Miami Heat sucxors

[NewbieJr 541]

A. I never insisted Bonds was clean, I merely pointed out that he (at the time) never failed a test, and was asking why is everybody so focused on him when half the league was doing roids too? Of which after the Mitchell Report I was right. Half the damn league was juicing. You live in some black and white world where you have to take a side or something on every topic.

 

B. Wade didn't leave for Free Agency he was already on the Heat.

 

C. The 4, 5, 6 rings comment was in jest. They were laughing and having a good time with it all at a Miami Heat function when they said that. But you're right, they should have been more media savvy and realized dipshits would take them literally and make a big deal out of it.

 

D. Yes they were the favorites. Then thier second most 'important' player on the team got injured. So they went from favorites to just one of the bunch now with the Bosh injury. Injuries happen, its not an excuse but it changes everything. Just like it would if Noah, or Garnett or Hibbert or Griffin or Duncan or Westbrook got hurt.

Wade was already on the Heat, but would have left if him, James, and Bosh didn't come up with their little plan. hth

 

And their rings comment wasn't in jest. It was being cocky. Just like mocking Dirk Novitski when he was sick in last year's finals. They are smug, arrogant punks. How anyone other than long time Heat fans could ever like that team is mind boggling.

[Mungwater 601]

I agree with you if i was STARTING a team. All of those guys are younger than Wade. I was just talking best players RIGHT NOW. I'd have a hard time keeping Wade outside my top 6 or 7 at the worst.

 

Ok, but it doesn't change my rankings, but I see what you're saying

 

ETA: had to fix some grammar, autocorrect got me

[KSB2424 3,174]

They tried to take a shortcut.

Let me ask you a serious question in regards to this comment. Forget the names of the players. Which is worse in your mind?

 

A. While still under contract with original team, mid season demand a trade to a title contender/favorite city.

 

B. Play out your original contract with the team that drafted you, reup a few years in the process, and after 7-8 years leave for free agency (after your contract expires) to a title contender/favotire city.

[Cruzer 1,996]

If I'm starting a team right now - give me Westbrook over all other points and I'll take my chances.

[NewbieJr 541]

Let me ask you a serious question in regards to this comment. Forget the names of the players. Which is worse in your mind?

 

A. While still under contract with original team, mid season demand a trade to a title contender/favorite city.

 

B. Play out your original contract with the team that drafted you, reup a few years in the process, and after 7-8 years leave for free agency (after your contract expires) to a title contender/favotire city.

I hate both scenerios, actually. And my problem with Lebron wasn't that he signed with another team. My problem was that Cleveland actually offered him more money and he chose to go where it would be much easier to win rings. He knew what his legacy was starting to be. He led Cleveland to the best record in the NBA his fianl year there. But he's not in the Jordan atmosphere where he's just so good he can win title after title without another superstar around him. (And don't mention Scottie Pippin. He was an above average player without Jordan and could have NEVER led a team on his own). So instead of being determined and just trying to improve his clutch game and be better under pressure to get oiver the hump with his home town team, he decided to try to a dream team and make it 10 times easier. He basically pulled a Karl Malone and tried to acquire a bullsh!t ring by signing with the Lakers. Hopefully, he fails like Malone did.

[cyclone24 1,940]

I hate both scenerios, actually. And my problem with Lebron wasn't that he signed with another team. My problem was that Cleveland actually offered him more money and he chose to go where it would be much easier to win rings. He knew what his legacy was starting to be. He led Cleveland to the best record in the NBA his fianl year there. But he's not in the Jordan atmosphere where he's just so good he can win title after title without another superstar around him. (And don't mention Scottie Pippin. He was an above average player without Jordan and could have NEVER led a team on his own). So instead of being determined and just trying to improve his clutch game and be better under pressure to get oiver the hump with his home town team, he decided to try to a dream team and make it 10 times easier. He basically pulled a Karl Malone and tried to acquire a bullsh!t ring by signing with the Lakers. Hopefully, he fails like Malone did.

