The Lebron Thread (Pt. 2)

[JordansBulls]

How important do you guys think Birdman's absence from Game 6 was? Joel looked fierce but just couldn't complete. Do you think the outcome would have been any different?

I honestly don't know what to expect in this game. All the games in Miami have been close and the Pacers in them, and when the Heat won big it was game 3 in Indiana. I think Indiana needs to be up at halftime to have a chance though.

[PCProductions]

Lebron James, Career, in Game 7 situations:

LOSS: 2006-05-21: Cleveland @ Detroit. Eastern Conference Semifinals. Final score: 61-79.
- Lebron: 27-8-2. 3 TO's. 49.1% TS. 95 ORtg 104 DRtg
Box Score: http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 10DET.html

LOSS: 2008-05-18: Cleveland @ Boston. Eastern Conference Semifinals. Final score: 92-97
- Lebron: 45-5-6. 2 TO's. 60.2% TS. 128 ORTg 117 DRtg
Box Score: http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 80BOS.html

WIN: 2012-06-09: Miami vs. Boston. Eastern Conference Finals. Final score: 101-88
- Lebron: 31-12-2. 3 TO's. 54.4% TS. 112 ORtg 102 DRtg
Box Score: http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 90MIA.html

Three games through seven years is impossible to draw any conclusions from, and futile. Each of those games had completely different teams and also completely different versions of Lebron.

[JordansBulls]

Lebron James, Career, in Game 7 situations:

LOSS: 2006-05-21: Cleveland @ Detroit. Eastern Conference Semifinals. Final score: 61-79.
- Lebron: 27-8-2. 3 TO's. 49.1% TS. 95 ORtg 104 DRtg
Box Score: http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 10DET.html

LOSS: 2008-05-18: Cleveland @ Boston. Eastern Conference Semifinals. Final score: 92-97
- Lebron: 45-5-6. 2 TO's. 60.2% TS. 128 ORTg 117 DRtg
Box Score: http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 80BOS.html

WIN: 2012-06-09: Miami vs. Boston. Eastern Conference Finals. Final score: 101-88
- Lebron: 31-12-2. 3 TO's. 54.4% TS. 112 ORtg 102 DRtg
Box Score: http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 90MIA.html

Three games through seven years is impossible to draw any conclusions from, and futile. Each of those games had completely different teams and also completely different versions of Lebron.

Last year seems more similar though because the squad is a bit the same. Big difference is that Boston last year had nothing inside while at least Indy does now.

[TheChosen618]

How important do you guys think Birdman's absence from Game 6 was? Joel looked fierce but just couldn't complete. Do you think the outcome would have been any different?

Lost some offense because Joel can't finish, but everything else was about the same (rebounding, defense, energy level, etc.). Heat would have still lost Game 6 even with the Birdman.

[GetItDone]

This forum is going to crash tonight if Miami loses.

[SideshowBob]

Lebron James, Career, in Game 7 situations:

LOSS: 2006-05-21: Cleveland @ Detroit. Eastern Conference Semifinals. Final score: 61-79.
- Lebron: 27-8-2. 3 TO's. 49.1% TS. 95 ORtg 104 DRtg
Box Score: http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 10DET.html

Ahh yes, this game. Hard to win when the rest of the team goes 9/41 with 9 TOs

[PCProductions]

Lebron James, Career, in Game 7 situations:

LOSS: 2006-05-21: Cleveland @ Detroit. Eastern Conference Semifinals. Final score: 61-79.
- Lebron: 27-8-2. 3 TO's. 49.1% TS. 95 ORtg 104 DRtg
Box Score: http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 10DET.html

Ahh yes, this game. Hard to win when the rest of the team goes 9/41 with 9 TOs

To be honest, I don't know much about this game. I can't find the footage anywhere and it was just before I became a fan of his. He was still pretty raw back then and all I remember of that postseason of his were his two game winning drives against Washington.

[SideshowBob]

Ahh yes, this game. Hard to win when the rest of the team goes 9/41 with 9 TOs

To be honest, I don't know much about this game. I can't find the footage anywhere and it was just before I became a fan of his. He was still pretty raw back then and all I remember of that postseason of his were his two game winning drives against Washington.

Yeah it sucks that there's like no footage.

Its been a while, but it was brutal. Cavs scored 23 in the 2nd half, Lebron with only 6 after 21 in the first half. Pistons played with game 7 level defensive intensity, no one on Cleveland could make an outside shot (Hughes hit the only 3 pointer) which just amplified the problem.

