*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (2 Viewers)

[gump]

Wonder how people are going to discount James' performance tonight.

Kobe put up 67 in Rucker Park tonight.

Stinky.Awesome performance tonight, but this was just the front nine. If LeBron comes out with a bunch of triple bogeys on Saturday, this game was meaningless.

True. But the opposite is also true....Saturday, Lebron can shed a lot with tonight as the foundation.

 

[gump]

LeBron seems like he is in a trance of sorts...and I don't watch these post game events much, what is with those frames? I assume there are no lenses in there?

Geek is in....and neon.

 

[southeastjerome]

Hate Boston, but that chant was cool. The Miami arena would've already been completely empty.

How about the guy pouring a drink on Lebron going into the tunnel. Way to keep it classy Baston.

Hopefully they can avoid the twitter/facebook debacle after Joel Ward scored the game winner for the Capitals when they beat the Bruins.

I know people like to point out the negatives about Boston as a city, but idiots like this are a small minority and they are everywhere, not just Boston. http://boston.barstoolsports.com/random-thoughts/hey-look-its-not-just-boston-fans-who-are-racist-on-twitter/ Bottom line is that in my travels one thing that I've learned is that bigots and general a-holes are everywhere. And this is interesting coming from an Eagles fan, who's fan base is America's closest resemblance to British soccer hooligans.

 

[Popinski]

Wonder how people are going to discount James' performance tonight.

Kobe put up 67 in Rucker Park tonight.

Stinky.Awesome performance tonight, but this was just the front nine. If LeBron comes out with a bunch of triple bogeys on Saturday, this game was meaningless.

Same thing with the big picture of ECF vs. NBA finals.

 

[Todem]

On to game 7.

That is all.

 

[Premier]

On to game 7.That is all.

Uh...we know?

 

[shader]

Amazing performance by LBJ tonight, which begs the question: where was that before? A killer instinct is what he often seems to lack, but he showed one tonight. Game 7 is gonna be close.

I knew this was coming! Durant is getting praised in the media, yet Lebron is outscoring him in the playoffs, outrebounding him and has more assists.The only reason the Heat aren't slaughtering everybody is that their role players can't hit the broad side of a barn.Bosh's injury really set this team back. Having that third option is huge, because without Bosh, the Heat have scoring problems when either Wade/Lebron are having bad shooting games.The only gripe I have with Lebron and Wade is that at times, they start relying on their jump shots, (many of them difficult fade aways) and when they aren't falling, they seem to stick with them a bit too long, in my opinion. That being said, they both have incredible confidence in themselves, and they are playing so many minutes, they can't drive in the middle and bang with the big bodies every single possession.Lebron is having an unbelievable post-season. It's amazing that we are right on the precipice of him finally getting over the hump, or him being seen as a failure again.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Let me guess tonight's game.. Heat start out slow, uninspired... get down by 15...make comeback in early 4th quarter. Then Lebron goes into his shell where he doesn't take a shot for 6 minutes... and Heat lose by about 5. Lebron and Wade both miss half their free throws for the game. Bosh non factor.

This guy nailed it.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Let me guess tonight's game.. Heat start out slow, uninspired... get down by 15...make comeback in early 4th quarter. Then Lebron goes into his shell where he doesn't take a shot for 6 minutes... and Heat lose by about 5. Lebron and Wade both miss half their free throws for the game. Bosh non factor.

This guy nailed it.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Awesome performance tonight, but this was just the front nine. If LeBron comes out with a bunch of triple bogeys on Saturday, this game was meaningless.

So, Kobe Bryant's game-tying shot at the buzzer of Game 2 of the 2004 Finals...the Lakers went on to lose the next three games and the series 4 games to 1, so I guess Bryant's shot was meaningless and should never be used as an example of his greatness as a player or add to his rep as a closer, right?

 

[Abraham]

Amazing performance by LBJ tonight, which begs the question: where was that before? A killer instinct is what he often seems to lack, but he showed one tonight. Game 7 is gonna be close.