 

Agreed...i dont hate LBJ for the "decision"....i hate him because instead of riding with a team in a city that loved him like a son..he bolted and joined another alpha dog in Wade. Can you imagine Bird joining Magic? Or Mj joining Bird? Heck no....they wanted to kill each other.

 

And this isnt a Kevin Garnett situation. KG...save for a year or two....basically got pounded, and his team was awful for many many of those years he was in Minny. LBJ had a good team almost from day one, contending teams that would have contended again had he stayed.

 

I had this arguement with someone else who spouted off his stat lines..........what good are all those stats for 43 minutes....if you cant close games and are MIA in clutch shot situations? Look at KD the other night....he wanted the ball, and had ZERO issues walking Artest down and hitting ANOTHER big clutch shot.....i cant even fathom LBJ doing that when it matters.

[Voltaire 5,530]

Gawdd@mn Pacers. They caught a huge break with Bosh getting hurt yet are focking it all up. Bosh could be recovered enough to play next round.

[WhiteWonder 3,011]

right now im not sure who i want to win. i guess its still Indy because i have money on them and the Heat. But part of me feels boston will have an easier time with Miami. Indy might just be a better version of the quick sixers team that can sometimes give Boston fits.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

right now im not sure who i want to win. i guess its still Indy because i have money on them and the Heat. But part of me feels boston will have an easier time with Miami. Indy might just be a better version of the quick sixers team that can sometimes give Boston fits.

 

The East is irrelevant. The champ is either San Antonio or OKC. I'll take OKC.

[cbfalcon 828]

If I can have it my way, Miami will get back to the Finals before choking again. As much as I'm rooting for the Pacers every night, I know I'll miss having Miami to root against when they are gone.

 

I want Lebron back on the biggest stage deferring in 4th quarters. And I want Wade on the biggest stage exposing himself for being a complete punk. It's more fun that way.

[cyclone24 1,940]

If I can have it my way, Miami will get back to the Finals before choking again. As much as I'm rotting for the Pacers every night, I know I'll miss having Miami to root against when they are gone.

 

I want Lebron back on the biggest stage deferring in 4th quarters. And I want Wade on the biggest stage exposing himself for being a complete punk. It's more fun that way.

 

 

This

 

You can get thru a terrible Knicks team like this, you can get thru a good, but young and stupid Indy team like this.......Boston is a whole other animal....and boston isnt even OKC or San Antonio who are even better. Wouldnt surprise me to see Boston end these clowns. But yes...i kinda want them to get back there again to have the lose.

[cbfalcon 828]

The East is irrelevant. The champ is either San Antonio or OKC. I'll take OKC.

 

I watch the Spurs play and think "The Thunder can't beat these guys"...Then the next night I watch the Thunder play and think "The Spurs have no chance".

 

Excluding any Dallas series (as a diehard Mavs fan), I'm probably looking forward to this series more than any other in the past 5 years.

[NewbieJr 541]

This

 

You can get thru a terrible Knicks team like this, you can get thru a good, but young and stupid Indy team like this.......Boston is a whole other animal....and boston isnt even OKC or San Antonio who are even better. Wouldnt surprise me to see Boston end these clowns. But yes...i kinda want them to get back there again to have the lose.

This, too.

 

The longer the Heat keep playing, the better the chances for a devastating injury to either James or Wade. Best case scenerio: Both running after a loose ball. Both try hitting the brakes before colliding, causing knees buckling and mutilated ligaments. I'm not a real religious guy, but I'm praying for this.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

This, too.

 

The longer the Heat keep playing, the better the chances for a devastating injury to either James or Wade. Best case scenerio: Both running after a loose ball. Both try hitting the brakes before colliding, causing knees buckling and mutilated ligaments. I'm not a real religious guy, but I'm praying for this.

