D Wade and Heat both off to a solid start

[Eldon]

http://www.youtube.com/v/vowNwPPhciM?version=3&start=23

LBJ didn't respect Spo, at least not the first season.  Guarantee LeBron doesn't shoulder-check Phil, Doc, Pop, or a whole host of other coaches.

Did the Heat win despite Spo or because of him?  Of course, there is no way to ever know.  I'd actually be curious to see Spo's value-add numbers (or whatever metric is used to evaluate coaches from a sabermetrics standpoint).

I get that even if Spo was a drag on the team, they won 2 of four titles, so he must not have been that much of a liability.  And, in fairness to him, that Spurs team last year was some of the best team basketball I have ever seen.

But, man.  If you've got three of the top 10 players in the league...well, call me spoiled, but I expect 4 for 4.

[WarriorInNYC]

I really don't understand Lebron hate. As talented as he is, he is fairly mild mannered, stays out of trouble, and is a productive member of society. Oh, and he's the greatest since Jordan to play the game of basketball. Unless you are jealous, not much to hate

Agreed.  I just don't get it at all.  I also think you are being a bit conservative here.  Lebron doesn't just stay out of trouble, he really gives back quite a lot to the community.  He is a great role model.  I also think how he handled the whole Lance Stephenson thing last year in the playoffs was about as cool-headed as anyone could have.

A bit whiny for my tastes. Cocky wearing the no23 and having his decision commercials Needed to team up with at least one other hall of famer and another star to win championships and hey he's doing it again. Plus personally I don't root for players that didn't play in college.  I'm not the biggest Lebron hater out their but certainly can think of enough reasons to dislike him.

Does he complain?  Yes he does.  But just as much, if not less IMO, than Kobe, Melo, Wade, etc.  And to say that he is cocky to wear #23 is a really, really ridiculous thing to say.  Agree that the decision stuff was overdone.

[GGGG]

A bit whiny for my tastes. Cocky wearing the no23 and having his decision commercials Needed to team up with at least one other hall of famer and another star to win championships and hey he's doing it again. Plus personally I don't root for players that didn't play in college.  I'm not the biggest Lebron hater out their but certainly can think of enough reasons to dislike him.

He wore 23 out of respect to MJ...not to overshadow him.  A lot of people who wear that number do that.

And I'm sorry, but why don't you root for players who didn't play in college?  That sounds bizarre to me.

[willie warrior]

+1.  It's a match made in Heaven.  Dan Gilbert and LeBrick both want all the eyes on themselves.  Can you imagine any other person in the world who would go back and work under someone who wrote a public letter, and left it up on his company's website for your four years away, the way Dan Gilbert did about LeBich and all of a sudden they mend their relationship?  Simply because they have an opportunity to put more eyes on them.  The media coverage for their first loss of the year was nauseating.

Except you have it in reverse--Gilbert is actually now working for LeBum. There is not a major move that the Cavs will make without getting the Planet Star's approval, and that includes Gilbert's moves on the toilet.

[GGGG]

An amazing story? That's laughable. What would've been an amazing story was if he had never left. Instead he knew he couldn't carry a team like Wade did so he had to have the help of 2 other top 10 players in the NBA to help him get his first (and second) NBA title. Now it just so happens that Cleveland gets 3 number 1 picks in 4 years (no coincidence) and all of a sudden another top 10 player is unhappy and looking for a new home, so LeBrick can go "home" and have the help of 2 other top 15 NBA players. There's nothing "amazing" about the story.

I guess if you are going to be a cynic that is one way of looking at it.  I tend to take him at his word that he wanted to pair up with friends to win titles, but wanted to go back home.  He compared going to Miami with going to college.

Outside of *how* he left Miami, which he admitted was a mistake, there is nothing about Lebron that I feel is worthy of the anger that is directed his way.  He's the best player in the league.  Seems like an all around good guy.  Does he know how to play up the publicity?  Of course.  Like Magic, MJ, etc.  Nothing wrong with that at all.

[willie warrior]

He wore 23 out of respect to MJ...not to overshadow him.  A lot of people who wear that number do that.

And I'm sorry, but why don't you root for players who didn't play in college?  That sounds bizarre to me.

You are right Sultan. I did not play in college, and I always root for myself whenever I take the court in a pick up, which nowadays is infrequently.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I know people love all sorts of sports cliches about "carrying your team" and whatnot, but I like what they did in Miami.

You had 3 guys takes less money to be on a better team and play with their friends.

If I could take a little less money to work at a better company with my friends, I would do it in a second.

[willie warrior]

I know people love all sorts of sports cliches about "carrying your team" and whatnot, but I like what they did in Miami.

You had 3 guys takes less money to be on a better team and play with their friends.

If I could take a little less money to work at a better company with my friends, I would do it in a second.

Except LeBum broke up that "friendship" for....wait for it...more money!!!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Except LeBum broke up that "friendship" for....wait for it...more money!!!

