Here is another difference between lebron's approach and what I think kobe's supporters appreciate about him. I think lebron is the most athletic freak of nature on the court and that means something, that said, I still wouldnt take his approach to the game and I love how kobe is obsessed and dedicated to a craft in another level from even other professionals. I think kobe is fairly an unlikeable character in many ways, but thats irrelevant of what I like about him, here is another from shaq's book: You didn’t think we were done with excerpts from Shaq’s new book, were you? In the latest morsel from the tome, O’Neal compares three of the Hall of Famers he had the fortune of playing with in his career. From the Palm Beach Post: “On the pressure the [Miami Heat] faced, O’Neal writes: ‘LeBron, I think, was ready for it. The other two guys? I’m not sure. DWade is a clutch player, but he doesn’t like all the chatter. He wants good press. Anything negative gets him thinking about the wrong things.’ … Here’s more from Shaq, on the comparison between the two: ‘People ask me all the time: If you had to choose between DWade and LeBron, which would you take? Which one would you make the CEO? It’s really a tough question. LeBron is a better decision maker. DWade will hit more last-second shots. Lots of superstars in their position want and need to take the last shot. LeBron is more of an ‘opportunity’ CEO. He’s not afraid to take the last shot, but he won’t hesitate to pass it to an open Mike Miller either. So where do these two guys measure up against Kobe? Kobe is a scientific dawg. He works out every day, practices every day. Most of the other stars are just dawgs, not scientific dawgs. Me, I’m a freak-of-nature dawg because of my size. LeBron could be a scientific dawg like Kobe, but he’s got a lot going on like I did, so that’s preventing him from being one.’
http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2011/11/shaq-lebron-james-not-a-scientific-dawg-like-kobe-bryant/
A lot of it just seems to not make much sense... at least to what we, the fans, know from watching them play.
Most of that stuff is fairly obvious if you are good at reading people and their body language as well as the way they speak. DD
Can we wait like 4-5 more years to start making comparisons? It is more likely than not, that the Heat will be in the Finals for the next 4-5 years (barring major injuries and trades). The fact that they got to the finals just on pure talent alone was pretty amazing to me. It think they were lacking that cohesiveness and coaching that championship teams have (among other things). I'm not a heat fan but even I was frustrated watching LeBron and Wade iso half the game for an entire season. The system is too predictable and lacks creativity.
Yep. Just like Aaron Brooks last year when it was fairly obvious to everyone here who is good at reading people and their body language and the way they speak that Aaron was pouting and had to go while Lowry exuded confidence and leadership and had to start. right
It was obvious that after the injury AB pouted his way out of town, not sure what you are getting at here. I still like AB, a lot, but the way he acted was unprofessional, and he deserved getting shipped out for it. Do I think it defines his career? Naw, no more than Barkley was defined by spitting on a fan early in his career. Talent ultimately shines through, and maturation of the individual makes them a better player in most cases. Some people never mature....but most do...I think AB will be fine. DD
To be honest, I couldn't care less about where AB's place is in the NBA. It was boring five months ago, it was boring twelve months ago. Just leave it to him and don't hijack the thread. Please. I think Shaq said some interesting stuff. The part about DWade was very relevant I guess.
I think he can be a starting PG, starting SG, or backup energy guy off the bench, it depends entirely on what team he lands on and what their needs are as a team. IMO, there is no - one way to do things - it is all about matchups, and finding the right fit. DD
Crap, should have read your post first - good point. What Shaq said is interesting, but I for one would like to hear more from Shaq's teamates and what they say about him. DD
Imagine the Heat got Rick Adelman as their head coach with his motion offense. It'll be back door cuts and easy dunks or layups all day with James and Wade