Until recently I never really gave Lebron much thought. I saw a vastly talented player on a weak Cleveland team full of YMCA all-stars. Yes. He played with Shaq, but a shell of Shaq. Although Boston fans would argue their version of Mr. O'neal was a downright fraud and was really Olden Polynice. An argument few would disagree with. Prince James, who I refuse to call king until he gets a crown. Not a ring, a crown. Also required would be a scepter, cape and subjects. And do not forget lineage, subjects and a monarcial society. Either way, Lebron has been forced to play with Antwan Jameson, Booby Gibson (Booby? For a grown man? Really?), Mo "Fuck the playoffs" Williams and a host of other players who just downright shouldn't be in the league. It's actually amazing. The Cav's owner, Dan Gilbert, gave Lebron everything he could have wanted in Cleveland, except some help. New jerseys? Check. Huge contract? Check. Someone to hit an open jumper when it mattered? Nope!
But as bad as it was in Cleveland, its not much better in Miami. With football season over and the playoff field much smaller (And watching more ESPN) I've had more time to see what Lebron is up to on the court. I remember everyone was talking about James being Robin to Wade's Batman. Wrong! Robins don't win MVPs. Robins don't carry their teams to 14-1 reg season records when Batman is M.I.A. Sure there is a few chinks in James' armor. He's human. He can not live up to the media expectations. We want him to be Magic, Oscar and Jordan all rolled into one. The expectations are not a bad thing tho. Most people just want him to succeed and be the force that he can be on occasion, but he has to have a weakness. He's not a great shooter. It shows at the charity stripe. He's not "clutch" but we seen him put teams on his back before (vs Detroit & Washington) in the playoffs. But, no. He's not Kobe. He's not Durant. But you know what? Neither of them until recently (Kobe) has been asked to do what Lebron is over their careers. Neither are asked to setup the offense, get teammates involved then required to score when all else fails. Oh, and whether that succeeds or fails, he has to get back and defend the other team's best player. Kobe, Durant and even Jordan only had to do a fraction of those things. Never all of them. Or at least all in the same game. All the time.
So yea, LBJ has failed to show up on the final play of a game for most of his career, but its 48 minutes of basketball. From what I can see there are two ways to look at it. Either he failed his teammates in the last 2 minutes or his teammates failed him the first 46. When a player averages 27, 7 & 7; I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. The way I see it; if his teammates have been absent for 47 minutes somebody with fresher legs should be able to make a shot.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Jordan comparisons
The same thing that makes sports fun and engaging is the same thing that makes it hard to stomach on a sometimes. I've stated before, I love a great debate. Sometimes I get caught up in them without even trying. My friends continuously bait me with dumb one liners knowing I'm jumping in head first. The most recent is Jordan vs Kobe\Lebron for different reasons. Like I said, debates are fun, but it comes to a point when it becomes pointless one, both or all the parties involved get emotionally attached to their stance; ignoring reasoning (or hate for the emotionally attached).
Michael Jordan's career for all of his talent and dominance was the combination of talent and timing. While I do not want to seem like I'm "hating" on his career, because what he did was phenominal, some things, to me, have to be put into context. Let's for a second take the emotion and media influence out of it.
Athleticism
At the time he came in to the league, he was one of the most athletic players in the league, easily top 5. He was bigger than most players at his position. Most guards at that time were around 6'4 and under. 6'6 was more of a small forward than a 2-guard. Given his size and leaping ability (which we will discuss later) he was mostly defended by slower forwards or smaller guards. We've seen the highlight of Jordan dribbling between his legs then shooting a mid range shot over Larry Bird. But Bird was not in Jordan's league in terms of atheleticm. Besides, Dominque Wilkens and Clyde Drexler no one was. Except maybe Spud Webb. To do what he was doing at 5'7? Insane. But thats it. His highlight reels show him shooting over nobodies like Craid Ehlo and Brian Russell (who he pushed the hell out of).
Media
The NBA was dominated by the Lakers and the Celtics. Two world class franchises whom, while adored by fans, were annoying the hell out of the people watching the sport. People STILL hate the Lakers and Celtics to some degree. Here came the perfect person to bring excitement to the casual fan. he was young, with a flashy game and the ability to score. Jordan became the perfect cross between the "Showtime" Lakers and the foundamental Celtics all rolled into one. The League marketed him as if he didnt play on a team at all and the media loved him. His leaping ability was one of a kind (if you choose to leave out Wilkins, Webb, Drexler and Dr. J) which made him the perfect Nike pitch-man. He scored at an alarming rate (37 ppg in '86-'87), dunked without abandon and left it all on the floor. What's not to like? But his impression on fans came at a time when the league and media forced fed the people Jordan until you believed it or not, it just made sense.
