Lebron Upset He was 2nd in DPOY

[Chris]

Nobody likes a whiner because you don't win, suck it up and move on.

Lebron was asked a question.  He answered honestly, in the way a competitive person honestly feels.  I am fine with that. 

[NocturnalRebel]

Lebron is that spoiled kid that cries every time he's told no. I don't know if there's another player in this league that whines as much as this cat. He runs and whine to tha ref with his hands stuck out about them once every blue moon fouls that are called on him. He probably would finish last on that list if he wasn't protected by tha zebras that's protected by Czar Stern.

He's probably tha leagues most versatile defender but that doesn't mean he should be an automatic cash in for DPOY when you have something more valuable in rim protectors like Noah, Howard, Gasol (Marc), and Sanders. Forget Lebron being upset, i'm upset Avery Bradley wasn't in tha conversation for DPOY. It's crazy how Lebron is almost never called for anything on either side of tha court but AB gets called for just simply staying in front of his man which is his job.

I'm glad he didn't win it. Now I don't have to hear Colin Cowherd (who's in love with Lebron)go off for a whole hour about how he's tha best defender in 20 years. He's gotten what, 3 or 4 MVP's now and upset about DPOY? Cut it out. 

[BballTim]

My thing is, congratulate Gasol, and keep it moving. I'm sure Durant hates he came up 2nd in scoring and more than likely 2nd for MVP. Get over yourself and your greatness.

Did Jordan or Bird ever congratulate the winner and move on?

Maybe I am wrong, but I think they had a tendency to get p---ed off, and then work harder to make sure it doesn't happen again. 

That's what the great ones do.

  For individual awards I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Do you recall Bird complaining when he wasn't the MVP? I don't.

[NocturnalRebel]

Maybe Lebron grows another beard until he wins DPOY

[sed522002]

My thing is, congratulate Gasol, and keep it moving. I'm sure Durant hates he came up 2nd in scoring and more than likely 2nd for MVP. Get over yourself and your greatness.

Did Jordan or Bird ever congratulate the winner and move on?

Maybe I am wrong, but I think they had a tendency to get p---ed off, and then work harder to make sure it doesn't happen again. 

That's what the great ones do.

  For individual awards I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Do you recall Bird complaining when he wasn't the MVP? I don't.

Exactly...you can complain, but you don't have to give a laundry list of reasons for why you should get it over another person..that just comes off as sour grapes..especially for an individual award.

[Chief]

I remember players beating out Jordan for MVP. They just wanted someone else to get the award. Didn't mean they deserved it or were better.

[StartOrien]

Humble, for sure.  He basically described himself as the most versatile defender in NBA history.

I mean, he is?

[StartOrien]

Oh god. My 10,000th post was a compliment of Lebron. Might need a new handle.

[slamtheking]

The picture would be painted in the media totally differently if Rondo had complaints about his recognition in the league.

But Rondo isn't the best player in the world. 

Lebron should have won the DPOY.

No way he should win it.  he's grown more aggressive each year on D because he's allowed to get away with more and more clutching/grabbing/hacking/pushing/hitting each year.  If he was subject to the same rules as the average player and at an actual risk of picking up 6 fouls (nevermind just 1) you'd see him come right back to the pack in terms of defenders. 

I'm not saying he's incapable of playing great D but when you get away with whatever foul you commit, you're not playing great D.

[StartOrien]

The picture would be painted in the media totally differently if Rondo had complaints about his recognition in the league.

But Rondo isn't the best player in the world. 

Lebron should have won the DPOY.

No way he should win it.  he's grown more aggressive each year on D because he's allowed to get away with more and more clutching/grabbing/hacking/pushing/hitting each year.  If he was subject to the same rules as the average player and at an actual risk of picking up 6 fouls (nevermind just 1) you'd see him come right back to the pack in terms of defenders. 

I'm not saying he's incapable of playing great D but when you get away with whatever foul you commit, you're not playing great D.

To say 'no way' is just silly. I understand some frustration on the lack of foul calls on him, though I don't call that many cases where I felt he got away with a hack, but he's an incredible defensive player.

The guy is an incredible defensive player. He plays perimeter players about as good as anyone, he's a very good post defender, he's a great shot blocker, he pounces on cross court passes. He's the best defensive player in the league.

[Chris]

The picture would be painted in the media totally differently if Rondo had complaints about his recognition in the league.

But Rondo isn't the best player in the world. 

Lebron should have won the DPOY.

