04/18/24
June 01, 2007
LeBron James is on another level now: A roll of the drums, please. LeBron James is ready for his close-up.
posted by BornIcon to basketball at 03:46 PM - 43 comments
CAGON, your exuberance is truly inspiring, in an insipid sort of way. Read these, please.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 04:29 PM on June 01, 2007
I don't know what we're yelling about!!! /Brick Tambland
posted by jerseygirl at 04:43 PM on June 01, 2007
Let's see: No caps til the caps lock stuck, no punctuation, 3 "f" bombs, numerous "rah,rah's", and a complete lack of awareness of his surroundings, at least cyber-spacially. Asshat (Love that) But LeBron was quite good, wasn't he? From goat to G.O.A.T. in 48 hrs. If you buy the press.
posted by THX-1138 at 04:49 PM on June 01, 2007
Lebron is amazing. However even Jordan had Pippen, and if the Cavs hold off Detroit to make the NBA Finals don't expect him to win a ring. He could average 50 a game against the Spurs, and still get swept. Bottom line is the Spurs are to experienced, to deep, and have way to much firepower for Cleveland.
posted by Grndizzle at 04:49 PM on June 01, 2007
Jesus, what the hell is it about sports that brings out the Neanderthal? Also: the true test for Lebron will be Bruce Bowen.
posted by charlatan at 04:49 PM on June 01, 2007
Neanderthal doesn't even do it justice....what does fan stand for? James' game isn't even in the top 20 of championship performances. Although it was kindna special especially if you watched the first two games. Pistons didn't play defense and who knows what happened to their offense so we should wait and see what happens in this series and if they go any further against the Spurs...
posted by The Old Man at 05:10 PM on June 01, 2007
Us Pistons fans have little to say,exept to be in awe.
posted by sickleguy at 05:18 PM on June 01, 2007
Today on espn, it was said the Lebrons' performance was better than Michael Jordans 63 point playoff game; which Chicago lost. The Cavaliers have arrived, (Recognize). The Pistons have just as much experience and talent as the Spurs and the Cavs are handling the business. I have watched this team grow(floor seats ever other home game) and they are ready. One more bona fide scorer would make this team unstoppable.
posted by fourthreeforty at 06:54 PM on June 01, 2007
the Pistons have nowhere near the talent the Spurs have. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Michael Finley, and Bruce Bowen. And Fukin Fabrecio Oberto is the most improved player in the NBA. The spurs got the deepest bench in the league and are by far the best defensive team in the league. The Spurs were only the 3 seed in the west and still have home court in the finals. The East is so watered down right now it's a joke. The Spurs, Mavs, and Suns would all win 65 games if they were in the East. And what team had the best record in the NBA since the All-Star break?? The fukin SPURS!!!!!!!!! Duncan's about to get his fourth ring, and maybe he'll start getting the respect he deserves for being the best power forward to ever play!
posted by Grndizzle at 07:10 PM on June 01, 2007
I was following the score on ESPN, and tuned in at the 2nd overtime. LeBron's physical intensity can be absolutely jaw-dropping. I thought the best comparison in the past was to Magic or Oscar, but I agree with ESPN that now it's some kind of Magic/Bo Jackson hybrid. His double-OT dunk came by breaking down Billups (!) at the top of the key and then absorbing half-hearted contact from at least 3 other Pistons and getting the easy layup. He's just on a different plane. Series-wise I'm starting to really get annoyed with Flip Saunders. I think Mike Brown is getting a pretty bum rap when you look at what he has. Saunders' Timberwolve teams displayed much, much more offensive ability than this Pistons team. It makes no sense to me. Why isn't Prince on James? Why isn't James being doubled 24/7? Why isn't Hamilton doing his Reggie Miller impression?
posted by chmurray at 07:55 PM on June 01, 2007
I agree he had an amazing game, but hold the words back people. If he is the next MJ, he needs to not only get to the finals. And then say win a few NBA titles. Then we can talk about this guys place in NBA history. Don't get me wrong he's good, and I would love to see the Piston's sent home!
posted by robi8259 at 07:56 PM on June 01, 2007
Cavs? Not quite yet. LeBron is still too inconsistent in his play. Pistons/Spurs and when it goes there I'd love to see The Spurs do it, but the Pistons, are the Pistons, and can get it done when necessary. Don't count them out yet.
posted by bavarianmotorworker at 08:20 PM on June 01, 2007
The Spurs could do nothing with the Cavs during the regular season. Where was their bench while Lebron was hitting 35 pts? But, the Spurs did do well against Detroit. I guess the Spurs should hope for a Detroit comeback. (Not!)