 

1. Rooting for injury?

 

2. And no, the best case scenario is this. In the final seconds of a seven game series, game seven, he is down by one...

 

"Lebron steals the ball! He runs down the floor... there is NOBODY else on that side of the court... He goes up for an uncontested dunk..."

 

CLANG!!

 

"Oh my God! He blew it! The Heat fans are storming the court in anger! Miami is burning to the ground! LaBron is crying like a little girl!"

 

_____

 

That's what I'd like to see.

[cbfalcon 828]

"Lebron steals the ball! He runs down the floor... there is NOBODY else on that side of the court... He goes up for an uncontested dunk..."

 

CLANG!!

 

"Oh my God! He blew it! The Heat fans are storming the court in anger! Miami is burning to the ground! LaBron is crying like a little girl!"

 

_____

 

That's what I'd like to see.

 

Or Wade steals the ball. Open court for the uncontested dunk...but then he flops and misses the shot and from the seat of his pants looks to the ref in shock that there was no call.

[Voltaire 5,530]

What you guys fail to realize is that if Miami gets to the finals, they have a chance to win. Losing to the west winner is no certainty. No point in rolling the dice. An inglorious second round defeat works.

 

Somebody has to tag them with four losses. May as well be Indy or Boston. The finals would be just as good with either of those teams.

[Stewburtx8 67]

right now im not sure who i want to win. i guess its still Indy because i have money on them and the Heat. But part of me feels boston will have an easier time with Miami. Indy might just be a better version of the quick sixers team that can sometimes give Boston fits.

 

 

Boston is still soo banged up right now that I can't see them having a "easy" time with anyone. I still think the Heat come out of the East, especially if they get Bosh back.

 

Like others have said, I'm looking forward to the Spurs/Thunder series. These two teams are playing at such a ridiculously high level right now. Should be a great series. I have a hard time believing that the winner of that series doesn't win the NBA Championship.

[cbfalcon 828]

What you guys fail to realize is that if Miami gets to the finals, they have a chance to win. Losing to the west winner is no certainty. No point in rolling the dice. An inglorious second round defeat works.

 

Somebody has to tag them with four losses. May as well be Indy or Boston. The finals would be just as good with either of those teams.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm rooting against Miami every time they play. But if I could design it, they lose just like they did last year on the biggest stage possible.

 

And honestly, I just can't see them beating The Spurs or Thunder.

[cyclone24 1,940]

Id like to see the clock running down....San Antonio up by one.......scrambles out to double wade who is open.....kicks it around to Lebron who is wide open....i mean nobody even on the same side of the floor.

 

And misses a wide open 15 footer for the win.......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or sniper fire from the rafters.....ill also take sniper fire.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

Honestly, I'm not too opposed to the idea of Lebron winning a title, so long as he earns it. If he gets one playing poorly in the finals, and wussing out in the fourth quarter, but gets bailed out by Wade, I'll be annoyed. If he shows up, seizes the moment of greatness, and makes some clutch plays in crunch time, I'll be ok with it.

[KSB2424 3,174]

Couple items from last night.

 

1. Danny Granger's lame attempts at intimidation has backfired. It only pissed off the bad guys. Never piss off the bad guys when they were on auto-pilot and you had a legitimate chance to knock them off. *Sidetrack* Forget what player on what team does it, but I hate it when NBA players run up and get in another players face like they are going to fight. No you're not. You are not going to fight and you know the other guy isn't either as that means their team will be without them for multiple games. By running up and getting in somebodies face you are only 'acting' tough but hiding behind the officials.

 

2. The Hansbrough foul was simply a hard foul and was called correctly (Flagrant 1).

 

3. I had no problem with the Haslem retalitation either. His teammates were being played very physical against so he sent a message. It should've been a Flagrant 2 and Haslem ejected from the game though. Which would've been fine. Because the refs didn't call it that way, Udonis may be suspended for game 6. And Hansbrough (one of my all time faves) acted just like you are supposed too. He took it like man, didn't run up and 'fake' get in somebodies face, shook it off and knocked down the two technical free throws.

