[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 How does this loss impact Lebron’s legacy?  I have mixed feelings about it.  This loss was not on him, he showed up, but his team didn’t/  Lebron is 2-3 in finals appearances now and we all know Jordan was 6 for 6 with 6 finals MVP’s.  The Jordan comparions should be completely over now, no more.  Lebron will be 30 at the end of the year and I think there was a slight dip in his athleticism and explosiveness.  He has a lot of minutes and wear and tear on his body playing in 4 straight finals.  We obviously don’t know about what will happen next year with the heat and free agency and anything, but he won’t be getting any younger and the decline in athleticism will definitely be seen over the next couple years.  I see him having 4 more elite seasons.  Maybe he wins 2 more titles somewhere.  That’d leave him with 4.  He will be a top 5 all time great when it is all said and done but his chances of being the greatest player ever took a huge hit after this loss and I don’t think he’ll ever be the greatest/  

[HaleParticipant]

Isn’t it funny how before Jordan making the finals was a huge accomplishment? Now you are better off not making the playoffs or losing in an earlier round because a finals loss is a gigantic blemish on your legacy for some reason.

[HaleParticipant]

Isn’t it funny how before Jordan making the finals was a huge accomplishment? Now you are better off not making the playoffs or losing in an earlier round because a finals loss is a gigantic blemish on your legacy for some reason.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 I don’t think it would be "tarnished" as bad if he were to stay with Miami. The thing that he would never be able to comeback from is a move back to Cleveland and not win a title.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 I don’t think it would be "tarnished" as bad if he were to stay with Miami. The thing that he would never be able to comeback from is a move back to Cleveland and not win a title.

[BenchWarmerParticipant]

Both Kobe an Jordan did as much or more for their legacy after the age of 30. Jordan came back from retirement and took part of another three peat, forever cementing his place as te GOAT. Kobe after the age of 30 won two championships and two finals MVPs, dismissing the notion that he couldn’t do it without the most dominant force in basketball history. Lebron just came off a finals averaging 28 on 57% and 51 from downtown… Let’s not go to crazy about him turning 30.

[BenchWarmerParticipant]

Both Kobe an Jordan did as much or more for their legacy after the age of 30. Jordan came back from retirement and took part of another three peat, forever cementing his place as te GOAT. Kobe after the age of 30 won two championships and two finals MVPs, dismissing the notion that he couldn’t do it without the most dominant force in basketball history. Lebron just came off a finals averaging 28 on 57% and 51 from downtown… Let’s not go to crazy about him turning 30.

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

 I don’t think he should have been in the conversation for greatest ever. Jordan is and probably will be the GOAT for a long time. I thought that after the Heat went down 1-3 they needed a dominant performance from Lebron, like what Jordan used to do. Lebron should’ve gone for a 40-50 point triple double and reminded the Spurs who the champ is. But he just had a good game and his teammates were completely shut down. As the best player I think it’s your responsibility to will your team to victory, it doesn’t seem like Lebron has that fire.

[HaleParticipant]

He could’ve scored 50 and had a triple double and still probably lost because they couldn’t get a stop. The Spurs TEAM deserves all the credit for this win. One of the best executing teams ever having one of the most dominant finals performances ever.

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

Either way, a loss is a loss and you have to believe that someone who’s legacy is mentioned with other all time greats would have and could have done more. It’s not unfair to hold Lebron up that high, he’s talented enough. The Spurs are the best though and Duncan’s legacy (along with ginobli, Leonard, and Parker) deserves all the praise

[HaleParticipant]

You don’t know that. Maybe LeBron did everything he possibly could. You wouldn’t have a clue. Today 31 10 and 5 while being the only competent player on his team became "not doing enough". Seriously? This is bias at it’s absolute finest.

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

Could you please explain how that is a biased opinion? All I’m saying is Lebron should have done more if his legacy is to be mentioned with MJ, Bird, or Magic. The spurs were unbelievable, but greats still find a way to will their team to victory. Try giving a good intelligent response instead of copping out and calling someone biased.

