GustavBahler wrote:

Uptown wrote:David Stern and the NBA machine is responsible for over-marketing Lebron and many other young players they prematurely annointed as the second coming. Ever-since His Airness hung up the Jordans, David Stern has plucked Rooks-fresh out of the womb almost-up by their ears and plopped them onto the NBA stage before the world. He did it with Kobe, (remember the slob job he got at the allstar game in NYC?), he did it with Shaq, and the list goes on.

And of course Lebron is a willing participant, what 19,20 year old doesn't want to see his face on Mags, be the star in commercials, etc. Is he supposed to say, "No, I dont want the fame or the money?" Who does that?! The problem isn't Lebron's for accepting it, its the NBA's for offering it in the first place particularly before he got a chance to accomplish much....

I agree that the league is also a willing participant (Harold Miner was billed as the next Jordan) but it goes beyond just marketing another star. Other ways to market oneself and clean up. Allowing yourself to be marketed as the "King" and all that implies before you have accomplished anything gives fans the right to question if its deserved.

So far, LeBron has been the "King" of the regular season. That's an empty title for someone who is supposed to be the best player on earth, someone who has been in this league for going on 8 years, and has had a couple of chances to close the deal. James was partly responsible for his teams not winning a title yet.

LeBron wanted to be called "King" and heavy is the head that wears the crown.

Lets keep it all the way real. The only reason he was given the nickname "King" is because his last name is James. "King James" as in the bible version of...Seriously, if his name was Lebron Brown, I highly doubt his nickname would be "King Brown". The hype machine would still be behind him, but with a different nickname. Similar to Bernard King. He wore a crown and robe because his last name was King. It was convenient. In all honesty, Bird, Magic and Kareem were better players than King at the time and they could have easily been crowned, but unfortunately for them, none of them had the last name of King....

Uptown wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

Uptown wrote:David Stern and the NBA machine is responsible for over-marketing Lebron and many other young players they prematurely annointed as the second coming. Ever-since His Airness hung up the Jordans, David Stern has plucked Rooks-fresh out of the womb almost-up by their ears and plopped them onto the NBA stage before the world. He did it with Kobe, (remember the slob job he got at the allstar game in NYC?), he did it with Shaq, and the list goes on.

And of course Lebron is a willing participant, what 19,20 year old doesn't want to see his face on Mags, be the star in commercials, etc. Is he supposed to say, "No, I dont want the fame or the money?" Who does that?! The problem isn't Lebron's for accepting it, its the NBA's for offering it in the first place particularly before he got a chance to accomplish much....

I agree that the league is also a willing participant (Harold Miner was billed as the next Jordan) but it goes beyond just marketing another star. Other ways to market oneself and clean up. Allowing yourself to be marketed as the "King" and all that implies before you have accomplished anything gives fans the right to question if its deserved.

So far, LeBron has been the "King" of the regular season. That's an empty title for someone who is supposed to be the best player on earth, someone who has been in this league for going on 8 years, and has had a couple of chances to close the deal. James was partly responsible for his teams not winning a title yet.

LeBron wanted to be called "King" and heavy is the head that wears the crown.

Lets keep it all the way real. The only reason he was given the nickname "King" is because his last name is James. "King James" as in the bible version of...Seriously, if his name was Lebron Brown, I highly doubt his nickname would be "King Brown". The hype machine would still be behind him, but with a different nickname. Similar to Bernard King. He wore a crown and robe because his last name was King. It was convenient. In all honesty, Bird, Magic and Kareem were better players than King at the time and they could have easily been crowned, but unfortunately for them, none of them had the last name of King....

When keeping it real goes wrong I understand the genesis of the name. I also understand what the word means. You sell yourself as a King you'd better play like one. At least Bernard King's name was King, it was more of a joke, he's smiling in the picture. LeBron's ad campaigns don't reference the Bible, they play on his being royalty, as being born into the title. LeBron looks deadly serious when he's sitting on the throne or wearing the robes.

After 8+ years in the league LeBron needs to win a championship to prove he is basketball royalty. Jordan did it, Magic did it, Kareem did it, and Bird did it. Now its LeBron's turn to do it, if he can. Until he does people are going to ask if he deserves the name and rightfully so.

smackeddog wrote:I think this will be the year Lebron proves his detractors wrong, unfortunately.

No way the Heat lose this game 7. For a start the ref's will be calling everything for them- after Lebron's game 6 performance, they'll be giving him the full star treatment- so even if he tries to do a vanishing act, they'll bail him out. Also the Heats scrubs play better at home. They were all awful in game 6, and the Celtics still couldn't beat them. Either Bosh or Wade will contribute more than they did last game too.

I think the Celtics blew they're chance by playing like garbage in the last game. Pierce is hobbled, Ray Allen is hobbled, and KG doesn't exactly have a great record when it comes to clutch performances. I won't be shedding a tear for them, but I don't want to see the Heat win a championship.

CrushAlot wrote:Someone on the Celtics needs to introduce Dwayne Wade to the floor or at least level him with a hard screen.

Bad time for Boston to flake out. Looks like the Heat are going to the finals. Its the sexier matchup Durant vs. LeBron should be fun.

oh well

Time to start rooting for Seattle

Paladin55 wrote:Can't understand why the Celtics have played James so tight on the perimeter, giving him the opportunity to drive into a weak Celtic interior D to do his thing. I would still back off and make him be consistent from the outside, even though he has hit some jumpers. If you make him think about the fact that he is taking a jumper you are better off than daring him to take it to the hoop, IMO.

CrushAlot wrote:

mrKnickShot wrote:PP looks like sh1t with all the help he has. Miami can make excellent players look mediocre. Its amazing how well Melo did against Miami in comparison to PP.

He didn't play well. He did leap up after obviously being fouled hard and got back on d instead of staying on the floor to try and make a point. Doc had them prepared. Bosh's presence was huge.

He is a team player but his defense? Horrible! Offense? Even more horrible. At least Melo played much better D on Lebron than he did.

JesseDark wrote:Rondo and Garnett should've shook hands, it's not a good look.

They will just say that its because that they have so much fire in their bellies but that was pretty bitchy

JesseDark wrote:Rondo and Garnett should've shook hands, it's not a good look.

Thunder faced one of the hardest playoff matches I have ever seen with every round.
Westbrook, his defense on Wade, and his ability to facilitate and NOT take bad shots will be the keys to victory.

Durant/Sefelosha/Harden is almost as good as it can get defensively for Lebron, with Ibaka, Perkins, and Collison behind them.

Sefelosha/Westbrook/Harden on Wade is a great matchup.

OKC is just much deeper, much longer, quicker, and deeper than the Heat.

For the Heat,

Battier was a crucial part in Memphis last year vs Durant.
Bosh will be the key player, determining if Ibaka, can be a help defender or be drawn out to guard Bosh.

With the format of 2,3,1,1, however, momentum and the lead can change rather quickly.
Defending home court will be key, OKC's crowd is one of the strongest crowds I have ever seen, they are some intense fans!
Will be an interesting match...