I think it'll take LeBron at least a year or two to make an impact in the NBA. Sure he'll have his good games in his first year, but he's also going to take his lumps. 2 or 3 years into his career, he'll be one heck of a player....no question about it.
Lebron's got the talent and physicalness, but let's see how he will handle the pressure that the NBA world has put on him. The guy is only a kid and has to mature mentally. I just hope he does not blow up before his career even begins. But, definitely, this guy will be an awesome player if he can handle the pressure of living up to everyone's expectations.
Lebron's biggest enemy is Lebron himself. Physically, he might be better built than MJ or Koby or TMac; but whether he'll make a bigger impact on the NBA is all up to his determination and hardwork, and luck.
The basketball world needs to lay off. College scouts are trying to recruit kids in Jr. High. I was on a website the other day that ranks high school talent, and they had a ranking of the top 5th graders in the country. Are you serious??? 5th graders. What kind of quality projections can you get from 5th graders. Heck, I was the best 5th grader around, but now I have trouble in church leagues. Besides, that is way too much for a 5th grader to handle. His major concerns should be if he has his milk money, not trying to drop as many points as possible to increase his ranking or impresse Tuby Smith when he comes to his rec games. Its sad and rediculous. All we are doing is setting kids up for a fall, then blaming them and mocking them when they do. As much as I love basketball, its still a game. The NBA is a bit different due to multimillion dollar contracts, but in high school and even college, it is just a game. Let's treat it as such.
Are you kidding me? Franchise for a rookie?? Look I don't care who this guy is, he's still an 18 year old! Francis is a polished NBA bonafied STUD. He's got his head screwed on tight, who knows about James. Getting the most talented guys on a team doesnt always translate to wins, look at Portland. It's all about team chemistry, and Francis is the leader of this team, who's gonna setup into the leadership role if you trade Francis? Lebron is a rookie, let the Cavs or Knicks or Clippers develop with him, the Rox already have a good nucleus capable of winning a championship within a couple of years, trdaing for Lebron would definetely extend that number. And yes I know Magic was a champion his rooie year, but the man went through 4 years of college, and was battle tested through his visits to the NCAA tourney, and matched up against players of his caliber a la Bird.
Hotdamn, you're right. I forgot about that, my memories of Magic are him and Bird going at it big time in the NCAA Finals, man that was killer. If James went through that kind of stuff before coming to the NBA, then maybe I would consider him, but as it is facing up against Addidas teams trying to do as many highlight moves as possible without any redard for team defense or team concept, well...let's just say I'm pretty sure that was part of the reason Lebron got such a bloated rep.
Trade Yao for James? Every team will not. If you say trade James for Yao, every team will do it right now, include Lakers. Do you know how many good centers as Yao and how many good guards as James in NBA?
I dont know about you guys, but I wasnt very impressed with his play. I downloaded lots of clips of him playing and mostly i saw him running the ball up the court and dunking, but the thing was he was doing it against a team full of MATT MALONEY clones! No kidding these kids were not athletic at all! Im not saying he wont be good, but theres no way he'll dominate so easy in the NBA.