No way he should win it.  he's grown more aggressive each year on D because he's allowed to get away with more and more clutching/grabbing/hacking/pushing/hitting each year.  If he was subject to the same rules as the average player and at an actual risk of picking up 6 fouls (nevermind just 1) you'd see him come right back to the pack in terms of defenders. 

I'm not saying he's incapable of playing great D but when you get away with whatever foul you commit, you're not playing great D.

I don't get this rationale.  So, he is the most effective player, and plays the way the refs call the game...but that doesn't count?

Anyways, I don't think they protect him (at least defensively) anymore more than they did for Bruce Bowen, Artest in his prime, or any other elite defender.

When you show you can always beat your man to the spot, then you get the benefit of the doubt.

Lebron has been dominant defensively this season.

[slamtheking]

The picture would be painted in the media totally differently if Rondo had complaints about his recognition in the league.

But Rondo isn't the best player in the world. 

Lebron should have won the DPOY.

No way he should win it.  he's grown more aggressive each year on D because he's allowed to get away with more and more clutching/grabbing/hacking/pushing/hitting each year.  If he was subject to the same rules as the average player and at an actual risk of picking up 6 fouls (nevermind just 1) you'd see him come right back to the pack in terms of defenders. 

I'm not saying he's incapable of playing great D but when you get away with whatever foul you commit, you're not playing great D.

To say 'no way' is just silly. I understand some frustration on the lack of foul calls on him, though I don't call that many cases where I felt he got away with a hack, but he's an incredible defensive player.

The guy is an incredible defensive player. He plays perimeter players about as good as anyone, he's a very good post defender, he's a great shot blocker, he pounces on cross court passes. He's the best defensive player in the league.

I stnd by my opinion.

I can't consider him great when he gets away with at least 3-4 fouls in every game I watch of his.  If he picked up foul calls when he actually fouled, he'd be less aggressive and therefore his D wouldn't be as great as he's credited for.  simple concept.  If he had to worry about picking up fouls, he'd pick and choose his spots to swipe at the ball, push opponents from behind or grab them.  If he played within the same rules as everyone else AND still managed to be this effective, I'd gladly stand up and salute him and his skills.  Until then, his whining is without merit.

I don't get this rationale.  So, he is the most effective player, and plays the way the refs call the game...but that doesn't count?

Anyways, I don't think they protect him (at least defensively) anymore more than they did for Bruce Bowen, Artest in his prime, or any other elite defender.

When you show you can always beat your man to the spot, then you get the benefit of the doubt.

Lebron has been dominant defensively this season.

seriously, not protecting him?  You just lost any credibility if you're suggesting he's not getting away with calls that almost no one else in the league would be allowed to get away with.

He's a fantastic athlete and in that sense, yes, he can make plays many others can't make but there's no way a player as aggressive as he is on D can go for games at a time without committing a foul.  No way, no how.  he's fouling and the refs are keeping their whistles firmly planted in their butts.

[StartOrien]

I know logic dictates he's getting away with fouls, but personally, I'm not really seeing it. I don't see him getting away with that much more than others do.

[Chris]

seriously, not protecting him?  You just lost any credibility if you're suggesting he's not getting away with calls that almost no one else in the league would be allowed to get away with.

He's a fantastic athlete and in that sense, yes, he can make plays many others can't make but there's no way a player as aggressive as he is on D can go for games at a time without committing a foul.  No way, no how.  he's fouling and the refs are keeping their whistles firmly planted in their butts.

If you are going to call my credibility into question, I would prefer you didn't do it by taking my quote out of context.

I said they don't protect him ANY MORE THAN OTHER GREAT DEFENSIVE PLAYERS.

Bruce Bowen used to get away with murder, as did Artest. 

My guess is in a couple years, Avery Bradley will get similar leeway, but he is still learning his limits, and building his reputation. 

This is how it works.  Elite defenders get the benefit of the doubt, just like elite offensive players get the benefit of the doubt.

Calling NBA games is hard.  There is a lot of split second decisions, and when things are moving that fast, reputation goes a long way.

[Moranis]

I know logic dictates he's getting away with fouls, but personally, I'm not really seeing it. I don't see him getting away with that much more than others do.

I agree.  He gets away with walks and gets fouls called on him that are a bit weak, but on the defensive end he really is just that good.  He is by far the best defensive player in the league.  I could care less if Marc Gasol wins the award, as I think it is a ridiculous award in how it is awarded, and I absolutely love Lebron's comments.  As Ricky Bobby says, 2nd is just 1st loser.  I love that attitude from any top tier athlete.