The Lebron Thread (Pt. 3)

bballcool34 · Post #381 » by **bballcool34** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:22 am

Wade was scary good, best player today easily, although raw box score numbers may make it seem like Lebron was as good because of his scoring at the end when the game was out of reach.

Still, Lebron played well, did what needed to be done, and that's what matters.

JulesWinnfield · Post #382 » by **JulesWinnfield** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:24 am

Through 4 games

Lebron
20.8 pts
12.0 rebs
6.5 ast
45.6% FG
5blk/7stl
(+2)

Wade
18.8 pts
2.5 rebs
4.3 ast
48.5% FG
3blk/11stl
(-31)

Lebron is finals MVP through 4 games, but Wade has certainly played better relative to expectations. This game reminded me in a lot of ways of game 4 in Indy last year. Similarly down 2-1 in the series, similarly down double digits in the game, similarly Lebron and Wade go off (although last years effort was more impressive of course, at least statistically.)

ThaRegul8r · Post #383 » by **ThaRegul8r** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:27 am

TheChosen618 wrote:I think if the Heat win this series, Lebron will more than likely be the Finals MVP. However, he hasn't been impressive and I don't think he will be anymore impressive as the series goes on. Spurs defense is just too focused on him for him to play well.

It makes me wonder though.

Will people be more impressed by Lebron's 2013 Finals or Lebron's 2012 Finals?

Whichever one has the better stats

JNelson43 · Post #384 » by **JNelson43** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:28 am

I'm not sure if Lebron will score over 30 again in this series, but I do think he'll shoot much more efficiently from this point on. Without the low shooting percentage it will look like a perfectly fine fMVP caliber series, albeit without a lot of great signature moments (yet).

People are really jumping the gun if they think the Heat are in the driver's seat imo. The Spurs won't play like this in game 5.

JulesWinnfield · Post #385 » by **JulesWinnfield** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:37 am

As underwhelming as Lebron has been scoring wise prior to tonight, he is the leading scorer in the series, the leading rebounder in the series, and 2 assists behind Tony Parker. Has any player ever led both teams in scoring, rebounding and assists in a finals series?

PCProductions · Post #386 » by **PCProductions** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:50 am

JulesWinnfield wrote:Lebron is finals MVP through 4 games, but Wade has certainly played better relative to expectations. This game reminded me in a lot of ways of game 4 in Indy last year. Similarly down 2-1 in the series, similarly down double digits in the game, similarly Lebron and Wade go off (although last years effort was more impressive of course, at least statistically.)

This was my exact thought at the end of the game. Coincidentally another Game 4, they both played up to their standard and Wade really exploded while Lebron sat in the 4th. Lebron's "garbage" points are slightly underrated because they really iced the game, though they are by all means garbage points no doubt about that. I personally liked Bosh's and Wade's defense tonight more than anything.

The Big 3 finally played like a Big 3 is the story of this game.

PCProductions · Post #387 » by **PCProductions** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:51 am

JulesWinnfield wrote:As underwhelming as Lebron has been scoring wise prior to tonight, he is the leading scorer in the series, the leading rebounder in the series, and 2 assists behind Tony Parker. Has any player ever led both teams in scoring, rebounding and assists in a finals series?

Just off the top I'm imagining Magic or Larry has, no?

TheChosen618 · Post #388 » by **TheChosen618** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:53 am

JulesWinnfield wrote:As underwhelming as Lebron has been scoring wise prior to tonight, he is the leading scorer in the series, the leading rebounder in the series, and 2 assists behind Tony Parker. Has any player ever led both teams in scoring, rebounding and assists in a finals series?

Lebron led his team in all of those categories last season. He wasn't the leading scorer in the series, Durant was.

Magic in 87 was close. He wasn't the leading rebounder of the series, Bird was.

GetItDone · Post #389 » by **GetItDone** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:56 am

Really hope Wade plays like or close to this to close out series. Would love for him to win FMVP.

GSP · Post #390 » by **GSP** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:56 am

Bird let both teams in points and rebounds in 84 finals (outasssited by Magic)
He led both teams in points and assists in 86 finals (outrebounded by Hakeem)

I dont think Lebron doing it this series would be more impressive than 86 finals Bird since Hakeem is an alltime great rebounder (only outrebounded Bird by 2 a game) and the only alltime great rebounder in this series is way past his prime.

GSP · Post #391 » by **GSP** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:00 am

Actually my fault Hakeem scored more points than Bird in 86 by 0.7 couldve sworn Larry was the points leader................................

