LeBron James (1 Viewer)

[Mr. Testicle]

I’m already hoping this guy breaks a knee cap early in the season so that I don’t have to see 12 highlights on sports center every time he dribbles between his legs. Come on, the guy hasn’t done anything and is already being proclaimed the player of the 00’s? This is absurd. I’m sure he is a good player, but he probably was the third best player drafted last year. Bron Bron will heretofore be known as the Garth Brooks of professional sports. He is above average with a great marketing team.All the hype last night and they didn’t even win the game.Isn’t sports about winning?Good luck the rest of the season to Garth Bron Bron.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Mike Vick.

 

[Caution]

 

[kupcho1]

Lebron? No way.Do the names Mandarich or Bosworth ring a bell?

 

[Ragg]

Two words.... Donovan McNabb.Seriously though, as an 18 year old in his first game against one of the top teams in the league he did put up 25 and 9. And yes, sports is about winning, but nobody expected him to single-handedly beat the Kings in his first game.Over-hyped? Probably. Over-rated? Not yet.Edit to add: rooting for any player (even a bad guy, which he's not) to break his knee-cap =

 

[bigbottom]

Sure there is too much hype, but it's pretty amazing (to me at least) that this guy has gone from facing high school competition to facing professional competition and appears, at least so far, to have maintained the level of his game.

 

[Paranoia]

James didnt lose that game last night. The Kings were obviously favored but the Cavs d didt do much to stop them from shooting layup after layup. While the Cav offense just stood around all night watching James or Davis shoot the rock, no picks no motion. DMiles was absolutely rotten. What a bust he has been. Illgauskus played terrible too. But to lay this game or this year on James' back is not realistic.

 

[XNOUGHT]

Two words.... Donovan McNabb.Seriously though, as an 18 year old in his first game against one of the top teams in the league he did put up 25 and 9. And yes, sports is about winning, but nobody expected him to single-handedly beat the Kings in his first game.Over-hyped? Probably. Over-rated? Not yet.Edit to add: rooting for any player (even a bad guy, which he's not) to break his knee-cap =

I used to like McNabb.......Until the 8 new commercials that popped up after the Rush incident. And oh ya, McNabb is holding his team back. Thier defense is the reason why they are winning games, not McOverrated.

 

[Wooderson]

Mike Vick.

2 votes for Mike Vick

 

[Giantseasonticketholder]

Overrated = nver-hyped = absolutely.When they stopped the game immediately after tip off, I though it was to hold LeBron's hall of fame ceremony!

 

[Mr. Testicle]

But to lay this game or this year on James' back is not realistic.

That's dumb.They are not only laying the season on his back, they are laying the entire NBA on his back. He is not the second coming of Larry Bird... the greatest full court player in the history of the game.

 

[Remus]

He's only getting all this attention because the media has been desirious for a black guy to be a good at basketball, since it has been dominated by white guys since the game was a peach basket on top of a pole.

 

[MelvinTScupper]

That's dumb.

They are not only laying the season on his back, they are laying the entire NBA on his back.

He is not the second coming of Larry Bird... the greatest full court player in the history of the game.

numbnuts = racist??Larry was the Best.

Now it's Lebron's turn.

 

[dloew]

All the hype last night and they didn’t even win the game.Isn’t sports about winning?

I am sold. If you listen to his interviews, he is all about team and not about himself. His humility is so refreshing considering how he could act from all of the hype.

 

[Jason Wood]

I'll echo others who said that LeBron is WAY overHYPED but in no way, shape or form is he overRated. What he did last night was masterful and dwarfed the efforts of just about any other rookie to ever play the game. Also, if you're going to start talking about "he didn't win the game", take a look at Jordan's first few years in Chicago, was he over-rated in his first five years in the league?Cheers

 

[Tiger Fan]

All the hype last night and they didn’t even win the game.Isn’t sports about winning?

Ask Keyshawn

 

[Dvorak]

Over-rated? Over-hyped?Looked "As-advertised" to me last night.