[HaleParticipant]

One of the single dumbest posts I’ve ever read in my many years here. I’m seriously at a loss for words but I’ll try my best to give you some sort of coherant response so you can understand just how asanine the things you’re saying are.

Basketball like virtually all sports, is a team game. A great team will always beat one player. If you are a great player and have a mediocre or struggling team you may steal a game or two but you will never win a finals against a great team. Ever. I can’t emphasize this enough. When Jordan didn’t have great teams, he never beat a great team. When Kobe didn’t have great teams, he never beat a great team. This saying goes for every player who has ever played. The only "1-man" teams we’ve had are the 03 Spurs and 94 Rockets. They had to beat great individual talents but not great teams. 

Here is your argument: LeBron is the best player in the world. He should be able to do enough with a non-existant cast to beat a great team firing on all cylinders. This kind of thinking also fails to acknowledge that he’s only 1/5 players on the court and that throughout this entire series the other four were torched defensively. There is literally nothing he can do about that. He can’t guard all five players at once. There is literally nothing he can when he kicks to a wide open player for 3 and they miss. He can’t use magic to force his teammates shots to go into the hoop.

 You can say he needs to be more aggressive but the guy is human. Despite the myths that all NBA legends are aliens, they are not. He was hobbled in game one. Legendary game two. Then the last three games his team got blown off the floor. He was pretty damn aggressive to start two of those games and guess what? The Spurs survived the onslaught and when LeBron needed catch his breath for running a year long marathon carrying 3,000 lbs of garbage on his back they got blown out of the building. Michael Jordan, the greatest player of all time, would not beat the Spurs with this Miami Heat team. Last night he played the first 41 minutes of the game and had a pretty damn good performance. But he’s supposed to take over the last 7 minutes and will his team from down 15? My bad, I forgot LeBron was f*cking Superman. It’s not like when he left the game he had accounted for more then half of the teams offense…oh wait.

So spare me the BS "greats still find a way to will their team to victory" cliche because it’s a false narrative. It’s not true. When two teams are of nearly equal talent and one man is above the rest then sure he can swing a series in his favor. But when one team has four players in contention for finals MVP (plus about five other very prodictive guys) and another has one guy nearly double the success of his 2nd best (and terribly inefficient /lazy) teammate it’s not going to happen. Whether LeBron averaged 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 they aren’t winning this series and for you to criticize him for that is either bias or stupidity. Take your pick.

 

 

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

You’re saying that the heat have an incompetent team, which has possibly 3 future HOFers on it not counting Lebron. True, Lebron can’t do it on his own, but this is the team that Lebron, Bosch, Wade, and Riley dreamed up to get themselves 6 rings or whatever number they gave themselves. I think you’re missing the point here because the purpose of this post was to compare Lebron’s legacy to other greats. My argument was that for Lebron to be considered an all time great with Jordan, Bird, or Magic, he should have left his mark on this series by having the game of his life. The Spurs were great defensively, but Lebron is better than that, or so I thought. If you want to put his legacy up there with the other greats than go ahead, but that makes you sound more biased or stupid than me. Btw, greats do come up with ways to win. Just look up some of the greats individual finals performances. Lebron should have done that, but came up short. The Spurs have the better team and coach, but I don’t feel sorry for the heat’s roster at all.

[HaleParticipant]

That’s such a lazy argument. Where were these three Hall of Famer’s during this series? Wade was the worst defender on the team and awful on offense. Allen and Bosh had their nice moments and also disappeared for huge stretches. There is a difference between having three future HoF’s and having three future HoF’s way past their prime. You know that. You also act like Bird, Magic or Jordan never lost a game. They weren’t perfect every series they played in. Jordan needed a great team to get past Detroit, he never did it by himself. I’m sure LeBron played this finals better then those three played some of theirs. You and many others have insanely unrealistic expectations. If I told you a player just went for 28-8-4-2 on 58-52-79% shooting while leading the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals (nearly by twice as much in all of those areas except steals) in the finals and that he was being blamed for their loss because "he didn’t do enough" what would you say? I hope you’d say it’s outrageous because it is. LeBron is the most unfairly judged player in the history of sports and you have just confirmed that. 