JulesWinnfield · Post #392 » by **JulesWinnfield** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:00 am

GSP wrote:Bird let both teams in points and rebounds in 84 finals (outasssited by Magic)
He led both teams in points and assists in 86 finals (outrebounded by Hakeem)

I dont think Lebron doing it this series would be more impressive than 86 finals Bird since Hakeem is an alltime great rebounder (only outrebounded Bird by 2 a game) and the only alltime great rebounder in this series is way past his prime.

Of course. I'm not trying to make his performance out to be something historic through 4 games in this series and a lot of factors contribute to him potentially pulling this off. It would be pretty unique though, this can't have been done too many times. And odds are probably against him doing it anyway, but its possible

TheChosen618 · Post #393 » by **TheChosen618** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:04 am

How do you guys think any versions among 2009-2012 Lebron would have fared this post-season and specifically against this Spurs defense? Any better? Any worse?

GSP · Post #394 » by **GSP** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:09 am

I think 2011 would struggle the same like the Mavs series.
I think 09 and 10 Lebron would be the best versions against this Spurs defense. I think 2012 Lebron would do a little worse than he is right now.

toodles23 · Post #395 » by **toodles23** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:10 am

TheChosen618 wrote:How do you guys think any versions among 2009-2012 Lebron would have fared this post-season and specifically against this Spurs defense? Any better? Any worse?

Hard to say. I think 2012 Lebron would struggle more against this team, because his jumper was completely busted in the Finals - he made more jumpers today than he made in the entire 2012 Finals. 2009 Lebron might fare best, he was on fire with his jumper that postseason (49% from 16-23 feet) and he was more athletic, and would get into the lane a lot easier than he does now. His lack of a post game wouldn't really matter, he's hardly done anything down low in this series.

TheChosen618 · Post #396 » by **TheChosen618** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:18 am

toodles23 wrote:I think 2012 Lebron would struggle more against this team, because his jumper was completely busted in the Finals - he made more jumpers today than he made in the entire 2012 Finals.

Hmm....but weren't many of them just garbage points though and when the game was out of reach?

It seems like it is on-going trend that his jump shot disappears during the Finals.

I think one thing I liked about 2012 Lebron more was that he was quicker with his decision making. He hardly ever hesitated to make his move. I'm not sure where this indecisiveness came from, but it is there and it's not making him play his game completely. I suppose it could be because the Spurs defense is more sophisticated.

I'm not sure if being a quicker decision maker would help him in this case. I'm assuming it wouldn't hurt though.

toodles23 wrote:His lack of a post game wouldn't really matter, he's hardly done anything down low in this series.

I was actually watching some highlights of the 2009 ECF and it seemed like Lebron actually posted up a few times in that series and had decent success.

Mohanad · Post #397 » by **Mohanad** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:30 am

JulesWinnfield wrote:As underwhelming as Lebron has been scoring wise prior to tonight, he is the leading scorer in the series, the leading rebounder in the series, and 2 assists behind Tony Parker. Has any player ever led both teams in scoring, rebounding and assists in a finals series?

It's a unique case. It show's how polar opposite and fickle sports media can be. He's expected to win a championship in every year of his prime, and if he doesn't, he's a write off. Seriously... he could have broken MJ's record for points in a playoff game tonight, but if Miami lost, nobody would care. Just imagine the headlines across America if San Antonio was ahead 3-1 in this series. Even if Lebron put up great stats, 90% of NBA's fan base would line up one by one to crush him.

We expect nothing less then MVP's, Championships, and Slam dunk awards, Lebron. Anything else is unacceptable.

:-?

SideshowBob · Post #398 » by **SideshowBob** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:40 am

toodles23 wrote:
TheChosen618 wrote:How do you guys think any versions among 2009-2012 Lebron would have fared this post-season and specifically against this Spurs defense? Any better? Any worse?

Hard to say. I think 2012 Lebron would struggle more against this team, because his jumper was completely busted in the Finals - he made more jumpers today than he made in the entire 2012 Finals. 2009 Lebron might fare best, he was on fire with his jumper that postseason (49% from 16-23 feet) and he was more athletic, and would get into the lane a lot easier than he does now. His lack of a post game wouldn't really matter, he's hardly done anything down low in this series.

Pretty much this. 2010 would be even better than 2009. 2011 would struggle worse than he did against Dallas.

LikeABosh · Post #399 » by **LikeABosh** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 1:51 pm

GSP wrote: the only alltime great rebounder in this series is way past his prime.

But he's still a great rebounder regardless of his age...his per36 has been the same for awhile now

JulesWinnfield · Post #400 » by **JulesWinnfield** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:22 pm

During this postseason Lebron has jumped from 17th to 9th on the all time playoff scoring list. Passed Hakeem and Havlicek last night. Of the 8 guys currently in front of him, only MJ and West have higher scoring averages.