 

[posty]

All the hype last night and they didn’t even win the game.Isn’t sports about winning?

I am sold. If you listen to his interviews, he is all about team and not about himself. His humility is so refreshing considering how he could act from all of the hype.

Interviews can be misleading...He has been coached on what to say to make it sound like he believes there is no "I" in "TEAM"...

 

[Sack-Religious.]

Over-rated. Hell-no, not after how he's been performing over the summer, pre-season and his first game. Watching him out there last night, albeit on TV, I had to keep reminding myself that he's 18 years old. His athletic ability, speed, quickness and jumping ability, are insane for a guy that's 6'8" and a legit 240. Combine his raw physical talents with his court-vision and leadership abilities and you have a talent that's unparalled in recent NBA history.Yes, the hype-machine is chugging along a full-tilt, but he's outperforming expectations already. One game does not a season make and his jumper is still shaky as hell, but for a straight out of HS kid, to come into the game and be as calm and collected as he was is unreal. Most rookies, nevermind other HS entrants, rarely started for their team to begin the season and oftentimes look somewhat lost or nervous out there. Lebron looked like a veteran and played very well against one of the heavy favourites to win a Western Conference title.Hate him all you want, but performance shuts people up very quickly.And to wish an Antonio McDyess on anyone is absolutely horrible, no matter what your feelings are toward that individual.Edit to wonder out loud if Mr. Testicle has ever even seen LeBron play.

 

[Mr. Testicle]

Over-rated. Hell-no, not after how he's been performing over the summer, pre-season and his first game. Watching him out there last night, albeit on TV, I had to keep reminding myself that he's 18 years old. His athletic ability, speed, quickness and jumping ability, are insane for a guy that's 6'8" and a legit 240. Combine his raw physical talents with his court-vision and leadership abilities and you have a talent that's unparalled in recent NBA history.Yes, the hype-machine is chugging along a full-tilt, but he's outperforming expectations already. One game does not a season make and his jumper is still shaky as hell, but for a straight out of HS kid, to come into the game and be as calm and collected as he was is unreal. Most rookies, nevermind other HS entrants, rarely started for their team to begin the season and oftentimes look somewhat lost or nervous out there. Lebron looked like a veteran and played very well against one of the heavy favourites to win a Western Conference title.Hate him all you want, but performance shuts people up very quickly.And to wish an Antonio McDyess on anyone is absolutely horrible, no matter what your feelings are toward that individual.Edit to wonder out loud if Mr. Testicle has ever even seen LeBron play.

Yes, I've seen him play. Have you?He is just not that great and he is already being coranated the next whoever. Give the kid some time to prove that he is at least a top 5 player in his draft class before giving him the keys to the NBA kingdom. I admit he is fairly good, but this has all the makings of becoming another huge NBA soap opra fiasco.He can't even dribble that well. Yes, he can dunk but so can 100 or so other NBA players. Bron Bron =

 

[Gator Shawn]

Say you wanted to build a prototype for what the perfect player the lead the NBA fo the next 10 years. I'm not sure it would come out much different that Lebron.I was a doubting Thomas until last night. He is the total package. I don't just mean his on the court skills. I mean off the court as well. He seems like a genuinely high quality young man and we all say last night how well his game transitioned to the NBA. He put up solid #'s in virtually every category. He shot 60% from the field, he had 4 steals.At one point during the action, while the camera was incidently showing Lebron, I heard him barking to his team, "let's tighten up on D".I really got the impression last night that instead of being bitter about his hype and the attention give to him, his teammates really seemed to place their confidence in him and listen to him. They seemed to really enjoy playing with him. Did anyone else think Ricky Davis looked genuinely SUPRISED when Lebron stopped and lofted the ball up for him to dunk on an easy breakaway layup?

 

[Spartans Rule]

All the hype last night and they didn’t even win the game.Isn’t sports about winning?