Scottie Pippen
Remember the 37 points per game mentioned earlier? That came on a 40 win team. As you may know, thats less than .500 and considered a losing team. Scottie Pippen was drafted the following season. Granted, Scottie didnt start a single game that year while averaging a mere 8 ppg. But something was happening (I was 6 at the start of the season so dont ask me to explain it), but the Bulls never had a losing season again until the '98-'99 season when Scottie joined the Rockets.
Now back to the comparisons. Its not fair to put players like Kobe and Lebron in to the same category as Jordan. Not because they're not on his level, but because the environments are different. Kobe is not the most athletic player in the league as Jordan was. He is guarded by players his size or larger whose able to match his speed. He is required to out-skill anyone he faces. There is no physical advantage for him. I tried to make the case for Jordan thriving at a time when zone was not legal in the NBA. They said I was nuts, but MJ had a career 3pt percentage of 32%. There is no way Kobe and LBJ could thrive with numbers like that. The league now has a deeper 3 pt line and zone defense to protect against slashers. There is the defensive trend of flopping now. It's a different game at a different time.
I'm not making excuses for these guys, but their careers should be measured by their own accomplishments and the those of their peers. That way, the two environments are equal. MJ and current stars are not on the same playing field. Matter of fact, Jordan set the playing field for these players so his "greatness" isnt being questioned, just placed into context.
Hit me up and let me know what you think here or at proficy27@twitter.com
Michael Jordan's career for all of his talent and dominance was the combination of talent and timing. While I do not want to seem like I'm "hating" on his career, because what he did was phenominal, some things, to me, have to be put into context. Let's for a second take the emotion and media influence out of it.
Athleticism
At the time he came in to the league, he was one of the most athletic players in the league, easily top 5. He was bigger than most players at his position. Most guards at that time were around 6'4 and under. 6'6 was more of a small forward than a 2-guard. Given his size and leaping ability (which we will discuss later) he was mostly defended by slower forwards or smaller guards. We've seen the highlight of Jordan dribbling between his legs then shooting a mid range shot over Larry Bird. But Bird was not in Jordan's league in terms of atheleticm. Besides, Dominque Wilkens and Clyde Drexler no one was. Except maybe Spud Webb. To do what he was doing at 5'7? Insane. But thats it. His highlight reels show him shooting over nobodies like Craid Ehlo and Brian Russell (who he pushed the hell out of).
Media
The NBA was dominated by the Lakers and the Celtics. Two world class franchises whom, while adored by fans, were annoying the hell out of the people watching the sport. People STILL hate the Lakers and Celtics to some degree. Here came the perfect person to bring excitement to the casual fan. he was young, with a flashy game and the ability to score. Jordan became the perfect cross between the "Showtime" Lakers and the foundamental Celtics all rolled into one. The League marketed him as if he didnt play on a team at all and the media loved him. His leaping ability was one of a kind (if you choose to leave out Wilkins, Webb, Drexler and Dr. J) which made him the perfect Nike pitch-man. He scored at an alarming rate (37 ppg in '86-'87), dunked without abandon and left it all on the floor. What's not to like? But his impression on fans came at a time when the league and media forced fed the people Jordan until you believed it or not, it just made sense.
Scottie Pippen
Remember the 37 points per game mentioned earlier? That came on a 40 win team. As you may know, thats less than .500 and considered a losing team. Scottie Pippen was drafted the following season. Granted, Scottie didnt start a single game that year while averaging a mere 8 ppg. But something was happening (I was 6 at the start of the season so dont ask me to explain it), but the Bulls never had a losing season again until the '98-'99 season when Scottie joined the Rockets.
Now back to the comparisons. Its not fair to put players like Kobe and Lebron in to the same category as Jordan. Not because they're not on his level, but because the environments are different. Kobe is not the most athletic player in the league as Jordan was. He is guarded by players his size or larger whose able to match his speed. He is required to out-skill anyone he faces. There is no physical advantage for him. I tried to make the case for Jordan thriving at a time when zone was not legal in the NBA. They said I was nuts, but MJ had a career 3pt percentage of 32%. There is no way Kobe and LBJ could thrive with numbers like that. The league now has a deeper 3 pt line and zone defense to protect against slashers. There is the defensive trend of flopping now. It's a different game at a different time.
I'm not making excuses for these guys, but their careers should be measured by their own accomplishments and the those of their peers. That way, the two environments are equal. MJ and current stars are not on the same playing field. Matter of fact, Jordan set the playing field for these players so his "greatness" isnt being questioned, just placed into context.
Hit me up and let me know what you think here or at proficy27@twitter.com
My new blog
Back in the day I tried the whole blog thing. I might be a little late on this with Twitter and Facebook holding court. But screw it. I'm going in. I plan on covering everything at some point. Its just a matter of time. Anyone who knows me know I have an opionon on everything. Even if I agree with it, I can see all angles and are MORE than willing to go into detail. No topic is off-limits and all things are welcome. Hope to hear from you all soon.
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