 

4. The Pittman elbow was just stupid. Punk move. Stephenson's been a punk too, but throwing an elbow like that is un called for. Pittman should be suspended for at least a game as well if not a couple. It shouldn't be as much or more than Artest as Pittman has no history of this (unlike Artest).

 

5. Back to the game, the Pacers simply bit off more than they could chew. I have a younger brother (who's bigger than me now) who when we were kids we would play sports like one on one basketball in the driveway. I would sometimes take it easy on him, he'd maybe win a game or two and then start talking trash and play really physical. That's when I'd think to myself "okay thats enough of that shit" and turn it up a notch with my own physical play and put him back in his place. Last night reminded me of that.

 

6. The Spurs//Thunder series should be epic. I have no idea how it unfolds. Not one.

[cyclone24 1,940]

Couple items from last night.

 

1. Danny Granger's lame attempts at intimidation has backfired. It only pissed off the bad guys. Never piss off the bad guys when they were on auto-pilot and you had a legitimate chance to knock them off. *Sidetrack* Forget what player on what team does it, but I hate it when NBA players run up and get in another players face like they are going to fight. No you're not. You are not going to fight and you know the other guy isn't either as that means their team will be without them for multiple games. By running up and getting in somebodies face you are only 'acting' tough but hiding behind the officials.

 

2. The Hansbrough foul was simply a hard foul and was called correctly (Flagrant 1).

 

3. I had no problem with the Haslem retalitation either. His teammates were being played very physical against so he sent a message. It should've been a Flagrant 2 and Haslem ejected from the game though. Which would've been fine. Because the refs didn't call it that way, Udonis may be suspended for game 6. And Hansbrough (one of my all time faves) acted just like you are supposed too. He took it like man, didn't run up and 'fake' get in somebodies face, shook it off and knocked down the two technical free throws.

 

4. The Pittman elbow was just stupid. Punk move. Stephenson's been a punk too, but throwing an elbow like that is un called for. Pittman should be suspended for at least a game as well if not a couple. It shouldn't be as much or more than Artest as Pittman has no history of this (unlike Artest).

 

5. Back to the game, the Pacers simply bit off more than they could chew. I have a younger brother (who's bigger than me now) who when we were kids we would play sports like one on one basketball in the driveway. I would sometimes take it easy on him, he'd maybe win a game or two and then start talking trash and play really physical. That's when I'd think to myself "okay thats enough of that shit" and turn it up a notch with my own physical play and put him back in his place. Last night reminded me of that.

 

6. The Spurs//Thunder series should be epic. I have no idea how it unfolds. Not one.

 

 

Agree with all of this 100%.

 

If theres one thing ive learned in basketball playing against guys lesser than me...or better than me.....dont tick of the better person. Seasons are a grind...at the age i am, and the age these guys are....really about the time you hit 30....youve seen about everything you are going to see for the mostpart, offensively and defensively.......so all these guys need is a reason to get amped up.

 

And a marginally good player like Granger lighting these guys fire? Pfft....perfect.

[WhiteWonder 3,011]

Boston is still soo banged up right now that I can't see them having a "easy" time with anyone. I still think the Heat come out of the East, especially if they get Bosh back.

 

Like others have said, I'm looking forward to the Spurs/Thunder series. These two teams are playing at such a ridiculously high level right now. Should be a great series. I have a hard time believing that the winner of that series doesn't win the NBA Championship.

 

Yeah I didn't mean to say Boston would have an easy time with anyone, they havnt even finished off the sixers yet.