I knew this was coming! Durant is getting praised in the media, yet Lebron is outscoring him in the playoffs, outrebounding him and has more assists.

Durants team obliterated the team with a 20 game win streak and the leagues best record. Lebrons team was down 3-2 to the 4 seed. I think the praise durant is getting is warranted.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Amazing performance by LBJ tonight, which begs the question: where was that before? A killer instinct is what he often seems to lack, but he showed one tonight. Game 7 is gonna be close.

I knew this was coming! Durant is getting praised in the media, yet Lebron is outscoring him in the playoffs, outrebounding him and has more assists.The only reason the Heat aren't slaughtering everybody is that their role players can't hit the broad side of a barn.Bosh's injury really set this team back. Having that third option is huge, because without Bosh, the Heat have scoring problems when either Wade/Lebron are having bad shooting games.The only gripe I have with Lebron and Wade is that at times, they start relying on their jump shots, (many of them difficult fade aways) and when they aren't falling, they seem to stick with them a bit too long, in my opinion. That being said, they both have incredible confidence in themselves, and they are playing so many minutes, they can't drive in the middle and bang with the big bodies every single possession.Lebron is having an unbelievable post-season. It's amazing that we are right on the precipice of him finally getting over the hump, or him being seen as a failure again.

Actually, I have been someone more likely to praise James than to bash him, but all I meant was that he was in beast mode from start to finish last night, which we almost never see, and that is a shame, because when he plays like he did last night, no one can touch him. His previous 8 playoff games had all been outstanding as well, obviously, but last night was a whole nother level.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Amazing performance by LBJ tonight, which begs the question: where was that before? A killer instinct is what he often seems to lack, but he showed one tonight. Game 7 is gonna be close.

I knew this was coming! Durant is getting praised in the media, yet Lebron is outscoring him in the playoffs, outrebounding him and has more assists.

Durants team obliterated the team with a 20 game win streak and the leagues best record. Lebrons team was down 3-2 to the 4 seed. I think the praise durant is getting is warranted.

Not fair to praise the Spurs by citing their 20 game win streak and then refer to Boston merely a 4 seed. Boston went 24-10 after the All-Star game. After February 15 they lost only ONCE at home for the entire rest of the regular season. To the Spurs. By one point. They've been one of the best teams in the league for several months.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Actually, I have been someone more likely to praise James than to bash him, but all I meant was that he was in beast mode from start to finish last night, which we almost never see, and that is a shame, because when he plays like he did last night, no one can touch him. His previous 8 playoff games had all been outstanding as well, obviously, but last night was a whole nother level.

I keep seeing people say this in the media. "Why doesn't he do this every night?" I have no idea what they mean, because he does do this every night.His FG and FT attempt totals last night were about the same as they've been throughout the playoffs. The only difference last night was that usually shoots about 50% from the field, and last night he shot about 73% from the field. It's completely unrealistic to expect him to maintain a pace anywhere near that. No human being can do that. Last night's effort was simply LeBron being LeBron but seeing 5-6 more shots than normal go down.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Actually, I have been someone more likely to praise James than to bash him, but all I meant was that he was in beast mode from start to finish last night, which we almost never see, and that is a shame, because when he plays like he did last night, no one can touch him. His previous 8 playoff games had all been outstanding as well, obviously, but last night was a whole nother level.

I keep seeing people say this in the media. "Why doesn't he do this every night?" I have no idea what they mean, because he does do this every night.His FG and FT attempt totals last night were about the same as they've been throughout the playoffs. The only difference last night was that usually shoots about 50% from the field, and last night he shot about 73% from the field. It's completely unrealistic to expect him to maintain a pace anywhere near that. No human being can do that. Last night's effort was simply LeBron being LeBron but seeing 5-6 more shots than normal go down.

I mostly agree, but last night he had just a look and an intensity about him that you don't usually see. Not saying he usually looks passive or anything, but lats night was like the difference between playing great and being in absolute beast mode. Yes, it is unrealistic to expect him or anyone to put up numbers like that on a nightly basis, but if he brought that kind of intensity with him to every playoff game, the Heat would never lose (assuming he got just average help from the rest of his team).

