It's Tough To Watch

[MarqBB77-03]

It's tough to watch DWade being dragged down by Lebron.  With Wade's hip injury, this was Lebron chance to put the team on his shoulders and carry them to victory.  He just does not have the will or basketball smarts.

[Jam Chowder]

Heat fans HAVE to be sick of him hoisting up 3s late in the game. All he's been doing is dunking in transition... other than that he has been invisible in the last two games.

[Brewtown Andy]

It's only tough to watch if you actually wanted this "Hey, let's all play together!" idea to work immediately out of the box.

[GGGG]

He had a triple-double so it's not as though he was completely invisible.  However, what he needs to develop is a post up game.  A couple of times he was isolated against Kidd...and he would step back and shoot over him (and miss).  He needs to learn how to back a guy down and develop a nice fadeaway like MJ used to.

[nyg]

Heat fans HAVE to be sick of him hoisting up 3s late in the game. All he's been doing is dunking in transition... other than that he has been invisible in the last two games.

Right on clue here.  He missed two open threes late that just killed the Heat, while Jason Terry made his.

I don't know if his bad play will continue, but really he is due to have a big game. 

[NersEllenson]

He had a triple-double so it's not as though he was completely invisible.  However, what he needs to develop is a post up game.  A couple of times he was isolated against Kidd...and he would step back and shoot over him (and miss).  He needs to learn how to back a guy down and develop a nice fadeaway like MJ used to.

+1000 - Saw the exact same thing. D-Wade had the same matchup and several times backed Kidd down and scored - and Bron has about 35 pounds and 5 inches on Wade/Kidd...no reason for James to settle for jumpers from 18 feet, when he could easilty back Kidd down to the block and baby hook, fadeaway J, or power spin and dunk.

[MU B2002]

I can't even remember 'Bron hitting a 3 this series.


I think all this Rashard Lewis stuff is in his head.

[MerrittsMustache]

+1000 - Saw the exact same thing. D-Wade had the same matchup and several times backed Kidd down and scored - and Bron has about 35 pounds and 5 inches on Wade/Kidd...no reason for James to settle for jumpers from 18 feet, when he could easilty back Kidd down to the block and baby hook, fadeaway J, or power spin and dunk.

LeBron has gotten to this point by simply being bigger, stronger and more talented than everyone else. He has never actually learned *how* to play basketball. Fans often use him as an example of why players don't need to go to college to be successful NBA players, but if you watch him closely, it's obvious that he still doesn't completely "get it" (I'd put Kobe in that same category, rings and all). He's not great at reading defenses or finding mismatches or truly understanding how to make teammates better and get everyone involved. More times than not, he can take over games because he's simply more talented than everyone else. When he runs into a team that can match his talent to some extent, he has no Plan B.

Don't get me wrong, both LeBron and Kobe will go down as all-time greats, which is well-deserved, but it's frustrating to watch players with all that ability still not getting the most out of it.

[Henry Sugar]

I asked Lebron for change for a dollar. He gave me 75 cents and said, "Sorry, I don't have a 4th quarter."

Stolen from Basketbawful

[Skatastrophy]

I asked Lebron for change for a dollar. He gave me 75 cents and said, "Sorry, I don't have a 4th quarter."

Stolen from Basketbawful

I laughed inappropriately loud at work, thanks for that

[JWags85]

LeBron has gotten to this point by simply being bigger, stronger and more talented than everyone else. He has never actually learned *how* to play basketball. Fans often use him as an example of why players don't need to go to college to be successful NBA players, but if you watch him closely, it's obvious that he still doesn't completely "get it" (I'd put Kobe in that same category, rings and all). He's not great at reading defenses or finding mismatches or truly understanding how to make teammates better and get everyone involved. More times than not, he can take over games because he's simply more talented than everyone else. When he runs into a team that can match his talent to some extent, he has no Plan B.

Don't get me wrong, both LeBron and Kobe will go down as all-time greats, which is well-deserved, but it's frustrating to watch players with all that ability still not getting the most out of it.

So basically what you are saying is Lebron needed to play in the Swing with Bo right?