Cleveland won 17 games last year. Sacramento won 59. The game was in Sacramento. Did you really expect them to win that game? LeBron's performance was amazing for any player, much less a kid just out of high school. You can't judge him by how the Cavs do, because the Cavs blow, and no one player can change that overnight.Maybe the Texans should cut David Carr, since he's 6-17 so far in two seasons as the starting QB, and sports is about winning.

 

[Mr. Testicle]

Did anyone else think Ricky Davis looked genuinely SUPRISED when Lebron stopped and lofted the ball up for him to dunk on an easy breakaway layup?

That was just more gay sportscenter crap than anything. He should have gone in and dunked it. Then Ricky would have been there to rebound if he missed.Instead, he just wanted the SC play.

 

[Gator Shawn]

Over-rated. Hell-no, not after how he's been performing over the summer, pre-season and his first game. Watching him out there last night, albeit on TV, I had to keep reminding myself that he's 18 years old. His athletic ability, speed, quickness and jumping ability, are insane for a guy that's 6'8" and a legit 240. Combine his raw physical talents with his court-vision and leadership abilities and you have a talent that's unparalled in recent NBA history.Yes, the hype-machine is chugging along a full-tilt, but he's outperforming expectations already. One game does not a season make and his jumper is still shaky as hell, but for a straight out of HS kid, to come into the game and be as calm and collected as he was is unreal. Most rookies, nevermind other HS entrants, rarely started for their team to begin the season and oftentimes look somewhat lost or nervous out there. Lebron looked like a veteran and played very well against one of the heavy favourites to win a Western Conference title.Hate him all you want, but performance shuts people up very quickly.And to wish an Antonio McDyess on anyone is absolutely horrible, no matter what your feelings are toward that individual.Edit to wonder out loud if Mr. Testicle has ever even seen LeBron play.

Yes, I've seen him play. Have you?He is just not that great and he is already being coranated the next whoever. Give the kid some time to prove that he is at least a top 5 player in his draft class before giving him the keys to the NBA kingdom. I admit he is fairly good, but this has all the makings of becoming another huge NBA soap opra fiasco.He can't even dribble that well. Yes, he can dunk but so can 100 or so other NBA players. Bron Bron =

You're just a hata.

 

[Mr. Testicle]

Over-rated. Hell-no, not after how he's been performing over the summer, pre-season and his first game.  Watching him out there last night, albeit on TV, I had to keep reminding myself that he's 18 years old.  His athletic ability, speed, quickness and jumping ability, are insane for a guy that's 6'8" and a legit 240.  Combine his raw physical talents with his court-vision and leadership abilities and you have a talent that's unparalled in recent NBA history.Yes, the hype-machine is chugging along a full-tilt, but he's outperforming expectations already.  One game does not a season make and his jumper is still shaky as hell, but for a straight out of HS kid, to come into the game and be as calm and collected as he was is unreal.  Most rookies, nevermind other HS entrants, rarely started for their team to begin the season and oftentimes look somewhat lost or nervous out there.  Lebron looked like a veteran and played very well against one of the heavy favourites to win a Western Conference title.Hate him all you want, but performance shuts people up very quickly.And to wish an Antonio McDyess on anyone is absolutely horrible, no matter what your feelings are toward that individual.Edit to wonder out loud if Mr. Testicle has ever even seen LeBron play.

Yes, I've seen him play. Have you?He is just not that great and he is already being coranated the next whoever. Give the kid some time to prove that he is at least a top 5 player in his draft class before giving him the keys to the NBA kingdom. I admit he is fairly good, but this has all the makings of becoming another huge NBA soap opra fiasco.He can't even dribble that well. Yes, he can dunk but so can 100 or so other NBA players. Bron Bron =

You're just a hata.

Is that English or Bron Bron speak?

 

[andyjayhawker]

Are you kidding me, Mike Vick is overhyped? He is the best player in the NFL, and you can see what he means to his team. Playoffs with Vick last year, 1-6 without this year. If he's overhyped, so was Favre when he won 3 MVPs. As for Lebron, he was drafted #1 because he's 6'8" 240 lbs, and he's only 18. That size and that skill and that youth makes for a ton of potential. He is probably overhyped now, but when he's 24 or so, there's no way he won't be dominating the NBA.