 

[pollardsvision]

Actually, I have been someone more likely to praise James than to bash him, but all I meant was that he was in beast mode from start to finish last night, which we almost never see, and that is a shame, because when he plays like he did last night, no one can touch him. His previous 8 playoff games had all been outstanding as well, obviously, but last night was a whole nother level.

I keep seeing people say this in the media. "Why doesn't he do this every night?" I have no idea what they mean, because he does do this every night.His FG and FT attempt totals last night were about the same as they've been throughout the playoffs. The only difference last night was that usually shoots about 50% from the field, and last night he shot about 73% from the field. It's completely unrealistic to expect him to maintain a pace anywhere near that. No human being can do that. Last night's effort was simply LeBron being LeBron but seeing 5-6 more shots than normal go down.

Yeah, a player that averages over 30 PPG in the playoffs going for 45 isn't a huge anomaly. Great, of course, but that's just what he does.What happened last night that was out of character is that Pierce and Garnett laid eggs. When PP, Garnett, and Allen combine for 31 points on a team with no bench, a blowout is to be expected.

 

[shader]

Actually, I have been someone more likely to praise James than to bash him, but all I meant was that he was in beast mode from start to finish last night, which we almost never see, and that is a shame, because when he plays like he did last night, no one can touch him. His previous 8 playoff games had all been outstanding as well, obviously, but last night was a whole nother level.

I keep seeing people say this in the media. "Why doesn't he do this every night?" I have no idea what they mean, because he does do this every night.His FG and FT attempt totals last night were about the same as they've been throughout the playoffs. The only difference last night was that usually shoots about 50% from the field, and last night he shot about 73% from the field. It's completely unrealistic to expect him to maintain a pace anywhere near that. No human being can do that. Last night's effort was simply LeBron being LeBron but seeing 5-6 more shots than normal go down.

But WHY DOESN'T HE SHOOT 73% EVERY NIGHT?????

 

[JMon348]

I WANT IN ON THIS. Where's sedork???

I know you bet big, let me know how much your min is.

$20 or $40, you call it...

Just saw this. 50 bones cool?ETA you need to reply to this to confirm. I'm leaving for the day so I'll check back after. TAKE THE BET EBOK!!!

Still available?

 

[shader]

Amazing performance by LBJ tonight, which begs the question: where was that before? A killer instinct is what he often seems to lack, but he showed one tonight.

Game 7 is gonna be close.

I knew this was coming! Durant is getting praised in the media, yet Lebron is outscoring him in the playoffs, outrebounding him and has more assists.

Durants team obliterated the team with a 20 game win streak and the leagues best record. Lebrons team was down 3-2 to the 4 seed. I think the praise durant is getting is warranted.

 

[Buck Bradcanon]

Wonder how people are going to discount James' performance tonight.

Kobe put up 67 in Rucker Park tonight.

Stinky.

Hot Sauce was on him, and they moved the 3 line to 27 feet. Pretty epic.

Effing Hot Sauce.

 

[Ghost Rider]

James probably could have gotten 50-60 points had the game been close enough in the 4th quarter for him to keep scoring, so I'd say is was an anomaly of sorts. Of course, this will cue the "LeBron never scores in the 4th quarter" crowd.

 

[shader]

Actually, I have been someone more likely to praise James than to bash him, but all I meant was that he was in beast mode from start to finish last night, which we almost never see, and that is a shame, because when he plays like he did last night, no one can touch him. His previous 8 playoff games had all been outstanding as well, obviously, but last night was a whole nother level.

I keep seeing people say this in the media. "Why doesn't he do this every night?" I have no idea what they mean, because he does do this every night.His FG and FT attempt totals last night were about the same as they've been throughout the playoffs. The only difference last night was that usually shoots about 50% from the field, and last night he shot about 73% from the field. It's completely unrealistic to expect him to maintain a pace anywhere near that. No human being can do that. Last night's effort was simply LeBron being LeBron but seeing 5-6 more shots than normal go down.

