So essentially you're saying that the Celtics superior defense shut James down?
How would your tune change regarding Kobe "I resisted and tried to say "no mas" by shooting 6-24 in game 7" Bryant if the Lakers would've lost that game?
The difference between the two is that Lebron had Jamison going 5 and 5 in his closeout game and Kobe had Gasol going for 19 and 18 in his.
It's funny how winning covers up the truth of the matter. Kobe was equally awful against the Celtics, but one player "failed" his city while the other is exalted as "the best player evar!!!111."
I just told you the response if we'd a lost Game 7.
When Kobe was resisted in Game 7 he did not quit like James did. He went immediately down into the paint where he knew they could not stop him and got rebounds, and impacted that way.
Once James was stopped, he tossed the towel.
Cleveland, nobody gives a that LeBron grew up there and it doesn't matter a ing iota. The team sucks balls and there were way better options for James out there.
Can't believe I hate Lebron more than Kobe. I might root against the Heat in the upcoming LA/MIA finals.
What did James do to prove that he isn't the man? People like to call him a playoff choker, but I want to know when he choked.
When LeBron did everything and played out of his mind against the Magic, he was labeled a choker.
When he played relatively poorly against the Celtics, he was labeled a choker.
Do you realize that Lebron scored 27 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in Game 6? Also had 10 assists (with 9 turnovers, which tells me he was trying too hard).
The only game where you can call him out is Game 5, and even if he played perfectly, the Cavs still lose that game. Did you ever stop to think that maybe the Celtics defense was just that good and broke his will for that particular game?
And a player having their will broken for one game, or even a series, has happened to every great to ever play. Magic against the Celtics, Jordan against the Pistons, Shaq against the Spurs (or Rockets), Duncan against the Lakers, Kobe against the Pistons and Celtics.
James quit at many intervals in that series. Filling a stat sheet does not relieve him of his failings
The Kobe fans will respond that he isn't the man because he failed to deliver a le. For all the hype James has received, it's somewhat of a fair point, but loses all credibility when spoken by a Laker fan who has repeatedly excused their hero for similar failings.
The difference is that James has never had a prime Shaquille O'Neal or Pau Gasol to cover up his sub-par post-season efforts. Not to mention that James was the best player and leader on his team from day 1, a team that won all but 17 games the year before, while Kobe was brought into an ideal situation, drafted by a team that had won 53 games the previous year and had just signed a young Shaquille O'Neal.
i don't understand why people think Lebron going to Miami hurts his legacy. he was the MPV of the league last year and he's going to be the best player on the Heat. he's the type of player that does so much so well that he'll have a marked impact on the game whether he defers to Bosh and Wade for games or not. his talent will still be on full display in Miami, plus they'll probably be winning championships for the next five years, barring any injuries. he isn't going to score as much, but i can see him averaging a triple double next year.
that and the MVP usually goes to the best player on the best reg. season team. he'll have both of those locked up next year, and will prob. get a third mvp.
Evidence?
Are you gonna cite examples like being apathetic and "standing around?"
Did Kobe not exhibit the same behavior at intervals during the Thunder series? Remember after Gasol obliquely called him out, he responded by passively lobbing the ball into the post and standing around the perimeter, appearing as if he was sulking
But on one side, you have a player getting "others involved" and on the other, you have a player "quitting."
Oh how the perception would've changed if the Lakers somehow lost to the Thunder.
No, Kobe didn't quit in these playoffs or Finals.
James did indeed quit vs. the Celtics.
Lebron quit like a mother er in that series. was the first sign he wouldn't be signing with Cleveland.
Evidence?
Cite one example.
James failed to win a ring in 8 years.
Wade will now lead James into the future. If a ring is garnered it will be because Wade led James to it, literally & figuratively.
At one point he refused to join the huddle during a TO. He just stood off to the side looking into the crowd.
Tell me how he was supposed to win a le with the rosters he's had from 03-08? Especially with the Lakers, Spurs, Pistons, and Celtics at full force.
By not quitting.
He's simply not good enough to lead a team to it. That's obvious. In 8 years, he never got to an elimination game in the Finals.
Wade will gladly carry his water now. Should make it much easier for James.
How can you realistically connect that to quitting rather than frustration or some other emotion that a player experiences during a tense playoff game.
I do think he "quit" in Game 5, but not for the obvious reasons mentioned ad nauseum ("He knew he was leaving Cleveland, therefore he quit."). I think the Celtics had him mind ed and shattered his will and belief that his team had any chance at winning that series.
Now you're just trolling.
He's supposed to lead this team to a Finals elimination game by not quitting!
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2005.html
Or this team:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2008.html
Or this team:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2004.html
It's still quitting.
When Kobe quit I believe he thought he was justified. Why? I believe he thought: "there is no way in I'm going to be able to ring with this f'in bunch. Just it." That's quitting, gd it. Bryant was wrong. And is still wrong to this day.
I don't need Media to tell me what is quitting and who is quitting. I got eyes and a brain.
Yes. There is no other way.
It would be awesome if the Cavs make the playoffs next year and the Heat miss the playoffs. Cavs could maybe at least get the number 8th seed in the East. Or how about the Heat as the number 1 seed and the Cavs as the number 8 seed and the Cavs upsetting the Heat in 7 games in the first round. That would be sweet but I don't think Stern would let it happen.
That's exactly what you're doing. Following the media's (and popular) opinion that James quit on his team. I might be the only one here giving James somewhat the benefit of doubt, and giving the Celtics credit rather completely vilifying James. Like I said before, athletes from all sports have had their will broken and belief shattered at some point in their career, which is what I think happened to James.
You may call it quitting, but I prefer to call it "outclassed."
Cavs have a better chance at getting the #1 overall pick than they do of making the playoffs.
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