[LitteringAnd…Participant]

Seriously though, for this and the reply before, you eloquently made a great point which I agree is underrepresented. Lebron is nothing short of increadible and there’s a good chance when he retires in 6-8 years he’ll be considered in the arguments all keyboard warriors make now abouts goats and what not. But for now can we not be so concerned about his legacy (8 years before it becomes a legacy), and just appreciate his ability and appreciate the best TEAM I’ve ever seen which just beat him and his ageing supporting cast. 

Again, thank you for your thoughtful insight in the face of overwhelming stupidity. 

 

[LitteringAnd…Participant]

Seriously though, for this and the reply before, you eloquently made a great point which I agree is underrepresented. Lebron is nothing short of increadible and there’s a good chance when he retires in 6-8 years he’ll be considered in the arguments all keyboard warriors make now abouts goats and what not. But for now can we not be so concerned about his legacy (8 years before it becomes a legacy), and just appreciate his ability and appreciate the best TEAM I’ve ever seen which just beat him and his ageing supporting cast. 

Again, thank you for your thoughtful insight in the face of overwhelming stupidity. 

 

[HaleParticipant]

That’s such a lazy argument. Where were these three Hall of Famer’s during this series? Wade was the worst defender on the team and awful on offense. Allen and Bosh had their nice moments and also disappeared for huge stretches. There is a difference between having three future HoF’s and having three future HoF’s way past their prime. You know that. You also act like Bird, Magic or Jordan never lost a game. They weren’t perfect every series they played in. Jordan needed a great team to get past Detroit, he never did it by himself. I’m sure LeBron played this finals better then those three played some of theirs. You and many others have insanely unrealistic expectations. If I told you a player just went for 28-8-4-2 on 58-52-79% shooting while leading the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals (nearly by twice as much in all of those areas except steals) in the finals and that he was being blamed for their loss because "he didn’t do enough" what would you say? I hope you’d say it’s outrageous because it is. LeBron is the most unfairly judged player in the history of sports and you have just confirmed that. 

[DuncanRulesParticipant]

I find this extremely disrespectful to the Spurts team. They won by thoroughly dominating the Heat. LeBron was the only reasons they stole a game and didn’t lose by 40 each night. He was the best player in the series and the only positive on their team. The fact that I was nervoys up 3-1 because of him says enough. He’s not to blame here. No one is. The Spurs were just too good.

[DuncanRulesParticipant]

I find this extremely disrespectful to the Spurts team. They won by thoroughly dominating the Heat. LeBron was the only reasons they stole a game and didn’t lose by 40 each night. He was the best player in the series and the only positive on their team. The fact that I was nervoys up 3-1 because of him says enough. He’s not to blame here. No one is. The Spurs were just too good.

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

You’re saying that the heat have an incompetent team, which has possibly 3 future HOFers on it not counting Lebron. True, Lebron can’t do it on his own, but this is the team that Lebron, Bosch, Wade, and Riley dreamed up to get themselves 6 rings or whatever number they gave themselves. I think you’re missing the point here because the purpose of this post was to compare Lebron’s legacy to other greats. My argument was that for Lebron to be considered an all time great with Jordan, Bird, or Magic, he should have left his mark on this series by having the game of his life. The Spurs were great defensively, but Lebron is better than that, or so I thought. If you want to put his legacy up there with the other greats than go ahead, but that makes you sound more biased or stupid than me. Btw, greats do come up with ways to win. Just look up some of the greats individual finals performances. Lebron should have done that, but came up short. The Spurs have the better team and coach, but I don’t feel sorry for the heat’s roster at all.