Yeah, a player that averages over 30 PPG in the playoffs going for 45 isn't a huge anomaly. Great, of course, but that's just what he does.What happened last night that was out of character is that Pierce and Garnett laid eggs. When PP, Garnett, and Allen combine for 31 points on a team with no bench, a blowout is to be expected.

PP stunk it up. After the game he said "I've had that feeling before".

 

[TobiasFunke]

Actually, I have been someone more likely to praise James than to bash him, but all I meant was that he was in beast mode from start to finish last night, which we almost never see, and that is a shame, because when he plays like he did last night, no one can touch him. His previous 8 playoff games had all been outstanding as well, obviously, but last night was a whole nother level.

I keep seeing people say this in the media. "Why doesn't he do this every night?" I have no idea what they mean, because he does do this every night.His FG and FT attempt totals last night were about the same as they've been throughout the playoffs. The only difference last night was that usually shoots about 50% from the field, and last night he shot about 73% from the field. It's completely unrealistic to expect him to maintain a pace anywhere near that. No human being can do that. Last night's effort was simply LeBron being LeBron but seeing 5-6 more shots than normal go down.

I mostly agree, but last night he had just a look and an intensity about him that you don't usually see. Not saying he usually looks passive or anything, but lats night was like the difference between playing great and being in absolute beast mode. Yes, it is unrealistic to expect him or anyone to put up numbers like that on a nightly basis, but if he brought that kind of intensity with him to every playoff game, the Heat would never lose (assuming he got just average help from the rest of his team).

He had a weird look about him last night- if you weren't watching his play you could almost have confused it with disinterest- but otherwise it seemed pretty normal. It's crazy that the same guy defends Garnett, Rondo and Pierce, sure, but he's always been a lockdown defender.The help from the rest of the team is the variable. If he had had just a normal 50% shooting night last night, the story would be Paul Pierce gift-wrapping this one for the Heat with his terrible game. Because nobody else on the Heat did a darn thing, other than Battier making a couple spot-up threes and Bosh being slightly taller than Haslem and thus better able to deny Garnett. Wade is an absolute mess IMO, there's no way that guy is close to 100% right now. You could definitely argue that the team surrounding LeBron in this series is worse than his Cleveland teams.

 

[pollardsvision]

Like most, I'm very curious to see how many rings LeBron ends up with.

I'd put him down for 3, except for the huge problem he's got out West. Durant's supporting cast is so much better, though I guess that could change if a Harden or Ibaka decision ever has to be made. With Wade's age (and game that won't age well), LeBron will likely have the inferior supporting cast even if OKC loses Harden or Ibaka.

LeBron will have his work cut out for him win one ring, and if he doesn't win one, it'll have a whole lot more to do with his timing than his "clutchness".

I'm not a Miami fan, but I hope he gets a couple. It'd be a real shame to see a player as good as him not get one.

And not to turn this into Kobe-LeBron, but if it's 5-0 or 5-1 when it's all said and done, that would just be plain silly (even though it might happen).

 

[timschochet]

I'd put him down for 3, except for the huge problem he's got out West. Durant's supporting cast is so much better, though I guess that could change if a Harden or Ibaka decision ever has to be made. With Wade's age (and game that won't age well), LeBron will likely have the inferior supporting cast even if OKC loses Harden or Ibaka.

Not that I especially want to see this because I'm a Laker fan, but if Miami wins game 7 against Boston, then the upcoming series between the Heat and Thunder could be the first of several. Both teams are clearly the best in their conference, and both teams are still young. This means that the competition between LeBron and Durant could become this decade's equivalent of Magic and Bird. While this is no good for fans of other teams (like me) it would be GREAT for the NBA as a league. And very exciting to watch.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I'm torn because as I stated earlier in the thread, I like how the Thunder have been built and how they grew up together and have had to go through the past elite of the West and avenge losses etc. They are very much like Jordan and the Bulls trials and tribulations to a degree. And to have to beat another past Champion like Boston or the reigning MVP would be another chapter in that story. But I think Lebron deserves a title. He is just flat out good at everything (except FTs). Either way, it's all good for the NBA and the fans.

