The funny thing is that I remember you Celtics fans screaming about not giving enough credit to the Celtics defense against him a couple of months ago. Now most of you are saying he quit. But I guess that goes along with accepting what David Stern has to say right out of the gates when, just a few weeks ago, most of you were all but accusing him of single handedly twisting the last couple of Finals games to get a Lakers win. Now, I can't be certain if you, in particular, fall into either of these catagories and I don't care to go back and look, but the point still stands.
I never accused Stern of producing a Lakers win. I think his real motive is stretching the series out, as there is a huge financial benefit. Specifically, I thought the refereeing blatantly favored the Cavs in the first 3 games, and after game 4 when it was apparent Lebron didn't have enough, it shifted in the Celts favor.
Sure, the Celts deserve a lot of credit for their defense, no doubt.
HIGHLY doubt that. I think there were more factors there than we know (one of them being outstanding defense played by the Celts) for that one. But I don't think seeing into the future in regards to playing for a super team was one of them.
Really, have you seen a team give up the way Cleveland did? Right down to the final minute and not fouling, and ignoring their coach to do so. It was insane. That has to fall on the shoulders of the guy leading them on the court. So why was he so aloof?
So you're of the opinion that Cleveland won all of those games more because of the supporting cast and less because of him?
Of course not, absolutely not. I have never said Lebron isn't a great player. Just that he should be second tier (Melo, Durant, CP3), and not mentioned alongside Kobe. And certainly, absolutely not mentioned in the same breath as any NBA great from the past. First tier players will their team to win.
The perception was that Lebron didn't have enough around him. But looking back on it, how can that be true if the same team steamrolled through the regular season and was unbeatable at home, against any competition?
Also, love how you say that he will not win a championship in Miami and then, in the very next paragraph, go on to make an IF statement regarding winning a championship in Miami.
Well, like KG said, "anything's possible". I'm not in the prognostication business. All I'm saying is, Lebron is not a mentally strong athlete. I don't see any evidence that suggests he is. I also don't see any evidence that suggests he has Kobe's work ethic, psyche or demeanor on the court.
At some point, the picture snapping, the calling onself King without any championships, the giving up in the playoffs, the 1-hour TV special, etc., etc. all adds up to paint a picture of the guy. I don't recall what you've said about Lebron, speicifically in the past, but would you be defending him if he weren't on the Heat right now?
And the fact is, Lebron will never enter the upper tier of all time NBA greats with his move to the Heat. He will always be remembered as the guy who had to leave town to get a ring. He has good company in guys like KG & Ray Allen. But if he really wanted to threaten Jordan's legacy, he absolutely had to stay in Cleveland and win, rather than defect to Miami to play with two more All-Stars. And ultimately, that's all Lebron is - a really good player who came into the league with great marketing and great PR. The reputation and aura surrounding him has - to this point - far exceeded his actual worth on the basketball court.
