Specifically, he criticizes LeBron's shooting technique and how the Cavs use him within their offense. He blames LeBron's coaches for not correcting these problems. Initial comments: http://dimemag.com/2009/01/jealous-old-man/ Explaining his comments: http://blog.cleveland.com/bransonwright/2009/01/_one_of_the_50.html
Nevertheless I completely agree with Barry. LeBron's dominance will wear off quickly as he grows older if he doesn't improve the finesse aspects of his game, and it is true that his coaches have failed him in that respect. His shooting form sucks and his free throw shooting is horribly inconsistent. Every now and then he'll have a game when he gets hot from outside, but our own Shane Battier has proven that you can shut LeBron down if you can just figure out a way to stay in front of him and not let him drive past you to the basket. His game is all athleticism and power right now, and that's not good for the long run. I think it's a travesty that after 4+ years in the league he still has the same bad shooting form. We just don't notice it because he's so athletic that it doesn't matter for him on most nights.
Everything he said was true. But, let's be honest, there's no way that you're going to find a player of Lebron's size, strength, and ability that is also completely fundamentally sound and vice versa.
They do shoot the ball better than Lebron from the line and from outside. Considering Jon was not gifted physically at all, he was a heck of player. Rick led the league in scoring during the time of Kareem, Wilt, and Jerry West. They guy knows what he is talking about even though he is prick. His sons didn't talk to him for while.
One thing you've got to give him: Rick Barry was one of the greatest shooters. And his sons aren't too shabby either.
Yeah that was a dumb comment by me, I just feel like everyone can't be perfect. I'm not sure you can put it on his coaches maybe they have tried to get him to finesse his game a little bit. But why mess up a good thing right now?
That's the problem. Lebron could have been the exception. He's not exactly Mr. Stonehands, with proper training he could be even better than he is now.
Whoever defined how you should shoot freethrows anyway? The right way is the way that works most of the time, and if "granny style" results in a career 90% ft average than everyone should be doing it granny style
If I were LBJ, I would see if I could work out with Rick Barry in the off season. Never hurts to learn more about the game. I think more players should take advantage of learning from the legends. Kind of like Yao and Dream, too bad it doesn't look like it stuck.
Good fundamentals can be learned with proper training and coaching, regardless of athletic ability. That's why Steve Novak has a job in the NBA. Tim Duncan has great athletic ability, but it's his fundamentals that made him a future hall of famer. And Michael Jordan didn't become the GOAT on the heels of athleticism alone.