[CJ_18]

No matter whats been happening with Wade so far these playoffs, Miami/LeBron need him to come up big time tonight. He needs to fly around on defense in spurts like he is capable of, be a threat in the transition game with LeBron to create easy baskets, and find ways to get into the lane. LeBron plays his best when him and Wade and playing in'sync,

if Wade isn't a big factor.. its going to be a grind for Miami until the end, and theyre going to have to rely on LeBron to have them on his shoulders. Someone needs to step up for Miami (other than LeBron), and Wade is the biggest factor if he can be that guy.

[Chalky White]

LeBron loses tonight and I'm not sure he cracks my top 10. Also; the window isn't as large as previously thought. I'm not sure Miami, if they don't win this year, makes it back to the finals next season.

[WinisKing]

LeBron loses tonight and I'm not sure he cracks my top 10. Also; the window isn't as large as previously thought. I'm not sure Miami, if they don't win this year, makes it back to the finals next season.

Then please elaborate who is in your Top 10

[Chalky White]

LeBron loses tonight and I'm not sure he cracks my top 10. Also; the window isn't as large as previously thought. I'm not sure Miami, if they don't win this year, makes it back to the finals next season.

Then please elaborate who is in your Top 10

Bird
Magic
Jordan
Russell
Chamberlin
Kareem
Duncan
Shaq
Hakeem
Kobe

No particular order.

[WinisKing]

LeBron loses tonight and I'm not sure he cracks my top 10. Also; the window isn't as large as previously thought. I'm not sure Miami, if they don't win this year, makes it back to the finals next season.

Then please elaborate who is in your Top 10

Bird
Magic
Jordan
Russell
Chamberlin
Kareem
Duncan
Shaq
Hakeem
Kobe

No particular order.

Some of the guys listed above has also experienced multiple disappointing playoff failures, but its certainly understandable if you don't place him in your top 10 regardless of whether Lebron succeeds/fails to capture his 2nd championship. However, to deny him any sorts of chance in advancing his legacy because his slight drop off in this postseason (which isn't massive when contrasted against the struggles Wade and Bosh had) seems a bit unfair to the entire body of work he maintained throughout his career. Unless you firmly believe he will only end up with what he has at this moment for the next 6-8 years.

I personally rank his peak on a level below Jordan's, Wilt and Shaqs, and about even with Magic, Bird and Russell; which is impressive for a player who seems capable of maintaining this level of play for the good majority of the next 2-3 years.

[LikeABosh]

It's ridiculous to put up someone in your top 10 after winning their first championship and it's just as ridiculous to take them out of your top ten after they lose the very next year.

Make up your mind. Your top 10 shouldn't change every year

[NO-KG-AI]

The whole premise is stupid. He basically said no matter what LeBron does, all that matters to LeBron's legacy is the final score.

[Chalky White]

It's ridiculous to put up someone in your top 10 after winning their first championship and it's just as ridiculous to take them out of your top ten after they lose the very next year.

Make up your mind. Your top 10 shouldn't change every year

1-2 in the finals. Lost in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013 when his team was not only thought to be the leagues best, but were expected to win the title. In 2011 and 2013 specifically, on paper, his teams were and are notably more talented than the opposition that knocked them out. 1-2 in the post season after joining Miami and being by far the most talented team in the East. Loses to Dirk and Duncan in the finals, with his finals win coming over a team whose best players were all under 23(Very talented team besides, but it was their first finals appearance and all were pre-prime).

Additionally, with the way Wade is fading I have a very difficult time seeing Miami becoming a dynasty, or winning multiple rings beyond this season should they lose. Especially considering Indiana is younger than Miami, Rose and Westbrook will presumably return healthy, and Golden State is rising. Durant will be entering his prime, and LeBron will be 29. It only gets more difficult after this season for LBJ.

If Miami loses tonight I am of the belief that it will completely alter the landscape of the NBA, and instead of a success, the Miami experiment will be thought of as a failure and a blemish upon LBJ's career. I don't think that will happen though.

[Chalky White]

The whole premise is stupid. He basically said no matter what LeBron does, all that matters to LeBron's legacy is the final score.

That isn't what I said at all.

[NO-KG-AI]

The whole premise is stupid. He basically said no matter what LeBron does, all that matters to LeBron's legacy is the final score.

That isn't what I said at all.

"LeBron loses tonight and I'm not sure he cracks my top 10"

[Chalky White]

The whole premise is stupid. He basically said no matter what LeBron does, all that matters to LeBron's legacy is the final score.

That isn't what I said at all.

"LeBron loses tonight and I'm not sure he cracks my top 10"

As far as I know LBJ has played in games prior to tonight that have contributed to my opinion on the next of what is a series of post season failures.

[NO-KG-AI]

All you said was, if he loses tonight, you're not sure about his ranking. If he wins, are you also not sure? If so, why not just say "I'm not sure LeBron cracks my top 10".