LLLLLeBron 3-5 Finals Record Without SuperTeam

Discussion in 'NBA Discussion' started by puffyusaf#2, Oct 5, 2014.

  1. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    36,393
    Likes Received:
    60,552
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    So Cal
    Offline
    LOL yep poor goat smashed his winky and rolled over in shock. Just like Harden kicked the King in the nuts. No wonder he missed all those shots. [​IMG]

    Ball Don't Lie
    James Harden suspended 1 game for kicking LeBron James in groin

    [​IMG]
    By Eric Freeman4 hours agoBall Don't Lie

    The Houston Rockets went all out after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers by two points on Sunday, even going so far as to declare James Harden "the new King James" after having vanquished LeBron James in regular-season battle. Unfortunately for Harden, it looks like he will see some punishment for deposing the old monarch.

    The NBA announced Monday that Harden has been suspended one game for kicking James in the groin with 2:08 remaining in the third quarter. Harden was issued a flagrant-1 foul during the game, but that has since been upgraded to a flagrant-2. Harden will miss the Rockets' Tuesday game at the Atlanta Hawks, another East contender.

    [Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball]

    Take a look at the play:


    in need of further review. It would be wrong to suggest that the NBA suspended Harden simply because LeBron is LeBron — again, it's not so nice to kick anyone in the groin — but people tend to listen when James talks.

    Regardless, Harden will certainly be missed for Tuesday's game with Atlanta. Houston is already playing without star center Dwight Howard, who has been on the shelf since early February with a problematic right knee. Harden is an MVP frontrunner for a reason — the Rockets' offense revolves around him — and playing without him on the road against one of the NBA's most balanced squads is not a recipe for success.

    http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...-kicking-lebron-james-in-groin-235901796.html
     
  2. scnottaken

    scnottaken - Rookie -

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2014
    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    1,101
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Offline
    To be completely accurate, the FIRST thing to be written about Kobe had he missed FT's would have been about how not clutch he is, or about how he failed his team, or about. . . you get the idea.
     
    therealdeal likes this.
  3. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

    Top Poster Of Month

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    17,968
    Likes Received:
    69,654
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
  4. puffyusaf#2

    puffyusaf#2 - Lakers Starter -

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2014
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    3,609
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Author of "Just a Thought"
    Location:
    GNW Doing things
    Offline
    Matt is right. He would also been fined like a Million bucks for kicking James. The real question I wonder is what would it have been if Lebron had kicked Harden? The league seems to cater to Bron more than any star I have ever seen. Is it a shock that one of the biggest floppers has NEVER been even warned about flopping? (to my knowledge) And yes I am talking about Bron. Harden deserved to get at least a fine cause you don't kick a man in the pecker even if it is probably shrunk thanks to Florida vacationing.
     
  5. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    28,475
    Likes Received:
    62,061
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    I think Harden might get even more whistles than LeBron, but definitely the NBA has never catered to star on all levels like they have with LeBron.
     
    lakerjones and puffyusaf#2 like this.
  6. puffyusaf#2

    puffyusaf#2 - Lakers Starter -

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2014
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    3,609
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Author of "Just a Thought"
    Location:
    GNW Doing things
    Offline
    Oh I agree Harden gets the most love from the refs than any player I can think of in the past years. Even more than when Wade was on a free throw run a few years back. But I think Lebron goes farther than that when he speaks the league seems to make changes for him. I was happy to see some media call out the league for all of a sudden extending the AS break cause Bron complained about not having more time off. The year he mentions it then it happens. Like I said, I don't believe he has ever been fined for flopping yet there are numerous examples of it. Kobe got fined for a made up rule (4 times I think) of "unnatural basketball act"

    there are star treatments and then there is Lebron treatment
     
    lakerjones, therealdeal and JSM like this.
  7. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    28,475
    Likes Received:
    62,061
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    Yeah it's a really strange precedent they've set with LeBron. They wanted the next "Jordan Brand" so badly that they took a kid from high school (who was obviously incredibly talented) and they've done everything in their power to build him onto Jordan's level.

    I wonder what made LeBron so special? Were they really so desperate to move on from Kobe? He was drafted in 2003 so the whole "rape" thing hadn't even happened yet... What made LeBron the guy they chose for all this? They anointed him "The King" before he ever won a title. Now he's 2/5 in the Finals, but everyone is STILL crazy about him at ESPN. Is it just a reflex now? Do they protect and serve him above all others because they've been doing it for over 10 years now and they don't know how to treat him differently?

