2014 NBA Finals

[clover]

I have had a thigh cramps before I just run it out that is what ballas do

I'm a 215lb guy with low body fat who runs marathons and 70 mile triathlons.  Cramping is a huge issue for me when the weather is very hot/humid and the race is long.  I do everything I can on the days leading up to race day such as supplementing with electrolyte pills which I even bring to use during the races.  No matter what precautions I take there are times when the cramping happens.  And when it happens it was just like what happened to Lebron.  I can run a few steps and then the hamstrings and quads just tighten up into knots and there is no running through it.  I've had a couple races where I have looked ridiculous trying to finish a race by running without bending my knees or even running backwards.

So I'm glad Lebron's cramps worked in the Spurs favor but I really empathize with him.  There was nothing he could do about it.  It didn't matter if he had the determination of Jordan or Bird.  The legs just weren't going to work at the end of that game.

How's your potassium level? Do you eat bananas?

[hpantazo]

I find Silvers question of whether any other players suffered cramping or was it only Lebron very interesting.

I'm liking the Adam Silver era so far.

[moiso]

I have had a thigh cramps before I just run it out that is what ballas do

I'm a 215lb guy with low body fat who runs marathons and 70 mile triathlons.  Cramping is a huge issue for me when the weather is very hot/humid and the race is long.  I do everything I can on the days leading up to race day such as supplementing with electrolyte pills which I even bring to use during the races.  No matter what precautions I take there are times when the cramping happens.  And when it happens it was just like what happened to Lebron.  I can run a few steps and then the hamstrings and quads just tighten up into knots and there is no running through it.  I've had a couple races where I have looked ridiculous trying to finish a race by running without bending my knees or even running backwards.

So I'm glad Lebron's cramps worked in the Spurs favor but I really empathize with him.  There was nothing he could do about it.  It didn't matter if he had the determination of Jordan or Bird.  The legs just weren't going to work at the end of that game.

How's your potassium level? Do you eat bananas?

Yep, and I take potassium pills before and during the events.

[D.o.s.]

I have had a thigh cramps before I just run it out that is what ballas do

I'm a 215lb guy with low body fat who runs marathons and 70 mile triathlons.  Cramping is a huge issue for me when the weather is very hot/humid and the race is long.  I do everything I can on the days leading up to race day such as supplementing with electrolyte pills which I even bring to use during the races.  No matter what precautions I take there are times when the cramping happens.  And when it happens it was just like what happened to Lebron.  I can run a few steps and then the hamstrings and quads just tighten up into knots and there is no running through it.  I've had a couple races where I have looked ridiculous trying to finish a race by running without bending my knees or even running backwards.

So I'm glad Lebron's cramps worked in the Spurs favor but I really empathize with him.  There was nothing he could do about it.  It didn't matter if he had the determination of Jordan or Bird.  The legs just weren't going to work at the end of that game.

Excellent post.

[hpantazo]

It's no secret that HGH and steroids increase the risk of muscle cramps. Why is it that only Lebron cramps up during the playoffs? This is not the first time either. If it was the hot temp, you'd figure the old men on the spurs or even DWade would cramp up too.

[CelticG1]

Some people are more susceptible to cramps than others.

I've had real bad ones once in an Ncaa soccer tournament game in double OT. Last few minutes of double OT I started to run or sprint and both calfs started cramping.  I stretched real quick then started running and they just kept cramping up.  Maybe wasn't the same extent as LeBron but I can definitely see it happening and at least for me it got to a point where every step i was cramping up.  It's pretty brutal.



Side note how about Jeff Van Gundy with the stupidest comment of the century?? 4th quarter James goes out and Jackson mentions how Pop would be happy with him not coming back in.... Then Van gundy says someone like "if I was the coach I would want him in the game!"  is he high?  That is such a load of crap.  I'm so sure if Van Gundy was coaching the Spurs that thought would have been right in his mind 

[D.o.s.]

Did you listen to the reasoning behind the comment?

[moiso]

It's no secret that HGH and steroids increase the risk of muscle cramps. Why is it that only Lebron cramps up during the playoffs? This is not the first time either. If it was the hot temp, you'd figure the old men on the spurs or even DWade would cramp up too.

The way we cool ourselves is through our skin by sweating.  Lebron had the highest ratio of body mass compared to skin surface in that game.  It's not going to happen to a Tayshawn Prince type.

So Lebron sweats more to cool himself and loses more electrolytes.

[hpantazo]

It's no secret that HGH and steroids increase the risk of muscle cramps. Why is it that only Lebron cramps up during the playoffs? This is not the first time either. If it was the hot temp, you'd figure the old men on the spurs or even DWade would cramp up too.

The way we cool ourselves is through our skin by sweating.  Lebron had the highest ratio of body mass compared to skin surface in that game.  It's not going to happen to a Tayshawn Prince type.

There are plenty of other nba players with comparable body mass

[slamtheking]

It's no secret that HGH and steroids increase the risk of muscle cramps. Why is it that only Lebron cramps up during the playoffs? This is not the first time either. If it was the hot temp, you'd figure the old men on the spurs or even DWade would cramp up too.

The way we cool ourselves is through our skin by sweating.  Lebron had the highest ratio of body mass compared to skin surface in that game.  It's not going to happen to a Tayshawn Prince type.

There are plenty of other nba players with comparable body mass

Very true.  going back to the days of Karl Malone with his body mass and constant running up and down the court -- don't recall him once having cramps.

seems to be a Lebron thing.  wouldn't be surprised if it's found to be caused by some sort of 'supplement' he takes.  would be a shame if he's taking anything along those lines.  can't stand him but it would be a shame for the best player in the game (I feel so dirty admitting that) to be caught artificially enhancing himself.

[MBunge]

It didn't matter if he had the determination of Jordan or Bird.  The legs just weren't going to work at the end of that game.

Larry Bird laughs at 90 degrees.  When it was 90 degrees in the Boston Garden, Bird kept his warm up jacket on to fight off a chill.

Seriously, you can't just play through severe cramps but people wouldn't jump to knock LeBron if the national media stopped shoving him down our throats as an all-timer before he really deserves it.

Mike

[fairweatherfan]

Can't blame the guy for cramping, whether it happens or not is something we don't have a lot of control over, and the lack of A/C just added to that.

But I was watching and wondering why he didn't seem to be taking any fluids over on the bench.  I'd've figured chugging some Gatorade or whatever would be the second thing a player would do after getting the area worked on directly.

[manl_lui]

the irony when the Heat was defeated by the heat

[SHAQATTACK]

Maybe if they managed James minutes better .....meaning not play him like an animal he wouldn't have these episodes.

[fairweatherfan]

Relevant and pretty funny: