In an alternate universe where Miami make the finals, does LBJ choke like always

[mgent]

I'd like everyone who said that LeBron NEVER chokes to reverse their statement (yes Roy H., even you said LeBron has no history of choking).

I haven't reviewed my comments, but I'm pretty positive that I didn't say Lebron *never* chokes.  Every player has bad games, often at big moments.  However, I don't believe that Lebron *always*, or even *consistently*, chokes, either.

Lebron didn't do himself any favors in the Finals.  He was passive on both offense and defense, and at times looke scared to shoot (often passing instead).  Even more than the rumored "quitting" last year, Lebron looked like he wilted under pressure this year.

However, Lebron has a history of playing very well in big games, as well.  He carried the Cavs to the Finals with some unbelievable efforts, he was phenomenal in Game 7 against the Celts in 2008, he hit some huge shots against both the Celts and Bulls this year.  

It's hard for me to say that a guy who has been the most "clutch" regular season scorer late in games in recent seasons plus a guy who has had many huge playoff games equals a guy who "always" chokes.  He doesn't.  Lucky for the rest of the league, he massively underperformed in the Finals this year.  However, I'm not sure that we can rely on that happening every season.

You didn't say he never chokes, you said he doesn't have a history of choking.  In the title when I wrote "always" I thought that was a pretty obvious exaggeration.  He doesn't always choke, but he does it more often than most, and way more than the guys he gets compared to (Jordan).

I think if you look at his performances in the 4th quarters of the Finals, he's a pretty consistent choker.  I also don't think he's the most clutch regular season scorer, the Heat absolutely sucked at closing out games.  I think Eddie House hit more game-winners than LeBron this year (one).

One last thing, he might have come up with a lot of high scoring playoff performances, but I wouldn't call a lot of them high efficiency playoff performances.  He scores a lot because he takes a TON of shots, that doesn't make him one of the best of all time.  Again I don't he's even close to the guys he gets compared to (Jordan, Bird) as far scoring efficiency in the playoffs (especially in the clutch).

[barefacedmonk]

His Chokeness...

[Celtics4ever]

**** that graphic rocks.   

I was not trying to do a told you so moment.  I was simply pointing to another example of him choking.   There are quite simply more incidents of him choking in elimination games than there are of him doing well.  He doesn't choke all the time obviously but he isn't a good shooter or clutch.  Those finals you mention I might argue that he was swept in those finals.

I don't hate him.  I think he is a pathetic jerk with bad handlers who is arrogant to the max.  But I take offense who claim this kid is an all time great because other than regular season stat production there is no argument.  My arguments are more directed at those who think he is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  this mindset puts me against most of the board who have drank the kool-aid and many sports writers.

He is a mediocre shooter too.  Now he killed us but more with his athletic ability.  And he can shoot when he is hot but most of the time he is a below 50% shooter and most of the time he is below that is low forties in his percentages.

[LooseCannon]

His Chokeness...

Tom Pestak posted this story about being told a joke that he initially didn't understand at Cavs the Blog:

At one point I was engaged in a lengthy conversation with an extremely outgoing 60-year-old woman from Panama. After covering a wide spectrum of topics she asked me “who do you like for the basketball?”  ”You mean the Heat vs the Mavs?” I asked.  ”Yes, who you like?”  In the past I’d have answered a question like this with “I just want to see a good series.”  After all, she may have family in Miami, or have a particular fondness for Udonis Haslem – who knows.  I don’t think about things like that any more because I don’t think when it comes to LeBron James and the Miami Heat – I just react.  So I answered the sweet lady “I want Dallas to destroy Miami – I really hate that team.”  After I said it I realized the tone of my answer was incredibly out of place next to the high-level pleasantries that were being exchanged.  She smiled and said “GOOD!  I CAN NOT STAND JAMES LEBRON!”  She seemed genuinely excited and continued: “Listen to this!  I heard a VERY funny joke.  I gave LeBron one dollar bill and ask him for change.  He give me seventy-five cents!!!!!”  I laughed convincingly despite failing to comprehend.  Later, through twitter, I understood that LeBron wasn’t able to give the poor old lady a 4th quarter.

[CeltsAcumen]

So when you say "Choked" do you really mean to reference a guy who just got to the NBA finals in less than one year from leaving his prior franchise?

Bc I should hope that the next time I get a job offer I can do as well.

Seriously, these comments are just foolish re-chirps from the TMZ wanna-bes at ESPN.

[syfy9]

His Chokeness...

Automatic Tp.