Lebron has won my respect.

[Celtics18]

Nice post, LarBrd33,

You are clearly a big fan of Lebron James.

 I've spent the good part of the last two weeks delicately explaining my thoughts on the guy to my fellow Seattleites while trying not to get punched.    

    

I'm guessing that you end up spending much of your time trying to get people to want to punch you and then trying to talk your way out of it. 

So, that's not just a quality of yours in the virtual world?

[Employee8]

Nice post, LarBrd33,

You are clearly a big fan of Lebron James.

I'm actually not.  I love this league and I'm a hardcore Celtic fan.  I don't feel much different about LeBron as I do Kevin Durant.  I think Durant's an unbelievable player...  extremely gifted... very fun to watch.  I admire his talent.  I admire how accomplished he is for such a young age (back-to-back-to-back scoring titles... made the finals at age 23).  And if everyone globally hated Kevin Durant for a bunch of petty crybaby jealous nonsense, I'd be showing some support as well.  And for what it's worth... on some level, I do.  I live in Seattle.  Most of my friends absolutely loath Durant simply for who he is playing for.  I've spent the good part of the last two weeks delicately explaining my thoughts on the guy to my fellow Seattleites while trying not to get punched.  Hating Durant is just as petty.  The kid is awesome.  Shame I can't root for him, but I recognize talent when I see it. 

I'm always singing praises of players on other teams.  I've probably posted about Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving a dozen times each on here.  That doesn't make me a Golden State or Cleveland fan.  Likewise, I absolutely adore Rajon Rondo, but I've admitted countless times on this forum that I see Chris Paul as being a better player.  I don't particularly consider myself a fan of Chris Paul... I'm just tellin it like it is.  If I admit a player is good, does that automatically make me his fan?  Interesting.  Didn't know that.       

You strike me as the kind of guy who enjoys hyping up players of other teams just to be different around here, and heap all the negatives on our own players.  I was floored to read that you "adore" Rondo.  All of your assessments of him have been quite negative for the last year on this forum.

I don't think your posts have original thought.  You come in here with the intention of disagreeing with people and that skews your true thoughts and feeling of the subject at hand.  If people here dislike LeBron, you will intentionally go out of your way to defend him.  If people here are praising Rondo, you will intentionally go out of your way to list his flaws.  That's just the type of guy you are, you don't like to go with the flow here.

It's just too bad because we'll never know your true feelings on any subject here in this forum without yourself being swayed by other people's opinions.  My guess is you thrive not on the topic itself but by other people's reactions to your words.  Because of this I generally ignore what you have to say around here, whether I agree with you or not.

[TheFlex]

Is it common for world class athletes in their prime to just suddenly cramp up at the end of a long game?

It is if they've played 40+ minutes a night over the course of a season that has claimed the well being of Derrick Rose (played 95+% of possible games since high school until this lockout season) and Dwight Howard (ditto), and are expected to carry a team with a massive target on your back (don't underestimate the physical stress that mental exhaustion puts you through). Doesn't it say a lot about the difficulty of a man's life when he scores 45 points in a professional playoff basketball game and at least half the audience looks at it as if "Finally!"

I'm no LeBron fan but give the dude some credit. No one should ever like him because what he did two years ago was despicable. But for the maturity he's shown in being able to take his lumps and make them into something this year... well that's at least halfway respectable.

[angryguy77]

Nice post, LarBrd33,

You are clearly a big fan of Lebron James.

I'm actually not.  I love this league and I'm a hardcore Celtic fan.  I don't feel much different about LeBron as I do Kevin Durant.  I think Durant's an unbelievable player...  extremely gifted... very fun to watch.  I admire his talent.  I admire how accomplished he is for such a young age (back-to-back-to-back scoring titles... made the finals at age 23).  And if everyone globally hated Kevin Durant for a bunch of petty crybaby jealous nonsense, I'd be showing some support as well.  And for what it's worth... on some level, I do.  I live in Seattle.  Most of my friends absolutely loath Durant simply for who he is playing for.  I've spent the good part of the last two weeks delicately explaining my thoughts on the guy to my fellow Seattleites while trying not to get punched.  Hating Durant is just as petty.  The kid is awesome.  Shame I can't root for him, but I recognize talent when I see it.  

I'm always singing praises of players on other teams.  I've probably posted about Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving a dozen times each on here.  That doesn't make me a Golden State or Cleveland fan.  Likewise, I absolutely adore Rajon Rondo, but I've admitted countless times on this forum that I see Chris Paul as being a better player.  I don't particularly consider myself a fan of Chris Paul... I'm just tellin it like it is.  If I admit a player is good, does that automatically make me his fan?  Interesting.  Didn't know that.      

You strike me as the kind of guy who enjoys hyping up players of other teams just to be different around here, and heap all the negatives on our own players.  I was floored to read that you "adore" Rondo.  All of your assessments of him have been quite negative for the last year on this forum.

I don't think your posts have original thought.  You come in here with the intention of disagreeing with people and that skews your true thoughts and feeling of the subject at hand.  If people here dislike LeBron, you will intentionally go out of your way to defend him.  If people here are praising Rondo, you will intentionally go out of your way to list his flaws.  That's just the type of guy you are, you don't like to go with the flow here.

