. But he messed it up for alot of young cats out there.

I've always felt Lebron is a mixture of all the greatest talent. Bird, Magic, Jordan and Kobe...

He'll get a post game eventually they all do. People just want now now now. It sucks..but that's life

Now now now? It's been eight years man. If we can shovel **** in Cleveland's lap about not getting LeBron help in seven years, I'd say it's pretty fair to shovel **** in his for not even attempting to develop any semblence of a postgame in eight.

[jeebs9]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Like I said... People just are going too crazy at times. He came straight out of high school. Kobe and Jordan didn't get post games until later in their careers. Kobe just started going down low in last 2-3 years after hitting 30. So I'm not pushing it. LeBron will eventually get one. Even Wade just started going down low this year. He is just older. And wheels just don't work like they use to. Like I said people are going too crazy and want now now now...

[23]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I wasn't trying to glorify Kobe with my post at all. He has had his share of dumb moments that even a Kobe fan such as myself can't deny.

Has he? Way to go out on a limb there buddy

My point was that he has consistently performed well in the playoffs and in the Finals, while the other guys have struggled to win in the playoffs.

I can recall a number of times he didnt, even when the lakers beat Boston he had an awful game.

I remember him shooting LA right out of the finals and getting shut down like a scrub against the Pistons

I remember the Suns putting down a whipping so bad he just quit on his team

I know you have amnesia so im just gonna help you out a little

TMac never won a playoff series.

And neither did any other player alone

KG didn't have much success until he went to Boston.

When the Wolves actually gave the guys some teammates, namely Spree, Wally, and Sam I am...they made the WCF and proceeded to get screwed by the refs against LA but thats another story

Dwight had the 1 run to the Finals.

The punk, he should've won it 5 times all by himself...the nerve of him

Even LeBron has had his share of struggles (obviously his stats aren't bad, but I've always considered him a bit of a stat hunter) in the postseason, most notably in his 8 Finals games and his 2-6 record in those games.

Amazing how you compare a guy who has had all of the things ec has explained in this thread, best coaches, players, vets, etc... to guys who had scrub teams

The worst part about it is when your boy had a scrub team he was either slapped out of the 1st round or didnt make it

To make matters worse he went on every radio station he could and called the owner a liar, threw his teammates under the bus, went on a cell phone cam rant on the GM and said he'd rather play on the moon than to come back to LA without real help. No Gasol for Kwame and you'd be sitting here making more excuses for him than you already are

Main thing is, LeBron is who he is and he was never winning a ring with his best shooter being booby gibson

[Mad 69]

LeFraud has a long way to go before he can be mentioned in the same sentence as MJ. He has choked once before and he will choke again this year - after the Mavs beat them in this series. I hope LeFraud and company lose 4,5,6 or 7 championships.