[HaleParticipant]

One of the single dumbest posts I’ve ever read in my many years here. I’m seriously at a loss for words but I’ll try my best to give you some sort of coherant response so you can understand just how asanine the things you’re saying are.

Basketball like virtually all sports, is a team game. A great team will always beat one player. If you are a great player and have a mediocre or struggling team you may steal a game or two but you will never win a finals against a great team. Ever. I can’t emphasize this enough. When Jordan didn’t have great teams, he never beat a great team. When Kobe didn’t have great teams, he never beat a great team. This saying goes for every player who has ever played. The only "1-man" teams we’ve had are the 03 Spurs and 94 Rockets. They had to beat great individual talents but not great teams. 

Here is your argument: LeBron is the best player in the world. He should be able to do enough with a non-existant cast to beat a great team firing on all cylinders. This kind of thinking also fails to acknowledge that he’s only 1/5 players on the court and that throughout this entire series the other four were torched defensively. There is literally nothing he can do about that. He can’t guard all five players at once. There is literally nothing he can when he kicks to a wide open player for 3 and they miss. He can’t use magic to force his teammates shots to go into the hoop.

 You can say he needs to be more aggressive but the guy is human. Despite the myths that all NBA legends are aliens, they are not. He was hobbled in game one. Legendary game two. Then the last three games his team got blown off the floor. He was pretty damn aggressive to start two of those games and guess what? The Spurs survived the onslaught and when LeBron needed catch his breath for running a year long marathon carrying 3,000 lbs of garbage on his back they got blown out of the building. Michael Jordan, the greatest player of all time, would not beat the Spurs with this Miami Heat team. Last night he played the first 41 minutes of the game and had a pretty damn good performance. But he’s supposed to take over the last 7 minutes and will his team from down 15? My bad, I forgot LeBron was f*cking Superman. It’s not like when he left the game he had accounted for more then half of the teams offense…oh wait.

So spare me the BS "greats still find a way to will their team to victory" cliche because it’s a false narrative. It’s not true. When two teams are of nearly equal talent and one man is above the rest then sure he can swing a series in his favor. But when one team has four players in contention for finals MVP (plus about five other very prodictive guys) and another has one guy nearly double the success of his 2nd best (and terribly inefficient /lazy) teammate it’s not going to happen. Whether LeBron averaged 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 they aren’t winning this series and for you to criticize him for that is either bias or stupidity. Take your pick.

 

 

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

Could you please explain how that is a biased opinion? All I’m saying is Lebron should have done more if his legacy is to be mentioned with MJ, Bird, or Magic. The spurs were unbelievable, but greats still find a way to will their team to victory. Try giving a good intelligent response instead of copping out and calling someone biased.

[HaleParticipant]

You don’t know that. Maybe LeBron did everything he possibly could. You wouldn’t have a clue. Today 31 10 and 5 while being the only competent player on his team became "not doing enough". Seriously? This is bias at it’s absolute finest.

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

Either way, a loss is a loss and you have to believe that someone who’s legacy is mentioned with other all time greats would have and could have done more. It’s not unfair to hold Lebron up that high, he’s talented enough. The Spurs are the best though and Duncan’s legacy (along with ginobli, Leonard, and Parker) deserves all the praise

[HaleParticipant]

He could’ve scored 50 and had a triple double and still probably lost because they couldn’t get a stop. The Spurs TEAM deserves all the credit for this win. One of the best executing teams ever having one of the most dominant finals performances ever.

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

 I don’t think he should have been in the conversation for greatest ever. Jordan is and probably will be the GOAT for a long time. I thought that after the Heat went down 1-3 they needed a dominant performance from Lebron, like what Jordan used to do. Lebron should’ve gone for a 40-50 point triple double and reminded the Spurs who the champ is. But he just had a good game and his teammates were completely shut down. As the best player I think it’s your responsibility to will your team to victory, it doesn’t seem like Lebron has that fire.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

If LeBron goes back to Cleveland, and helps them win 4 straight titles then he is the GOAT.