 

[Gator Shawn]

That was just more gay sportscenter crap than anything. He should have gone in and dunked it. Then Ricky would have been there to rebound if he missed.Instead, he just wanted the SC play.

It was getting on SC either way. Why so much angst? By the way, angst is English, not Bron Bron speak. Sorry you're so out of touch with Pop Culture that you don't know what a "playa hata or a hata" is.

 

[Gator Shawn]

I'll echo others who said that LeBron is WAY overHYPED but in no way, shape or form is he overRated. What he did last night was masterful and dwarfed the efforts of just about any other rookie to ever play the game. Also, if you're going to start talking about "he didn't win the game", take a look at Jordan's first few years in Chicago, was he over-rated in his first five years in the league?Cheers

Here here. There's a reason why Cleveland had the #1 pick in the first place.

 

[TenTimes]

Say you wanted to build a prototype for what the perfect player the lead the NBA fo the next 10 years. I'm not sure it would come out much different that Lebron.

You can have Lebron as your perfect NBA player, give me Shaq when he hit the high point of his career.Simply the most dominating player ever. Since I'm building a prototype it'd basically be everything Shaq is, but with an 85% free throw percentage.

 

[Mr. Testicle]

You can have Lebron as your perfect NBA player, give me Shaq when he hit the high point of his career.Simply the most dominating player ever. Since I'm building a prototype it'd basically be everything Shaq is, but with an 85% free throw percentage.

TenTimes = very wise

 

[Gator Shawn]

You can have Lebron as your perfect NBA player, give me Shaq when he hit the high point of his career.Simply the most dominating player ever. Since I'm building a prototype it'd basically be everything Shaq is, but with an 85% free throw percentage.

Shaq's personality is quirky at best though. But I hear ya, I'd build my team around a center too.

 

[MelvinTScupper]

You can have Lebron as your perfect NBA player, give me Shaq when he hit the high point of his career.Simply the most dominating player ever. Since I'm building a prototype it'd basically be everything Shaq is, but with an 85% free throw percentage.

TenTimes = very wise

Dumb.I'd make him 10 feet tall, dribbling skills like Isaiah Thomas, court vision like Magic, sky hook like Jabbar, all-around skills like Bird, and character/ethics of Jesus Christ. Oh, and funny like InvisiPickles."Build" a basketball player....you guys crack me up.

 

[Sack-Religious.]

Seeing that I said I watched him last night in the first sentence of my post, it can be fairly assumed that I've seen him play. Moreover, I've seen him play in HS games, summer league games and the majority of last night's game.I'm not proclaiming him as "great" I'm just saying that he's put up insane numbers considering he's 4 or 5 months removed from highschool. I defy you to find a better rookie performance (let alone highschool rookie NBA draftee) performance in recent NBA history. And in his first game, at the loudest arena of one of the best teams in the NBA.I'm not crowning him as king of the NBA. I'm just debating the fact that he most definitely IS NOT the most overrated pro athlete ever.You, however, should also take time before dismissing him as "The most overrated pro athlete ever” Those are some hefty words to use, only for you to backtrack and say "I admit he's fairly good" Are you even sure what your opinion is?You also mention that LeBron "just wanted the SC play" when he gave the ball up to his teammate, also known as one of the better dunkers in the league. What that shows is unselfishness on LeBron's part. I would bet money that if Lebron would have taken that open dunk, you'd be here complaining that he was selfish when he had an open teammate trailing him. LeBron will never be able to please everyone because there are many people that think because he's quite possibly the best 18 year old to ever play the game that there's no way to live up to the hype.LeBron may never live up to the hype that has been bestowed upon him, but to call him "the most over-rated athlete ever" without letting him back it up, while also wanting people to give time to his draft-class to prove that he's not a top 5 player is ridiculous.I'm also guessing you're not a big NBA fan, to begin with. Or, that you were an NBA fan years ago and can't come to terms with the fact that the game has changed (for better or worse, which I'm not going to debate) since that time.

