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

[mgent]

My money would be on Wade to win his second MVP.  But LeBron's gonna choke sooner vs. the Celts (if he can manage Dwight or Rose).

[Fafnir]

So we're in an alternate universe of an already alternate universe right? Then it'd depend on what team Earth - 1 Superman rooted for.

Because in our universe he most certainly doesn't "always choke".

[mgent]

You must mean in the season that doesn't count.

[Roy H.]

Lebron's career playoff averages are 29.3 / 8.4 / 7.3 on 45.9% shooting.  It's fine to hate him, but he doesn't have a history of choking.  Rather, he has a history of being beaten by better / deeper teams that play great defense.

[KCattheStripe]

Lebron's career playoff averages are 29.3 / 8.4 / 7.3 on 45.9% shooting.  It's fine to hate him, but he doesn't have a history of choking.  Rather, he has a history of being beaten by better / deeper teams that play great defense.

Can it be ok to say that he only inconsistently shines in big moments, which is what I think the OP was refering to as "Choke".

[mgent]

Lebron's career playoff averages are 29.3 / 8.4 / 7.3 on 45.9% shooting.  It's fine to hate him, but he doesn't have a history of choking.  Rather, he has a history of being beaten by better / deeper teams that play great defense.

But LeBron is the King, he by himself is greater than any team and is immune to defense.  There's no other possible explanation.

[Fan from VT]

Age 22 vs. Spurs: 22pts, 6.75 assts, 7 rbs, 6.3 to's, 20-29 FT's, 32-90 fg. Pretty good series against a great Spurs squad that was significantly better at every other position on the floor.

Age 23 vs. Celts 26.7 pts, 7.6 assts, 6.4 rbs, 5.2 to's, 105-258 fg, 112-157 ft's. And Cleveland outscored Boston in the series. Not a choke job at all; great win for the C's that again was better at 4/5 of the other positions on the floor.

Age 24 vs. Orlando: 38.5 pts, 8 assts, 8.3 rbs, 5 to's, 70-94  ft's, 75-154 fg's. Cleveland just couldn't handle Orlando's matchups elsewhere, but that's a great series.

These are just the elimination series from '07-'09. I don't see a choke at all, just a very good player with a terrible overwhelmed supporting cast. Even last year's "epic choke"

Age 25 vs. Boston: 26.8 pts, 7.2 assts, 9.3 rbs, 4.5 to's, 52-70 fts', 51-114 fg's.

[NoraG1]

What I worry about is the refs. Lebron bulldozes his way to the basket. That would be an offensive foul if anyone else did it but no Lebron not only gets away with it refs reward him for it. So annoying.

[angryguy77]

In this universe, does his elbow only become an issue when he's playing bad

He may not choke according to the numbers, but he's a loser no matter what universe you put him in.

[kenmaine]

What I worry about is the refs. Lebron bulldozes his way to the basket. That would be an offensive foul if anyone else did it but no Lebron not only gets away with it refs reward him for it. So annoying.

Yes it's annoying. And Shaq's been doing it for 20 years now! Some guys can just plow defenders over and aren't called for offensive fouls, although the refs aren't letting Shaq get away with much these days.
And to the OP- if LeBron gets to the finals this year, I certainly hope he chokes. But if it's the Lakers, I won't even watch. Derek Fisher getting another ring would make me sick.

[housecall]

I don't think Lebron is a choker but a superstar that has never learned how to be a closer in playoffs games and never had any closer type players surrounding him.It hit me last week when i saw Lebron quickly pass the rock off to E.House to make a three pt shot in a close game towards the end at OKC.It reminded back when MJ played he always had a guy around him that could close out if he wasn't able to,Kobe's always had a few closers around him.

Since the OKC game the Heat has started to rely on E.House more and more if the game is close towards the end of games.Its not always the superstar that is the closer and seldom is in a lot of big games.Eric Spokstra figured out neither Wade or James are good closers of tight games.

[Fafnir]

Age 22 vs. Spurs: 22pts, 6.75 assts, 7 rbs, 6.3 to's, 20-29 FT's, 32-90 fg. Pretty good series against a great Spurs squad that was significantly better at every other position on the floor.

Age 23 vs. Celts 26.7 pts, 7.6 assts, 6.4 rbs, 5.2 to's, 105-258 fg, 112-157 ft's. And Cleveland outscored Boston in the series. Not a choke job at all; great win for the C's that again was better at 4/5 of the other positions on the floor.

Age 24 vs. Orlando: 38.5 pts, 8 assts, 8.3 rbs, 5 to's, 70-94  ft's, 75-154 fg's. Cleveland just couldn't handle Orlando's matchups elsewhere, but that's a great series.

These are just the elimination series from '07-'09. I don't see a choke at all, just a very good player with a terrible overwhelmed supporting cast. Even last year's "epic choke"

Age 25 vs. Boston: 26.8 pts, 7.2 assts, 9.3 rbs, 4.5 to's, 52-70 fts', 51-114 fg's.

TP for this list, LeBron has only one game where I'd consider him choking, Game 5 last year.

Meanwhile he's had a lot more huge games that got his team wins, the Game 2 of the Orlando series in 09. Or the 24 straight points against the Pistons team that had just been to the Finals.

[Fafnir]

What I worry about is the refs. Lebron bulldozes his way to the basket. That would be an offensive foul if anyone else did it but no Lebron not only gets away with it refs reward him for it. So annoying.

Sometimes he does, but for a lot of his baskets he's just blowing by his man and absorbing contact while finishing.

LeBron is incredibly quick and adept at knifing through a slight crease defensively.

[CorruptWave]

LeBron cares more about his image than winning a title. That's why he doesn't have it.

[BballTim]

  LeBron's heard quite enough criticism here, so he's taking his talent to another blog.