Knicks · NBA Playoff Thread (page 34)
GustavBahler wrote:Uptown wrote:GustavBahler wrote:Uptown wrote:David Stern and the NBA machine is responsible for over-marketing Lebron and many other young players they prematurely annointed as the second coming. Ever-since His Airness hung up the Jordans, David Stern has plucked Rooks-fresh out of the womb almost-up by their ears and plopped them onto the NBA stage before the world. He did it with Kobe, (remember the slob job he got at the allstar game in NYC?), he did it with Shaq, and the list goes on.And of course Lebron is a willing participant, what 19,20 year old doesn't want to see his face on Mags, be the star in commercials, etc. Is he supposed to say, "No, I dont want the fame or the money?" Who does that?! The problem isn't Lebron's for accepting it, its the NBA's for offering it in the first place particularly before he got a chance to accomplish much....
I agree that the league is also a willing participant (Harold Miner was billed as the next Jordan) but it goes beyond just marketing another star. Other ways to market oneself and clean up. Allowing yourself to be marketed as the "King" and all that implies before you have accomplished anything gives fans the right to question if its deserved.
So far, LeBron has been the "King" of the regular season. That's an empty title for someone who is supposed to be the best player on earth, someone who has been in this league for going on 8 years, and has had a couple of chances to close the deal. James was partly responsible for his teams not winning a title yet.
LeBron wanted to be called "King" and heavy is the head that wears the crown.
Lets keep it all the way real. The only reason he was given the nickname "King" is because his last name is James. "King James" as in the bible version of...Seriously, if his name was Lebron Brown, I highly doubt his nickname would be "King Brown". The hype machine would still be behind him, but with a different nickname. Similar to Bernard King. He wore a crown and robe because his last name was King. It was convenient. In all honesty, Bird, Magic and Kareem were better players than King at the time and they could have easily been crowned, but unfortunately for them, none of them had the last name of King....
When keeping it real goes wrong
I understand the genesis of the name. I also understand what the word means. You sell yourself as a King you'd better play like one. At least Bernard King's name was King, it was more of a joke, he's smiling in the picture. LeBron's ad campaigns don't reference the Bible, they play on his being royalty, as being born into the title. LeBron looks deadly serious when he's sitting on the throne or wearing the robes.
After 8+ years in the league LeBron needs to win a championship to prove he is basketball royalty. Jordan did it, Magic did it, Kareem did it, and Bird did it. Now its LeBron's turn to do it, if he can. Until he does people are going to ask if he deserves the name and rightfully so.
Lebron is a beast and there is nothing he can't do on the court. He took the Cavs, of all teams, to the championship and this his 3rd time going. Him winning a ring is inevitable. Its gonna happen, I truly believe that. It may so be this year more them likely, but he's gonna get a ring. I was like many knick fans that wanted him here. That's the type of player you gut a roster for, and as long as Wade, Bosh, and James are on the same team, it'll be very hard for ANY team to come out the east.
No doubt he is a "SUPERSTAR" among the superstars.
He had a great year, but I think Durant deserved to be the MVP, hitting many game winners, and bringing OKC to being a contender like how a vet like KG did with the Celtics.
I guess, OKC has much more talent than Miami, so I guess Lebron is more important to his team vs the depth OKC has.
I have never seen a team this young, play as focused, consistent, work so hard on and off the court, and be determined like they have.
Its truly infectious, with Durant and his leadership, being a gym rat, work ethic, and practicing daily with all this talent together inspires/improves everyone.
Whether in the gym, film room, and always improving/developing their games, he has the qualities and understanding of a leader at such a young age.
Wade has to learn to take the backseat and not let his ego get in the way, being the Robin at times like how Bosh took a smaller role since his Toronto days.
Lebron is the best player on the team, no doubt about it at all.
They call him King James for a reason, Wade is a great player but he must hail to the king and accept his role as Queen of the Heat. 
Bosh is their dark knight, he is their glue player.
With good spacing, in a sense their triangle, with 2 players capable of penetrating, posting up, facilitating, and finishing strong.
It showed the games in which he missed, in both ends of the court.
His length, ability to hit deep shots, versatility at PF/C, makes it that much harder to defend the Heat.
Most teams need multiple players to defend the penetration of Wade and Lebron.
OKC is probably the best team that has the players to defend the combo of Lebron and Wade 1v1 and with backup.
Westbrook
Sefalosha
Harden
Durant
With the luxury of having Ibaka/Durant/Perkins in the back to help out.
Nobody can truly defend Lebron but this is as close as you can get.
And I don't think anyone can guard Durant either, with his sick range.
AnubisADL wrote:The NBA Finals will be EPIC.
Provided the sHeat get swept and lose every game by 30 points. 
JohnStarksFan wrote:GustavBahler wrote:Pretty cool interactive graph of where OKC and the Heat make their shots:That's boss.
I wonder how Melo's look.. 