Not LeBron’s fault that D Wade completely fell off.

LeBron needs to pick up the pace, but he could still pass Jordan (or at least reach him?).

It’s all about the rings now. 

LeBron has two rings.  Jordan got six.  The most impressive way for LeBron to reach six is to get four straight.  He has a better chance in Cleveland. 

Does back-to-back PLUS a 4Peat beat two 3Peats?  Probably…

[Hi its BenParticipant]

LeBron will not 4-peat ….

[HaleParticipant]

Even if he did it wouldn’t be more impressive then MJ’s two 3 peats because there is the possibility it could’ve been an 8 peat.

[HaleParticipant]

Even if he did it wouldn’t be more impressive then MJ’s two 3 peats because there is the possibility it could’ve been an 8 peat.

[Hi its BenParticipant]

LeBron will not 4-peat ….

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

If LeBron goes back to Cleveland, and helps them win 4 straight titles then he is the GOAT.

Not LeBron’s fault that D Wade completely fell off.

LeBron needs to pick up the pace, but he could still pass Jordan (or at least reach him?).

It’s all about the rings now. 

LeBron has two rings.  Jordan got six.  The most impressive way for LeBron to reach six is to get four straight.  He has a better chance in Cleveland. 

Does back-to-back PLUS a 4Peat beat two 3Peats?  Probably…

[tidhoParticipant]

The fact that he lost doesn’t tarnish his legacy.  The loss came to a phenominal team anchored by an all time great, there really is no shame in that.

I do think aspects of the loss are going to hurt him though.  Him sitting with 6.5 minutes left only down by 15.  His disapearing act in the 4th quarters of every game.  How passive (almost Cavaliers v. Celtics like) he looked after the Heat lost their lead.  The press conference comments about 2 out of four not being bad.  Those are what will hurt his legacy.

Going forward the only think that will help his legacy will be to win more.  Cleveland is a good story and if done well could make him more likable again but I don’t think the move itself helps his legacy as a player.  Leaving for anywhere but Cleveland just opens him up for another round of criticism.

[tidhoParticipant]

The fact that he lost doesn’t tarnish his legacy.  The loss came to a phenominal team anchored by an all time great, there really is no shame in that.

I do think aspects of the loss are going to hurt him though.  Him sitting with 6.5 minutes left only down by 15.  His disapearing act in the 4th quarters of every game.  How passive (almost Cavaliers v. Celtics like) he looked after the Heat lost their lead.  The press conference comments about 2 out of four not being bad.  Those are what will hurt his legacy.

Going forward the only think that will help his legacy will be to win more.  Cleveland is a good story and if done well could make him more likable again but I don’t think the move itself helps his legacy as a player.  Leaving for anywhere but Cleveland just opens him up for another round of criticism.

[220Participant]

Those of us who were kids during the Michael Jordan era have an interesting view of the finals. Jordan was a rare player in that he won the finals everytime he played in it while many of the other great players in history such as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird weren’t as fortunate. I just imagine someone who grew up watching the Lakers vs Celtics finals domination may have a different view regarding winning and losing in the finals.

With all that said if Lebron James retired later today he would be regarded as an all time great and he’d be a first ballot hall of famer…which is how he was considered by many even before losing in the finals this year.

[220Participant]

Those of us who were kids during the Michael Jordan era have an interesting view of the finals. Jordan was a rare player in that he won the finals everytime he played in it while many of the other great players in history such as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird weren’t as fortunate. I just imagine someone who grew up watching the Lakers vs Celtics finals domination may have a different view regarding winning and losing in the finals.

With all that said if Lebron James retired later today he would be regarded as an all time great and he’d be a first ballot hall of famer…which is how he was considered by many even before losing in the finals this year.

