Lebron gets ripped apart in foxsports article

[elindholm]

Well we have figured it out. In order to be credible with Eric you must dust off the ol' Thesauraus and properly use 8 syllable words, content be damned.

Well, no. I thought the big word was cute, but the main point was that the article was well written, regardless of its content.

Especially considering he is one of the 2 best players in the world and has been part of the "machine" since he was in high school.

I don't deny that it has been difficult for him. Of course, that's not relevant to the discussion.

99% of the time he is overly humble and talks about nothing but his team.

I guess I've heard mainly the other 1% then. Every time I hear him open his mouth, it's something about how He is making His teammates better, because that's one of His goals. A true leader doesn't have to constantly remind his disciples how much he's doing for them.

I'm a big Kobe fan but even I would admit that LBJ is more adroit at manging his perception then the Mamba.

I agree, but I think the difference is that Bryant doesn't care. Unlike James, Bryant has no aspirations to take over the world with basketball-earned wealth. They're both jerks, but I find Bryant's motivation to be much purer than James's. James is an athletic freak who chose basketball because it's the team sport in which it's easiest for a single star to shine and earn megabucks. Bryant is a basketball player.

You and Rosen are two peas in a pod. Intellectual elitists who think they got it all figured out.

Jeez, dude, lay off the vitriol. Next thing you'll be calling me a liberal.

So please tell me - other then this minor incident where he was obviously heated - where has he come across as an arrogant punk?

In every interview I've read or heard. But it's true that there are hundreds more out there that I don't know about, and maybe he's a darling in all of them.

Lebron's whats good about the game.

Disagree. Indeed, he's more the opposite: A superior athlete who has never had to acquire much in the way of basketball skill, but whose athleticism and earning potential have inspired everyone, including the allegedly unbiased NBA, to pave the way for him. All of those who support James are hoping that a piece of his action will rub off on them, that's all.

 

[cardsfanmd]

If Kobe had spewed that rant of pure stupidity and anti-sportsmanship the media would have his balls over an open flame.

 

[cardsfanmd]

LeBron didn't want to leave like that, Rosenhous made him do it.

 

[Sunburn]

You can't be serious. The hype and media idolatry are all that James is. Without them, he's, I don't know, early Jerry Stackhouse.

Come on. Seriously. The guy is putting up numbers that are surpassing even the greatest of the greats. Almost every night. He's obviously going to be one of, if not, the best ever. I'm not a Lebron homer but you gotta give him credit. Even Jordan had to wait awhile before he started winning his championships. It's not like he's first round and out Tracy Mcgrady or something. The guy averaged 38, 9, and 8 for the series, all the while playing 1 on 5. Did Stackhouse ever do that? Has anyone ever done that? Sheesh, what do you gotta do to get some love. Win and nothing less I guess. Cept its kinda hard when the rest of your team goes awol in the Conference Finals. But I think I already read somebody saying it was his fault his team disappeared. Of course it is. He didn't give a nearly long enough shooting seminar prior to game play, and his foot rubs weren't nearly tender enough. And the way he delegated some of the coaching responsibilities to Mike Brown, not the mark of a true champion. Wow. Sheesh.

 

[slinslin]

Tongue in cheek?

Jordan he's not, but he's still one of the best in the league and maybe the best on a given night.

He is clearly by far the best individual and team player in the entire league.

Even Kobe isn't on the same level as Lebron, sorry Lakers fans but it is true. Lebron will be better than Jordan, probably already is better.

 

[jandaman]

I disagree with James being better than Jordan, in Jordan's prime anyways.

Cavs supporting lineup isnt on par with the Bulls, back in Jordan's days.
But Jordan found a way to lead his team when they played below their capabilities against an elite team.
Defensively, with the exception of highlight blocks, Jordan > James by a huge margin. Those blocks arent that hard to come by considering he is 6'9 260 pounds with 40+ inch vertical. With that logic, Josh Smith must be an elite defender then, Pippen's level?