posted by fourthreeforty at 09:29 PM on June 01, 2007
Why isn't Prince on James? He was for most of the time he was in the game. For a while he was on the bench probably because of his offensive woes and at the end of the game Billups was the only Piston on the floor not in foul trouble so it made sense to put him on James. I respect James, but I'm still pissed off about his flop near the end of the second overtime that got called as a foul. He wasn't even touched. Throw that in with some other shitty calls and the refs were downright terrible. However, I'm not going to moan about how the refs cost the Pistons the game because it really isn't true. James made them lose the game. If the Cavs do win out (hopefully not) they will get wasted by the Spurs. The Spurs have them overmatched in just about every aspect.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 09:39 PM on June 01, 2007
Blah blah blah yakkity shmakkity posted by CAGON Ancient Chinese secret, huh?
posted by mr_crash_davis at 09:46 PM on June 01, 2007
First of all, players flop all over the league it's part of the game; so give Lebron all the credit due him (even for alittle play acting and getting to the line). Danny Ainge made a career out of flopping. Secondly, Nov. 3 in San. Ant. Cavs 88 - Spurs 81. Jan. 2 in Cleve. ( I saw this in person) Cavs 82 - Spurs 78.(Hmmm) I must say, the Cavs looked very much out matched in both games. Also, being the more experienced and "better" team; I'm sure the Spurs must realize"that beating the teams that you should beat" is the difference of being the one seed in the playoffs and winning a division title that they should have clearly won. But wait, they are not the better team says those two spankings, they did'nt win the division title and they were the 3 seed in the all powerful west. Honestly, since the Lakers of past all the west has been is a run away train that crashes and the survivors go to the finals.
posted by fourthreeforty at 01:15 AM on June 02, 2007
first of all i admit to being a pistons fan, but im also a high school official. the incident that led to mcdyess ejection in the first quarter brings up a question. granted h deserved the ejection, but charging another player as lebron did is also grounds for ejection. it seems the "jordan" mentality took control over the officials, unless the league has declared the golden boy off limits. imagine how the game would have changed if lebron had been ejected when mcdyess was
posted by shaggyhooch at 04:55 AM on June 02, 2007
Danny Ainge made a career out of flopping. So that explains his performance as Celtic GM...
posted by apoch at 06:18 AM on June 02, 2007
You must not forget that if Cleveland does win the East that they are the best chance against S.A. since they were the only team to sweep them from the East.
posted by buckeyeno1 at 10:47 AM on June 02, 2007
Regular season has no bearing during the play-offs. The Cavs beat the Spurs both times b4 the All-Star break, as someone mentioned already the Spurs have the best record after it. Plus, the Pistons beat the Cavs 3 out of 4 during the regular season and they are on the ropes now. Yes, I'm sure the league would love to see the "chosen one" make it to the Finals and beat the Spurs, but I dont see that happening...speaking of the "chosen one", did anyone notice how when he complained about not getting fouls the refs actually listened and started calling more, but when Prince, Hamilton, Billups, Sheed,(of course) complained nothing happened. I dont want to get into the how bad the reffing was, the first four games the refs were "homers" as is expected, but they flipped the script Game 5 and it seemed like Detroit was the away team. I wont put all the onus on the refs, Lebron was on fire and was unstoppable even when he wasnt drawing phantom and touch fouls. I put almost all the fault squarely on Flip Saunders shoulders. As a Piston fan I call for his head if we lose this series. The inabilty to guard Lebron on 2 str8 possessions (uncontested dunks no less)at the end of regaulation are complete break downs that would not have happened under Larry Brown or probably under Mike Brown for that matter. I could say it was a result of no McDyess at the end of the game, but two str8 possessions?!?! Thats not even counting the final basket of the game, another Lebron uncontested dunk. Flip is not good at making adjustments during games and obviously during series. If the Cavs win congrats to them, they have played good team basketball, especially defensively, and Lebron has brushed off the unfair media hyped criticism from their first two losses and has rallied the team behind him. Now is the time for Piston "backs against the wall ball", Game 6 should be another good one.
posted by dezznutz at 11:42 AM on June 02, 2007
Lebron's game is beef bold, to be sure. But c'mon Detroit, at some point in the first OT, you had to have realized that no one else was going to score, and make some kind of defensive adjustment. Double team him, triple team, heck, put four guys on him and then just have one guy standing by to pick up rebounds in case any of the other Cavs try to shoot. Do something, don't just sit their and watch this happen.
