I heard that Miami is going to trade LeBron back to Cleveland for 2 brooms, a new basketball and a box of towels.
Good job Mavs fans. I picked the Heat cuz I’m a huuuuge Wade fan, but it’s sad for Wade that Bron may never be the same again. Miami needs Phil Jackson.
On a side not, I hope my Golden State Warriors can reach .500 in a lock-out shortened season. lol
Good job Mavs fans. I picked the Heat cuz I’m a huuuuge Wade fan, but it’s sad for Wade that Bron may never be the same again. Miami needs Phil Jackson.
On a side not, I hope my Golden State Warriors can reach .500 in a lock-out shortened season. lol
Posted it twice cuz I was so bad at picking games during the Finals. And in Hawaii, computers are slow here.
Another thing I want to add is, despite how much I dislike James and the Heat it is way too early to blow this team up. They made the Finals in their first year together. I think it’s clear at this point that while on some nights he’ll be the main option, James is Wade’s sidekick and not the other way around. Bosh, while being soft as charmin can play and needs more touches.
There needs to be clearly defined roles, they need to sign better shooters [or actually play the ones they have] and work out some kinks, but they’re on the right track. This obviously depends on how James bounces back from all of this, 'cause his body language and demeanor show a guy who’s basiclly lost all of his confidence. If he’s “done” then you obviously sucker someone into giving up their star player in return and move his punk ass, haha.
[quote]gregron wrote:
I heard that Miami is going to trade LeBron back to Cleveland for 2 brooms, a new basketball and a box of towels.[/quote]
I heard it was a washing machine ala semi-pro lol
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
Have read a couple of articles since yesterday that suggest that the Heat might ship James for Howard. Aside from what that would do for the Heat, how bad would that fuck with James’ head? The guy has been the “it” guy on the court since he could probably pick up a ball, has been handed everything his entire life, gets to the Finals and basiclly gets shut out and then gets shipped out? Think that would kill what’s left of his confidence. With the way these Finals played out, I honestly think he might not ever fully recover from it.[/quote]
I doubt it’ll happen because the reasons you gave, but I’d love to see it happen. I never liked Lebron and would gladly accept Dwight Howard for him if it were an even trade.
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
Another thing I want to add is, despite how much I dislike James and the Heat it is way too early to blow this team up. They made the Finals in their first year together. I think it’s clear at this point that while on some nights he’ll be the main option, James is Wade’s sidekick and not the other way around. Bosh, while being soft as charmin can play and needs more touches.
There needs to be clearly defined roles, they need to sign better shooters [or actually play the ones they have] and work out some kinks, but they’re on the right track. This obviously depends on how James bounces back from all of this, 'cause his body language and demeanor show a guy who’s basiclly lost all of his confidence. If he’s “done” then you obviously sucker someone into giving up their star player in return and move his punk ass, haha.[/quote]
This^^
Also the Big 3 of Boston had a young Rondo and Perkins, much much better than Bibby and Anthony.
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
Another thing I want to add is, despite how much I dislike James and the Heat it is way too early to blow this team up. They made the Finals in their first year together. I think it’s clear at this point that while on some nights he’ll be the main option, James is Wade’s sidekick and not the other way around. Bosh, while being soft as charmin can play and needs more touches. There needs to be clearly defined roles, they need to sign better shooters [or actually play the ones they have] and work out some kinks, but they’re on the right track. This obviously depends on how James bounces back from all of this, 'cause his body language and demeanor show a guy who’s basiclly lost all of his confidence. If he’s “done” then you obviously sucker someone into giving up their star player in return and move his punk ass, haha.[/quote]
Agreed. Specifically, LeBron needs to work on his post game, and both LeBron and Wade need to work on their off-ball game (get better at moving and using off-ball screens). They could both work on their jump shot, specifically from 3-point range.
Maybe they’ll implement the Wade-LBJ pick and roll next year.
The thing is they were 2 wins from winning the finals despite having CLEAR areas where they can improve. Take that for what it is if you’re a Heat fan - a good sign for the future even though the loss was definitely disheartening.