It's just too bad because we'll never know your true feelings on any subject here in this forum without yourself being swayed by other people's opinions.  My guess is you thrive not on the topic itself but by other people's reactions to your words.  Because of this I generally ignore what you have to say around here, whether I agree with you or not.

I'd trade all of Roy's tps for an ignore button.

[jgod213]

  This playoff run by LeBron has finally put him into the rarefied air he has been gifted without really earning for much of his career before now. 

I think this opinion is what it's all about.  I mean his regular season numbers have always been goddy but if you can't win a ring you can't be a legend - something that, as you said, he had already been tagged with by the media and by himself.

Game 6 v. the C's changed my tone on him.  He was an assasin.  He's been an assasin ever since then.  Off the court i think he's an ass (really? you're going to read the hunger games in the locker room? really??), but on the court i think he finally figured out what his mentality needs to be, and i can respect that.

I agree that LarBrd loves to be a contrarian, but he makes a lot of good points, and he's right here.  Dislike the man all you want, but give him respect for the way he's playing the game of basketball right now - "rarefied air" asCFNC put it.

[Adelaide Celt]

Nice post, LarBrd33,

You are clearly a big fan of Lebron James.

I'm actually not.  I love this league and I'm a hardcore Celtic fan.  I don't feel much different about LeBron as I do Kevin Durant.  I think Durant's an unbelievable player...  extremely gifted... very fun to watch.  I admire his talent.  I admire how accomplished he is for such a young age (back-to-back-to-back scoring titles... made the finals at age 23).  And if everyone globally hated Kevin Durant for a bunch of petty crybaby jealous nonsense, I'd be showing some support as well.  And for what it's worth... on some level, I do.  I live in Seattle.  Most of my friends absolutely loath Durant simply for who he is playing for.  I've spent the good part of the last two weeks delicately explaining my thoughts on the guy to my fellow Seattleites while trying not to get punched.  Hating Durant is just as petty.  The kid is awesome.  Shame I can't root for him, but I recognize talent when I see it. 

I'm always singing praises of players on other teams.  I've probably posted about Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving a dozen times each on here.  That doesn't make me a Golden State or Cleveland fan.  Likewise, I absolutely adore Rajon Rondo, but I've admitted countless times on this forum that I see Chris Paul as being a better player.  I don't particularly consider myself a fan of Chris Paul... I'm just tellin it like it is.  If I admit a player is good, does that automatically make me his fan?  Interesting.  Didn't know that.       

You strike me as the kind of guy who enjoys hyping up players of other teams just to be different around here, and heap all the negatives on our own players.  I was floored to read that you "adore" Rondo.  All of your assessments of him have been quite negative for the last year on this forum.

I don't think your posts have original thought.  You come in here with the intention of disagreeing with people and that skews your true thoughts and feeling of the subject at hand.  If people here dislike LeBron, you will intentionally go out of your way to defend him.  If people here are praising Rondo, you will intentionally go out of your way to list his flaws.  That's just the type of guy you are, you don't like to go with the flow here.

It's just too bad because we'll never know your true feelings on any subject here in this forum without yourself being swayed by other people's opinions.  My guess is you thrive not on the topic itself but by other people's reactions to your words.  Because of this I generally ignore what you have to say around here, whether I agree with you or not.

50 Tommy Points to you for telling it like it is. Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Celtics4ever]

He is allowed his opinion.  We all are folks.   I clearly disagree with LarBrd33 but LeBron is delivering the goods and hitting shots this year.   Sure, I think he gets his own set of rules and the refs are helping him a lot but I can't say he is choking this year.

[RyNye]

If you don't respect what Lebron is doing on at least some level, than you cannot call yourself a basketball fan, plain and simple.

Say what you will about the refs (they have been terrible, I know), the Decision (the stupidest and most arrogant PR move in the history of sports), and his personality, on or off court (a bit of a whiner), but the bottom line is that he is putting on a historically good performance in these playoffs. This season for Lebron has not only been his best, but one of the best in the history of the league, no matter how you cut it. You don't have to like him, or root for him (I don't), but if you can't at least take a step back and say,

"Wow, he is doing some bleeping amazing things on the court right now."

Then you can't call yourself a basketball fan. How can you possible claim to like a sport and then shun it when it is played transcendentally?

[Fafnir]

People make their own opinions and get to define whether or not they're a basketball fan. We don't allow accusations about "Celtic Fandom" and lets not go down a more general road with "Basketball Fandom".

[Finkelskyhook]

If you don't respect what Lebron is doing on at least some level, than you cannot call yourself a basketball fan, plain and simple.

Say what you will about the refs (they have been terrible, I know), the Decision (the stupidest and most arrogant PR move in the history of sports), and his personality, on or off court (a bit of a whiner), but the bottom line is that he is putting on a historically good performance in these playoffs. This season for Lebron has not only been his best, but one of the best in the history of the league, no matter how you cut it. You don't have to like him, or root for him (I don't), but if you can't at least take a step back and say,

"Wow, he is doing some bleeping amazing things on the court right now."