 

Just that I think Miami might be an easier matchup

[Frank M 181]

Honestly, I'm not too opposed to the idea of Lebron winning a title, so long as he earns it. If he gets one playing poorly in the finals, and wussing out in the fourth quarter, but gets bailed out by Wade, I'll be annoyed. If he shows up, seizes the moment of greatness, and makes some clutch plays in crunch time, I'll be ok with it.

 

I'm a Clevelander, and I also don't really care if he wins. I was just happy that it didn't happen last year, and also happy that the rest of the country saw firsthand that he is absolutely missing the key ingredient that made Magic, Bird, Kareem, Wilt, Jordan, and the like, champions: heart.

 

And even if they win at some point, the idea that this is a team built to win multiple championships is a joke. Not only is that nearly impossible in today's NBA, it's even more difficult given the makeup of that team and the fact that Wade seems to be breaking down more rapidly than expected.

[KSB2424 3,174]

Magic, Bird, Kareem, Wilt, Jordan, and the like, champions: heart.

Magic had James Worthy, and Kareem

Bird had Parrish and McHale (along with others)

Wilt was known as actually underacheiving and not having heart

Jordan was Jordan, but he did have Pippen, Grant, Rodman, and a HOF coach.

 

Which leads me to Kareem. Kareem was drafted in 1969 and made an immediate impact. However he didn't win a title until several years later when the Bucks aquired Hall of Famer and All Star and All Time great Oscar Robertson. Those two won a title together in 72'.

 

My point is that a Wade and Lebron tandem is nothing new to the NBA. All these other guys had other All Star NBA players (at the time) as teammates too. Rarely, if ever, can one man do it alone. Has nothing to do with heart.

[NewbieJr 541]

 

Jordan was Jordan, but he did have Pippen, Grant, Rodman, and a HOF coach.

 

LOLOL. Ooohhhhh. Pippin, Grant, and Rodman really put fear into opponents. Pippin would have never even been a top 25 player in the league if he wasn't with Jordan. One of the NBA's all-time most overrated players.

 

And none of the other examples you gave were manufactered by the players to create a 'super team'. If Kareen would have colluded with Magic and Worthy to all come together to try to steal a few rings, I'd have called them asswholes, too. But that's not how it happened.

[cbfalcon 828]

My point is that a Wade and Lebron tandem is nothing new to the NBA. All these other guys had other All Star NBA players (at the time) as teammates too. Rarely, if ever, can one man do it alone. Has nothing to do with heart.

 

Dirk. One of 3 guys ever to win a title without an all star teammate. Lebron could have done it in Cleveland had he not been a pusssy and been willing to stick with it.

[KSB2424 3,174]

Pippin would have never even been a top 25 player in the league if he wasn't with Jordan. One of the NBA's all-time most overrated players.

This is off the charts 'nuts'. Scottie Pippin may be one of the NBA's all time under-rated players.

[NewbieJr 541]

This is off the charts 'nuts'. Scottie Pippin may be one of the NBA's all time under-rated players.

His nickname should have been 'coat tails'

 

He had the luxory of playing his entire NBA career without ever having to be defended by teh other team's top defender. Pippin was a great role player. Very good on defense, good ball distributor. Would have never been the star player on a team. Just wasn't a good enough scorer.

[KSB2424 3,174]

Lebron could have done it in Cleveland had he had ownership like Cuban to put talent around him and coaching like Carslise (opposed ot Mike Brown)

I agree.

[cyclone24 1,940]

Magic had James Worthy, and Kareem

Bird had Parrish and McHale (along with others)

Wilt was known as actually underacheiving and not having heart

Jordan was Jordan, but he did have Pippen, Grant, Rodman, and a HOF coach.

 

Which leads me to Kareem. Kareem was drafted in 1969 and made an immediate impact. However he didn't win a title until several years later when the Bucks aquired Hall of Famer and All Star and All Time great Oscar Robertson. Those two won a title together in 72'.

 

My point is that a Wade and Lebron tandem is nothing new to the NBA. All these other guys had other All Star NBA players (at the time) as teammates too. Rarely, if ever, can one man do it alone. Has nothing to do with heart.

