Mutnt wrote:420 wrote:Yeah it was a fun game, both teams kept it close and they looked like they were kinda into it.
The only thing concerning was LeBron driving to the rim so many times and not being able to draw a foul. The guy is in his prime, dominating the paint at ease, but is averaging a career low FTAs. It wasn't until MJ was in his 2nd last season that he averaged the FTAs that LeBron is averaging this season. I just have a real bad feeling about the officiating this year. Plus there's a lot of pressure for this team to breakup after this season with everyone pinning their hopes on the new CBA's punitive luxury tax.
I think LeBron kind of failed when he decided to put on extra weight when he came to Miami. Understandably, he wanted to make his life easier fighting for position and banging in the post, but it really hurt his overall explosiveness. Ok, presently, he's much more agile than his first two seasons here (especially 2011 yuck) but I'd like to see him drop a couple more pounds to get a bit quicker. It would definitely help him a lot attacking from the perimeter. I have no doubt Cleveland LeBron would've blown past Kobe like nothing yesterday since he was slimmer back then. Also I'd would help him in the post as well... Not all post moves require bulk and strength to be effective. Kobe, MJ, for example, both made a living out of being quick and agile in the post. LeBron needs to find that balance. Since he's still playing more on the perimeter than in the post (at least now in the RS) he needs to be able to blow by his defender more consistently. Good thing his jumper has improved drastically this year, and he can use that as a safety valve.
The weight probably protects his body a lot more through injuries and banging up with PFs or whoever else he has to guard at the time. Could he lose a little weight and it not have a negative impact? Probably but these guys aren't dumb they know their bodies a lot better than we do.
Now I don't know if you've watched many HEAT games this season but Lebron has no problem getting to the rim, in fact he looks like he's getting there a bit easier than last year and he draws a lot of contact. And by contact, I mean he gets hammered but he's just not getting those calls. I tell myself that the officials would stop the bull once post season rolls around, but I can only hope. If you watched the OKC game just compare the way Durant is being called to Lebron. I'm talking soft barely breathing on you calls are being gifted to KD while Lebron is literally taking elbows to the head without a whistle. That's very telling and it has nothing to do with weight/explosiveness.
