Double-Up
12-09-2009, 01:02 PM
LeBron lights dance fever
The Rockets' Chuck Hayes agreed with Bulls center Joakim Noah's complaints that LeBron James' on-court dancing exhibition last week was inappropriate. He also had an idea about how to handle it.
“Yeah (it was wrong), but if Joakim Noah and the Bulls have a problem with it, beat him, he won't dance,” Hayes said. “I notice that the Cavs, they do all their sideline acts in the game when they're up big. When it's a close game, they don't do that. Make them respect you and they won't do it.
“To showboat another professional, it's disrespectful. If you feel disrespected, do something about it within the game, nothing dirty. Eventually, all the dancing and acting will stop. They only do it when they're up big.”
Shane Battier, however, had another theory about why James danced.
“Dancing With The Stars is quite the platform to launch a career,” Battier said. “Maybe, he's trying to launch a career. LeBron's a smart businessman. I wouldn't put anything past him.”
No good options
Shane Battier would reveal few secrets, but said the strategy against LeBron James is very different than against Kobe Bryant and other top scorers.
“You can't really pressure him,” Battier said. “He's too strong and he goes by you and he's at the rim. You do the opposite and be a little more passive against him.
“He's the best transition player in the NBA. Once he gets in the open court, there's nothing you can do. You can't take charges on him. He's so quick, he can go around you or jump over you. You want to make it a halfcourt game and once you do that, you want to compact the lane as much as possible, and see if he can make a few jumpers.”
Actually, Battier did draw a charge on James last season, forcing James to the bench with his fourth foul.
“I think it was the first one in my career,” Battier said.
That was not why he had no trouble remembering it.
“Yeah, I still hurt from it,” Battier said.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6760497.html
The Rockets' Chuck Hayes agreed with Bulls center Joakim Noah's complaints that LeBron James' on-court dancing exhibition last week was inappropriate. He also had an idea about how to handle it.
“Yeah (it was wrong), but if Joakim Noah and the Bulls have a problem with it, beat him, he won't dance,” Hayes said. “I notice that the Cavs, they do all their sideline acts in the game when they're up big. When it's a close game, they don't do that. Make them respect you and they won't do it.
“To showboat another professional, it's disrespectful. If you feel disrespected, do something about it within the game, nothing dirty. Eventually, all the dancing and acting will stop. They only do it when they're up big.”
Shane Battier, however, had another theory about why James danced.
“Dancing With The Stars is quite the platform to launch a career,” Battier said. “Maybe, he's trying to launch a career. LeBron's a smart businessman. I wouldn't put anything past him.”
No good options
Shane Battier would reveal few secrets, but said the strategy against LeBron James is very different than against Kobe Bryant and other top scorers.
“You can't really pressure him,” Battier said. “He's too strong and he goes by you and he's at the rim. You do the opposite and be a little more passive against him.
“He's the best transition player in the NBA. Once he gets in the open court, there's nothing you can do. You can't take charges on him. He's so quick, he can go around you or jump over you. You want to make it a halfcourt game and once you do that, you want to compact the lane as much as possible, and see if he can make a few jumpers.”
Actually, Battier did draw a charge on James last season, forcing James to the bench with his fourth foul.
“I think it was the first one in my career,” Battier said.
That was not why he had no trouble remembering it.
“Yeah, I still hurt from it,” Battier said.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6760497.html