^^^ The thing that’s probably the most telling about all of this though is that James is still taking NO personal responsiblity. He’s still nervously smiling and taking jabs at people at home, saying that God madated that it isn’t his time but won’t admit he played like shit and needs to do some serious work on his game. If Orlando offers up Howard, I think you have to listen but I’m not sure I’d make the move.
Howard seems to have the same mentality as James but has a fraction of the basketball IQ. I wouldn’t want to trade one clown who’s dancing and laughing as he’s getting torched for another clown who’s dancing and laughing as he’s getting torched but doesn’t understand simple things like passing out of the double team when the D collapses. James may very well have to turn into the Pippen to Wade’s Jordan for this whole thing to work.
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
… James may very well have to turn into the Pippen to Wade’s Jordan for this whole thing to work.[/quote]
Funny that you mentioned Pippen as I read this article on a semi-related note:
[quote] Steve Kerr:
Scottie Pippen had it all wrong when he recently compared LeBron James with Michael Jordan, said one former Chicago Bulls teammate.
“The irony to me is that LeBron is not Michael. LeBron is actually Scottie,” former Bull and current television analyst Steve Kerr said Monday on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000. "He’s so similar to Scottie in that defensively he was just a monster, could guard anybody, really more of a point forward than scoring guard. Scottie always loved to distribute the ball. That’s really where LeBron’s preference is.
Waddle & Silvy
Steve Kerr told “Waddle & Silvy” that LeBron James is more like Scottie Pippen than Michael Jordan, and the Heat star needs work on his offensive game this summer.
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“Phil Jackson used to call Scottie a ‘sometimes shooter.’ Sometimes they would go in, sometimes they wouldn’t. That’s how it is with LeBron. He’s a great talent and a great player but you can see his flaws as a basketball player. He doesn’t have an offensive game that he can rely on: no low-post game, no mid-range jump shot so when the game really gets tough he has a hard time finding easy baskets and getting himself going. That’s what Michael did in his sleep so that’s why the comparison is wrong.”
After James’ Heat beat the Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals, Pippen told ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike in the Morning” that while he believes Jordan is the greatest scorer in NBA history, James “may be the greatest player to ever play the game.”
After thriving against the Bulls, James struggled – especially in the fourth quarter – in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, who won three straight games against the Heat to win the title on Sunday.
James averaged 26.7 points per game in the regular season, but just 17.8 in the Finals, the largest discrepancy in history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
And after starring in the closing role against the Bulls, James scored just 18 points combined in the fourth quarter during the Finals, fueling talk about whether he can really be considered a player on the level of Jordan.
“Michael had three years at North Carolina with Dean Smith. That makes a big difference,” Kerr said. "I think he was brought up at a time when there was probably better development at a young age in terms of coaching. I think LeBron is a product of the AAU system where you rely on your athleticism, you go and play 100 games a year but maybe you don’t focus on your weaknesses and what you need to lock in on.
“As a result, fundamentally and technically LeBron has some flaws. He has to address those. If I were him I would spend all summer down on the low block shooting jump hooks and turnaround jump shots – the entire summer.”
[/quote]
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
^^^ The thing that’s probably the most telling about all of this though is that James is still taking NO personal responsiblity. He’s still nervously smiling and taking jabs at people at home, saying that God madated that it isn’t his time but won’t admit he played like shit and needs to do some serious work on his game. If Orlando offers up Howard, I think you have to listen but I’m not sure I’d make the move. Howard seems to have the same mentality as James but has a fraction of the basketball IQ. I wouldn’t want to trade one clown who’s dancing and laughing as he’s getting torched for another clown who’s dancing and laughing as he’s getting torched but doesn’t understand simple things like passing out of the double team when the D collapses. James may very well have to turn into the Pippen to Wade’s Jordan for this whole thing to work.[/quote]
And that thing where he said “all of the Haters are going to wake up tomorrow, and still have all of their personal problems” - what the FUCK? Like the only reason someone could possibly dislike someone as awesome as him is if that person is mentally deranged? No sane person could dislike him? James can’t see ANY of his faults and clearly has lost all semblance of touch with reality.
I sorta feel for him and don’t feel for him at the same time.