 

[TenTimes]

and character/ethics of Jesus Christ.

In other words, non-existant

 

[Mr. Testicle]

Seeing that I said I watched him last night in the first sentence of my post, it can be fairly assumed that I've seen him play. Moreover, I've seen him play in HS games, summer league games and the majority of last night's game.I'm not proclaiming him as "great" I'm just saying that he's put up insane numbers considering he's 4 or 5 months removed from highschool. I defy you to find a better rookie performance (let alone highschool rookie NBA draftee) performance in recent NBA history. And in his first game, at the loudest arena of one of the best teams in the NBA.I'm not crowning him as king of the NBA. I'm just debating the fact that he most definitely IS NOT the most overrated pro athlete ever.You, however, should also take time before dismissing him as "The most overrated pro athlete ever” Those are some hefty words to use, only for you to backtrack and say "I admit he's fairly good" Are you even sure what your opinion is?You also mention that LeBron "just wanted the SC play" when he gave the ball up to his teammate, also known as one of the better dunkers in the league. What that shows is unselfishness on LeBron's part. I would bet money that if Lebron would have taken that open dunk, you'd be here complaining that he was selfish when he had an open teammate trailing him. LeBron will never be able to please everyone because there are many people that think because he's quite possibly the best 18 year old to ever play the game that there's no way to live up to the hype.LeBron may never live up to the hype that has been bestowed upon him, but to call him "the most over-rated athlete ever" without letting him back it up, while also wanting people to give time to his draft-class to prove that he's not a top 5 player is ridiculous.I'm also guessing you're not a big NBA fan, to begin with. Or, that you were an NBA fan years ago and can't come to terms with the fact that the game has changed (for better or worse, which I'm not going to debate) since that time.

I am a fan of the current NBA.Bron Bron is a nice player, nothing more, nothing less.He is currently very overrated.Maybe he will grow into the praise, but I seriously doubt it.

 

[XNOUGHT]

In other words, non-existant

If he had Jesus's character and ethics, he wouldn't be playing for the Lakers.:blatantfishingtrip:

 

[Sack-Religious.]

I'll bring this back to the initial title of the thread. "Lebron James, the most over rated athlete of all time"I'm pointing out that it can't be said right now, it's just too early to tell.We have no historical data to go on, but after a quick check of the boxscores, LeBron playing as a PG so far this year has put up nearly exactly the same numbers as Gary Payton. Payton is arguably one of the best PG's in the NBA right now, and is certain to be a Hall of Fame member.While, I will not proclaim LeBron to be "the next" anyone, he has a lot to live up to, but if his season averages come out to somewhere near what he did last night, he would definitely not be over-rated or over-hyped. In fact, I'd think that he would eclipse most people's expectations of him if he averaged 18 7 and 5. Point guards make it to the All-Star Game with those numbers.What would he have to average for him to live up to "your standards"?

 

[Zigg]

He can't even dribble that well. Yes, he can dunk but so can 100 or so other NBA players.

After reading this, I find it very tough to believe you've seen him play. What seperates him is how refined his game is at such a young age. The guy will be a 6'8 PG sooner than later. At the very worst, he's a taller, more athletic Jason Kidd.Why all the hatred for King James, it should be pointed at Sportscentre. You can't blame Lebron that the NBA has annointed him their savior.

 

[Brintey Spears]

The kid was simply amazing last night. It seemed like he was already the best player on his team. And he is 18 years old! That is insane. His jumper needs some serious work, despite the highlights you see on sportcenter. He is not fluid in his shot and not really very good at shooting in general. But in terms of talent, passing, vision, I was just amazed. Sean Elliot praised his court vision no less than 5 times in the game, but I guess that is what you call it. He was so aware compared to the other players. I'm sold already. This guy WILL be a major star and great player.