Then you can't call yourself a basketball fan. How can you possible claim to like a sport and then shun it when it is played transcendentally?

I'm a basketball fan.  I'm also a professional wrestling fan.  I go...Or participate in professional wrestling events for entertainment purposes and for comic relief.  I go to basketball games to see a competition.

Much like I don't want to see Ric Flair on a basketball court.  (Although you do occasionally see him on a Hornets court)  I don't want Joey Crawford officiating in a WWE ring. 

Unfortunately, when the messiah is on the court NBA officials look like professional wrestling referees.  Even one time is too often...But when the messiah is on the court...Far too often the games take on the look of a staged event.

I get that you want to showcase the most talented NBA players in the world.  Why can't it be done within the rules?  Did Bird play by a different set of rules?  Russell?  Jabbar?  Cowens?  Robertson? 

The messiah made it abundantly clear in game 5 against us that he doesn't need any help from the league to excel.  Yet Stern and the officials have made a mockery of the NBA game coddling him on the court.

Until the messiah can excel on a level playing field within the rulebook...And furthermore show just a tinge of humility...I'll be real comfortable respecting his talent but not his game....Or him for that matter. 

It would be wonderful to see a legitimate competition between the best basketball players in the world...Officiated like they were 25 years ago and back....Or the way they currently are in the NBDL.

Plain and simple, Rynye...I have no idea how that doesn't make me a basketball fan.

[Snakehead]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that thing that he wears in his mouth.  That abomination should be at the top of anyone's list of reasons to hate Lebron James.  

Ha you must be a really angry guy.  It's about motivation and winning... what is there to hate on?

People will find any reason to hate on LeBron, it's pathetic to me.  There are reasons to if you want, I'm fine with those, but this?  At "the top of the list"?  Give me a break.

And hate on him for reading a book.  Just lots of laughs at some of you guys.

Lebron is a beast. The Celtics have been his Detroit Pistons... he's overcome that obstacle and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he wins 3 of the next 5 titles (like Barkley suggested).

I also don't think it's out of the question for Boston to sneak one in there as well.

If Lebron James "wins 3 of the next 5 titles,"  do the rest of his teammates get championship rings?

.... didn't see this yet either... what does this even possibly mean?  Have you seen a superstar player that plays less selfishly?  He's right there with KG on that.

[Mr October]

Lebron is winning my respect too. I wasn't into Jordan until I saw the Bulls dismantle the Blazers in 1992 with team ball vs individual ball. He was the best player, yet the Bulls played as a team.

I'm seeing the same thing with Lebron. He is the best in the NBA, and the Heat are playing with increasingly fluid team ball with every game. Lebron's passing and all around game have been impressive. Meanwhile the Thunder pound away with too much 1 on 1 play, kind of like that Portland team.

I hate the Miami heat. But watching Lebron is pretty special.  & 

[Mr October]

Also, he's not relying on flopping as much as he had in the past. He's just killing it. Thats what I want to see out of the best player of his era. That's awesome. Bryant, Duncan, KG, Shaq, Jordan, Olajuwon, Bird, Johnson, etc. They just kill it.

[jgod213]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that thing that he wears in his mouth.  That abomination should be at the top of anyone's list of reasons to hate Lebron James. 

Ha you must be a really angry guy.  It's about motivation and winning... what is there to hate on?

People will find any reason to hate on LeBron, it's pathetic to me.  There are reasons to if you want, I'm fine with those, but this?  At "the top of the list"?  Give me a break.

And hate on him for reading a book.  Just lots of laughs at some of you guys.

I'm actually on your side of the arguement that the hate is overblown, but yes, i do think that he is an ass in some of the things he does.

One of the most polarizing and scrutinized individuals in the world is sitting in his locker, before a defining playoff moment, reading the Hunger Games.  I mean c'mon.  This is where the man goes for inspiration? Not a John Wooden book or the Art of War, but a 13 year old girl's novel?

The man is the best basketball player in the world, but he doesn't do himself any favors off the court.

[Fafnir]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that thing that he wears in his mouth.  That abomination should be at the top of anyone's list of reasons to hate Lebron James.  

Ha you must be a really angry guy.  It's about motivation and winning... what is there to hate on?

People will find any reason to hate on LeBron, it's pathetic to me.  There are reasons to if you want, I'm fine with those, but this?  At "the top of the list"?  Give me a break.

And hate on him for reading a book.  Just lots of laughs at some of you guys.

I'm actually on your side of the arguement that the hate is overblown, but yes, i do think that he is an ass in some of the things he does off the court.

One of the most polarizing and scrutinized individuals in the world is sitting in his locker, before a defining playoff moment, reading the Hunger Games.  I mean c'mon.  This is where the man goes for inspiration? Not a John Wooden book or the Art of War, but a 13 year old girl's novel?

The man is the best basketball player in the world, but he doesn't do himself any favors off it.

What's wrong with a guilty pleasure novel?

I don't get the snobbery about his choice in literature. I read pulpy sci fi all the time, LeBron just has a camera on him. I mean is he supposed to read more high brow things for his image? Or are you thinking he's reading those novels to build his brand among YA literature fans....