Please no excuses

[Pula_86]

I cannot stand anymore excuses for LBJ or the Cavs. The problem is not his team. In the past three games, there has been at least one guy that has stepped up. I would love to put this on Mike Brown, but how can he be expected to win when his "superstar" quits on the team. Three average games in a row. I also don't see how Brown could have done anything when the team effort was so poor on the defensive side and on the boards. Defense is the fuel that ignites offense in the NBA. They understood this all year, but when things got tough, this team showed how soft they are.

I remember all of the apologists last year for Mike Brown who said he was a good coach. I was calling for MB to be replaced, even starting a fire Mike Brown thread. I was called all kinds of names by posters who know nothing about basketball. Funny how another year turns this view into the consensus. What I didn't expect is for LBJ to quit on his team and his city. Game 5 was shameful and he was not that much more interested in Game 6. Anyone who compares this guy to Kobe, MJ, or any other NBA great in the playoffs knows nothing about basketball. LBJ is no big loss to the Cavs. He will never win an NBA championship as "the guy." What made Bird, Magic, MJ, and Kobe great was their competitive drive. This series showed that is not LBJ. I'd wish him good luck if I didn't think he was such a disgrace to the game of basketball.

Moving forward, basketball will live on Cleveland. Now the hard work begins for Danny Ferry. It will take a couple of years for him to rebuild this team, but it can be done. The Cavs do have a few assets that are appealing to playoff teams moving forward. It is a given that Mike Brown will not be back, but I want Ferry to clean house and only bring in guys who are willing to put forth the effort. We need to rebuild with tough minded players who are willing to do anything to win. Today may be the end of an era, but it is also can be the beginning of something great. Cleveland will be heard from again.

[chriscringle95]

LeBron needs an All Star sidekick to get over the hump. He also looked to be on heavy meds and wasn't as aggressive as normal because of that.

I don't buy that he is anywhere near 80-90%, more like 60-70% Very unfortunate and awful timing for his injury.

[RRT]

As much as I hate to say it, LeBron needs a heart.

He needs to rape a girl, or gamble away millions.

He needs to fight HIV.

[ball teacher]

LeBron needs an All Star sidekick to get over the hump. He also looked to be on heavy meds and wasn't as aggressive as normal because of that.

I don't buy that he is anywhere near 80-90%, more like 60-70% Very unfortunate and awful timing for his injury.

I don't know, Lebron didn't play with that fire or passion. I think Lebron wanted the season over and didn't give his all. Just my opinion, you bring in Shaq, Jamison, you got Williams, Parker to stretch the floor, this team was loaded and they played all year off the back of Lebron, then Lebron plays the backseat role in the biggest games of the season, it's very odd!

[Pula_86]

LeBron needs an All Star sidekick to get over the hump. He also looked to be on heavy meds and wasn't as aggressive as normal because of that.

I don't buy that he is anywhere near 80-90%, more like 60-70% Very unfortunate and awful timing for his injury.

Everyone is playing with injuries this time of year. If you are too hurt to play then get out of the game. No one is mentioning that Steve Nash was almost literally playing with one eye, but played well. Also, a hurt elbow does not prevent a player from giving maximum effort.

People are so willing to make excuses for LBJ because we want him to be Michael Jordan. He is not that type of player. LBJ was exposed for what he actually is. He showed his true colors. I have supported LBJ since he arrived in Cleveland, but I shed no tears when he leaves.

[J08]

so guys kobe or lebron.
muhahahahahaahahahahahahahaha lebron suks no more comparisons with kobe

[fareweatherfan]

no trolling...just genuinely happy to see there are realistic and objective cavs fans. kudos.

[adjacent2bench]

Not trolling here. Can't it just be possible that Boston is just, better?


You guys just lost to the better team, no conspiracies about it. Boston doesn't really take the regular season seriously. Come playoffs they're a top 3 team.

[TheOUTLAW]

I swear people just don't understand. I don't see anyone arguing that there is no way that Boston is better. it was just that the Cavs didn't give consistent effort and the open shots that were missed in this series but not all season, were just embarrasing.