James lack the mental game and basketball know how to beat opponents. Bryant has it, but Jordan has a lot of it. I watch James , yes he wows me with all those things he does. But seriously, ask yourself why he can do those things so easily... its not because he reads his opponents well or outsmarts them or beats them tactically basketball wise anyways. The guy is a TANK... who runs 100m in about what? 11 seconds? 6'9 260 pounds who runs like a sprinter, jumps like a gazzle and has as much fast twitch muscle as male gymnasts.

He slows down, losses his speed or a bit of agility.. or the refs start calling travelling on him he will come down to earth... unless he plays PF.. which he can by the looks of things.

Basketball wise... he is no Jordan, but athlete wise, he just dominates because he is MASSIVE, ATHLETIC and happens to know how to use all of them to beat smaller opponents on a basketball court.

 

[Chaplin]

If Kobe had spewed that rant of pure stupidity and anti-sportsmanship the media would have his balls over an open flame.

So would every single person on this board (except for BIM, Donald, abomb and Renz)...

 

[nashman]

slinslin

He is clearly by far the best individual and team player in the entire league.

Even Kobe isn't on the same level as Lebron, sorry Lakers fans but it is true. Lebron will be better than Jordan, probably already is better.

Ummm, no he is not and a hell of along way away from even being in the discussion! Statements like this and your Amare love is why I can't take anything seriously from you, just an absurd statement!

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

LeBron didn't want to leave like that, Rosenhous made him do it.

best post i've seen in some time.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

So would every single person on this board (except for BIM, Donald, abomb and Renz)...

right, they'd have had his balls all over . . . something else. woohoo, THAT JUST HAPPENED!

 

[Renz]

He is clearly by far the best individual and team player in the entire league.

Even Kobe isn't on the same level as Lebron, sorry Lakers fans but it is true. Lebron will be better than Jordan, probably already is better.

James is the best 'team player'? Based on what? The way he elevated his teammates' play against Orlando?

 

[slinslin]

Ummm, no he is not and a hell of along way away from even being in the discussion! Statements like this and your Amare love is why I can't take anything seriously from you, just an absurd statement!

Tell me how Jordan was better than Lebron aside from the championships over the course of his career.

Lebron right now is twice as good as Jordan at the same age so why would it be a stretch to say Lebron will be better. Even in his prime Jordan wasn't a better individual player than James is now.
On the boards,passing and playmaking Lebron easily trumps Jordan, at defense he is on par since this season and scoring wise he holds his own against Jordan as well.

Cleveland doesn't have a good team, or good coach yet he lead them to 66 wins and a pretty damn good playoff run. Better than anything we have done since 1992.

 

[slinslin]

James is the best 'team player'? Based on what? The way he elevated his teammates' play against Orlando?

His passing and playmaking is only 2nd to maybe Chris Paul and Steve Nash.

His teammates are horrible, he makes Mo Williams look like an allstar to many people.
He is not a selfish ballhog like Kobe Bryant.

That guy AVERAGED 40/8/8/1/1 in the conference final, it's certainly not his fault that they lost.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Well, no. I thought the big word was cute, but the main point was that the article was well written, regardless of its content.



I don't deny that it has been difficult for him. Of course, that's not relevant to the discussion.



I guess I've heard mainly the other 1% then. Every time I hear him open his mouth, it's something about how He is making His teammates better, because that's one of His goals. A true leader doesn't have to constantly remind his disciples how much he's doing for them.



I agree, but I think the difference is that Bryant doesn't care. Unlike James, Bryant has no aspirations to take over the world with basketball-earned wealth. They're both jerks, but I find Bryant's motivation to be much purer than James's. James is an athletic freak who chose basketball because it's the team sport in which it's easiest for a single star to shine and earn megabucks. Bryant is a basketball player.



Jeez, dude, lay off the vitriol. Next thing you'll be calling me a liberal.



In every interview I've read or heard. But it's true that there are hundreds more out there that I don't know about, and maybe he's a darling in all of them.