posted by Bonkers at 12:02 PM on June 02, 2007
Lebron is great I will give him that but the officials do not call him on shit. I don't know how many fouls or travels I have seen him commit and no whistle. Mean while if the Pistons breathe on him it's a foul. It's pretty tough to beat the Cav's and the officials. I will give it to the Cav's they are a much better team than last year but the refs are helping them. Also this post season the Pistons have been playing crappy basketball. It's hard to watch them because I know how good the can be. I beleive they think they can just turn it on when they want and it just doesn't work like that. Flip Saunders is an aweful Playoff Coach. I miss Brown.
posted by DetroitGirl at 01:15 PM on June 02, 2007
Why is it that it is always the losing team's fans who think that the refs were "homers?" just kiddin dezz
posted by brainofdtrain at 02:37 PM on June 02, 2007
Double team him, triple team, heck, put four guys on him and then just have one guy standing by to pick up rebounds in case any of the other Cavs try to shoot. That's exactly what I was thinking. His teammates were scared to death to shoot the ball, especially on the perimeter. Every time he passed the ball, it was a look of, "Oh shit, come back and get the ball!" Most of his jump shots were fairly contested, but it was something else to see him drive to the hole with 3 Pistons standing there as they don't even make a move to defend. That wasn't Flip's fault- that was a player saying "I'm not getting bloody run over!" It's funny, though. Three cavs fouled out while none of the Pistons did (except that weak ejection).
posted by jmd82 at 05:41 PM on June 02, 2007
Danny Ainge made a career out of flopping. So that explains his performance as Celtic GM... Ouch!!
posted by Howard_T at 06:00 PM on June 02, 2007
The Spurs are a completely different team in the playoffs. I don't care that Cleveland beat the Spurs both times they played b4 the All-Star break. Whoever thinks the Cavs have a chance against the Spurs should have stayed up past their bedtime and watched the Spurs in the Playoffs. Their team defense is by far the best in the league. And like i said Lebron can score 50 a game in the finals and still get swept. I know Lebron is one of the best players in the league, but he can't do it alone.
posted by Grndizzle at 06:11 PM on June 02, 2007
BULL. The league is allowing Lebron to waltz into the lane and opposing players are stepping out of his way , not because of fear of LeBrons spectacular dunks , but out of fear that the refs will call a foul for looking at King Lebron too long or breathing on him. It's absurd the way the " Lebron Rules " have changed the dynamics of the game and it actually has taken players out of their game. There are 400 players in the league and it is disrespectful for the league to make one player so special. He's NOT a better player than Kobe , but of course he's not as controversial , so the league is willing to sacrifice their credibility and the credibility of the game in order to crown Le Bron as the next " KING ". Cavs vs Spurs , a SWEEP , King James wont have a chance.
posted by alvinthefirst at 08:29 PM on June 02, 2007
The inabilty to guard Lebron on 2 str8 possessions (uncontested dunks no less)at the end of regaulation are complete break downs that would not have happened under Larry Brown or probably under Mike Brown for that matter There was NO breakdown. Each time Lebron walked into the lane , the Pistons players turned the other way. I have it on disk. The league has the other teams scared of King James .
posted by alvinthefirst at 08:31 PM on June 02, 2007
but out of fear that the refs will call a foul for looking at King Lebron too long or breathing on him. They called the foul regardless due to the breathing. Remember when VC used to be the Next Big Thing with his driving skillz? Guess what, he was able to get a few calls until players starting giving him a good foul. Nothing flagrant, but enough to even prevent a decent shot and forcing him to shoot free throws. Granted the injuries have slowed him a shade, but he doesn't drive to the whole nearly as much and I think it'd because he's intimidated now. Same thing with LJ. The D needs to recognize that as long as they allow him to get those 2+1's with crappy touch fouls, he'll continue to take advantage. He'd be dumb not to. Rather, the D needs to not allow him to get a shot off and earn all his points.
posted by jmd82 at 09:23 PM on June 02, 2007
posted by CAGON Ancient Chinese secret, huh? That was "Calgon". Just saying...
posted by grum@work at 09:49 PM on June 02, 2007
Lebron can't do it alone, so Gibson steps up. Good teams show up when it counts; don't blame the refs or say the Pistons are just playing bad ball, give credit (Recognize) the Cavs have arrived. If the Spurs are a completely different team in the playoff; they better be brand new come the finals. Here come those Cavaliers; young, bright eyed, talented, hungry, ready!
posted by fourthreeforty at 10:57 PM on June 02, 2007
Michael Jordan, Magic, Bird, etc..... they all had a way with the ref; it's all part of the game. Stop making excuses for the Pistons getting spanked four games straight.
posted by fourthreeforty at 11:02 PM on June 02, 2007
Cavs 4- Spurs 2, Lebron M.V.P, the dynasty begins.