 

[Hang 10]

Lebron is averaging 31, 10 & 5 this postseason and people still get on him for not being consistent enough.

 

[pollardsvision]

I'd put him down for 3, except for the huge problem he's got out West. Durant's supporting cast is so much better, though I guess that could change if a Harden or Ibaka decision ever has to be made. With Wade's age (and game that won't age well), LeBron will likely have the inferior supporting cast even if OKC loses Harden or Ibaka.

Not that I especially want to see this because I'm a Laker fan, but if Miami wins game 7 against Boston, then the upcoming series between the Heat and Thunder could be the first of several. Both teams are clearly the best in their conference, and both teams are still young. This means that the competition between LeBron and Durant could become this decade's equivalent of Magic and Bird. While this is no good for fans of other teams (like me) it would be GREAT for the NBA as a league. And very exciting to watch.

Yeah, that's what I'd expect to happen and it'd be exciting (I'm a Bobcats fan with not much else to look forward to). It's just that LeBron's Heat appear to be the weaker team at the moment and they have a much, much shorter window. Scary to think that, by the time KD turns 27, Wade'll probably be done and Bosh will be 32. Having a potential dynasty emerge with bunch of 23 YO's is a big problem to have (if you're in the market for 3+ Rings).Obviously, they can always get the right pieces down the road, but it doesn't look like they are there yet.Like you say, it'll be quite a ride seeing how the next few years shake out.

 

[Gr00vus]

Boston can't hit a thing. Really awful.

The Heat defense has been great. This was the defense I expected to see all series, when everybody figured this would be over in 4 or 5. It's hard to see how Boston has much of a chance in game 7. Although it's one game, so you never know...

It's like every time you watch a basketball game, it's the first time you've ever watched a basketball game. I'd like to say it's a refreshing contrast to all us cynical bastards. I'd like to say that...

 

[timschochet]

It's like every time you watch a basketball game, it's the first time you've ever watched a basketball game.

I know you wrote this as a way to mock my commentary, and it's not true, but what a wonderful thing if it was true.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Isn't this almost an indictment of LBJ? LeBron in Serious BIDNESS mode

 

[Gr00vus]

Now that's what I'm talking about re: LeBron. He dominated in maybe the biggest game of his life to date. At this stage of the season, in these types of games it's not just about the numbers. I know that's something the stat heads like Tobe and Skribbles don't get or want to acknowledge, but it's been the crux of my (and guys like TGunz) take on the general disappointment in what James has accomplished up to now. He needs to bring that attitude, that focus, that intensity every game when the playoffs roll around - particularly in the big pressure situations. His team may not win them all, but it shouldn't be because he wasn't there mentally when his team needed him the most. Last night he was the man and it was awesome to see.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Now that's what I'm talking about re: LeBron. He dominated in maybe the biggest game of his life to date. At this stage of the season, in these types of games it's not just about the numbers. I know that's something the stat heads like Tobe and Skribbles don't get or want to acknowledge, but it's been the crux of my (and guys like TGunz) take on the general disappointment in what James has accomplished up to now. He needs to bring that attitude, that focus, that intensity every game when the playoffs roll around - particularly in the big pressure situations. His team may not win them all, but it shouldn't be because he wasn't there mentally when his team needed him the most. Last night he was the man and it was awesome to see.

As Tobias said earlier (and what I agree with) is that LeBron didn't do anything different last night other that hit a higher %. It wasn't like has was attacking the rim like a mad man and living at the line. Heck, half his FTs came from pump faking on the perimeter. He was taking contested fade aways most of the game and just happened to be making them at a high %. I don't know where this "attitude" stuff is coming from. Looked like the same player who had a hot shooting night.ETA: Change 3-4 of his misses to makes in any game this series and we're talking about that game being a legendary performance.