    They're losing opportunities to bring up the next star and build up their brand. They're trying to do it with Harden. They're not giving nearly enough attention and love to Anthony Davis. Wiggins isn't being given much love even though he's played well this year.

    I just don't get it. Maybe we're spoiled as Laker fans in this, but I feel like our guys had to earn their stripes first. Nothing was handed to Magic or Kobe or Shaq. They had to earn their stripes. Why is LeBron the "King" with only two rings on his fingers?
     
    puffyusaf#2 likes this.
  8. puffyusaf#2

    puffyusaf#2 - Lakers Starter -

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2014
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    3,609
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Author of "Just a Thought"
    Location:
    GNW Doing things
    Offline
    Real- I think it has more to do with them catering to the nba fan of this generation and era of the NBA. First, Kobe was too much like MJ in every way even when it came to his disdain, real or perceived, of others. His battle with Shaq and the eventual break-up of the Lakers was a great thing for the league who seemed to be worried that LA winning too much hurt their small market and bottom line. That is the only thing that explains the veto of the Paul trade. Now, back to the Bron thing. The new generation fan isn't about team but about player. No team outside the Lakers and Spurs have a truly successful history for fans to jump on that bandwagon. Add in the fact that most fans get all their info from these so-called experts from the bought and paid for media it is easy to see how Bron became the face of the league.

    Think about it even on the Lakers Board if anyone said anything about Lebron's game other than it was "amazing, otherwordly, no one comes close etc" it was attacked as simple hate or Kobe-fanboy(ism). The media made it to where Lebron is untouchable. He choked the other night and all ESPN was talking about is if he was going to drop 40 on the C Bags to "show the world he means biz" after that twitter pic of course. Fans eat it up. Imagine if Kobe choked those 2 free throws. It wouldn't matter if he dropped 96 shooting 90% from the field while getting a triple-double. The line would be "Kobe destroys rebuilding/struggling C Bags" and the topics would be "Does Kobe need to prove it against REAL competition." If we can't even criticize his game on a board that supports a team with one of the greatest of all time on it then what are others going to do? It is essentially a marketing thing to make more money. They double-standard is amazing but fans are now fans of players and that is easily overlooked. No one can talk about the King in too dark of a light cause these reporters no longer watch games, they are more about being celebrities than they are about being reporters. Lebron is easy to use he is the big shining star in a conference that is just floating about a pile of hot crap. That also has something to do with it, that conference, the media has to promote a conference that has been a joke since Lebron came into the league. Prior to the birth of the King all the media did was slam the L'eastern conference. He came and those comments went away and we fans went right along with it.

    The league is starving for someone to put their "unofficial (ESPN)" face on. It can't be Harden although he is forcing them to pay attention to him. The guy can ball but would he be as effective if people actually saw how much he is gifted points? Guys like Curry and Thompson don't fit the bill either they are exciting but in my opinion are too much like the old school dudes shooting outside. Westbrook is too easy to hate. Durant seems to passive about his position. Dwight is a joke. Davis is still in a crappy city that the sports media doesn't want to promote. CP3 is being exposed for the flopper he is and, thanks to DJ showing up without him, Ginger Spice is diminishing. Notice Lillard gets no love even though he and Westbrook may be the closest things to Kobe-like assassins in the league right now. The league needs that feel good story for their backing. More importantly they need the guy those sports media celebrities can wax poetic about without having to do much real work. Lebron is great for highlights. Its easy that way. At least thats what I am thinking.
     
    LTLakerFan and therealdeal like this.
  9. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    28,475
    Likes Received:
    62,061
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    You may be right. I just feel like the media loved Kobe until 2004. No question they were all excited about having the next young thing with all this swagger and ability. Then he hit a few bumps in the road and the media completely turned on him. It wasn't just the rape case but the blowup with a guy the media got along easily with: Shaq.

    I think the NBA just loves these stars that are personable and goofy and accessible. They want their star to be the guy with the smile on his face that's easy to put on billboards. Why though? Even as Kobe Bryant's star fades out they're still trying to pile dirt on him. Just this season Reggie Miller said Kobe at his best wasn't Jordan at his worst... Why? First of all he's wrong and second of all why do those words even need to be said? At this point it's safe to say Kobe isn't Jordan, but Kobe is still Kobe and deserves his own respect. For ****'s sake I just don't get it.

    Here we have LeBron coverage 24/7 on ESPN. We have reporters literally paid to follow him across the country (Winhorst the host of the HEAT Index and now the host of the CAVS frozen crap). We have him consistently compared to Magic and Jordan and he's given an edge sometimes. I mean really they compare him sometimes favorably to Jordan... Yet Kobe is over here with 5 rings, passed Jordan on the scoring list, and was keeping up with kids 10 years younger than him after tearing his Achilles. Still it seems like the NBA is eager to push Kobe out and start talking about the next generation, swing the topic back to LeBron.