posted by fourthreeforty at 11:04 PM on June 02, 2007
Cavs 4- Spurs 2, Lebron M.V.P, the dynasty begins. Shouldn't a team actually have to win at least one championship before their fans start declaring a dynasty has begun?
posted by tommybiden at 11:33 PM on June 02, 2007
You are watching it happen in real-time my friend.
posted by fourthreeforty at 11:48 PM on June 02, 2007
The dynasty starts with a championship series over San Ant. The game analysis were saying the same thing.
posted by fourthreeforty at 11:51 PM on June 02, 2007
4340, Slow down my friend. Even if the Cavs beat the Spurs, they will need a couple more after that to be considered a dynasty. Remember, analysts aren't always right, and using terms like "dynasty" is usually used to highten a sense of drama more than anything. Obviously Lebron could get in a car wreck tomorrow and the "dynasty" that we are so sure of won't happen. I do buy into the LJ hype, but i would suggest that we hang tight and wait before we buy into the "Cleveland dynasty" hype.
posted by brainofdtrain at 12:01 AM on June 03, 2007
This championship series is going to be very, very interesting. Cleveland has definitely modeled itself after S.A. given that both Ferry as the G.M. and Brown as the coach were both brought up in the Spurs system that stresses team defense as the primary goal. I didn't think that the Cavaliers could make it to the Finals this quickly because it usually takes such a long time to teach good defense (with weak-side help, quick double teams, and clogging the passing lanes). And, as much as "chemistry" is a term that lazy sportswriters overuse, there is something to be said about having defenders trust one another enough to not try for ill-conceived blocks or steals and instead just play smart, hard-nosed defense with the moving of the feet and the getting into position and the hey-hey glavin. And, it helps for a team to have unselfish leadership on the court that can play team ball. The Spurs have that in Duncan, and the Cavs do in LeBron. As much as I want my adopted city to get it's first championship since another LBJ was in the White House, I know my first sports love too well to think that the Cavs are really ready for what the Spurs will bring to them. IF Ilgauskas can dominate in the paint and IF Hughes is healthy enough to play tough D and IF Marshall can drop threes at opportune times and IF "Boobie" Gibson can maintain a hot hand then MAYBE Cleveland can win this series. Regardless, this is going to be an entertaining series. I think we're going to see a lot of great defense leading to transition baskets from Ginobili, Parker, or LeBron. We'll see four crisp passes before wide-open shots, hard fouls in the paint, some very creative flopping, and a Spurs win in six. And, we'll see a Cavs team and the nascent Best Player Ever learn how to play championship basketball so that they can win multiple championships over the next decade. As a San Antonian in Cleveland, I could not be happier.
posted by avogadro at 12:03 AM on June 03, 2007
You are watching it happen in real-time my friend. Actually I'm not, I'm only catching highlights, as I've been watching Ottawa and Anaheim in real time.
posted by tommybiden at 01:40 AM on June 03, 2007
Lebron can't do it alone, so Gibson steps up. Gibson was awesome and he should continue to be as long as the defense wants to double up on LJ. Gibson was simply smazing in that series for a rookie. Plus he was 33 of 37 from the free throw line, something Cleveland definately needs. IF Hughes is healthy enough to play tough D....IF "Boobie" Gibson can maintain a hot hand Gibson got more playing time these last several games due to hughes' hurt foot. Hell, if I got a say in it, leave the kid in there, Hughes didn't do much tonight anyway, or since the first game of that series for that matter. Gibson has out played him, all Hughes did tonight is stand outside the arch and throw up despiration 3's. Almost like he had no intention of even trying to drive in at all, not even two or three steps. By the way guys come on with the "dynasty" stuff, don't jinx us. We are a Cleveland sports team we do not need help in that area.
posted by jojomfd1 at 02:08 AM on June 03, 2007
While I am at it, below is one of the dumbest excuses I've heard yet. The ref's barely ever call traveling on anyone. You must pick the reason detroit lost, either they played crappy, or it was the officials. However don't forget that in game 5 the Cavs won in 2 ot with 3 players fouled out. So it sounds like the ref's were calling them both ways to me. Lebron is great I will give him that but the officials do not call him on shit. I don't know how many fouls or travels I have seen him commit and no whistle. Mean while if the Pistons breathe on him it's a foul. It's pretty tough to beat the Cav's and the officials. I will give it to the Cav's they are a much better team than last year but the refs are helping them. Also this post season the Pistons have been playing crappy basketball.
posted by jojomfd1 at 11:42 PM on June 04, 2007
Whether he's a faux Jordan or whether he's the next coming of Dr. J , it doesn't matter. Spurs in 4.
posted by alvinthefirst at 04:05 PM on June 05, 2007
that had 2 be one of the best games of this years playoffs.