June 16, 201412 yr I also think that bashing LeBron in this instance does a disservice to the absolute MACHINE that the Spurs organization has been over the last 15 years. Absolute brilliance from Popovich, who as an executive one day in 1998 decided to name himself coach. One of the ballsiest moves I can think of... and it actually worked.
June 16, 201412 yr Again, you are putting him above any criticism because of his undeniable talent and final numbers. LeBron scored 17 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in the first quarter. He was a beast. He scored 14 points and grabbed 4 more rebounds the final 3 quarters, a lot which were meaningless stats. When the Spurs made their run and when the Heat needed him the most he was absent, and I am not allowed to question that about the greatest player in the world? As a Kobe fan, as you and I both are, we both know he would have been justifiably criticized if he did the same thing. I'm looking at the fact that the Spurs were a superior team in every facet yet people act like there is something 2014 Lebron could have done to stop it by himself. In order for Lebron's team to win this series he needed 2009 Wade, Georgia Tech Bosh, Duke Battier, 2008 Ray Allen, Kansas Mario Chalmers, 2013 Mike Miller, 2007 Haslem, Ohio State Oden, Kansas State Beasley and 1980s Pat Riley. Would you feel better if Lebron had a 40 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists and they still lost by 20?
June 16, 201412 yr I also think that bashing LeBron in this instance does a disservice to the absolute MACHINE that the Spurs organization has been over the last 15 years. Absolute brilliance from Popovich, who as an executive one day in 1998 decided to name himself coach. One of the ballsiest moves I can think of... and it actually worked. This.
June 16, 201412 yr The decision to leave was fine. How he handled it as bad as you can handle any situation. I somewhat hear you with your argument but LeBron people can't have it both ways. You can't praise him for all of his talents and greatness, but any time he loses it turns in to, "he has no help." I do not think he played as great in this series as people are giving him credit for. First two games he was really good, especially Game 2. Game 3 he started well then disappeared for 3 quarters. Game 4 the bulk of his numbers came when the game was already out of hand. Last night he started great then I am not sure he played in the second half when the Spurs went for the jugular. The Spurs beat the Thunder and Russ is criticized to no end. The Spurs beat the Heat and Lebron is criticized to no end. If the Spurs beat the Thunder and Russ is to blame then shouldn't DWade be the blame when they beat the Heat?
June 16, 201412 yr The Spurs beat the Thunder and Russ is criticized to no end. The Spurs beat the Heat and Lebron is criticized to no end. If the Spurs beat the Thunder and Russ is to blame then shouldn't DWade be the blame when they beat the Heat? I think there is a difference between "criticizing to no end" and being above criticizing, which is where it seems we are from my vantage. And he should not be, I thought I brought up some valid questions. People are also getting lost in the twitter/social media stratosphere of LeBron bashing that the vast bulk of media folks take the approach that LeBron did all he could in this series. I legitimately think the question can be asked as to if LeBron's supreme talents can only deliver so much? No person denies he makes all of his teammates better, but does his style have a cap to how much his teammates can become, if that makes sense? In Cleveland, LeBron was able to have the league's best record, but I was told he did not have enough talent around him to get him over the top. Fair enough. I do not care how battered or old this Heat team looks, it is a major upgrade from what he had in Cleveland. Yet, I feel we are asking the same questions and wondering when he will ever get some solid teammates. What's the constant in this equation? It is not being critical, I think it is a valid question.
June 16, 201412 yr I also think that bashing LeBron in this instance does a disservice to the absolute MACHINE that the Spurs organization has been over the last 15 years. Absolute brilliance from Popovich, who as an executive one day in 1998 decided to name himself coach. One of the ballsiest moves I can think of... and it actually worked. This is very true and it should not get lost in the shuffle of LeBrondom. For my money Pop is the best coach of any of America's professional sports. He demands and receives ultimate respect from his players.
June 16, 201412 yr The Spurs beat the Thunder and Russ is criticized to no end. The Spurs beat the Heat and Lebron is criticized to no end. If the Spurs beat the Thunder and Russ is to blame then shouldn't DWade be the blame when they beat the Heat? Neither are criticized as much as you say. Russ isn't a good team player imo. LJ is the greatest in the world right now. Neither could have done anything more to best the spurs imo. Spurs were on a mission.
June 16, 201412 yr If you want to lay this series loss at the feet of one Heat player, there is no doubt it is D. Wade. They planned their whole season around him being ready for this series and he just wasn't there.
June 16, 201412 yr If you want to lay this series loss at the feet of one Heat player, there is no doubt it is D. Wade. They planned their whole season around him being ready for this series and he just wasn't there.We had a thread about him training with Tim Grover in the offseason. He has no lift now. At one time he was the most devastating offensive weapon in the game, but now any consistent game action and he is a liability.
June 16, 201412 yr Neither are criticized as much as you say. Russ isn't a good team player imo. LJ is the greatest in the world right now. Neither could have done anything more to best the spurs imo. Spurs were on a mission. The Spurs were better than both teams so why should either player be criticized for their individual play when their teams simply weren't as good as the Spurs?
June 16, 201412 yr I think there is a difference between "criticizing to no end" and being above criticizing, which is where it seems we are from my vantage. And he should not be, I thought I brought up some valid questions. People are also getting lost in the twitter/social media stratosphere of LeBron bashing that the vast bulk of media folks take the approach that LeBron did all he could in this series. I legitimately think the question can be asked as to if LeBron's supreme talents can only deliver so much? No person denies he makes all of his teammates better, but does his style have a cap to how much his teammates can become, if that makes sense? In Cleveland, LeBron was able to have the league's best record, but I was told he did not have enough talent around him to get him over the top. Fair enough. I do not care how battered or old this Heat team looks, it is a major upgrade from what he had in Cleveland. Yet, I feel we are asking the same questions and wondering when he will ever get some solid teammates. What's the constant in this equation? It is not being critical, I think it is a valid question. Based on how the Heat looked this series the words 'major upgrade' don't apply IMO. I'm still trying to figure out how they whipped the Pacers.
June 16, 201412 yr The Spurs were better than both teams so why should either player be criticized for their individual play when their teams simply weren't as good as the Spurs? Because they're not above criticism. They're compensated welland they are grown men...They can take some criticism. It happens all the time...in every sport.
June 16, 201412 yr Based on how the Heat looked this series the words 'major upgrade' don't apply IMO. I'm still trying to figure out how they whipped the Pacers. The situations are in ways similar, but in no way was his Cleveland team even in the same league as this Heat team.
June 16, 201412 yr Based on how the Heat looked this series the words 'major upgrade' don't apply IMO. I'm still trying to figure out how they whipped the Pacers. Because Indiana has one of the worst offenses in the league, they aren't emotionally mature enough to handle the big stage, when guarded by LeBron George is a shell of himself, Hibbert was MIA most of the playoffs, George Hill isn't that great, etc etc.... I would bet a lot of money the Indiana team we saw in the playoffs wouldn't have beaten anyone in the Western Conference. They were a shell of their regular season selves.
June 16, 201412 yr The situations are in ways similar, but in no way was his Cleveland team even in the same league as this Heat team. The Spurs beat both of them easily in the Finals and set the record for highest margin of victory in the Finals against the Heat. I beg to differ.
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