Disagree. Indeed, he's more the opposite: A superior athlete who has never had to acquire much in the way of basketball skill, but whose athleticism and earning potential have inspired everyone, including the allegedly unbiased NBA, to pave the way for him. All of those who support James are hoping that a piece of his action will rub off on them, that's all.

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.

You have heard Lebron be arrogant in interviews so latest controversy fulfilled his "arrogance" and something you already believed.

I think on the other hand he is too corporate and never lets anybody in - Always toeing the line and never saying anything controversial. Which is why I have given him a pass on this. He has almost always taken the high road on things - defering to Kobe and MJ, recognizing the history of the game, never saying anything inflammatory (like for instance trade the young bums or I'm opting out) - and this was obviously a competitive moment for him.

The only thing I agree with that you said is that Kobe is more genuine then LBJ. All Kobe cares about is being a basketball player. James wants to be a brand. And I don't fault him for that. He learned it from MJ - never take a side on anything because then you never offend anyone. "Republicans buy sneakers too" as MJ once famously said.

And his wanting to be his own corporation - while irritating and overly cautious to some - sure as hell doesn't get in the way of his work on his basketball game and how much his teammates love him.

As a wiseman once said "He's not a business man, he's a business, man...."

That's not a quote from Nietzsche so your going to have to ask someone to explain that to you

I'm just busting your balls at this point E - I just don't agree with your take.

I get people not liking Kobe even though I am not one of them. I don't get fans of basketball not liking James. Seems like you just don't like him because he gets fawned over by the fans and media. But so do Tom Brady and Derek Jeter. Is that really his fault?

 

[82CardsGrad]

Tell me how Jordan was better than Lebron aside from the championships over the course of his career.

Lebron right now is twice as good as Jordan at the same age so why would it be a stretch to say Lebron will be better. Even in his prime Jordan wasn't a better individual player than James is now.
On the boards,passing and playmaking Lebron easily trumps Jordan, at defense he is on par since this season and scoring wise he holds his own against Jordan as well.

Cleveland doesn't have a good team, or good coach yet he lead them to 66 wins and a pretty damn good playoff run. Better than anything we have done since 1992.

Wow! I've seen some amazingly misinformed posts in my day, but this one ranks at the very top for sure!

Wow...

 

[82CardsGrad]

Regarding the point of this thread, I personally don't have much of an issue with Lebron not "manning up" and congratulating the Magic players... However, I do have an issue with him not facing the media. That's so lame.
He still needs to grow up and mature in so many areas - including his game.

 

[Mulli]

Wow! I've seen some amazingly misinformed posts in my day, but this one ranks at the very top for sure!

Wow...

Seriously, this game is fun. I would like to know more about how, despite the six championships, etc., Lebron is clearly better than Jordan. Bigger and stronger sure. 3 point shooting , sure. Block shots, okay.

Anything else, no way.

 

[Mulli]

Regarding the point of this thread, I personally don't have much of an issue with Lebron not "manning up" and congratulating the Magic players... However, I do have an issue with him not facing the media. That's so lame.
He still needs to grow up and mature in so many areas - including his game.

Play the tape of Lebron getting so excited in the second quarter of game 1 vs. Orlando, only to fade at the end of the game.

Lebron should seriously stop the dopy chalkdust whatever thing at the beginning of the game. He cam feel free to do it again once(if) he gets ring #1.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Seriously, this game is fun. I would like to know more about how, despite the six championships, etc., Lebron is clearly better than Jordan. Bigger and stronger sure. 3 point shooting , sure. Block shots, okay.

Anything else, no way.

Not at all sure of the point you are attempting to make here Mulli?? Are you saying you believe Lebron is "clearly better" than Jordan? I'm confused...

As far as some #'s go, here are some career stats for both:

FG%: Jordan, 50% James, 47%
3-Pt %: Jordan, 33% James, 33%
PPG: Jordan, 30 James, 27
Rebounds per game: Jordan, 6.2 James, 7
Assists per game: Jordan, 5.3 James, 6.5
Steals per game: Jordan, 2.3 James 1.8

And, the 6 rings do matter... further, can you imagine a team with Jordan on it, winning 66 regular season game and its' first 8 games in the playoffs, NOT making it to the finals?? Uh - noooooooooo....