^^^ That’s funny, the points Kerr made were exactly what I was thinking when I made the comment. I disagree with comparisons on the defensive end though. James routinely got burned on the pick’n’roll this series, while Pippen would stay in someones jersey, and Pip was a much better individual defender. James is probably the better weakside help defender though. He gets a ridiculous amount of chase down blocks.
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
^^^ The thing that’s probably the most telling about all of this though is that James is still taking NO personal responsiblity. He’s still nervously smiling and taking jabs at people at home, saying that God madated that it isn’t his time but won’t admit he played like shit and needs to do some serious work on his game. If Orlando offers up Howard, I think you have to listen but I’m not sure I’d make the move. Howard seems to have the same mentality as James but has a fraction of the basketball IQ. I wouldn’t want to trade one clown who’s dancing and laughing as he’s getting torched for another clown who’s dancing and laughing as he’s getting torched but doesn’t understand simple things like passing out of the double team when the D collapses. James may very well have to turn into the Pippen to Wade’s Jordan for this whole thing to work.[/quote]
And that thing where he said “all of the Haters are going to wake up tomorrow, and still have all of their personal problems” - what the FUCK? Like the only reason someone could possibly dislike someone as awesome as him is if that person is mentally deranged? No sane person could dislike him? James can’t see ANY of his faults and clearly has lost all semblance of touch with reality.
I sorta feel for him and don’t feel for him at the same time.[/quote]
That’s what I said when he made “the decision”. There has never been someone so self involved that lacks that level of self awareness. It’s like he’s so wrapped up in himself that he can’t [or refuses] to see very simple things, like his immediate surroundings or how the way he is rubs people the wrong way. And, I took what he said last night as a personal jab to the American public, like “Who cares if I had a bad series? You have to do things someone elses way to make it, I’m rich as fuck and get to do what I want”. He honestly might be the biggest jerkoff in sports today, and thatis no small accomplishment.
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
^^^ The thing that’s probably the most telling about all of this though is that James is still taking NO personal responsiblity. He’s still nervously smiling and taking jabs at people at home, saying that God madated that it isn’t his time but won’t admit he played like shit and needs to do some serious work on his game. If Orlando offers up Howard, I think you have to listen but I’m not sure I’d make the move. Howard seems to have the same mentality as James but has a fraction of the basketball IQ. I wouldn’t want to trade one clown who’s dancing and laughing as he’s getting torched for another clown who’s dancing and laughing as he’s getting torched but doesn’t understand simple things like passing out of the double team when the D collapses. James may very well have to turn into the Pippen to Wade’s Jordan for this whole thing to work.[/quote]
And that thing where he said “all of the Haters are going to wake up tomorrow, and still have all of their personal problems” - what the FUCK? Like the only reason someone could possibly dislike someone as awesome as him is if that person is mentally deranged? No sane person could dislike him? James can’t see ANY of his faults and clearly has lost all semblance of touch with reality.
I sorta feel for him and don’t feel for him at the same time.[/quote]
To be fair he was answering a question asked to him. Could he have left it at ‘Absolutely not.’ Ya sure I guess. Anyone else answers a question by saying what is basically ‘get over it, my life doesn’t effect yours’ catches 0 flak. People are just looking for more reasons to hate and pile on right now, it is what it is.
I’m kind of glad he answered it the way he did being a person who lives around all these people who it was targeted at. We had a ‘sellout crowd’ @ the Q last night, we sold out like 10 games all season. People around here are more happy to go watch him play in hopes that he fails than to support the team we still had, bad or not. People in my family actively rooted against the Cavs while they were good to be a sort of anti-fan(get a rise out of others for being 'that guy) and still got in on the hate wagon because apparently they were offended too.
Criticize him for being terrible on the court in the 2nd half of every game after game 1, but for answering a question asked of him by the media? Did any of you actually watch the entire press conference?
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
James is probably the better weakside help defender though. He gets a ridiculous amount of chase down blocks.[/quote]
James gets a lot of praise for his defense (rightfully so) but most of his great defensive plays are as a help defender. He is great and chasing down break aways and getting blocks like you said, but his man to man D isnt anything crazy IMO. He’s good but most of his best defensive plays are getting into passing lanes and on help plays.
