He was playing an AAU game at my school so I got to watch him play and he wasn't as good as people are making him out to be. Ya, he has sick passing abilities, nice shot, ridiculous verticle. There was this one play where he stole the ball and on a 1 on two fast break, dunked FROM THE FREE THROW LINE over both the defenders!! Although I KNOW he wasn't trying his hardest, It still looks like he doesn't have that killer instinct Kobe and MJ have. He never made any real effort to get open and assumed the ball would come to him. When he got on a little funk, it was hard for him to bounce back from it. He also passes the ball too much for a guy with his skill, but I guess you could look at it as the glass half full and say he's trying to get his teamates involved. He's DEFINITELY not ready for the NBA mentally, much less physically. I still think he''s definitely #1 pick material and could be the greatest player ever, but I also think he could become a HUGE bust if he isn't focused. Thoughts?
Don't let all of the hype surrounding James fool you. HE'S STILL SOOOO YOUNG. He still has quite a bit of learning, and conditioning to do. He's still absolutely raw, and doesn't fully understand the game.....yet. Give him some time (3 or 4 NBA seasons), and he'll develop into a great, if not dominant NBA player. People have just been judgung this kid on his sick potential. He can jump through the roof, he can pass like a champ, he can dribble, he can run the floor well, and he has terrific size and capability to be a weight room stud. This is what scouts see right now. However, his jump shot and perimeter game need vast improvement, he needs to learn more of a leadership role, from what I understand, he must learn to make better decisions on the court, he hasn't mastered creating by improv (needs to learn how to create opportunities for himself and his teammates out of nothing), and he still lacks physical strength. With time, and proper coaching, and the will, and humbleness to be the best, I see James as a dominant NBA force. Look at Kobe; it took him 2 or 3 seasons to mature and open up his game, and he's still learning (hasn't even hit his prime yet). All I'm saying is give this man-kid some time!
SuperS32-While I trust that he didn't show a "killer instinct" or looked bored. That is expected. The kid wanted to leave HS after his Jr. year, which means James feels bored at times with the level of competition he is facing. The knock on Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry last year, was that they played lazy. The reason for this, is that HS ball just wasn't challenging for them. Now, in the NBA, they play their butts off. I would think that James will play harder or more aggresively once he goes to the NBA or college. Unfortunately for him, he will have 1 more year of "boredom".
Boy, maybe we could tank one more year and see if we can land James? This is assuming we give Vancouver the Toronto pick.