 

[saintfool]

Isn't this almost an indictment of LBJ? LeBron in Serious BIDNESS mode

bryant's serious bidness look

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Funny how everyone is saying that he should do this all the time. Guy is averaging 30/9.5/5 in the playoffs but that just isn't good enough apparently. Know who else is the only guy to do that? LeBron in 08/09. Hell, the only other guys to average 30/9 are Kareem, Shaq and Wilt!

 

[Gr00vus]

Now that's what I'm talking about re: LeBron. He dominated in maybe the biggest game of his life to date. At this stage of the season, in these types of games it's not just about the numbers. I know that's something the stat heads like Tobe and Skribbles don't get or want to acknowledge, but it's been the crux of my (and guys like TGunz) take on the general disappointment in what James has accomplished up to now. He needs to bring that attitude, that focus, that intensity every game when the playoffs roll around - particularly in the big pressure situations. His team may not win them all, but it shouldn't be because he wasn't there mentally when his team needed him the most. Last night he was the man and it was awesome to see.

As Tobias said earlier (and what I agree with) is that LeBron didn't do anything different last night other that hit a higher %. It wasn't like has was attacking the rim like a mad man and living at the line. Heck, half his FTs came from pump faking on the perimeter. He was taking contested fade aways most of the game and just happened to be making them at a high %. I don't know where this "attitude" stuff is coming from. Looked like the same player who had a hot shooting night.

ETA: Change 3-4 of his misses to makes in any game this series and we're talking about that game being a legendary performance.

You and Tobe are so predictable.

 

[LHUCKS]

Isn't this almost an indictment of LBJ? LeBron in Serious BIDNESS mode

I'm not sure what the problem is. Guy knows he is the best player on the planet and he went out and inflicted his will on a series that was heading in the wrong direction.Last night was a potential turning point in his career...no more passive Lebron.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

As Tobias said earlier (and what I agree with) is that LeBron didn't do anything different last night other that hit a higher %. It wasn't like has was attacking the rim like a mad man and living at the line. Heck, half his FTs came from pump faking on the perimeter. He was taking contested fade aways most of the game and just happened to be making them at a high %. I don't know where this "attitude" stuff is coming from. Looked like the same player who had a hot shooting night.ETA: Change 3-4 of his misses to makes in any game this series and we're talking about that game being a legendary performance.

This is why I think it's crazy that people are writing off the Celtics. The Heat didn't find any unbeatable formula other than "hit most of your jump shots."

 

[Gr00vus]

As Tobias said earlier (and what I agree with) is that LeBron didn't do anything different last night other that hit a higher %. It wasn't like has was attacking the rim like a mad man and living at the line. Heck, half his FTs came from pump faking on the perimeter. He was taking contested fade aways most of the game and just happened to be making them at a high %. I don't know where this "attitude" stuff is coming from. Looked like the same player who had a hot shooting night.ETA: Change 3-4 of his misses to makes in any game this series and we're talking about that game being a legendary performance.

This is why I think it's crazy that people are writing off the Celtics. The Heat didn't find any unbeatable formula other than "hit most of your jump shots."

And have the Celtics play horribly. The Heat played well on D, but not that well.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Now that's what I'm talking about re: LeBron. He dominated in maybe the biggest game of his life to date. At this stage of the season, in these types of games it's not just about the numbers. I know that's something the stat heads like Tobe and Skribbles don't get or want to acknowledge, but it's been the crux of my (and guys like TGunz) take on the general disappointment in what James has accomplished up to now. He needs to bring that attitude, that focus, that intensity every game when the playoffs roll around - particularly in the big pressure situations. His team may not win them all, but it shouldn't be because he wasn't there mentally when his team needed him the most. Last night he was the man and it was awesome to see.

As Tobias said earlier (and what I agree with) is that LeBron didn't do anything different last night other that hit a higher %. It wasn't like has was attacking the rim like a mad man and living at the line. Heck, half his FTs came from pump faking on the perimeter. He was taking contested fade aways most of the game and just happened to be making them at a high %. I don't know where this "attitude" stuff is coming from. Looked like the same player who had a hot shooting night.

ETA: Change 3-4 of his misses to makes in any game this series and we're talking about that game being a legendary performance.