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
And, I took what he said last night as a personal jab to the American public, like “Who cares if I had a bad series? You have to do things someone elses way to make it, I’m rich as fuck and get to do what I want”.
[/quote]
Agreed.
It really came across as “You guys will keep hating on me even though the series is over but I’m going to wake up tomorrow with more money than I know what to do with and I’m going to live a life you guys can only dream about” lol
with all that being said…
I think James gets way too much criticism. Thats just the way people are… they like to hate on people and James seems to be the guy who’s getting all the hate right now (not that he doesnt bring some of it on himself)
No matter what James does it’ll never be enough IMO. He could win 3 or 4 titles in the next few years and people will still nitpick his game.
I’m just glad that Dirk finally got a ring. I was never a big J Kidd fan so I dont really care about that but I’ve always liked Dirk so I’m really happy to see them win.
[quote]gregron wrote:
with all that being said…
I think James gets way too much criticism. Thats just the way people are… they like to hate on people and James seems to be the guy who’s getting all the hate right now (not that he doesnt bring some of it on himself)
No matter what James does it’ll never be enough IMO. He could win 3 or 4 titles in the next few years and people will still nitpick his game.
I’m just glad that Dirk finally got a ring. I was never a big J Kidd fan so I dont really care about that but I’ve always liked Dirk so I’m really happy to see them win.[/quote]
The thing is, to me the criticism is completely justified. The guy is such an unrelenting jerkoff that it’s good that he bombs. Everything I’ve talked about in these threads for the past couple years in James case is still true. He’s a spoiled brat who’s been handed everything his entire life, he’s never had or felt the need to work for anything and when hard work is required he folds and refuses to take personal responsibility. He was still smiling like a goddamn clown yesterday after his team lost in no small part because of his shitty series, and he’s just sitting there completely oblivious to why he’s in that position. It’s like he expects that at some point he’ll win just 'cause he’s LeBron James, and he’s been given everything else in life so why not this? I personally hope that he never wins a ring 'cause he doesn’t understand the value of hard work.
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]gregron wrote:
with all that being said…
I think James gets way too much criticism. Thats just the way people are… they like to hate on people and James seems to be the guy who’s getting all the hate right now (not that he doesnt bring some of it on himself)
No matter what James does it’ll never be enough IMO. He could win 3 or 4 titles in the next few years and people will still nitpick his game.
I’m just glad that Dirk finally got a ring. I was never a big J Kidd fan so I dont really care about that but I’ve always liked Dirk so I’m really happy to see them win.[/quote]
The thing is, to me the criticism is completely justified. The guy is such an unrelenting jerkoff that it’s good that he bombs. Everything I’ve talked about in these threads for the past couple years in James case is still true. He’s a spoiled brat who’s been handed everything his entire life, he’s never had or felt the need to work for anything and when hard work is required he folds and refuses to take personal responsibility. He was still smiling like a goddamn clown yesterday after his team lost in no small part because of his shitty series, and he’s just sitting there completely oblivious to why he’s in that position. It’s like he expects that at some point he’ll win just 'cause he’s LeBron James, and he’s been given everything else in life so why not this? I personally hope that he never wins a ring 'cause he doesn’t understand the value of hard work. [/quote]
That won’t teach him though - it will still be someone else’s fault he didn’t win.
I was always of the belief we didn’t have QUITE enough data points to know LBJ’s heart in the clutch. We had contradicting examples of him taking over close games and of him shrinking from the spotlight. You can view this series as (at best) more proof he is unpredictable, or (at worst) that he will just never have the mental willpower to gut out tough victories when his team is down. Neither of those options are good ones for a great player.
[quote]red04 wrote:
To be fair he was answering a question asked to him. Could he have left it at ‘Absolutely not.’ Ya sure I guess. Anyone else answers a question by saying what is basically ‘get over it, my life doesn’t effect yours’ catches 0 flak. People are just looking for more reasons to hate and pile on right now, it is what it is.
[/quote]
Disagree. IMO there is a HUGE difference between “I don’t care what people think” and “you have to be messed up not to like me”