[sjwalters09Participant]

 "Lebron is 2-3 in finals appearances now and we all know Jordan was 6 for 6 with 6 finals MVP’s."

Um…hes 2 for 5

2007 vs Spurs (L)

2011 vs Mavs (L)

2012 vs Thunder (W)

2013 vs Spurs (W)

2014 vs Spurs (L)

 

He needs a young supoorting cast to sustain winning. Not staying on the Heat + Melo. They will have a 2-3 year window, and even if they win 2; Lebron will only have 4 rings. Still not on par with what goals he has set for himself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rickyfutureagentParticipant]

Idiot, 2-3 as in 2 W’s, 3 L’s… Not 2 for 3. Come on man! 

[rickyfutureagentParticipant]

Idiot, 2-3 as in 2 W’s, 3 L’s… Not 2 for 3. Come on man! 

[sjwalters09Participant]

 "Lebron is 2-3 in finals appearances now and we all know Jordan was 6 for 6 with 6 finals MVP’s."

Um…hes 2 for 5

2007 vs Spurs (L)

2011 vs Mavs (L)

2012 vs Thunder (W)

2013 vs Spurs (W)

2014 vs Spurs (L)

 

He needs a young supoorting cast to sustain winning. Not staying on the Heat + Melo. They will have a 2-3 year window, and even if they win 2; Lebron will only have 4 rings. Still not on par with what goals he has set for himself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jtthebrickParticipant]

I agree with Hale up there.  Some of you have got to get it through your thick skulls that championships are a team achievement.  Michael Jordan could have been stuck on mediocre teams his whole career and never won anything. That wouldn’t change who he was.

Case in point, I saw a poll where the majority voted that Scotty Pippen was the HOF headliner that year over Karl Malone.  If that’s not championships skewing perspective, I don’t know what is.

 

 

[jtthebrickParticipant]

I agree with Hale up there.  Some of you have got to get it through your thick skulls that championships are a team achievement.  Michael Jordan could have been stuck on mediocre teams his whole career and never won anything. That wouldn’t change who he was.

Case in point, I saw a poll where the majority voted that Scotty Pippen was the HOF headliner that year over Karl Malone.  If that’s not championships skewing perspective, I don’t know what is.

 

 

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

 You guys are making it seem like Lebron has a terrible team. They got to 4 straight finals and got 2 rings, and have multiple HOFers so stop with that crap. Lebron needs rings to be considered in the same breath as MJ and that is fact.

[tidhoParticipant]

True, but when you’re trying to blindly build up LeBron’s legacy you need to give him all the credit for getting his team to the Finals, but make sure he doesn’t get any blaim for losing.  The only way to do that is to trash his teammates.

[tidhoParticipant]

True, but when you’re trying to blindly build up LeBron’s legacy you need to give him all the credit for getting his team to the Finals, but make sure he doesn’t get any blaim for losing.  The only way to do that is to trash his teammates.

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

 You guys are making it seem like Lebron has a terrible team. They got to 4 straight finals and got 2 rings, and have multiple HOFers so stop with that crap. Lebron needs rings to be considered in the same breath as MJ and that is fact.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 Thank you, 2 wins 3 losses….Glad my post could stir up such a heated debate.  That’s what this site is all about.  

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 Thank you, 2 wins 3 losses….Glad my post could stir up such a heated debate.  That’s what this site is all about.  

[MkadozaParticipant]

Does anyone else feel that for Lebron James’ incredible career thus far, he’s underappreciated? I think his size/skill/athleticism combination and Jordan’s achievements make him almost in a lose lose situation. But he’s one of the ten greatest players of all time, and you don’t see those everyday.

[MkadozaParticipant]

Does anyone else feel that for Lebron James’ incredible career thus far, he’s underappreciated? I think his size/skill/athleticism combination and Jordan’s achievements make him almost in a lose lose situation. But he’s one of the ten greatest players of all time, and you don’t see those everyday.