[MerrittsMustache]

I asked Lebron for change for a dollar. He gave me 75 cents and said, "Sorry, I don't have a 4th quarter."

Stolen from Basketbawful

In honor of your avatar, I must say...That is LITRALLY the best joke I have ever heard.

[GGGG]

Merritts I completely agree with you on this.  I think basketball-related adversity helps you develop as a player.  Jordan getting cut from his high school team...DWade sitting out as a partial...that stuff makes you a better player.  Lebron has had it too easy.

[MerrittsMustache]

So basically what you are saying is Lebron needed to play in the Swing with Bo right?

Exactly! He could have been the next Alando Tucker...except I think Tucker was only a junior when he was LeBron's age, wasn't he?

[ChicosBailBonds]

It still takes 4 wins to capture a NBA title...right?

[MerrittsMustache]

It still takes 4 wins to capture a NBA title...right?

There are still 16 ounces in a pound...right?


(I also wanted to bring up a question that no one had said anything contrary to.)

[4everwarriors]

5 quarts in a gallon, aina?

[Pakuni]

Bears still poop in forrested areas (and sometimes Soldier Field during the playoffs).

Anyhow, I'm loathe to defend LeBron, but I should point out that without him, Dwyane Wade and the rest of the Heat would have been on summer vacation as of about three weeks ago. They don't get past Boston or Chicago without LeBron.

As for how Heat fans feel ... probably about the same way they felt after #3 flubbed an easy inbounds pass with 6 seconds left Tuesday night.

[Lennys Tap]

Miami is probably even money to a slight favorite to win the series right now (if they're 3-1 to win game 6 and 7, they're better than 56% to win it all). But even if they win, the 4th quarter play of Lebron (which has ranged from poor to abysmal) will be a major topic of discussion.

[NersEllenson]

Miami is probably even money to a slight favorite to win the series right now (if they're 3-1 to win game 6 and 7, they're better than 56% to win it all). But even if they win, the 4th quarter play of Lebron (which has ranged from poor to abysmal) will be a major topic of discussion.

Agree - but as Pakuni pointed out - Without LeBron's performances in the Bulls series - no way the Heat are in the Finals.  D-Wade was not very good (and never seems to be against the Bulls), and now Bron isn't playing too well against the Mavs.

LeBron did hit some HUGE shots down the stretch in the Bulls series in many of those games.  I actually kind of feel for LeBron, because he is getting taken to the woodshed by the media and many in the basketball community...yet he has brilliant in the Bulls series.

[StillAWarrior]

Miami is probably even money to a slight favorite to win the series right now (if they're 3-1 to win game 6 and 7, they're better than 56% to win it all). But even if they win, the 4th quarter play of Lebron (which has ranged from poor to abysmal) will be a major topic of discussion.

On the radio this morning they pointed out that Jason Terry scored 8 points in the last 3:30 last night, while LeBron has scored 11 points in the fourth quarter the entire series.

[reinko]

Poor form DWade...

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=6648286

I guess Dirk responded with a tell me how my ass tastes game.

[martyconlonontherun]

Because Wade would be in the Finals now without LeBron? I hate Lebron, but they wouldn't have beaten the Bulls without him. I know its partly how Wade plays but his instant injuries get annoying. I've never seen a guy helped off the court as much as he does. Beyond that, Wade has been incredible this series.

[leever]

I felt like I was watching a Marquette game with the Mavs bombing 3 pointers from anywhere and everywhere.  Seemed like (mostly) Miami was playing pretty good defense, but Dallas couldn't miss.

As for LBJ, the number of free throws he's attempted tells you everything you need to know about how aggressive he's been

Hope DWade is at full strength on Sunday.

[Lennys Tap]

Poor form DWade...

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=6648286

I guess Dirk responded with a tell me how my ass tastes game.

Love DWade and if the Heat win he's unanimous for NBA Finals MVP. That said, don't think it's fair for the guy who rolls around on the ground in agony and whines to the officials more than anyone in the league to criticize Dirk because his coach and teamates mentioned that in addition to a torn tendon he was playing with a 101 degree fever.