Eastern Conference Final: [#2] Miami Heat vs. [#4] Boston Celtics

[Kuzzy Powers]

I'd argue LeBron's game against Pistons in 2007 was HIS best ever and one of the top 5.

He hits a few really shitty fadeaways in that game. :smug:

30 seconds left in the game down 1.. he goes to the hole.

9 seconds left in the game down 2.. he goes to the hole.

Game winner in double OT (got the ball with 11 seconds left on an ISO vs the point guard, how ironic).. he goes to the hole.

:kanye:

He did hit a nice fadeaway jumper as the shot clock was expiring with 30 seconds left in the 1st OT tho.

 

[ralaw]

You are such an ignorant person that is painful to have any kind of conversation with you. I honestly feel bad for your wife and co-workers, and I guess friends, if you are able to hold any.





Backdown Rondo, attack the basket off the dribble, or attack and create for others. Bolded for you because you seem to have trouble reading.

There is no way the Celtics would let James backdown Rondo without a double team. Attacking the rim is an option, but as mentioned guys understand that they'd probably face a few defenders and a very low percentage shot. Creating for others always works for James, but I think he wanted the shot.

IMO guys take jumpers because it's generally the cleanest look an elite perimeter player can get off. I really had no issues with James' shot, because he had a clean look over a smaller defender.....he just missed it. In hindsight we can ridicule the shot, but IMO that is just nitpicking.

 

[FedEx227]

He makes it and we're probably lauding his ability to create so much separation because of his elite size.

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

There is no way the Celtics would let James backdown Rondo without a double team. Attacking the rim is an option, but as mentioned guys understand that they'd probably face a few defenders and a very low percentage shot. Creating for others always works for James, but I think he wanted the shot.

IMO guys take jumpers because it's generally the cleanest look an elite perimeter player can get off. I really had no issues with James' shot, because he had a clean look over a smaller defender.....he just missed it. In hindsight we can ridicule the shot, but IMO that is just nitpicking.

It is nitpicking, but as I already said im not even really hating on him for taking the shot, its just evident that there were better options and FT was just trying to eat Red for stating that. They double team, he kicks it out. He attacks and they collapse, he kicks it out, or he tries to draw contact at the rim, maybe he gets something to drop at the rim, maybe draws a foul. For LeBron a contested jumper from 18 is not a high percentage look either, it isnt for most players.

And as I stated before, LeBron really cant win with critics without hitting the shot. But as is life as the best player in the world, especially when you have a reputation of not being clutch, everything he does is under high scrutiny. Do I think he had better options on the play? Obviously. Am I going to hold it against him over time for taking a jumper over the shorter player? No, because hes capable of having games like he did last night to help erase the memory of the unclutch moments of his career.

 

[ralaw]

It is nitpicking, but as I already said im not even really hating on him for taking the shot, its just evident that there were better options and FT was just trying to eat Red for stating that. They double team, he kicks it out. He attacks and they collapse, he kicks it out, or he tries to draw contact at the rim, maybe he gets something to drop at the rim, maybe draws a foul. For LeBron a contested jumper from 18 is not a high percentage look either, it isnt for most players.

And as I stated before, LeBron really cant win with critics without hitting the shot. But as is life as the best player in the world, especially when you have a reputation of not being clutch, everything he does is under high scrutiny. Do I think he had better options on the play? Obviously. Am I going to hold it against him over time for taking a jumper over the shorter player? No, because hes capable of having games like he did last night to help erase the memory of the unclutch moments of his career.

In basketball when a player misses a shot to win a game there are always "better options." In reality it's a fast paced game and the "best option" isn't always going to be the option taken, because there are always factors involved that critics tend to overlook.

Obviously we know James as a player that can finish around the rim and who is lesser of a shooter. So, in a perfect LeBron James world he drives to the rim and throws down a ferocious dunk, but he's still capable of making that shot.

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

In basketball when a player misses a shot to win a game there are always "better options." In reality it's a fast paced game and the "best option" isn't always going to be the option taken, because there are always factors involved that critics tend to overlook.

Obviously we know James as a player that can finish around the rim and who is lesser of a shooter. So, in a perfect LeBron James world he drives to the rim and throws down a ferocious dunk, but he's still capable of making that shot.

If you're being cynical, sure. But thats simply not true in reality. And yes, it is a face paced game.. you have to read and react based on whats infront of you. But the last shot of the game in an ISO is not a fast paced situation. Its a pressure situation. But thats kind of the point.. taking the best shot under pressure.

