NBA!

[Chee-Hu]

Originally Posted by jinrawke

Exactly! Being a Lebron fan since he came out of high school has been rough, especially living in Cali with the Kobe fanatics. I've heard the entire spectrum of jokes from all my friends and I've stayed true. I'm not a Lebron fan that will tell you that he has NOT been childish or immature or that he has NOT made any mistakes. The reason why I'm a Lebron fan is because I enjoy it when I see people GROW and learn from all their mistakes. Lebron has finally paid his dues and I really do hope that this attitude change he's undergone this past season is not a fake bravado.

I also hate how he's judged at a completely different scale... its just ridiculous sometimes.

http://www.freep.com/article/2012061...-path-Dream-on

That’s too funny. I never thought I’d meet any other person from Cali who shares the same interest in Lebron. Although I’m not from SoCal, I’m in Sacramento where Kings fans is almost as brutal IMO when they see me wearing Lebron jerseys. I’ve been following Lebron ever since the game against Melo and Oak Hill. I was too young to say I did the same with Jordan, but once he retired I kind of lost interest until I picked the SI with Lebron on the cover in a SVSM jersey. He was a beast then, and is still a beast now.

People in general think they do not have flaws and are perfect, so they expect the same from him.

[M-17]

Originally Posted by Chee-Hu

People in general think they do not have flaws and are perfect, so they expect the same from him.

You're starting to sound like Lebron now. From the infamous press conference on the fans.

I generally like the fact that he is playing better from the past two games. I honestly wasn't too impressed by his season stats though. I expect him to do well or set the bar higher. He pretty much has every advantage for him, but he still can't get the one thing that matters to most in the NBA. If he goes out there in the Finals and keeps doing what he's suppose to do then he can finally earn some respect. Since it doesn't help his image to be considered the best when he hasn't even won one championship yet.

[Chee-Hu]

I understand where you're coming to some degree and respect your opinion. Yes, he is capable of doing "more" and should be getting those numbers on a daily basis, but he does play in the NBA where the best-of-the-best play.

What I don't understand is how I'm starting to sound like him. Is it not true that he gets criticized for every single thing? Be it missed free throws, what clothes he's wearing, his hairline, etc., every one and their mom has something to say about it.

If OKC lose in the Finals, there will be little talk. In fact, they will be hailed as having a great season. On the other hand, all hell will break lose if Miami lose even if Lebron gets his usual average. It'll all be his fault once again

I look at it this way. Give his numbers to the likes of Dwight, DRose, Durant, or any of the top 10 players and they'll be spoken about like they're the greatest in NBA history.

[M-17]

^
I'd leave the criticism about his clothes, dissapearing hairline lol, twitter comments alone. You can't disregard his free throws though. That's part of the game and he needs to make those.

So take a look at LBJ. Look at his size, his speed, his athleticism, and his strength, he has a significant advantage over other players in the NBA. Now I would consider Lebron the best or 2nd best in the league. The guy could play the 1, the 2, the 3, and the 4, maybe the 5 if the team was desperate. That's nearly every position on the floor though. Barely anyone else can do what Lebron is capable of putting together for himself. So its hard to say he should have a hard time playing against the best of the best.

And the reason OKC gets the pass is they're an original team. They're a young team that has been together for a while and are on the brink to win their 1st championship. This is also coming from a team that was relocated, this is not like when one team loses their franchise all star player booking it to another team to join up with 2 other all stars. So Durant and the rest of the crew will be more receptive to positive responses from the general public and media.

I for one thought it was an accomplishment for the Heat to make it to the Finals on their first try. Now this time around they can't mess it up.

[S2kphile]

LBJ just needs to win a championship to shut his critics up. After the debacle of last years finals; I expect him to show up and do what hes doing.

I respect his game and he is by far the most talented player in the NBA right now; however, proclaiming himself "King" and being celebrated like he has won a championship that is the issue that myself & his critics have. Anything pertaining to his game or lack thereof. Gotta earn it. 9-years no championship and not showing up in last years finals.

BTW, I got Heat in 7 games; although, I wouldn't mind KD getting his ring before LBJ because you gotta work at it to earn it. And he is doing it right.

[helloimgil]

I'm actually from Nor Cal and am a Warriors fan... and we all know how that franchise has been

As far as the criticism for Lebron... sure he does deserve criticism for his immaturity and the way he has clearly mishandled some things (see 'the decision') but as it is, he gets a lot of flak he doesn't deserve.

A lot of players got a lot of flak just like this... especially Jordan. We all don't remember that because winning will always erase the negative memories and this is true in aspects outside of sports as well (wars, etc.). There are many players that we celebrate that have done incredibly stupid things - rape, guns, drugs, domestic violence, etc. just because they won a championship.
Now add the new social media in the mix... twitter / facebook /etc. and now you have instant collective feedback which magnifies the situation even more.

There are 2 things that make this Miami Heat story captivating for me.
1) The Lebron / Wade dynamic. The way I'm moving forward with my life right now is I want to succeed in my career / or side business opportunities. My best friend also has the same drive and capability so, to me, there would be no better way than to succeed but to also succeed with your closest friend / friends regardless from what the entire world thinks you are 'taking the easy way out'.
I always thought the nickname 'Super Friends' was the most appropriate for this team because that's what it is. A group of friends that had the fortunate opportunity to team up to accomplish a goal and I can't fault them for that.

2) The transformation of Lebron. The jokes about him only playing for 3.5 quarters are legit. I'm not so fanatical that I'll say no you're wrong! but it's just the truth for the big games.
At this point I have no idea what's going to happen and that's what makes it fun. Is he going to turn into Jordan or was he always a Magic? Will we praise him for passing to Mike Miller to hit a game winning 3 like when Jordan passed to Kerr or will we completely bash him when Miller misses? or will he actually take the shot and make/miss?
If he shrinks and hides like he did last year in the Finals... then well I would be supremely disappointed in him for leaving his team hanging.

TLDR : The finals this year are gonna be GREAT.

[M-17]

I still have the Thunder winning this series. I just hope its a good one. :happy0180:

[kmbkk]

I agree that Lebron gets a lot of criticism. As for last year's finals, you're right, everyone talks about how Lebron choked. Nobody mentions the Mavs actually just played damn good defense on him.

But yeah, I'd say Lebron has improved himself overall the past year; his play, his comments, just the way he carries himself.

Also, you're partly right on the Heat, in general, being overly criticized...go back to summer '10 and replay the Heat announcing their free agent signings, though. They were throwing a victory party before the season had even started. Things like that, The Decision, and them saying they were going to win several championships didn't set well with pretty much everyone outside Miami. So I'd argue they invited all the criticism and micro-judging. Just my thoughts as a neutral observer.

[Giccin]

[Calidrifter]

Tornados can and will rip the roof off of that stadium.

[S2kphile]

[Giccin]

1-0 OKC!!

LETS GET IT LETS GO!

[M-17]

SMDH... that MJ and Lebron pic is such bullshit.


Meanwhile in OKC...

[S2kphile]

D.Wade leggo!