[HaleParticipant]

Absolutely. 

[HaleParticipant]

Absolutely. 

[vulture711Participant]

 Bball is a team game and he didn’t get much help – pretty simple.  They don’t have much depth and it caught uo with them with Wade and Bosch Meh

[vulture711Participant]

 Bball is a team game and he didn’t get much help – pretty simple.  They don’t have much depth and it caught uo with them with Wade and Bosch Meh

[doubledribblerParticipant]

Based on today’s emphasis on losing in the finals Jerry West must have been pure garbage. I don’t think you have to get too crazy with the whole LeBron and tarnish his legacy thing. His numbers went up in the finals except for assists and you can’t get those if guys are missing shots. Most guys get in the playoffs and their numbers take a dip. People need to get realistic. I watched Michael Jordan play and he was amazing, but he didn’t make every single play. 

Too bad so many people are focusing on Lebron and the Heat. I’m sure the Spurs don’t care, but we should be focusing on the winning team. That team is the real story. Talk about their great coach or their hall of fame players. Talk about how well they have scouted. Talk about the 22 year old finals MVP. Talk about the guys they picked up that no one wanted. There really isn’t a need to talk about anyone’s failures. People need to talk about how successful this team has been for a long time and what they did right this year to win.

[doubledribblerParticipant]

Based on today’s emphasis on losing in the finals Jerry West must have been pure garbage. I don’t think you have to get too crazy with the whole LeBron and tarnish his legacy thing. His numbers went up in the finals except for assists and you can’t get those if guys are missing shots. Most guys get in the playoffs and their numbers take a dip. People need to get realistic. I watched Michael Jordan play and he was amazing, but he didn’t make every single play. 

Too bad so many people are focusing on Lebron and the Heat. I’m sure the Spurs don’t care, but we should be focusing on the winning team. That team is the real story. Talk about their great coach or their hall of fame players. Talk about how well they have scouted. Talk about the 22 year old finals MVP. Talk about the guys they picked up that no one wanted. There really isn’t a need to talk about anyone’s failures. People need to talk about how successful this team has been for a long time and what they did right this year to win.

[mixtape2003Participant]

This losing in the Finals thing is overblown, Nobody is questioning Duncan’s legacy when he lost last year, or Kobe who has lost twice. He is going on 30 and prob wll play 7 to 9 more years if remains healthy and if he does and wins a couple more, then yes you can put him in the convo for one of the best of all time. The league is deeper talent wise now days, so to win every finals appearnce is almost impossible.

[mixtape2003Participant]

This losing in the Finals thing is overblown, Nobody is questioning Duncan’s legacy when he lost last year, or Kobe who has lost twice. He is going on 30 and prob wll play 7 to 9 more years if remains healthy and if he does and wins a couple more, then yes you can put him in the convo for one of the best of all time. The league is deeper talent wise now days, so to win every finals appearnce is almost impossible.

[sportspolymathParticipant]

 He had a great first quarter, when he got all the calls.  In crunch time, or whenever Miami needed him to take over he would pass the ball.  The Spurs weren’t doubling so Miami did not have the open three ball and they couldn’t score.

They hyped up the LeBron "Just follow my lead", but the dude had a very hard time beating Leonard and getting good shots.  

Forget about greatest of all time.  The NBA, ESPN and everyone can say it a million times, but when the game is on the line, they also want to convince the world that Bosh from three is the right basketball move.  

The right basketball move for a superstar is to be able to score when the pressure is on and have the balls to take the big shots.  LeBron is flat out afraid to take the big shots.

In the history of basketball, I can’t think of a star player that has been afraid to take over a game or at least try.  LeBron is more worried abot his image then taking a chance to win the game.

 

 

 

 

 

[sportspolymathParticipant]

 He had a great first quarter, when he got all the calls.  In crunch time, or whenever Miami needed him to take over he would pass the ball.  The Spurs weren’t doubling so Miami did not have the open three ball and they couldn’t score.

