The Lebron Thread (Pt. 3)

[JulesWinnfield]

But the difference is that it's entirely possible that he continues what he's doing in the Finals and they still win. In that case I'd say the league sucked more than he dominated. Personally after the last 2 I can't see Lebron going in Cleveland mode and dominating. He's more content with sitting back and seeing if his team can win with (relatively) little contribution from him.

If that's the case, then we'll re-address this at that time. I would be careful about projecting for the series at this point through 2 games though. And really no matter what happens barring a loss or getting a finals MVP stolen from under his nose, this has been a very special 2 year stretch for him if Miami caps this off. On the short list for 2 year runs with a chip. You want to make an argument for a few others (Hakeem 94/95, Shaq 00/01, MJ 91/92)? Fine. But that's not a club Lebron would be out of place in. That's really my main issue here. The notion that its incredibly outlandish to put him in that convo, or the notion that Shaq or MJ had a handful of 2 year runs equal or better. Just not fair or accurate. History is going to remember 12 and 13 Lebron incredibly fondly with 3 more wins

[E-Balla]

If he plays like he should he'll be right outside of that group IMO. I just don't think he'll do that even though I do think they'll win.

[PCProductions]

Lebron James, Playoffs Game 3 on the road, Career:
11 Wins, 7 Losses
41.9 MPG, 28.6 PPG, 6.4 APG, 7.6 RPG, 49.2 FG%

With Miami:
6 Wins, 3 Losses
41 MPG, 23.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 7.2 RPG, 47.8 FG%

Won the last 3 straight with average MOV +13.7 with the previous away Game 3 loss to Boston last year.

As for what's current, I think the Heat have shown their hand and now it's the Spurs' turn to show theirs. I expect the Spurs to greatly improve defensively tonight, especially on Lebron's pick n roll. Wonder how Lebron will adjust.

[therealbig3]

LeBron's main adjustment is just to be more aggressive looking for his shot. Take the jumper when they're giving it to you, and play in the post more. Every time he posts up, he gets doubled and a shooter is left wide open. With the shooters Miami has, it's consistent offense.

And his defenders are going under the screen every time. Like he said in his press conference, if defenders go under his screens now, he's taking the shot...so back that up, and actually do that.

[NaturalThunder]

I think one of these games he's going to hit an early jumper or two, build his confidence, and have a monster game. He just becomes a completely different player scoring wise when he misses his first few jumpers. All of his confidence in that shot almost completely abandons him.

[PCProductions]

I really do wonder why he abandoned the post. That Game 3 @ Indiana last series was just clear evidence that it's a solid weapon of his.

[toodles23]

I think one of these games he's going to hit an early jumper or two, build his confidence, and have a monster game. He just becomes a completely different player scoring wise when he misses his first few jumpers. All of his confidence in that shot almost completely abandons him.

Maybe, but it doesn't look like it will happen tonight. Lebron has no confidence in his jumper right now, and it's making him extremely passive.

[therealbig3]

Well, I think the gameplan is clearly to get others involved and not really include LeBron as much more than a decoy early on in these games, probably in order to conserve his energy for later, and to let Bosh and Wade develop confidence and rhythm.

But in that case, LeBron's defense and rebounding shouldn't suffer.

[therealbig3]

Wow, LeBron's jumper is so off right now.

[toodles23]

Yeah, Lebron's jumper has completely abandoned him. 3 wide open looks, 3 bricks. It's becoming a trend for his jumper to disappear late in the postseason.

[Greatness]

He's just awful right now, I dont expect it to change either.

[Bled]

Really thought we were going to see something great from Lebron but I guess not. He's doing some of the little things well, but his offensive game is just completely shot. Very disappointing.

[TheChosen618]

Holy ****.

Leonard is giving Lebron so much space to take a jumper and he STILL refuses to take it.

Last season in the Finals, OKC actually played Lebron's jumper pretty tightly, but so far in the 2013 Finals, Lebron's jumper is just not there period.

[DMVleGeND]

No confidence in his jumper whatsoever.

[bballcool34]

Lol this guy is the best in the game. Unbelievable the space SA is giving him.

[toodles23]

Unreal how bad he's playing. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he finished with less than 10 points.

Sideshow, if you're there, what do you make of this?

[E-Balla]

I'm happy Lebron's finally aggressive in this quarter but what happened to the post game he showed last year when he couldn't hit a shot?

[therealbig3]

This is worse than how he played in 2011, wow.

Really surprised he's not posting up at all right now.

[The Infamous1]

I will never understand why he doesn't post up more. They can't stop him down low

[Bled]

I expect Lebron to be super aggressive in the 4th. But it won't be enough. He needs to push through the defense. This is game 3, if he hasn't figured out how to play through this Spur's defense, then this will definitely be 2011 all over again.