imho, it's a total disrespect to the opponents and to the sport, not to mention the fans.

thoughts?

djsunyc wrote:lebron, perfectly healthy, sits out and doesn't play the bulls last night.

imho, it's a total disrespect to the opponents and to the sport, not to mention the fans.

thoughts?

He requested getting rest several days before this game. Phil sat Kobe out last night too for the same reason. These guys are trying to win championships and they've played many games before these last games heavy minutes and often times not 100%. I have no problem asking for a personal day off over an employed season. Because how many personal days do you ask off on your job over a calendar year?

It's not as disrespectful as you are making it out to be.

Of course you wanted Lebron to play to beat the Bulls so Toronto has an easier time to get in the playoffs. Not because of the fans or the sport..... who are you fooling here.

I mean in football you see the same thing being done last couple games of a season....the most important players getting rest to re-energize themselves for the Post-Season

If Toronto would have took care of games earlier in the season they wouldn't need to sweat a game like yesterday. The Bulls had numerous injuries throughout the year affording the Raptors more than an edge to put their stamp on the season.

this has to do with a league marketing all their superstars and having a fan pay 50% over ticket value to see bulls/cavs b/c of lebron, only to have the rug swept from under them. martin's post is the example.

Juice wrote:

djsunyc wrote:lebron, perfectly healthy, sits out and doesn't play the bulls last night.

imho, it's a total disrespect to the opponents and to the sport, not to mention the fans.

thoughts?

He requested getting rest several days before this game. Phil sat Kobe out last night too for the same reason. These guys are trying to win championships and they've played many games before these last games heavy minutes and often times not 100%. I have no problem asking for a personal day off over an employed season. Because how many personal days do you ask off on your job over a calendar year?

It's not as disrespectful as you are making it out to be.

Of course you wanted Lebron to play to beat the Bulls so Toronto has an easier time to get in the playoffs. Not because of the fans or the sport..... who are you fooling here.

I mean in football you see the same thing being done last couple games of a season....the most important players getting rest to re-energize themselves for the Post-Season

If Toronto would have took care of games earlier in the season they wouldn't need to sweat a game like yesterday. The Bulls had numerous injuries throughout the year affording the Raptors more than an edge to put their stamp on the season.

if you went to a concert and a lead singer didn't sing and was replaced by joe smoe winner of the local karaoke contest the night before, would you be happy? ... just cause he was gonna sing in the Meadowlands the next night and needed to rest up?

you cannot compare this to a regular job, that is silliness.

Rest Lebron!

I think Magic will take it to finals and if Lakes are banged up they might could take it.

djsunyc wrote:and why would lebron request rest? wtf? being paid bajillion dollars to work 6 months a year and you require rest?

These guys days start earlier and end later than any regular human being. Just because they are paid a hundred, thousand, trillion, dollars doesn't take out the human side in them. Lebron's body probably takes more abuse than 95% of athletes in the NBA. High minute player, who plays hard every minute he's on the court and plays at the highest pressure points any athlete can perform at.

Derek Jeter/Alex Rodriguez/Mariano Rivera will get a day off this year too... probably a couple or have on more than one occasion throughout their professional baseball career. Jeter/A-Rod/Rivera have made far more money than Lebron in their respective sport.... have they cheated fans of baseball? I mean WTH do they take days off for...... it's not like their bodies take poundings every game they play. They take them off because well.... they're human and need a day off. Not to mention if anyone deserves to have a personal day it's players like Lebron not Eddy Curry.

I get your point but like I said he made a request several days before this game. He played 2gms after he made the request and coach decided to grant him the request when they played the Bulls. Was it coincidental? Maybe? Could he have played? Obviously! But there really isn't any intent to disrespect here, just untimely circumstance.

I simply feel there are more appropriate battles to pick here versus trying to get at Lebron for resting a game or two.

As for the opponent, who cares what the Bulls think? We always complain about how people get concerned about athletes feelings all of the time. Why should this time be any different? They'll move on a lot quicker than the fans will, I'm willing to bet, and that's how it pretty much always and should be.

As for the Cavs. Look at the big picture. They are resting players, especially their superstar. They are trying to win a championship. What's most important? Making a select few stupid fans satisfied or winning it all?

And I just love how people say "Oh, he's a young man, he should be able to play this game." LMAO I would like to see you play 82 games the way he does, and not ask for a game off on a meaningless day.

Sillyness!

does anyone play harder or better in the entire league? the guy is allowed to rest up for the playoffs once his team has clinched home court for the entire playoffs.

martin wrote:Does The Boss ever take a night off from a concert when his throat is scratchy or just before a really really long concert tour?

Different arenas for sure, but both entertainers.

Is The Boss singing for a chance at a championship? Does The Boss do 80 concerts a year on several back-to-back nights plus an additional 20 concerts on a bigger stage?

Are we just as Mad when Yankees and Mets players do this?