LeBron Bashers Going Overboard
Wednesday 12 May, 2010 at 2:18 pm Featured, NBA 9
Cavs owner Daniel Gilbert should point the finger at general management and Mike Brown, among others.
Today may have been the toughest day of LeBron James’ adult life.
For those of you who live on another planet, James had a disheartening performance in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against their nemesis – the Boston Celtics.
The two-time MVP struggled to get anything going last night, and I’ll be the first to say that he didn’t appear to be his normally aggressive self on the court. However, I wasn’t the first to say it…and I most certainly won’t be the last.
Check out these stories…written by authors who seems to thrive on someone’s failure, rather than someone else’s success:
LeBron’s Moment of Truth Awaits
Game 6 is Final Chance for Cavaliers’ LeBron James to Earn His Hype
Behind the Box Score, where LeBron James did not care
I wonder how much of this LeBron has allowed himself to see and hear. It’s amazing how seven years of NBA dominance has slipped the mind of so many analysts and reporters in just one night. James is undoubtedly the best player in the league. If you gave these same analysts the opportunity to pick one current NBA player to build a roster of their own, guess who they’d select? That’s right…LBJ…because he’s the best of the best.
Who has the pressure of finding cracks in the defense of an NBA team that won a title just two seasons ago? Who goes to work each and every day with the pressure of an entire city on his back? Who is expected to be great – not just good, but great - whenever he’s doing his job? Who is continually compared to peers who held his job long before he did?
Not these overzealous beat writers…
And do we really think that James’ legacy is tied to this one postseason run? Are we proclaiming that he is washed up if he’s doesn’t get that ring this year?
As my man Ochocinco would say, “Child please…that don’t make no damn sense!”
For those who insist on parallelling LeBron’s career with Michael Jordan’s, remember this – Michael Jordan experienced many postseason failures before he finally reached the promised land. Also, let’s not forget that MJ had another Hall of Famer in the prime of his career (Scottie Pippen) playing along side him for all six of his championships. Does James’ have anyone on his team whose current abilities could even sniff the drawers of a Hall of Famer? Absolutely not.
The Boston Celtics have three such players – guys that are not individual slouches by any definition of the word. Pierce, Allen and Garnett are players who have been LeBron James’s in their previous NBA lives. They are older, but certainly more intelligent. As LeBron even had to admit, “their defense had something to do” with his performance as well.
And with the media jumping on the band, Cavs owner Daniel Gilbert starts to toot his own horn:
“The last two home playoff losses and the manner in which we lost these games does not come close to being anywhere near the high expectations all of us have of our organization. Our fans and supporters deserve more.”
James is being torn down by the same media machine that hyped him.
Well, Dan…how about getting players who are currently good? Not washed up big names like Shaquille O’Neal. Or weak, no defensive power forwards like Antawn Jamison. Or a point guard who can shoot the lights out, but can’t control an opposing one-dimensional guard (Rajon Rondo) like Mo Williams? Or even a head coach who is not willing to take LeBron James out of his comfort zone for the good of the team?
The Celtics are still a good team, but listening to everyone speak you’d think they were the Minnesota Timberwolves or something. Good players and good coaching are needed to beat good teams. The Celtics have that, so there’s no reason to dog the icon of the NBA.
Seems like there is a lot of blame to go around, but right now all of the blame is sticking with one guy.
I’ll tell you one thing – somebody from Cleveland had better begin to show James some love. Free agency is only months away.
Afterwards, you all may be continuing your LeBron-bashing while he’s in another city.
T Lamont is the owner, administrator and author of all content for Ball or Nuthin\'. Feel free to contact T Lamont with a question or comment at ballornuthin@gmail.com. All created Ball or Nuthin' content is the sole property of T Lamont. Read more from this authorTags: Cavs, LeBron James
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I'm with you on the coaching. Mike Brown has never developed an offense in order to utilize LBJ to his potential. Everything is LBJ off the dribble creating for himself or a teamate. As great as MJ was, remember he had Phil Jackson's triangle offense.
“I spoil a lot of people with my play. When you have three bad games in seven years, it’s easy to point them out.”
Mr. Lamont, if you cannot grasp the gravity of SELF in this post-game LeBron quote, you are either dillusional, bias, or simply retarded. LeBron bashers are of no consequence or relevance when you have statements like these coming out of his own mouth. These and many similar statements from "The King" exemplify his legacy, and since he makes statements like these quite frequently, they apparently represent the image and persona he wants to convey.
Boo hoo
One more thing. I'm personally getting tired of celebrities putting on this persona of why is everyone picking on me. The fans and media can build you up and they can tear you down. It's the nature of the beast. If you accept the rewards then you also have to accept the criticism. And from my point of view I don't think it was the media that was bashing Lebron. I believe the fans had their hand in it to when they started to boo from the stands. And like you said the will be booing him again next year when he's in New York.
Oh and about Scottie Pippen. No offense RT, but if the Bulls didn't win those championships I doubt Scottie Pippen would have been a Hall of Famer. I also don't think anyone but Kobe on the Lakers last year will be a Hall of Famer. I also don't think anyone on the Spurs championships except Duncan will be Hall of Famers. So do no think have another Hall of Famer is a prerequisite for winning championships. It makes it easier yes, but it is by no means a requirement. And for some winning championships is a self-fulling prophecy for going to the Hall of Fame. At least for some people. Scottie Pippen got really lucky. If Jordan never came to the Bulls I don't think there's anyway he would have been a Hall of Famer.
Remember that Jordan was there before Scottie. Scottie was drafted, came there and – I think sometime in 87-88 – became the first Bull not named Jordan to lead the team in scoring in MJ's era. It was a shock to many at the time, and people were scrambling to know what bush he came from underneath.
