NBA Playoffs 2011

[dabrockster]

You don't need humility. Jordan wasn't and still isn't humble.

But Jordan had enough humility that his fame rested on how he was portrayed in the media.. Jordan may have been an asshat to his teammates, but they respected him because he actually did it on the court.. LeBron has yet to earn that respect from the players and has yet to learn that his temper-tantrums in the media only make him look like the spoiled child that he is...

[MartyFunkhouser]

Exactly, you need a mental makeup that can properly handle criticism and failure. Jordan failed plenty of times before he got his first ring. Kobe failed plenty of times along the way before he climbed the mountain the second (4th) time. Lebron has also now tasted failure more than once. So far it does not appear that he handles these failures in the same way that the greatest players of all time do.

He still has time to win some championships, but his negative perception is going to require some significant achievements and true greatness in order to overcome how he currently is perceived.

If and when LeBron ever wins a ring he will not feel the satisfaction that Jordan, Bird, Magic, Kobe, Duncan, and now Dirk feel. They built championships in their cities for their fans. They built greatness from scratch and they had the loyalty teamed with management to see the process through. LeBron started chasing a ring in the prime of his career. At a time when other all time greats are putting down roots, LeBron was packing his bags. Even if LeBron wins "not" seven championships he will never have what he could have had in Cleveland. oops!

Also, a big part of the problem in Cleveland and why they weren't able to build things up was because of Bron Bron. He was way too impatient. We can debate over and over again whether or not he was the de facto GM or not. I think that he was basically the GM in Cleveland. However, what isn't up for debate is how he kept pushing management to make trades to bring in name players like Jamison, Shaq, etc. that had contracts that far outweighed their value. He was never patient enough to let the team grow through the draft and smart free agency. If he had the mentality of Kevin Durrant, he could have been a part of a championship in Cleveland.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I think you are right.

Well, at the very least, LBJ can go home and find solace in the loving arms of his girlfriend, Savannah Brinson....

His life is better than yours.

[Surfah]

But Jordan had enough humility that his fame rested on how he was portrayed in the media.. Jordan may have been an asshat to his teammates, but they respected him because he actually did it on the court.. LeBron has yet to earn that respect from the players and has yet to learn that his temper-tantrums in the media only make him look like the spoiled child that he is...

I disagree. Jordan was never humble. Still isn't. He got away with it because he's the GOAT. In fact he still gets a pass because he's the GOAT. See his HOF speech for reference.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I disagree. Jordan was never humble. Still isn't. He got away with it because he's the GOAT. In fact he still gets a pass because he's the GOAT. See his HOF speech for reference.

Everyone knows that Jordan is an asshole. The difference between Jordan and Bron Bron is that he owns being an asshole while James tries to pretend that he isn't and tries to be the good guy. Jordan and humble should never be mentioned in the same sentence.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Nice article on Rick Carlisle's coaching in the finals.

http://espn.go.com/blog/TrueHoop/post/_/id/30227/carlisle-pushed-all-of-the-right-buttons

[Surfah]

Everyone knows that Jordan is an asshole. The difference between Jordan and Bron Bron is that he owns being an asshole while James tries to pretend that he isn't and tries to be the good guy. Jordan and humble should never be mentioned in the same sentence.

That's a good point. Years ago I think Scoop Jackson wrote an article about Kobe. This was right after the rape allegations and how he had to resurrect his image. Jackson said that Kobe needs to embrace the dark side. He'd be much better as Darth Vader than trying to be Skywalker or Solo. And to a large degree, Kobe did just that. He became Black Mamba. Now that he's put enough distance between him and Eagle, CO he can dial it back some. Kobe, like Jordan, is far more media savvy than Bron will ever be.

[MartyFunkhouser]

That's a good point. Years ago I think Scoop Jackson wrote an article about Kobe. This was right after the rape allegations and how he had to resurrect his image. Jackson said that Kobe needs to embrace the dark side. He'd be much better as Darth Vader than trying to be Skywalker or Solo. And to a large degree, Kobe did just that. He became Black Mamba. Now that he's put enough distance between him and Eagle, CO he can dial it back some. Kobe, like Jordan, is far more media savvy than Bron will ever be.

This is exactly why I don't like Bron Bron and am rather indifferent to Bryant. Bryant doesn't try to put on a show to prove he is something that he isn't. He knows that he is a jerk to his teammates, he knows that he is arrogant, and he has his opinion on what it takes to win and he will be damned if he lets anyone tell him he is wrong. Bron Bron tries to make his image different than what he really is and that is ultimately what irks me the most.

[Eddie]

I agree with those that speak of media savy and how things are portrayed.

Honestly - I would respect a player not taking the largest contract possible because he wanted to play for a good organization or with certain other team mates who are friends.

But doing that and then brazenly saying "we're going to win the next ___ championships!" isn't a good way to win favor with people.

And James as been a bit of a prick from the very beginning. Wasn't he telling Cleveland when he was still in HS that if they fired or hired certain coaches he did or didn't want to play there? Really, dude? You're in HIGH SCHOOL and you think you know what it takes to win a championship in the NBA?

As much as it hurts their teams ability to compete, the Cleveland organization has got to be VERY happy to have him gone and not playing the primmadonna meddler anymore.

[TripletDaddy]

The difference between Jordan and Bron Bron is that he owns being an asshole while James tries to pretend that he isn't and tries to be the good guy.

That is one difference. Another difference is a whole lot of championships.

And James as been a bit of a prick from the very beginning. Wasn't he telling Cleveland when he was still in HS that if they fired or hired certain coaches he did or didn't want to play there? Really, dude? You're in HIGH SCHOOL and you think you know what it takes to win a championship in the NBA?

When LBJ was in high school he would dunk on people and yell "King James" or "You Sorry."

[MartyFunkhouser]

That is one difference. Another difference is a whole lot of championships.



When LBJ was in high school he would dunk on people and yell "King James" or "You Sorry."

Also, when High Schoolers dunk on him he has his minions confiscate the tape.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that LeBron will ever win a title. I think Wade could be on the verge of breaking down physically and then Miami is left with LeBron, Bosh and Wade's contract. Wade is the closer that LeBron and Miami needs and he has the sense of when he needs to take over a game. LeBron's hot potato act isn't going to get it done.

Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Deron Williams (he doesn't have to stay in New Jersey) Chicago (they've got to unload Boozer somehow) and OKC may prevent LeBron from ever winning a title. Los Angeles could end up with Dwight Howard. Chris Paul could go to the Knicks (or Williams). Supposedly Cuban has positioned himself in a way that he was going to try to make a run at Howard himself (where's the trade bait?).

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Nice article on Rick Carlisle's coaching in the finals.
http://espn.go.com/blog/TrueHoop/pos...-right-buttons

I wonder who's idea it was to incessantly talk shit about and to LeBron. Stephenson seemed to still have a lot of hatred towards LeBron from his days with Washington. Maybe the cat's out of the bag that LeBron doesn't really push back.

[Coach McGuirk]

James averaged 17.8 points for the playoffs, 26.7 in the regular season for a -8.9. Largest drop ever recorded. King Chosen One also averaged 3 points per in the 4th qtr.

[TripletDaddy]

James averaged 17.8 points for the playoffs, 26.7 in the regular season for a -8.9. Largest drop ever recorded. King Chosen One also averaged 3 points per in the 4th qtr.

where are the CUF NBA stats guys to help us interpret this data? does that stat take pace into account?