[Pula_86]

Not trolling here. Can't it just be possible that Boston is just, better?


You guys just lost to the better team, no conspiracies about it. Boston doesn't really take the regular season seriously. Come playoffs they're a top 3 team.

Boston is a very good team, but anytime a team gets dunks and lay-ups at will, it has more to do with effort. When the defensive effort was there, this team played well. This team was just not willing to do the little things that championship teams must do.

[Fencer reregistered]

I don't know whether it was lack of heart or lack of judgment.

It was obvious LBJ should have been like Rondo and taken some balls coast-to-coast. But that doesn't automatically mean his reason for not doing so was lack of heart.

[Duffman100]

Honestly, from an outsiders perspective...tonight was NOT Lebron's fault. He simply did not have a good supporting cast. Shaq, Jamison, Varejeo, and Mo Williams were garbage down the stretch of the game...not much Lebron can do when they're throwing 2-3 guys at him every possession.

[Pula_86]

Honestly, from an outsiders perspective...tonight was NOT Lebron's fault. He simply did not have a good supporting cast. Shaq, Jamison, Varejeo, and Mo Williams were garbage down the stretch of the game...not much Lebron can do when they're throwing 2-3 guys at him every possession.

Apologist, superstar player did not show up. It was Mo Williams and Shaq that kept this team in the game. This guy quit on us.

[Duffman100]

Honestly, from an outsiders perspective...tonight was NOT Lebron's fault. He simply did not have a good supporting cast. Shaq, Jamison, Varejeo, and Mo Williams were garbage down the stretch of the game...not much Lebron can do when they're throwing 2-3 guys at him every possession.

Apologist, superstar player did not show up. It was Mo Williams and Shaq that kept this team in the game. This guy quit on us.

He had 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists. I mean, he wasn't playing at his TOP level, but that's a damn good game.

Mo was dynamite in the first half and was ugly in the second half. So was Shaq. AV couldn't hold on to the ball, Jamison looked lost.

Honestly, James faced 2-3 defenders every time down the floor. At some point you need teammates to make clutch shots.

[Ballah]

It's really hard to blame the guy with the 27/19/10 triple double but the effort and the focus were just not there and it shows in his 9 turnovers.

[Fencer reregistered]

I don't know if it's LBJ's heart that should be downgraded after this or his BB IQ.

I've never understood where all the praise for LBJ's BB IQ came from anyway. He just has a great willingness to pass along with the technical skills to do so.

[TheChaser]

The Celtics are in no way a better team than the Cavs. I am bewildered that they lost. I don't get it. Sorry guys, I know it feels horrible to be ousted.

[Mongoose]

Not a Cavs fan, but I don't think LeBron deserves the majority of the blame. The rest of the Cavs team didn't step it up, and Brown was outcoached. And frankly, I know the game was over, but I thought the lack of fouling at the end was disgusting. Season on the line and Brown didn't have them try to extend it.

What I do think, though, is that LeBron really needs to learn to give up the ball earlier. LeBron holds the ball too long without deciding what to do with it. He's got great court vision and can find players, but he spends precious seconds making up his mind, and too many times he decides to go for the spectacular instead of the smart decision. The resultant lack of movement from both him stopping the ball and the rest of his teammates standing around watching LeBron work his mojo grinds your offense to a halt for a good 16 seconds off the shot clock. It's one of those things I think MJ had to learn and got through the triangle, a structured offense with clear passing angles and responsibilities for him to run and move without the ball while it filtered through the triple post, and he still got the ball at the end in case the offense broke down. IMO the control and influence LeBron has on how the offense flows hurts the team as a whole, as great as he is. He passes like a point guard, but he's not a point guard, so to speak.

[The Laker Kid]

I feel really bad for Cavs fans, they have every right to be disgusted. The whole city supported him and he turns around and spits at them. Shame on you LeBron. You ought to at least refund the fans their hard earned money. I have no idea what the hell is wrong with this guy's head to be honest. He was playing GREAT then all of a sudden tanked

[charlieward21]