Rick Barry: LeBron James’ Coaches Should Be ‘Ashamed’

Lebron does lack fundamentals, pretty much almost every top prospect have some flaws in that category, Now in days its more use your athletic ability to succed and then when they reach the pros they struggle(not talking about lebron), Though if Lebron did focus more on improving these flaws, then making stupid comments, only to backtrack on them a few days later, he would have a ring already. He is still young(26 i think), so its not like all hope is lost, which many people forget about. I hate him as a person, but his skills are undeniable, he just needs to learn to be more fundamentally sound then just relying on his athleticism which will decrease once he gets older, we will then see the true lebron, weather he rises(as kobe has) or just collapses.

to his potential.  I can’t blame the coaches, it hard to coach a primadonna. Nice try Rick.

^ i hope that is sarcasm

My first post after the Finals. Lebron needs to focus on his shot and playing of the ball so he can become that takeover guy. Imaging this guy throughout games not even playing point, playiing in a half court offense trying to score constantly that will make thing much each because now teams will have to focus on stoping him from scoring and we all know his ability to find the opened man. Lebron needs to learn that in today’s world people figure things out quicker than before, everyone knows his ability but no one knows his ability to play off the ball and be in that takeover mood. We all know what to expect as fans when he brings the ball up court so what does that leave for the expert of the Game. What Lebron needs to do is work on what rick said he need to do work on " His shot, first and foremost and  little nuances, facing up, learning how to be the guy learning to use your first dribble to go by instead of everything off the dribble … learning how to use screens probably, then of course the coach running more plays for him where he can run off double and triple staggered screens, learning to curl it properly". The reason why these issues are stress everyone knows what to expect, for some people when live in a box and you actually get outside the Box and you actually see your weakness and still not try to address them you are been a total ignorant selfcentered bastard. Amare is right about his mind set toward the average person, Lebron needs to make people feel that they can connect to him.

i gotta agree with rick barry here… his coaches should be telling him to use his size to his advantage… it seems like lebron NEVER posts up on the smaller defender when he has the size advantage, he just looks to make plays or a midrange jumper… seems like he doesnt play smart basketball.. dwayne wade gets more FT attempts than lebron which is baffling.. he needs to use his body more, get to the rim more, and get more free throws..

Rick Barry has spoken out on this subject before. Unlike majority of people, he hasn’t been blinded by all of LeBron’s God given physical gifts. It’s not nitpicking just because you look at things like being able to move without the ball, post up, face up, use your pivots correctly, set screens, catch and shoot, etc.

I remember during a time when people were criticizing Coach Spo’s offense and asking why Wade and LeBron didn’t run the pick and roll… People got mad at me because I questioned whether or not LeBron knew how to set a proper screen.

LeBron’s fundamentals aren’t as sound as they should be and that’s at either end. It’s unfortunate that he hasn’t been coached by someone who wasn’t on his nuts and who let him get away with things. He needs Coach Poppovich to coach him. IF LeBron could handle all of the criticism he’d receive, he’d really meet his max potential.

My high school coach, Doug Mitchell, was an assistant coach of LeBron at the McDonald’s All-American game and he said LeBron was the most physically and naturally gifted player he’d ever seen, but was too arrogant and caught up in himself to realize he didn’t no squat about the simple fundamentals of the game.

He said LeBron had too much of a Sportscenter/AAU mentality.