You and Tobe are so predictable.

You can talk about attitude, focus and intensity all you want, and we can't disprove it because it's subjective and we're not inside his head. All we can do is point out that you are also not inside his head and that the numbers show that this was basically a typical LeBron James playoff game except with a few more made shots. Maybe you think attitude, focus and intensity aid shooting percentages. I don't.

Or this may just be a miscommunication. Maybe you're just talking about that small handful of abnormal games in his playoff career as lacking attitude, focus and intensity? I think that would be fair, but of course you could find games like that in the postseason career of almost every player whose teams make the playoffs every season.

 

[Dought Man]

If Lebron can get over the fact that he isn't stepping on D Wade's toes..and this IS his team.. Miami will be much better off.

With Lebron deferring and Wade being 'the guy' you get the Dallas series last year. They need to live or die with Lebron getting 25 shots each night.

 

[gmbacm]

Isn't this almost an indictment of LBJ? LeBron in Serious BIDNESS mode

bryant's serious bidness look

http://shavarross.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Kobe-Bryant-Pictrures-Model-L-A-Times-Magazine.jpg

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Now that's what I'm talking about re: LeBron. He dominated in maybe the biggest game of his life to date. At this stage of the season, in these types of games it's not just about the numbers. I know that's something the stat heads like Tobe and Skribbles don't get or want to acknowledge, but it's been the crux of my (and guys like TGunz) take on the general disappointment in what James has accomplished up to now. He needs to bring that attitude, that focus, that intensity every game when the playoffs roll around - particularly in the big pressure situations. His team may not win them all, but it shouldn't be because he wasn't there mentally when his team needed him the most. Last night he was the man and it was awesome to see.

As Tobias said earlier (and what I agree with) is that LeBron didn't do anything different last night other that hit a higher %. It wasn't like has was attacking the rim like a mad man and living at the line. Heck, half his FTs came from pump faking on the perimeter. He was taking contested fade aways most of the game and just happened to be making them at a high %. I don't know where this "attitude" stuff is coming from. Looked like the same player who had a hot shooting night.

ETA: Change 3-4 of his misses to makes in any game this series and we're talking about that game being a legendary performance.

You and Tobe are so predictable.

Predictably right? Changing 3 misses to makes in this series:

Game 1: 16/22 - 38/13/3

Game 2: 10/20 - 40/10/7

Game 3: 19/26 - 40/8/5

Game 4: 15/25 - 35/6/3

Game 5: 14/25 - 36/13/2

I guess if a couple more shots would have fallen for him in those games he would have showed attitude, focus and intensity. But since his missed them, he didn't. Right?

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

And have the Celtics play horribly. The Heat played well on D, but not that well.

Yeah, the left a lot of points out there they would normally be expected to convert. If it's because their old legs have caught up with them then maybe we should be talking about Heat/Thunder, but I think they'll give a better show tomorrow.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Funny how everyone is saying that he should do this all the time. Guy is averaging 30/9.5/5 in the playoffs but that just isn't good enough apparently. Know who else is the only guy to do that? LeBron in 08/09. Hell, the only other guys to average 30/9 are Kareem, Shaq and Wilt!

He had 30 and 6 (I think) at halftime last night. If you didn't see a difference in LeBron's aggressiveness last night you know much less about basketball than I thought.

 

[Village Idiot]

To quote the man I go to for all sports and social commentary, Stephen Jackson, "it was just good old-fashioned butt whoopin'".

That's pretty much all there was to it last night.

Jackson had another HOF night on the mic last night. He yelled "WE AIN'T GOIN' NOWHERE!" to the TNT table as SAS built up their second-quarter lead while the ball was in play.After the game, Jackson summed it all up in one amazing sentence. "It sucks, but those mother####ers were just better than us."

