arsenic wrote:
Everyone who noticed a change, media and fans alike can and has noted it having occurred after Game 2. Not 3, not 4. We could argue Lebron was disappointed in himself, but we can't ignore those other major contributing factors to how the game was played from then on. The reactions from players and coaches, the changes from players and the coach. You want to pretend he was the same guy in Game 3, a win, where the formula changed, due to his "decent" game of 17 points, well that's just not the case. I imagine the team went on to suspect that because the change in game 3 led to a win, it was going to be a success throughout the series, but man were they wrong. Things progressively became worse, a certain player became more and more excluded and nothing was done to correct it. Until of course, Game 6, people realize, you know Lebron has been "different", not himself, let's try to get him involved now in a game that's WIN or GO HOME. Brilliant idea wasn't it? Too little, too late.
You really want to go down this road huh. I've tried desperately to avoid this, trying to show you that other factors could've been the culprit behind why we lost the finals. But your tenacious stubbornness to focus on one single point(which is wrong) and to consciously ignore every single counter-point I've brought to your attention has left me with no choice. You're arguing that Lebron James is some weak willed sensitive child that got his feelings hurt after game 2 and thus lost confidence in himself.(I'm still waiting for the link with Wade and Coach Spo throwing Lebron under the bus with their comments). Rip away all the fluff and that is what we're left with. I personally don't believe it, but that's what your whole argument boils down to. Don't like it? Then maybe you should stop avoiding my points and actually answer them instead of relying on this lame *** argument.
You keep harping on about Game 3. I've given you plenty of evidence that supports my overall conclusion, Game 3 of the finals were no different then Game 5 in round 1 or Game 1 in round 2. Don't agree? Then take the time to break down game 3 and prove that my theory is incorrect. But if you're just going to ignore it again, then I guess we can end this on the note that your entire hypothesis relies on Lebron James being mentally weak. Again, I don't believe that is so.
Well not in those words, but absolutely. Mentally weak? Selfish? He definitely was which is inexcusable for an 8 year vet but it's the truth. Teammates and the Coach lost confidence in him and he lost it in himself. The approach to the game went away from him, and he went away from playing like himself. After Game 2 Lebron did not attempt to be the player we know him to be which is dominant on BOTH sides of the floor. Offense? Wasn't there, didn't even want to shoot. Defense? Didn't bother to put pressure on defense, although I will say him chasing around Terry was a BAD idea, no doubt fatigue was there, but when you're confident and in it to win it, you keep at it, not fold. Also, I don't have direct links, just go back to post game interviews/articles, it's all there. Everyone has seen it, and you too. Although I get what you're saying, where I see throwing under the bus, you see as "leadership".