 

[MelvinTScupper]

In other words, non-existant

sort of like Shaq with any FT shooting ability.....well, at least Christ existed....Shaq will never be able to say he was a good FT shooter

 

[TenTimes]

well, at least Christ existed....

but his character/ethics were made up by the Church, leading you to believe he was more than just a normal man like you and I

 

[jwvdcw]

Over-rated. Hell-no, not after how he's been performing over the summer, pre-season and his first game. Watching him out there last night, albeit on TV, I had to keep reminding myself that he's 18 years old. His athletic ability, speed, quickness and jumping ability, are insane for a guy that's 6'8" and a legit 240. Combine his raw physical talents with his court-vision and leadership abilities and you have a talent that's unparalled in recent NBA history.Yes, the hype-machine is chugging along a full-tilt, but he's outperforming expectations already. One game does not a season make and his jumper is still shaky as hell, but for a straight out of HS kid, to come into the game and be as calm and collected as he was is unreal. Most rookies, nevermind other HS entrants, rarely started for their team to begin the season and oftentimes look somewhat lost or nervous out there. Lebron looked like a veteran and played very well against one of the heavy favourites to win a Western Conference title.Hate him all you want, but performance shuts people up very quickly.And to wish an Antonio McDyess on anyone is absolutely horrible, no matter what your feelings are toward that individual.Edit to wonder out loud if Mr. Testicle has ever even seen LeBron play.

Yes, I've seen him play. Have you?He is just not that great and he is already being coranated the next whoever. Give the kid some time to prove that he is at least a top 5 player in his draft class before giving him the keys to the NBA kingdom. I admit he is fairly good, but this has all the makings of becoming another huge NBA soap opra fiasco.He can't even dribble that well. Yes, he can dunk but so can 100 or so other NBA players. Bron Bron =

This has to be a fishing trip, but oh well, I'll bite.How can you say hes not that good? Hes way better than Jordan or Bird at that age. His passing ability by a big man is only rivaled by Magic and Bird. His body size at 18 is only rivaled by Amare.

 

[Brintey Spears]

His body size at 18 is only rivaled by Amare.

Oscar Robertson.

 

[Hands_on_the_Heisman]

I was genuinely impressed with LeBron last night. I think he is overadvertised but definitely not over-rated.LeBron is going to go through ups and downs, and he will have some great nights, and some not so great nights. But so far, his attitude is A+, and it looks like maybe he will be the personality we all THOUGHT Kobe Bryant was. GB LeBron not f-n up his life for sex with a hotel worker.As for my vote for most over-hyped/over-rated player, how can RYAN LEAF not be at the top of this list? Everyone thought he was the prototype QB coming out of Wash State, instead he was your Prototype for the overpaid cry-baby athlete.

 

[popeye]

I can't see him as the most overrated because I think he's able to at least play really well. I'll save most overrated for a guy who can't play but gets lots of pub.

 

[cgh3rd]

The kid had a good game last night. All of you saying he was AMAZING need to find some new adjectives. AMAZING only works for me if he puts up 50. A nice start to hopefully a great career. BTW, McNabb is the most overrated at this time.

 

[Paranoia]

15pt 12 boards and 6 assists with 2 minutes to go in the 3rd. It wont matter if he gets it in his second game.....he is still overrated

 

[popeye]

15pt 12 boards and 6 assists with 2 minutes to go in the 3rd. It wont matter if he gets it in his second game.....he is still overrated

That looks like a pretty damn good line to me so far.

 

[Capella]

Considering his skill level, and the amount of scrilla :streetcred: he's going to make, it would have made no sense for him to go to college...but it sure would have been fun to see him play in the ACC or the Big East or something.Could you imagine him playing against college kids??

 

[XNOUGHT]

Considering his skill level, and the amount of scrilla :streetcred: he's going to make, it would have made no sense for him to go to college...but it sure would have been fun to see him play in the ACC or the Big East or something.Could you imagine him playing against college kids??

I can't.Lebron did the right thing considering the rules.I hope he wins so he can get his 1st win out of the way.