"Feel-out game" and "amazing memory" : tired of the LeBron media hype

[Drucci]

Disclaimer : yes, LeBron is a great player, he has been to the Finals 7 straight years and could very well be on his way to his 8th trip if he beats the Celtics, game 1 was a blowout but it's only one game, etc. And he will probably be great in game 2.

But it's become so annoying to see how the media (ESPN first and foremost, but not only them) always glorifies LeBron, even when he is playing poorly or is simply making obnoxious statements. Last night, he was almost a non factor and yet they still showed his best stats but weren't really criticizing him. Yet what really bothers me is that evefybody went "wow LeBron is amazing, he was able to recall exactly some plays made by the Celtics in the 4th quarter, he is special, his memory is unheard of"... ugh, sorry, what ? How is it even considered a feat being able to recall some plays that happened like 20 minutes earlier in a game he was playing ? And considering these were game-changing plays (keeping the lead up instead of down), it's not surprising he remembered them.

I mean, would you find your coworker amazing if, assuming he was a journalist, would have been "able" to tell you the 3 articles he wrote during the day ?

Finally, LeBron's quote about how games 1 are "feel-out games" for him really annoys me, because if every other star player had said it (Harden, Westbrook, just to name a few), they would have been crucified, everybody would have said "look, that's a loser mentality, they don't have it", etc. Yet it's LeBron so nobody reacts or finds it complacent or strange. The guy basically admits he takes games 1 (including game 1 of the ECF) "off" and yet they keep praising him as the GOAT. Hm.

(Sorry, needed to rant but I feel there is a real debate here)

[GreenFaith1819]

Even MORE reason for BOS to come out prepared for ANYTHING in Game 2.

Coach Lue could start Tristan AND KLove - moving Kevin back to the 4.

I expect Coach Stevens to keep this team prepared for this chess game called the Cavs, Only way to silence the LeBron Media is to BEAT THEM, and do NOT get complacent after the blowout win.

I hope the team uses this perceived lack of respect as ammunition for the rest of the series. Only way to break their will is to win game 2, win game THREE (in CLE) and keep the defensive pressure on,

Impose your WILL, BOS - like the classic Teams of the KG, Paul, Ray, Rondo and Bird-McHale-Chief days.

[Celtics4ever]

ESPN is a hype machine and you should expect that by now. 

[Roy H.]

Don’t let it bother you. Game 1 storylines mean nothing.

Let’s get three more wins and see what the media says then.

[gouki88]

Don’t let it bother you. Game 1 storylines mean nothing.

Let’s get three more wins and see what the media says then.

I wonder how they’d make sure LeBron isn’t to blame if we actually swept them

[Roy H.]

Don’t let it bother you. Game 1 storylines mean nothing.

Let’s get three more wins and see what the media says then.

I wonder how they’d make sure LeBron isn’t to blame if we actually swept them

The whole focus would be on his next destination. We’d be an afterthought.

[Chief]

Don’t let it bother you. Game 1 storylines mean nothing.

Let’s get three more wins and see what the media says then.

I wonder how they’d make sure LeBron isn’t to blame if we actually swept them

The whole focus would be on his next destination. We’d be an afterthought.

I hate him.

[gouki88]

Don’t let it bother you. Game 1 storylines mean nothing.

Let’s get three more wins and see what the media says then.

I wonder how they’d make sure LeBron isn’t to blame if we actually swept them

The whole focus would be on his next destination. We’d be an afterthought.

I hate him.

Seconded. With emphasis

[Drucci]

Don’t let it bother you. Game 1 storylines mean nothing.

Let’s get three more wins and see what the media says then.

Yep it's the best answer and the most satisfying one. But still, to think that the same LeBron James was saying "If I walk into your building for a Game 1, it will be very challenging” in early march (https://www.sbnation.com/2018/3/8/17097658/lebron-james-doesnt-care-about-playoff-seeding-cavs-eastern-conference-nba-finals-history) is the latest example of his constant need for excuses or ways to make him look god while contradicting himself.

Many feel his bad behaviour from The Decision, etc, is long gone but it's not, the only thing that's really changed about him is that he won in Miami and in Cleveland and is getting kind of a lifetime pass for that.

[hpantazo]

Whatever happened to saying the other team played well and we have to play better next game?

[celticinorlando]

They will get the best version of Lebron tomorrow. If they can get a win then it will really show Boston has a real chance

I expect fully Thompson starts with Love at the 4. That would put brown squarely on James.

[Sophomore]

They will get the best version of Lebron tomorrow. If they can get a win then it will really show Boston has a real chance

Completely agree with this. Expect a much tougher battle next game.

[Who]

When you have won as a much as LeBron has, you get the benefit of the doubt over the things you have said because you have been there and done that many times over.

When you haven't won (like Harden or Westbrook), you don't get that benefit of the doubt so you get crucified for what you have said.

[Redz]

Whatever happened to saying the other team played well and we have to play better next game?

It's a nice thing to say, but I'm sure he doesn't believe that based on 8 years of stepping on Eastern Conference rivals.

[Granath]

Even MORE reason for BOS to come out prepared for ANYTHING in Game 2.

Coach Lue could start Tristan AND KLove - moving Kevin back to the 4.

*shrug*

That's why Ainge went and got Baynes. We'd counter with Baynes and Horford at the 5/4 and Morris would play the 3 against Lebron. That might force Tatum off the floor at the start of the game but then he'll feast on the Cleveland backups. That puts more pressure on their starting group to perform because if Tatum's coming off the bench we should feast when the starters need to take a breather.