 

 

The only ting ill say on this is....those guys didnt hop a winning ship to pair up with each other. Those Magic and bird teams were built up over years.....and the alpha dog on each was never ever ever going to pair up with the other to try and win.

 

Really good players pair up yes....but not argueably the two best players in the league

[DankNuggs 305]

I agree.

meh, cleveland i believe was trying very hard to get another max contract player to pair with lebron... It doesn't take that many guys to put together a contender.

 

His legacy for a cleveland championship is on such a different stratosphere than even winnning several championships in Miami that its laughable.

 

Horrific advice and guidance from his people, the same people who orchestrated 'the decision', all time awful advice.

 

'Maverick Carter' really?

 

He deserves everything he gets.

[DankNuggs 305]

His nickname should have been 'coat tails'

 

He had the luxory of playing his entire NBA career without ever having to be defended by teh other team's top defender. Pippin was a great role player. Very good on defense, good ball distributor. Would have never been the star player on a team. Just wasn't a good enough scorer.

Antoine Walker was a star player on a team... You are telling me Scottie Pippin wasn't 10x the player Antoine Walker could dream about?

 

Star player on a championship team, sure, i agree. But Pippin carried the team during the retirement and kept up the #s...

 

Edit: "Michael Jordan retired before the 1993–94 season, and in his absence Pippen emerged from Jordan's shadow. That year, he earned All-Star Game MVP honors and led the Bulls in scoring, assists, and blocks, and the league in steals, averaging 22.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, while shooting 49.1% from the field and a career-best 32% from the 3-point line. For his efforts, he earned the first of three straight All-NBA First Team nods, and he finished third in MVP voting. The Bulls finished the season with 55 wins, only two fewer than the year before."

 

-Wiki...

 

So 3rd in MVP voting, team had same record, Pippin 1st team all star and all star MVP...

 

 

What say you Newbie?

[NewbieJr 541]

Antoine Walker was a star player on a team... You are telling me Scottie Pippin wasn't 10x the player Antoine Walker could dream about?

 

Star player on a championship team, sure, i agree. But Pippin carried the team during the retirement and kept up the #s...

 

Edit: "Michael Jordan retired before the 1993–94 season, and in his absence Pippen emerged from Jordan's shadow. That year, he earned All-Star Game MVP honors and led the Bulls in scoring, assists, and blocks, and the league in steals, averaging 22.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, while shooting 49.1% from the field and a career-best 32% from the 3-point line. For his efforts, he earned the first of three straight All-NBA First Team nods, and he finished third in MVP voting. The Bulls finished the season with 55 wins, only two fewer than the year before."

 

-Wiki...

 

So 3rd in MVP voting, team had same record, Pippin 1st team all star and all star MVP...

 

 

What say you Newbie?

Above average player. Certainly not in the Lebron or Wade category.

 

But yes, I like the Antoine Walker comparison. Walker would have been considered a hall of famer if he got to play the role of Jordan's second fiddle for all those years.

[Stewburtx8 67]

His nickname should have been 'coat tails'

 

He had the luxory of playing his entire NBA career without ever having to be defended by teh other team's top defender. Pippin was a great role player. Very good on defense, good ball distributor. Would have never been the star player on a team. Just wasn't a good enough scorer.

 

 

This statement is crazy. Scottie Pippen played without Jordan for two seasons during Jordan's baseball sabbatical, and didn't miss a beat. In 1993-1994, the Chicago Bulls went 55-27 with Scottie Pippen as by far their best player. It was very much the same team that won the title in 1992-1993 minus Michael Jordan. They took the Knicks to 7 games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the same Knicks team that took a very good Rockets team to 7 games in the Finals. If I recall, Scottie Pippen was 3rd in MVP voting that season behind career years from Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson. Scoring doesn't even begin to tell the story of how good Scottie Pippen was. He was probably one of the 25 or so best players ever, and that's with or without Michael Jordan.

