That really isn't a difference as far as how the meida looks at it. In the Boston series LeBron was having a killer 4th game and 4th quarter and then he turned the ball over in the closing seconds, and if Pierce doesn't miss the game-winner (good LeBron D by the way) he would have been roasted. In the past two years with the Cavs I rarely remember folks mentioning how LeBron didn't have enough help. They just focused on him losing.
The LeBron-D.Wade debate has to be a huge distraction for the Heat. They will deny it, but surely it is simmering under the surface. I am sure LeBron does not like being called Robin or a "sidekick." The media is brutal and probably helping the Mavs. We will soon see, because if the series is tied up tonight, the Mavs have hope. If the Heat go up 3-1, the Mavs are done.
Well, with Blake being as good as promised, it actually would have been an amazing team with LeBron, but the media would have found a way to pick him apart anyway. And even we Clipper fans knew there was no realistic chance he'd come to play for a team that doesn't even get top billing in its own city and has a douchebag for an owner. The haters are trying to come up with whatever excuses they can to downplay LeBron's achievements. Before, it was about how he couldn't be great because he didn't have any titles. Now if he wins this one but doesn't get the MVP, it'll be about how he doesn't have any Finals MVPs. When he wins a Finals MVP, it'll be about how he needed all-stars to get there. When he wins a few titles, it'll be about how MJ has six. I mean, they are completely obsessed with the guy.
After going this far, getting all the scrutiny he has, taking a paycut just to not have to be "the man" all the time, I honestly don't think LeBron gives a damn about this line of conversation. Dude's been hearing that all season. He just wants some freakin rings. The way he acts, he either knows or has been told (by Riley) that after a championship or two, all that LeBron vs Wade stuff will end and the conversations will all be about "how the hell do we stop the Miami Heat?"
b-bob you're a reasonable man, do you not believe people have been overly critical of lebron, particarly trying to downplay his accomplisments so far this series?
AlexKennedyNBA Dallas will start J.J. Barea in place of DeShawn Stevenson tonight. Also, Brian Cardinal will be ahead of Peja Stojakovic in the rotation.
Did the Mavs get blown out last game? Looks like everyone thinks they are just going to lay down. Series so far has come down to Miami's role players coming through and the mavs role players..well need to show up.
Actually most critics acknowledge LeBron's greatness as a basketball talent. In fact, that's exactly why he has been criticized. With the talent he has, he should NOT be a second banana. He made his bed choosing to go play with Wade. He is going to sleep in it. I don't know if LeBron care about the criticism. (Well, he did make some "mental notes" didn't he?) All I know is, his apologists care a lot. LeBron's "accomplishments" are exactly what a very good second banana should be, which is great. So nobody is "downplaying" his accomplishments. They just don't match the supposedly BEST player of the league. You guys still don't get why he is criticized. I know the line: "He just wants to win." The problem with that statement is the word "just." It's not enough for the BEST player to "just" want to win. He is supposed to win as the BEST player.
So Bird wasn't the best player in '81, Magic wasn't the best player in '88, Duncan wasn't the best player in 2007, etc?
JJ has sucked 2 out of 3 games. Stevenson has been good on D and has hit his open jumpers. The Heat can guard the perimeter even with the bigger squad.
easy as much as you criticized a guy like steve francis for not deferring to team i'm just flabergasted that you are sticking with this logic. we're not apologists, we're just people who think winning is more important. i thought that's what its about, i guess not
Mavs trying to shake things up to get JJ and Terry going. That small lineup at the end of 4th quarter in Game 2 caught Heat off-guard and Terry going because Chalmers ended up guarding him. Who cares..... We want more Peja. Peja! Peja! Peja! Peja! Peja! Peja! Peja! Peja! Peja! Peja! Peja! Peja! Peja!
Not sure I'm reasonable... ... but I still think the strange criticism of his critics is what's over the top. Superstars usually get criticism and nit-picked. I'll say Lebron deserves more credit in this series for his passing and defense, which I have really enjoyed watching. But all this stuff about "oh the haters!! the humanity!! (swoon) just... leave... our savior... alone (expires)" It's really odd. Why do people care if he's criticized? he's phenomenal and will have a phenomenal career. Part of it is the after effects of his PR issues, and some will always be there -- he is not the typicaly superstar, like Michael or Hakeem. Not only did those guys take over fourth quarters in terms of pure scoring (like Dirk has done once or twice), but they were actually easier to root for than lebron in two ways. 1. They were actually a little undersized compared to some of the competition at their position (they both often had larger defenders on them.) Lebron always seems like the strongest and fastest guy on the court, kind of like an 8th grader playing with 6th graders. It's not his fault, but it's not as interesting. That's my take. 2. They were somehow more fluid and beautiful in their moves (following along a Dr. J lineage.) Lebron is amazing, but he's almost never beautiful in his moves, or that's my take. He's more powerful and bullish, sometimes even a little abrupt and jerky in his movements, like a very fast and well-programmed robot, and less like an inspiring artist. Magic was kind of like that to me too. Amazing player with amazing stats, but not usually easy on the eyes to watch, if you preferred the motion of a Gervin or Dr. J. I'm serious about this, and have always felt that way (yes, before the Decision, etc.) but maybe I'm in a minority there.
Can you name me another second banana that led his team in points and assists in the regular season, came in second in rebounds and finished higher in MVP voting than any other player on his team? Oh, and that also was the only player on the team to make the All-NBA 1st team and the All-D 1st team (no other player on the team made either)? Oh, and that also led his team in playoff points, rebounds and assists while being a primary defender? IMO, you are the main banana when you are leading your team in almost everything. And since the only player that I can think of who led his team in points, boards and dimes in a playoff run in the last 30 years is Larry Bird, who also wasn't doing what LeBron is doing defensively, I don't see how anyone can say LeBron is a second banana. What are you basing this on? He is doing something in this postseason that hasn't been done before. Now, if you conclude that the guy who takes over the Finals is the primary banana even though he was outplayed in the other 90+ games prior to the Finals, then do you conclude that Magic, Isiah and Duncan were second bananas when Worthy, Dumars and Parker won Finals MVP's? I'm very interested to see your response.
because the criticism is stupid. the rest of your post justifies in the sense that its about perception, but not in the sense that its valid. i actually agree with you on lebron's lack of fluidity, but that's another discussion
