OMG... LeBron only 8 pts in an NBA Finals game

[NO-KG-AI]

The fadeaway has become like the flu. It makes you a hero when you make it, but if you miss it, well... you had to take a tough shot!

[LuckedO]

He's just not attacking aggressively, and he's standing there in the triple threat, or with his back to the basket far more than usual, instead of making a quick and precise move.

Good god, LeBron's ALWAYS done this! If there is one flaw he's always had, it's holding the ball in the triple threat and not making quick moves after the catch. Part of it is due to not having the first step, which is why he always plays from the top of the key - something he's been doing plenty in this series too but unlike before, he doesn't have any of the quickness and explosiveness to get past defenders anymore.

[NO-KG-AI]

^^ Dude, let it go, the lack of athleticism thing isn't flying. You're pushing it hard, and you're flat out wrong.

LeBron at least used to pound the ball as he waited, now he just stands there and passes.

[LuckedO]

^^ Dude, let it go, the lack of athleticism thing isn't flying. You're pushing it hard, and you're flat out wrong.

Yeah, here we have LeBron, who rarely ever gets inside, struggles to beat old guards and 7 footers off the dribble, takes nothing but jump shots and is playing his worst ball in 4 years, yet I'm the one who's wrong

It's amazing how far people will go to deny something just because they can't wrap their heads around a 26 year old declining athletically. Guess what, it has happened and if you can't see that on the screen, that's your problem.

[Sedale Threatt]

I don't see anything lacking with his athleticism, either.

[Wilford Brimley]

Dirk has outscored LeBron 44-9 in the fourth quarter in the Finals.

[LuckedO]

I don't see anything lacking with his athleticism, either.

How does LeBron remotely resemble this player anymore - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkG6OdZU ... re=related

[NO-KG-AI]

I don't see anything lacking with his athleticism, either.

That's because you have two eyes, and a functional brain.

[Sedale Threatt]

I don't see anything lacking with his athleticism, either.

How does LeBron remotely resemble this player anymore - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkG6OdZU ... re=related

I've seen him making the exact same run outs throughout this series. He's had a couple of half-court dunks that made me sit up, too. So I haven't seen anything to suggest he's declined physically. Look at Kobe Bryant -- THAT is a player who has lost a step. But LeBron? I just don't see it. Sorry.

If we're going to go the youtube route, which I generally detest, this guy doesn't look like he's lost anything. Not physically, anyways.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPi_D7mMmWU[/youtube]

[Sedale Threatt]

I don't see anything lacking with his athleticism, either.

That's because you have two eyes, and a functional brain.

That last bit could probably be debated. But I do have excellent vision.

[The Explorer]

He still has great athleticism, but for some reason he doesn't use it all the time. Take yesterday for example. He barely got off the ground on the missed layup that Wade tipped in. But in the 2nd quarter he had a tip dunk where his head was near the rim. Perhaps it could be fatigue, maybe j. terry was right.

[LuckedO]

I've seen him making the exact same run outs throughout this series.

I'd love to see this clip.

He's had a couple of half-court dunks that made me sit up, too.

He did have a couple of dunks where he got up, but the actual drive to set-up those dunks were in slow motion. I also don't think a fancy dunk says anything about a player's overall athleticism. I can find you plenty of Shaq clips from 08-09 where he was doing some ridiculous stuff around the rim, now did that mean he was still the same player?

Bottom line, if you can't see a humongous difference in quickness, agility and explosiveness between the clip I posted and the LeBron we have seen this season, then I don't know what you're watching man.

LeBron's having his worst season since 06-07 despite being one of the best shooters in the NBA. Can't you see something wrong with that?

[Wilford Brimley]

If its fatigue, how can the AARP Mavs not be feeling it too?

[MF Doom]

All of his problems are mental.

He should take a summer off from basketball and get get his mind right.

[SSUBluesman]

So does this mean he quit on the Heat just like he did on the Cavs? That he already has one foot out the door? That his head wasn't in it? That his mysterious elbow was acting up?

He's just not attacking aggressively, and he's standing there in the triple threat, or with his back to the basket far more than usual, instead of making a quick and precise move.

Good god, LeBron's ALWAYS done this! If there is one flaw he's always had, it's holding the ball in the triple threat and not making quick moves after the catch. Part of it is due to not having the first step, which is why he always plays from the top of the key - something he's been doing plenty in this series too but unlike before, he doesn't have any of the quickness and explosiveness to get past defenders anymore.

LBJ has always been more fast than quick, meaning he was more dangerous at his 3rd step than his 1st. Of course if you set up at the top of the key by your 3rd step (if you get there) the help has already came. He's putting himself in the most difficult position possible with no real reason to set up there. His slashing, passing, etc. is better suited out by the 3 pt. line.

Any supposed decline in athleticism almost certainly closely mirrors the increased weight he's carrying. As mentioned the weight really isn't necessary, especially since he continues to play on the perimeter instead of the post (where he belongs).

[TheDeadDodo]

If its fatigue, how can the AARP Mavs not be feeling it too?

It could be any number of things: diet, sleep habits, whether he's constantly partying and drinking in between games or not, etc. Also, as several people have mentioned before, he looks a bit heavier than he needs to be. I'm not sure if that's fat or muscle (looks like mostly muscle), but put on too much and endurance does become an issue anytime you're running around for hours on end.

[Dat Pass]

If its fatigue, how can the AARP Mavs not be feeling it too?

It could be any number of things: diet, sleep habits, whether he's constantly partying and drinking in between games or not, etc. Also, as several people have mentioned before, he looks a bit heavier than he needs to be. I'm not sure if that's fat or muscle (looks like mostly muscle), but put on too much and endurance does become an issue anytime you're running around for hours on end.

LeBron has logged a ton of minutes this year, we might see him get more rest in Game 5.

[bullsnewdynasty]

I've always remembered LeBron having a quicker first step in the past than he does now

[Sedale Threatt]

Bottom line, if you can't see a humongous difference in quickness, agility and explosiveness between the clip I posted and the LeBron we have seen this season, then I don't know what you're watching man.

I guess I feel the same way. I wish I could properly describe the look on my colleague's face when I asked him if he thought LeBron has lost anything athletically. He might be fatigued or whatever -- which would be weak, if so -- and I can buy a case that he needs to slim down. But a permanent loss in athletic ability? I'm sorry, I just don't see it.

LeBron's having his worst season since 06-07 despite being one of the best shooters in the NBA. Can't you see something wrong with that?

A. His numbers are down because he's sharing the ball with Wade. That seems pretty obvious to me. On any given night, he can still tear it up like no other.

B. Is LeBron even an average shooter, let alone one of the best in the NBA?

[Shamizy]

LeBron's having his worst season since 06-07 despite being one of the best shooters in the NBA. Can't you see something wrong with that?

I didn't know LeBron was shooting the ball like Ray Allen.