[KSB2424 3,174]

The only ting ill say on this is....those guys didnt hop a winning ship to pair up with each other. Those Magic and bird teams were built up over years.....and the alpha dog on each was never ever ever going to pair up with the other to try and win.

The landscape of how teams are constructed and managed has changed. There is now salary caps, free agency, rookie wage scales, etc.

 

The 80's Lakers wouldn't have been able to pay Byron Scott, Cooper, and Bob Macadoo. They couldn't of paid Worth/Magic/Kareem their money and still paid market value for those KEY, really good role players. Not in today's environment/landscape. It's a different time.

 

Is there really a difference of Kevin Garnett (or Melo/Howard/CP3) demading a trade out of Minnesota to a contender (with other good players) than it is a Free Agent signing with a contender with another really good player? The real answer is No, of course not.

 

The anti-Lebron crowd doesn't think with their mind, they think with their emotions. Like women.

[Frank M 181]

Magic had James Worthy, and Kareem

Bird had Parrish and McHale (along with others)

Wilt was known as actually underacheiving and not having heart

Jordan was Jordan, but he did have Pippen, Grant, Rodman, and a HOF coach.

 

Which leads me to Kareem. Kareem was drafted in 1969 and made an immediate impact. However he didn't win a title until several years later when the Bucks aquired Hall of Famer and All Star and All Time great Oscar Robertson. Those two won a title together in 72'.

 

My point is that a Wade and Lebron tandem is nothing new to the NBA. All these other guys had other All Star NBA players (at the time) as teammates too. Rarely, if ever, can one man do it alone. Has nothing to do with heart.

 

I'm not arguing that those guys didn't have supporting casts. I'm saying each and every one of them relished the role of being the man on their team. None of them would shy away from taking the last shot. All of them would strap their team on their back if need be. They courted greatness, relished greatness, made the others around them great.

 

Lebron doesn't do any of those things. He may yet, but I'm skeptical.

[KSB2424 3,174]

I'm not arguing that those guys didn't have supporting casts. I'm saying each and every one of them relished the role of being the man on their team. None of them would shy away from taking the last shot. All of them would strap their team on their back if need be. They courted greatness, relished greatness, made the others around them great.

 

Lebron doesn't do any of those things. He may yet, but I'm skeptical.

Yeah, I wasn't arguing your original point. Until Lebron wins one, there will always be questions.

 

I was using your post (that listed those playes) as an example for a different point (supporting casts).

[DankNuggs 305]

I'm not arguing that those guys didn't have supporting casts. I'm saying each and every one of them relished the role of being the man on their team. None of them would shy away from taking the last shot. All of them would strap their team on their back if need be. They courted greatness, relished greatness, made the others around them great.

 

Lebron doesn't do any of those things. He may yet, but I'm skeptical.

Well said.

 

Thats what happens when you are labelled great without ever winning anything...

[cyclone24 1,940]

The landscape of how teams are constructed and managed has changed. There is now salary caps, free agency, rookie wage scales, etc.

 

The 80's Lakers wouldn't have been able to pay Byron Scott, Cooper, and Bob Macadoo. They couldn't of paid Worth/Magic/Kareem their money and still paid market value for those KEY, really good role players. Not in today's environment/ladscape. It's a different time.

 

Is there really a difference of Kevin Garnett (or Melo/Howard/CP3) demading a trade out of Minnesota to a contender (with other good players) than it is a Free Agent signing with a contender with another really good player? The real answer is No, of course not.

 

The anti-Lebron crowd doesn't think with their mind, they think with their emotions. Like women.

 

 

The difference between LBJ and KG is that KG was getting his brains beat in for years with that organization (save for a couple good seasons).....where LBJ was on a top team winning 60 games, and contending a for a title and left.....FOR LESS MONEY!