They hyped up the LeBron "Just follow my lead", but the dude had a very hard time beating Leonard and getting good shots.  

Forget about greatest of all time.  The NBA, ESPN and everyone can say it a million times, but when the game is on the line, they also want to convince the world that Bosh from three is the right basketball move.  

The right basketball move for a superstar is to be able to score when the pressure is on and have the balls to take the big shots.  LeBron is flat out afraid to take the big shots.

In the history of basketball, I can’t think of a star player that has been afraid to take over a game or at least try.  LeBron is more worried abot his image then taking a chance to win the game.

 

 

 

 

 

[Pistol Pete. The PelicanParticipant]

 My problem with this, isn’t Lebron, it’s the media and Lebron’s fans. If Lebron plays great and his teammates play subpar, everyone tries to make sure they absolve Lebron of any wrong doing, but let someone like Carmelo Anthony play great, and his teammates SUCK, he still gets the blame. 

 

Lebron played great in these finals, but I always feel like when he says "I’m going to be more aggressive", He only thinks of scoring more. The best and easiest way to beat the Heat is when Lebron shoots a lot and doesn’t get everyone involved or if everyone is missing shots, there was a little bit of both in this series. Lebron averaged 4 assists and 4 turnovers in the NBA finals. 

 

And I don’t think championships are the end all be all, but….. When you reach a certain level of individual greatness, there has to be a separating factor, and Championships are it. Lebron’s career is far from over, his legacy is still being written, but the media and Lebron fans always bring up the Jordan comparison, which is a little unfair to him. I think he shouldn’t have been in the conversation yet, that’s just me, so when he is forced in the conversation, his failures have to be acknowledged. 

Then people try to say stuff like Lebron has a better percent of getting out of the first round than Jordan, which is trivial, in the same sense, Lebron missed the playoffs twice, MJ with the Bulls never missed the playoffs. These are just examples of how we can keep the arguments going on forever for no reason. 

 

I will finish with this, I think for the sake  of his legacy Lebron must stay with the Heat. History will remember him as a guy who changed teams twice to get with a better team to win a championship. Ring chasing before you get old isn’t a good look. People may forgive him going to Miami and the Decision, but if he leaves again, I don’t know..

[Pistol Pete. The PelicanParticipant]

 My problem with this, isn’t Lebron, it’s the media and Lebron’s fans. If Lebron plays great and his teammates play subpar, everyone tries to make sure they absolve Lebron of any wrong doing, but let someone like Carmelo Anthony play great, and his teammates SUCK, he still gets the blame. 

 

Lebron played great in these finals, but I always feel like when he says "I’m going to be more aggressive", He only thinks of scoring more. The best and easiest way to beat the Heat is when Lebron shoots a lot and doesn’t get everyone involved or if everyone is missing shots, there was a little bit of both in this series. Lebron averaged 4 assists and 4 turnovers in the NBA finals. 

 

And I don’t think championships are the end all be all, but….. When you reach a certain level of individual greatness, there has to be a separating factor, and Championships are it. Lebron’s career is far from over, his legacy is still being written, but the media and Lebron fans always bring up the Jordan comparison, which is a little unfair to him. I think he shouldn’t have been in the conversation yet, that’s just me, so when he is forced in the conversation, his failures have to be acknowledged. 

Then people try to say stuff like Lebron has a better percent of getting out of the first round than Jordan, which is trivial, in the same sense, Lebron missed the playoffs twice, MJ with the Bulls never missed the playoffs. These are just examples of how we can keep the arguments going on forever for no reason. 

 

I will finish with this, I think for the sake  of his legacy Lebron must stay with the Heat. History will remember him as a guy who changed teams twice to get with a better team to win a championship. Ring chasing before you get old isn’t a good look. People may forgive him going to Miami and the Decision, but if he leaves again, I don’t know..

[Author]

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