This has gotten much more talk then it deserves anyways.

 

[BigBucs]

He needs to come out and put up 45/15/5 every night or it's just a flash in the pan performance? You're kidding right? Don't you think that by having these absurd expectations for him that he is the best player in the game?

Or do you sit at home and say, "Man, Durant better go for 40/15 tonight and every night or else he is definitely not the best player in the NBA."

Yea, because thats EXACTLY what I was saying. :niggaplease: For you simpletons I was simply saying Lebron needs to be "that guy" when he is needed night in and night out, not score 50 grab 20 boards and have 8 assist. When he is needed in the most in critical situations he is non existent most of the time. Durant is clutch night in and night out. Why do you think everyone is as shocked as they are? Because you rarely ever see that Lebron. What good do you get out of avg 31 a night in a series when you are no where to be found in a close game with 5 mins left on the clock.

Cant take anything way from his performance last night but until he shows me he could be a killer when the game is on the line then its the same ol Lebron. Its easy to look awesome when you have a 15-20 point cushion all game. When the game is on the line show me you have that Kobe/Mike/KD in you Mr. "Best player in the game". Id rather him have a quiet 20 point game but when the game is on the line he plays possessed. He doesnt do that. He is usually awesome for 3 quarters and tucks his tail in crunch time.

 

[ralaw]

I agree this shot has received way too much talk. I say we talk more about how awesome James was last night. I'm hoping he can maintain that level of focus, but he's going to need help, because the Celtics just weren't expecting him to come out and play like that. Now they know and adjustments will be made. By his play as of late Wade is still hurt, but he's going to have to play better if they are going to win.

I want to see a Durant vs James matchup, although a Boston vs OKC matchup may produce better basketball.

 

[ralaw]

It will never happen, but I'd like to see Durant play under the same pressure that James does. OKC will probably win the championship because they have the best team, so Durant will forever be in the good graces of possible critics.

 

[Juggernaut]

It will never happen, but I'd like to see Durant play under the same pressure that James does. OKC will probably win the championship because they have the best team, so Durant will forever be in the good graces of possible critics.

Once you got a ring, you can't do no wrong. Durant would probably win the finals mvp as well.

All you need is 1.

 

[ralaw]

Once you got a ring, you can't do no wrong. Durant would probably win the finals mvp as well.

All you need is 1.

For some reason for James I don't think 1 will be enough.

 

[BigBucs]

Its because of how he went about things.

and....

 

[Juggernaut]

For some reason for James I don't think 1 will be enough.

It would be if he didn't guarantee not 1, not 2, not 3...but 8 championships.

Can't blame anyone but himself for letting his ego grow that huge. But what else would you expect from "The King".

 

[Rudi]

The conspiracy theorists will love this shit.

 

[Juggernaut]

:verlander:

They couldn't have fucked this up that much.

 

[red33]

The conspiracy theorists will love this shit.

from a business standpoint they would need to make shirts tht say both beat the beat and beat the celtics right due to the short amount of production time in between series.

 

[ralaw]

Its because of how he went about things.

and....

Meh, it's just a tattoo and most are just an ego boost for those who have them. I'm sure a lot of athletes/people get tattoos that mean something to them. If he believes he's the chosen one than good for him. I don't see how that coorelates to putting reasonable amounts of expectations on him.

 

[ralaw]

It would be if he didn't guarantee not 1, not 2, not 3...but 8 championships.

Can't blame anyone but himself for letting his ego grow that huge. But what else would you expect from "The King".

I do agree that he let the "not 1, not 2," etc get the best of him, but IMO he was just playing to the crowd. He probably believed he'd get a few, but he than got caught up in the moment.

"King James"

It's just a nickname. You're a knowledgable enough of a basketball fan to know it was a nickname given to him within the context of him playing for a catholic high school. At the time it fit where he was playing, his talent level and his last name. Besides, IMO it's one of the better nicknames out there.

 

[PP]

http://www.abload.de/img/untitled-3bpg8p.gif

lets go celtics! (my boss is actually the one who threw the ball back and hit Wade on the dome.)

 

[jeffx]

HOF performance by LeBron the other night, but it won't do much to shut up the haters. Folks who don't acknowledge him as the best in the NBA aren't paying attention. He brought a lot of hostility on himself with that media circus, but I think some fans have gone too far. I'm confidant Miami wins tonight, but being a Knick fan, I'll be rooting for OKC to wipe the court with them.