And you're right…his all-around contributions wouldn't have garnered as much effort if he were on his own…or even playing with Ewing or Drexler instead of Jordan.
But make no mistake about it – if you're comparing the parts between the current Cavs and the first edition of the championship Bulls – Scottie Pippen is clearly the third best player (behind Jordan and James) in the discussion. And in the prime of his career, who thinks that he wouldn't have given James a run for his money?
First off, Lebron self appointed himself “king” and there’s a reason why he’s getting paid as much as he is. He’s the cornerstone on the cavs to help bring home a championship. So since he gets all the accalades of a superstar, he’s gonna get the blame when he doesn’t perform. It’s all about championships and how you perform on the way there. It’s not what you do in the in the regular season, a game in the playoff or even a series or 2 in the playoff. Who cares if he brings these rim rattling highlights nightly, it’s all comes down to winning. Lebron has not won a single championship since high school. Don’t blame his teammates cause they got no credit when they helped Cleveland get the best record in the regular season. Blame lebron, he asked to be king, but in reality, he’s playing like a joke, afraid of the playoff spotlight!
The guy's had one of the best seasons in history.
Everyone who has ever attempted anything (sports, work, etc.) knows that it's impossible to be out of this world 100% of the time.
To say that LeBron appointed himself "king" is completly wrong. This young man was told by adults from the time he was 15 years old that he was the king. His Sophmore, Junior and Senior years in high school people came from far and wide to watch this young man play ball. They sold out at basketball games because people wanted to see this kid play ball. He was featured on the cover of Sports Illistrated while he was still in high school. Now do you think that would have effected you just a little bit. What were you doing when you were 17 and 18 years old. I know what I was doing and I sure wouldn't want to tell everyone on here what it was. I know this guy doesn't need me feeling sorry for him. He could care less what I think. He's laughing the whole way to the bank. But don't blame LeBron for the way he turned out. Blame all of the adults in his life and the media.
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I'm with you on the coaching. Mike Brown has never developed an offense in order to utilize LBJ to his potential. Everything is LBJ off the dribble creating for himself or a teamate. As great as MJ was, remember he had Phil Jackson's triangle offense.
“I spoil a lot of people with my play. When you have three bad games in seven years, it’s easy to point them out.”
Mr. Lamont, if you cannot grasp the gravity of SELF in this post-game LeBron quote, you are either dillusional, bias, or simply retarded. LeBron bashers are of no consequence or relevance when you have statements like these coming out of his own mouth. These and many similar statements from "The King" exemplify his legacy, and since he makes statements like these quite frequently, they apparently represent the image and persona he wants to convey.
Boo hoo
One more thing. I'm personally getting tired of celebrities putting on this persona of why is everyone picking on me. The fans and media can build you up and they can tear you down. It's the nature of the beast. If you accept the rewards then you also have to accept the criticism. And from my point of view I don't think it was the media that was bashing Lebron. I believe the fans had their hand in it to when they started to boo from the stands. And like you said the will be booing him again next year when he's in New York.
Oh and about Scottie Pippen. No offense RT, but if the Bulls didn't win those championships I doubt Scottie Pippen would have been a Hall of Famer. I also don't think anyone but Kobe on the Lakers last year will be a Hall of Famer. I also don't think anyone on the Spurs championships except Duncan will be Hall of Famers. So do no think have another Hall of Famer is a prerequisite for winning championships. It makes it easier yes, but it is by no means a requirement. And for some winning championships is a self-fulling prophecy for going to the Hall of Fame. At least for some people. Scottie Pippen got really lucky. If Jordan never came to the Bulls I don't think there's anyway he would have been a Hall of Famer.
Remember that Jordan was there before Scottie. Scottie was drafted, came there and – I think sometime in 87-88 – became the first Bull not named Jordan to lead the team in scoring in MJ's era. It was a shock to many at the time, and people were scrambling to know what bush he came from underneath.
And you're right…his all-around contributions wouldn't have garnered as much effort if he were on his own…or even playing with Ewing or Drexler instead of Jordan.
But make no mistake about it – if you're comparing the parts between the current Cavs and the first edition of the championship Bulls – Scottie Pippen is clearly the third best player (behind Jordan and James) in the discussion. And in the prime of his career, who thinks that he wouldn't have given James a run for his money?
First off, Lebron self appointed himself “king” and there’s a reason why he’s getting paid as much as he is. He’s the cornerstone on the cavs to help bring home a championship. So since he gets all the accalades of a superstar, he’s gonna get the blame when he doesn’t perform. It’s all about championships and how you perform on the way there. It’s not what you do in the in the regular season, a game in the playoff or even a series or 2 in the playoff. Who cares if he brings these rim rattling highlights nightly, it’s all comes down to winning. Lebron has not won a single championship since high school. Don’t blame his teammates cause they got no credit when they helped Cleveland get the best record in the regular season. Blame lebron, he asked to be king, but in reality, he’s playing like a joke, afraid of the playoff spotlight!
The guy's had one of the best seasons in history.
Everyone who has ever attempted anything (sports, work, etc.) knows that it's impossible to be out of this world 100% of the time.
To say that LeBron appointed himself "king" is completly wrong. This young man was told by adults from the time he was 15 years old that he was the king. His Sophmore, Junior and Senior years in high school people came from far and wide to watch this young man play ball. They sold out at basketball games because people wanted to see this kid play ball. He was featured on the cover of Sports Illistrated while he was still in high school. Now do you think that would have effected you just a little bit. What were you doing when you were 17 and 18 years old. I know what I was doing and I sure wouldn't want to tell everyone on here what it was. I know this guy doesn't need me feeling sorry for him. He could care less what I think. He's laughing the whole way to the bank. But don't blame LeBron for the way he turned out. Blame all of the adults in his life and the media.
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