I'm not concerned because while history would say they went 16-1, anyone with basic basketball knowledge would know it's not equatable to 15-1. For one, I can't even remember who the Warriors played round 1 already, and they played the Jazz round 2. The Cavs played the Pacers and Wizards, and their ECF opponent has ONE all-star. That's a pathetic level of competition. The 15-1 Lakers on the other hand, swept 3 of the greatest teams of that era in the Blazers, Kings, and Spurs (who they destroyed). And if not for one legendary Iverson performance, that team is undefeated. I've never seen domination like that in the playoffs against actual competition, not the sort of laughable opponents LeBron has faced since 2011.
Not to mention the team that is built around Lebron. The 2001 Lakers had a supporting cast of Fisher, Harper, George, Fox, Horry, Horace Grant, Lue, Madsen, Slava, Penberthy, Isiah Rider, Shaw. Lebron wouldn't even get out of the first round with that team, in the East.
Hey know your supporting cast in 01. Fox shut down Peja, Grant did very good job on 3 of the top 5 big men in their prime, and Fish was actually spry enough to guard J Will and Damon. Of course LA had a tougher road to the Final but don't act like that squad was built by West to be a great compliment for Shaq. Don't get me wrong, that team us top 3 of all time, and none of James's team, are ranked very high. But my last point is, it's really not his fault the but for a few exceptions, the Easy was been pretty weak.
I'm not saying that the '01 supporting cast wasn't important, I'm saying the talent disparity is rather large when you compare the benches. Could you imagine replacing that with what Lebron and Kyrie have around them? It wouldn't even be a close. That team would go 82-0.
Agreed. Horace and Horry were incredible defensively, they were a 2 headed monster. They gave Duncan fits. Fisher was lights out from 3 and could still defend back then. Fox was also lights out from 3 and was locking people down. That team was absolutely perfect, the best NBA basketball team I've ever seen, the legendary Chick said as much. I think they'd give the '92 dream team a run for their money.
I credit Phil Jackson for making the result greater than the sum of all the parts. It was his gifting IMHO. It certainly isn't being a GM
On paper. But Kobe, Shaq and Kryie sharing ball? There were issue with Glen Rice the before, when Kobe wasn't quite a superstar yet. Plus, the Aussie terrible on defense. With the bench you have Shaw, Horry, and spot minutes Lue and Harper. Compared to Korver, Frye, D Will and Shump. Yea, they are deeper, however that's deceiving, because Phil had a very short bench. I believe George, and Lue could been effective with more minutes. But the point is that 01 team is obviously better but it's a bit unfair to call LBJ so so champs.
When Dirk really broke through, it was when he worked on his post game. LaMarcus is never going to be on that level, but the fade away jumper can't be his go to move.
Spurs can come back, double Curry and let everyone else beat you. Pop makes his players play well despite losing players.
I sure as hell hope so, Jazzy. I'm really struggling to find a garbage postseason such as this. Even in the 2001, the EC had crazy series'.
Yeah i mean that was on them. The Kings series was actually decent, not our fault the Spurs got destroyed, they had the same great roster. And to be fair, the entire playoffs were entertaining as hell from our vantage point because we were beating down such good teams. Every time Fisher made another 3 vs the Spurs I was goin nuts. If I were a Cavs fan I'd take no pride in beating the Pacers or Raptors, or as a Warriors fan beating the Spurs without Leonard. Weak a** Aldridge and old man Pau out there getting embarrassed.
Unfortunately the loud majority and the media aren't that logical. Anything to prop up Lebron. Remember that ESPN graphic from the first round comparing Lebron's playoff numbers to Shaq's regular season numbers?
