Quote Originally Posted by 3BallBomber:
please tell me you were not fooled by that series into thinking Lebron has improved significantly in the paint. Thunder breathed it was a foul, you know how comfortable that is for a players offense?
90's cats were tough as shit, Lebron wouldn't be able to handle the constant taunts and shit talk - he couldn't handle Kobe tell him to take it to him and shoot in last seasons all-star game. C'mon now
Actually, you are the one who has been blatantly and significantly "fooled" in your assessment of LBJ's paint performance throughout the playoffs as well as his overall mental fortitude. You obviously have not looked at any stats to validate your claims.
He actually shot 58-86(67.5%), in the paint, the last 7 Heat playoff games. He scored 16 or more points in the paint all 7 of these games. Certainly a significant improvement from seasons past and a huge reason they went 6-1 in those outings. Truly astounding numbers that maybe only All-NBA power forwards and centers(and maybe Jordan and Kobe) can put up that consistently. How you interpret this any other way is beyond me. If you are a basketball fan, you witnessed greatness on a level that is hard to match.
Here's a link documenting his amazing paint play and production in the last 7 games:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75dd0Tii3WY
As to the fouls he was supposedly getting called for him: If, in fact, he was being fouled so much, how do you explain the very normal FT attempts he had per game?
Game 1- 9 attempts
Game 2- 12
Game 3- 8
Game 4- 8
Game 5- 9
Certainly a within normal number of FT attempts(for a player of LeBron's All-NBA caliber) who drove the lane aggressively and posted up more than in any previous postseason. In addition, he also handles the ball and facilitates the offense on a majority of plays. He was supremely efficient in his play and to disregard that shows a lack of basketball understanding. He also purposefully attacked a weak defender in Durant to put him in positions to commit silly fouls.(LBJ went to the line 8.5 times, per game, when KD was in the game and only 4.5 times when he was out). Durant is a mediocre defender and this was rightfully and intentionally exploited by the Heat, LBJ and their coaching staff. This was purposeful and smart strategy.
Your lack of understanding of what LBJ was doing those last few weeks was exemplified in your ridiculous in-game discussion of Game 6 in Boston. Truly absurd commentary. Like a bad standup comic that no one laughs at:
https://www.covers.com/postingforum/post01/showmessage.aspx?spt=22&sub=101362027
How are you the only(that I know of) person who criticized LBJ for his play and regarded the entire game as an indictment of LeBron's skills? Baffling assessment, with no objectivity or understanding of what we all were witnessing that evening. Game 6 in Boston is now generally spoken of as an all time top ten playoff performance. Your "commentary" sure comes off as prepubescent posturing. Do you still think his performance in game 6 was deserving of any criticism?
Finally, you question his mental fortitude and ability to put up with taunts. In the past, yes, but not anymore. He has as much steeliness as any current player in the game. He led his team back from deficits in his last 3 series, coming up with huge road playoff performances in Game 4 at Indy, Game 6 in Boston and Game 2 in OKC. He has handled more criticism than any other player in recent memory and crushed all doubters with his playoff run this year. You really think Miller, Barkley, Jordan, or any other "90's" cats can out shit-talk Kevin Garnett? Please. LBJ has heard it all. He just shrugs it off.
LBJ just showed he could withstand any and all criticism by leading his team to a championship. He deserves praise; not blind, unfounded and hate-fueled criticism, lacking any real basis in reality.
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