So you liked him before he went back to Cleveland?

[wadesworld]

I guess if you are going to be a cynic that is one way of looking at it.  I tend to take him at his word that he wanted to pair up with friends to win titles, but wanted to go back home.  He compared going to Miami with going to college.

Outside of *how* he left Miami, which he admitted was a mistake, there is nothing about Lebron that I feel is worthy of the anger that is directed his way.  He's the best player in the league.  Seems like an all around good guy.  Does he know how to play up the publicity?  Of course.  Like Magic, MJ, etc.  Nothing wrong with that at all.

You guys may be okay with going to 4 straight Finals and winning 2 of them, but LeBrick himself said it from day 1 in Miami, they weren't going to win 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7...titles.  It was going to be unlimited in a row.  So by his standards the move was a failure.

I'm just not a fan of a guy who looks for every opportunity to draw attention to himself.  First you try to be so "honorable" by publicly announcing you won't wear 23 and "petitioning" nobody else in the NBA to wear it out of "respect" for Jordan (AKA just look at what a great guy I am).  Then you go completely against that, but also find another way to get all eyes on you by having fans vote on what number you wear.  Hah.  Why not just be an individual and decide for yourself, whether your fans approve or not (I'm fairly confident in saying his jersey would sell regardless of whether he wore 6 or 23).  What happened to everyone getting behind LeBust and not wearing 23?  On top of that he is having fans vote on his pre-game ritual.  Just more ways to get more eyeballs on him.  How cool.

I also don't like the fact that last season after he has a monster game (his 60 point game) he comes out and lobbies for MVP votes.  Lame if you ask me.  How many NBA players do you see mockingly "coughing" when it becomes public that the star of your opponent is sick in the NBA Finals (and then get owned by that team)?  Not many.  How many free agents order an hour long TV show to announce their decision, and then get praised for writing an article announcing his next free agent decision?  What ever happened to the days of signing a contract and having ESPN Bottom Line release the news?

Just a personal preference.  I like guys who stay out of the limelight and just go about their business.  It's why I love Durant, Curry, etc.  You don't hear from them outside of their highlights and praising their mother and teammates when accepting an MVP award.

[Galway Eagle]

Agreed.  I just don't get it at all.  I also think you are being a bit conservative here.  Lebron doesn't just stay out of trouble, he really gives back quite a lot to the community.  He is a great role model.  I also think how he handled the whole Lance Stephenson thing last year in the playoffs was about as cool-headed as anyone could have.

Does he complain?  Yes he does.  But just as much, if not less IMO, than Kobe, Melo, Wade, etc.  And to say that he is cocky to wear #23 is a really, really ridiculous thing to say.  Agree that the decision stuff was overdone.

Dude Lebron has gotten fouled and literally ran down the entire court with his arms out looking for a bigger call... I have never seen melo Kobe or Wade do something that extravagant.  

He wore 23 out of respect to MJ...not to overshadow him.  A lot of people who wear that number do that.

And I'm sorry, but why don't you root for players who didn't play in college?  That sounds bizarre to me.

I just don't. It foregos team ball where just a star won't necessarily carry a team, and foregos a level of competition where every game truly matters and you can't really take nights off. I just don't like players that do that.  And beyond that I don't like a player (or the school) that says "if I went to college I would've gone here" and then uses that to create a marketing relationship built entirely on what could've happened.  He clearly has no idea if he would've gotten along with the coach of OSU at that time (pre Matta I believe) no idea the level of pressure that would've been on him to play at a blue blood and he's already shown that he'd leave his hometown to leave so I don't doubt that he'd have done it out of HS but just to score some hometown points and create a marketing relationship with on of the nations biggest schools he says he would've gone to OSU. Its stupid.

[MU82]

Whatevs.

Some folks are gonna love LeBron, some are gonna hate him and most are gonna be somewhere in between those extremes.

He has won titles. He has made mistakes. He has been whiny. He has been charitable. He's human.

I simply like watching him play basketball. Those who don't, well, the clicker is on the table.

[GGGG]

I just don't. It foregos team ball where just a star won't necessarily carry a team, and foregos a level of competition where every game truly matters and you can't really take nights off. I just don't like players that do that.

Again, that is bizarre.  So you'll like a guy like Durant, Anthony Davis, Noel who went to college for a year (even though if they were older they probably wouldn't have gone at all), versus guys who went out of high school and were successful?  Sounds very arbitrary to me.

[GGGG]

Just a personal preference.  I like guys who stay out of the limelight and just go about their business.  It's why I love Durant, Curry, etc.  You don't hear from them outside of their highlights and praising their mother and teammates when accepting an MVP award.

Did you like Michael Jordan?

[Galway Eagle]

Again, that is bizarre.  So you'll like a guy like Durant, Anthony Davis, Noel who went to college for a year (even though if they were older they probably wouldn't have gone at all), versus guys who went out of high school and were successful?  Sounds very arbitrary to me.