    When it's all said and done, LeBron could end up with 7-8 Finals appearances and 3-4 rings. That's less than Magic, Jordan, and Kobe. He might have more MVPs, he might have more points scored or assists or rebounds, but the thing he'll have the most of is excuses. Right now he's 2/5 in the Finals. He's LOST more Finals than he's actually won and he's consistently performed below expectations when he got there. It's no secret he's afraid of the spotlight. It's no secret he's afraid of the moment... Why aren't we allowed to talk about that in the media? It's like anything bad gets swept under the rug.
     
  10. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    27,999
    Likes Received:
    75,548
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Online
    still prefer lebron (and the media treatment thereof) to harden (and the media treatment thereof). at least lebron can have huge impact on a game when the refs aren't blowing the whistle. harden basically disappears. and i'm being fed "mvp" on this? get the hell out of here.

    i agree with puffy that the league is having a hard time finding someone to promote. durant is the logical choice, but he plays in okc and has been hurt a lot lately. i'd rather they keep pimping lebron than turn to harden out of desperation. i don't want to see another 2006.
     
    Juronimo likes this.
  11. Juronimo

    Juronimo - Lakers Starter -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    2,525
    Likes Received:
    6,900
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    plays with one's and zero's
    Location:
    the sky's the limit
    Offline
    I agree. I don't like the media hype of Lebron, but Lebron is a generational talent who can impose his will on a game. Harden, on the other hand, is a ref created concoction that would lose half his productivity if the refs didn't blow the whistle anytime anyone gets within an inch of him. His game consists of running into people and falling down. That's bovine excrement. Personally I'd take Damian Lillard, Russel Westbrook, or Steph Curry over Harden easily. Those guys can also impose their will on a game.
     
    lakerjones likes this.
  12. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    28,475
    Likes Received:
    62,061
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    To give Harden credit, he's great at finding open teammates as well and he's an alright rebounder. His game is pretty well rounded... even more well rounded when you throw in his help at the free throw line.
     
  13. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    27,999
    Likes Received:
    75,548
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Online
    his A/TO ratio leaves a lot to be desired. he's rebounded better this year, though. otherwise, i think he's a poor man's gilbert arenas.

    can't say that for lebron.

    i also agree that without the refs, i take guys like lillard over harden, no question. the fact that we even have to invoke the refs' influence should say all there is to say about that guy's game, though.
     
  14. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    28,475
    Likes Received:
    62,061
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    I really don't want to defend that guy... I'm just saying he's a GOOD player, he just should never be the best SG in the NBA.
     
  15. puffyusaf#2

    puffyusaf#2 - Lakers Starter -

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2014
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    3,609
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Author of "Just a Thought"
    Location:
    GNW Doing things
    Offline
    Real- Kobe was loved up until the media realized that he is in fact as good (or better) than MJ. Once they realized that they wouldn't just be waxing poetic about a great player but possibly having to admit that we might be witnessing the next GOAT or at least a top 5 talent ever so closely to the departure of MJ it became a diminish Kobe at all cost game. Kobe is the only player I have seen to have his championships discredited at every turn. No other player has been subject to that type of scrutiny. No one says Timmy couldn't win without Manu/parker. Never heard Magic get knocked for having Kap, James, Coop, Scott and crew. Never seen Isiah get slammed for having that bad boy team. Nope, those guys are all celebrated. One of the most underrated players to play the game, in my mind, was Scottie Pippen. None of the media ever talk about the fact that it was Pip who guarded the other teams best player and it was Pip who could also drop 40 in a game with ease. MJ benefited from having Pip as much as Kobe did playing with Shaq. Of course it isn't even spoken about. Why? Because Kobe was truly the next "once in a life time player" who came right after the current "once in a life time player (MJ)." Kobe was supposed to fall from grace and fail but no he carried that William Parker team to the playoffs and nearly beat the 1 seed. He was suppose to stop being a highlight reel but no he rattles off a few 50 point games, a few triple-doubles and dominates all the "next best players" year after year. Kobe has defied every aspect of their attempts to clear space between MJ and the "next MJ."