 

[Mulli]

Not at all sure of the point you are attempting to make here Mulli?? Are you saying you believe Lebron is "clearly better" than Jordan? I'm confused...

As far as some #'s go, here are some career stats for both:

FG%: Jordan, 50% James, 47%
3-Pt %: Jordan, 33% James, 33%
PPG: Jordan, 30 James, 27
Rebounds per game: Jordan, 6.2 James, 7
Assists per game: Jordan, 5.3 James, 6.5
Steals per game: Jordan, 2.3 James 1.8

And, the 6 rings do matter... further, can you imagine a team with Jordan on it, winning 66 regular season game and its' first 8 games in the playoffs, NOT making it to the finals?? Uh - noooooooooo....

i was agreeing with you have been at the office too long today.

 

[82CardsGrad]

i was agreeing with you have been at the office too long today.

No f'n doubt! But you still need to articulate better! I don't speak Mullinese!!

 

[Bufalay]

http://www.blinkx.com/videos/Delonte+West

click on the video that says "Delonte West and LeBron James Discuss The Cavs Win". This is the least humble video I've ever seen. Saying he's a humble guy after watching this is like saying that Raja Bell isn't a dirty player or that Nick Anderson is clutch.

 

[cly2tw]

I would say that at the same stage of their respective career, LBJ is likely better than MJ regarding maturity and how to lead a team. He is definitely better than Kobe on game impact. Now, it's a different issue whether LBJ is already better than prime MJ when he won the championships. In 2-3 years, we will know.

 

[jandaman]

Tell me how Jordan was better than Lebron aside from the championships over the course of his career.

Lebron right now is twice as good as Jordan at the same age so why would it be a stretch to say Lebron will be better. Even in his prime Jordan wasn't a better individual player than James is now.
On the boards,passing and playmaking Lebron easily trumps Jordan, at defense he is on par since this season and scoring wise he holds his own against Jordan as well.

Cleveland doesn't have a good team, or good coach yet he lead them to 66 wins and a pretty damn good playoff run. Better than anything we have done since 1992.

Wow, thats a huge OPINIONATED claim.
I disagree but you have your opinion.

Not one of my friends nor any basketball fan I know of have gone far and say James > Jordan.
And they all been watching and fans of NBA for close to 20 years.

The same argument goes, James is a beast. But no one comes close to say he is better than Jordan.


Jordan at 23~26 years old put up 33~37 points a game about 5~6 rebounds, 5~6 assists, 2-3 steals and about a block a game.
Thats during a depleted Bulls team that had him as main scorer and not much else, he did have Oakley helping him out on the boards and interior defense, yes the Bulls sucked.

Scoring arsenal wise, Jordan has it all, minus proficiency from the arc, but he can hit them occasionally. Jumpshot, up and under, ability to finish either with a dunk or a layup, ability to get a good shot up on traffic etc... Jordan is better than James. James is arguably a stronger dunker, but James is arguably the most athletic player of all time too.
James shooting mechanics isnt smooth, it is erratic, if it wasnt for teams so concerned with him driving on them they can easily neutralize his shooting from mid range, Jordan and Bryant to an extent cannot be stopped from this range, you just hope they miss.


The one thing James has over Jordan is size.

Rebounding, shot blocking and finishing in the rim are all affected by size and this is where James has advantage over Jordan.

Scoring wise, not only is James massive and very hard to stop from the front as he will bowl you over. But the referees also allow him to basically do it, watch how players bounce off him and also called for fouls. James is ridiculously built for a basketball player, he is the "Shaq" of the small forwards. Jordan is more like "Wilt Chamberlain" of the shooting guards...

 

[Mulli]

So when is Stern going to fine Lebron for not going to press conference? Rules are rules.

Also, Lebron doesn't have low post game. Everything has to be off the dribbble.