Saying that I like them because they went to college is taking my opinion and making it arbitrary (not your first time trying to twist my words). But I appreciate those guys more because they played in college and with a guy like durant who I don't believe even made the sweet 16 proves that NBA stars that could've gone out of high school won't necessarily carry a college team.  I think it's a vital experience of dumbing down certain egos or building up others. If derrick Rose hits those free throws he likely still can't shoot a free throw in the pros.  If Jimmy butler stops pondexter (or was it Thomas) against washingtong he likely doesn't go crazy with taking defense seriously.  I just think that time in college is good for knocking some guys down a peg or two

[GGGG]

Saying that I like them because they went to college is taking my opinion and making it arbitrary (not your first time trying to twist my words).

You are the one that said you "don't root for players that didn't play in college." 

Communicate better.  Not hard.

[MU82]

If derrick Rose hits those free throws he likely still can't shoot a free throw in the pros.  If Jimmy butler stops pondexter (or was it Thomas) against washingtong he likely doesn't go crazy with taking defense seriously. 

Talk about a stretch.

I guess if Magic hadn't won a title as sophomore, he would have been humbled and would have gone on to a better career.

Or how 'bout this ... if Derrick HAD hit those free throws, maybe he would have learned what it was like to be a big-time winner and he would have led the Bulls to  an NBA title by now.

Or if Jimmy HAD stopped Pondexter, he would have led Marquette to the Final Four, would have been drafted higher and already would be enjoying a max contract.

Anybody can make baseless speculation.

[willie warrior]

So you liked him before he went back to Cleveland?

I was ambivalent. Great player, who did take less money, but also made an ass of himself with the pep rallies when he came to Miami and predicted about 8 Championships as well as mocking Nowitzki before he kicked LeBum's ass in that first Championship. With LeBum, it is about him. And it has been since he arrived. And it always will be. Lots of prima donnas like him, except he is one of the best all time players.

[Galway Eagle]

You are the one that said you "don't root for players that didn't play in college." 

Communicate better.  Not hard.

Yes but that doesn't mean that I suddenly cheer for all the players forced to play in college. That's where you twist my words just like when I said derrick wasn't confident and you took that to mean I was saying he was an elite player who wasn't confident.

Talk about a stretch.

I guess if Magic hadn't won a title as sophomore, he would have been humbled and would have gone on to a better career.

Or how 'bout this ... if Derrick HAD hit those free throws, maybe he would have learned what it was like to be a big-time winner and he would have led the Bulls to  an NBA title by now.

Or if Jimmy HAD stopped Pondexter, he would have led Marquette to the Final Four, would have been drafted higher and already would be enjoying a max contract.

Anybody can make baseless speculation.

Completely agree it's a stretch with rose or magic though before the 2010-11 season jimmy did an interview saying how much he stressed defense over the summer and how he blamed himself that Zar mo and cubi had to go out like that. I do feel like if that upset doesn't happen jimmy the lockdown defender doesn't happen  

[reinko]

You guys may be okay with going to 4 straight Finals and winning 2 of them, but LeBrick himself said it from day 1 in Miami, they weren't going to win 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7...titles.  It was going to be unlimited in a row.  So by his standards the move was a failure.

I'm just not a fan of a guy who looks for every opportunity to draw attention to himself.  First you try to be so "honorable" by publicly announcing you won't wear 23 and "petitioning" nobody else in the NBA to wear it out of "respect" for Jordan (AKA just look at what a great guy I am).  Then you go completely against that, but also find another way to get all eyes on you by having fans vote on what number you wear.  Hah.  Why not just be an individual and decide for yourself, whether your fans approve or not (I'm fairly confident in saying his jersey would sell regardless of whether he wore 6 or 23).  What happened to everyone getting behind LeBust and not wearing 23?  On top of that he is having fans vote on his pre-game ritual.  Just more ways to get more eyeballs on him.  How cool.

I also don't like the fact that last season after he has a monster game (his 60 point game) he comes out and lobbies for MVP votes.  Lame if you ask me.  How many NBA players do you see mockingly "coughing" when it becomes public that the star of your opponent is sick in the NBA Finals (and then get owned by that team)?  Not many.  How many free agents order an hour long TV show to announce their decision, and then get praised for writing an article announcing his next free agent decision?  What ever happened to the days of signing a contract and having ESPN Bottom Line release the news?

Just a personal preference.  I like guys who stay out of the limelight and just go about their business.  It's why I love Durant, Curry, etc.  You don't hear from them outside of their highlights and praising their mother and teammates when accepting an MVP award.

You are kinda like a mad lib of hate when comes to McCarthy, Braun, LeBron, Cutler...

[wadesworld]

You are kinda like a mad lib of hate when comes to McCarthy, Braun, LeBron, Cutler...

I don't hate McCarthy, hate when he goes away from what makes his team successful.

So drop him from that list and add Larry Sanders and you pretty much have it.