Jackson is a piece of work.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Now that's what I'm talking about re: LeBron. He dominated in maybe the biggest game of his life to date. At this stage of the season, in these types of games it's not just about the numbers. I know that's something the stat heads like Tobe and Skribbles don't get or want to acknowledge, but it's been the crux of my (and guys like TGunz) take on the general disappointment in what James has accomplished up to now. He needs to bring that attitude, that focus, that intensity every game when the playoffs roll around - particularly in the big pressure situations. His team may not win them all, but it shouldn't be because he wasn't there mentally when his team needed him the most. Last night he was the man and it was awesome to see.

As Tobias said earlier (and what I agree with) is that LeBron didn't do anything different last night other that hit a higher %. It wasn't like has was attacking the rim like a mad man and living at the line. Heck, half his FTs came from pump faking on the perimeter. He was taking contested fade aways most of the game and just happened to be making them at a high %. I don't know where this "attitude" stuff is coming from. Looked like the same player who had a hot shooting night.

ETA: Change 3-4 of his misses to makes in any game this series and we're talking about that game being a legendary performance.

You and Tobe are so predictable.

You can talk about attitude, focus and intensity all you want, and we can't disprove it because it's subjective and we're not inside his head. All we can do is point out that you are also not inside his head and that the numbers show that this was basically a typical LeBron James playoff game except with a few more made shots. Maybe you think attitude, focus and intensity aid shooting percentages. I don't.

Or this may just be a miscommunication. Maybe you're just talking about that small handful of abnormal games in his playoff career as lacking attitude, focus and intensity? I think that would be fair, but of course you could find games like that in the postseason career of almost every player whose teams make the playoffs every season.

You're a really smart dude, so I'm not going to insult your intelligence by swallowing this stinky bait. Even Ray Charles could see that LeBron had his foot on the aggressiveness pedal last night.It's okay to admit that he turned it up a notch last night. I know you feel like it will be conceding a point to the haters, but sticking to the "this was just an average game for LeBron" shtick is beneath you.

 

[timschochet]

Funny how everyone is saying that he should do this all the time. Guy is averaging 30/9.5/5 in the playoffs but that just isn't good enough apparently. Know who else is the only guy to do that? LeBron in 08/09. Hell, the only other guys to average 30/9 are Kareem, Shaq and Wilt!

He had 30 and 6 (I think) at halftime last night. If you didn't see a difference in LeBron's aggressiveness last night you know much less about basketball than I thought.

Plus, as Kurt Rambis pointed out on the radio, LeBron posted up a lot more last night. He received the ball much closer to the basket than he normally does. About a week ago I asked the question here: why doesn't LeBron post up more? Last night he did, and we saw the result. I don't want to call out Cliff Clavin and Tobias Funke (well, maybe Cliff Clavin) but LeBron really did play a different game last night. It wasn't just that his shots went in. He was more aggressive than normal.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Funny how everyone is saying that he should do this all the time. Guy is averaging 30/9.5/5 in the playoffs but that just isn't good enough apparently. Know who else is the only guy to do that? LeBron in 08/09. Hell, the only other guys to average 30/9 are Kareem, Shaq and Wilt!

He had 30 and 6 (I think) at halftime last night. If you didn't see a difference in LeBron's aggressiveness last night you know much less about basketball than I thought.

14 FGA in the 1st half last night.12 in game 5

13 in game 4

16 in game 3

9 in game 2

12 in game 1

Would you like to retract your statement?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Funny how everyone is saying that he should do this all the time. Guy is averaging 30/9.5/5 in the playoffs but that just isn't good enough apparently. Know who else is the only guy to do that? LeBron in 08/09. Hell, the only other guys to average 30/9 are Kareem, Shaq and Wilt!

He had 30 and 6 (I think) at halftime last night. If you didn't see a difference in LeBron's aggressiveness last night you know much less about basketball than I thought.

Plus, as Kurt Rambis pointed out on the radio, LeBron posted up a lot more last night. He received the ball much closer to the basket than he normally does. About a week ago I asked the question here: why doesn't LeBron post up more? Last night he did, and we saw the result. I don't want to call out Cliff Clavin and Tobias Funke (well, maybe Cliff Clavin) but LeBron really did play a different game last night. It wasn't just that his shots went in. He was more aggressive than normal.

How do you quantify that?