    That is where Lebron came in. He gave them a face to put to the "next" thing. He was unique like Shaq was except he wasn't a center (who didn't get nearly the pub as the small guys). He was big, he was fast, he was stronger than most and most of all he reminded people of a more athletic Magic so MJ's legacy was safe. Unfortunately, Kobe kept being Kobe. Lebron needed more praising, more celebrating, more special attention because Kobe kept being Kobe. They (the media) went on the repeat mode to tell us how great Bron is/was and once the seed was planted the fans ate it up. Writers who wanted the big paying gigs knew what to say and what to talk about if they wanted to get on those quality shows like Cold Pizza, ATH, PTI etc. And unlike other players they went year around to keep everyone's knowing exactly what Bron is doing. Bron did a charity event.... Lets have 2 segments on his humility. Bron talked about cleaning.... Lets have a poll on why Lebron is bringing clean back to the NBA. I personally wonder what time will tell when we look back at his career if it will stand the scrutiny of fans who weren't privy to such lopsided media love and affection.
     
  16. fabulus

    fabulus - Rookie -

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2014
    Messages:
    370
    Likes Received:
    227
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Offline
    35 shots to get to 37 points... Who would ever do something like that?;)
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2015
  17. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    28,475
    Likes Received:
    62,061
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    I'm with you on all that which brings us back to the original question:

    Why hasn't anyone called him on his ****? He's STILL universally loved by ESPN. Why hasn't anyone said, "Hm... I wonder if LeBron just doesn't have that winning gene? The guy is 2/5 in the Finals and really should be 1/5 if Manu Ginobili doesn't single-handedly give away the Championship." If Kobe's rings all get scrutinized, why doesn't LeBron get ANY scrutiny whatsoever? Has the media given up pretenses on trying to remain unbiased against certain athletes?
     
    puffyusaf#2 likes this.
  18. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    27,999
    Likes Received:
    75,548
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Online
    I think the kobe hatred paved the way for the LeBron worship. someone had to be the mj buffer for the next transcendant superstar. had LeBron come first, maybe kobe gets more media love. and of course, the rape allegation looms huge over all kobe discussion in the press, even now.

    what I can't believe about LeBron is that he managed to control the heat narrative such that he's a team guy as opposed to a guy afraid of a real challenge. he subsequently managed the Cleveland narrative similarly: hero going home instead of rat scurrying off a sinking ship. kobe certainly would have been the latter in similar circumstances, imo.

    but again, LeBron is almost as good as the media suggests, so I'm less concerned with it. it's second tier guys like wade and harden (who's maybe more third-tier, imo) that annoy me more. in the race to anoint stars, I have to endure the propping up of inferior talents. LeBron, kd, even chris paul (yes, I know everyone here hates him, but he's been dominant at his position for a decade), you can toast them and not get an argument from me. those guys are at least worth talking about alongside the previous generation's greats (kobe, shaq, td, kg, dirk) in terms of long term impact and sustained excellence.
     
    therealdeal, puffyusaf#2 and Juronimo like this.
  19. puffyusaf#2

    puffyusaf#2 - Lakers Starter -

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2014
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    3,609
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Author of "Just a Thought"
    Location:
    GNW Doing things
    Offline
    Real- The simple answer is reporters aren't reporters they are wanna-be celebrities. I mean think about this, these guys are "experts" who speak on ALL sports (well really the one's they really enjoy) yet guys like Cowerd and SAS are on tv for 2+ hours, on the radio for 2+ hours and supposedly watching sports for several hours AND preparing for their shows. How in the heck can they be "experts" on all things sports? There only answer is to take what someone else is talking about "say a Kevin Ding article" and run with it. Not to get into politics but they remind me a lot of the Foxnews team. It isn't that they don't have valid points on things and that stuff they talk about isn't worthy of talking its just that it is so one-sided it fails to EVER be impartial. The media isn't impartial anymore. I honestly think the unwritten rule is "wanna get on ESPN then toe the company line and repeat what everyone else says." How else do we explain that Westbrook's current run gets a mention or two and is barely compared to anything yet we have countless topics on how Bron has been beasting since that photo? Lazy reporting and inept reporters. Isn't it sad that fans can literally list the 1 or 2 reporters that they feel actually report news and actually has "sources" to back them? They started dogging Kobe and now it is just second nature same as with dogging the Lakers. LA is the only team I have yet to see constant graphics on how many injuries we have suffered over the past 4 seasons. Nope, its just "Lakers suck" and "Clippers new team in LA." Sad part is the fans eat it up and start to follow suit. Thats true tragedy of this media circus we fans are just as lazy.
     
    abeer3 and therealdeal like this.
  20. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    27,999
    Likes Received:
    75,548
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Online
    yeah, i don't know whether i should have foreseen the effects of the blogger revolution, but they're here. and they're disastrous.
     
    puffyusaf#2 likes this.

Share This Page