Respect to Lebron

[Vermont Green]

Since the whole "The Decision" thing and the stupid pep rally (not one, not two, ...) Lebron has conducted himself pretty much as well as any stars short of Magic and Bird.  Certainly as well as Paul Pierce (who I loved but had his moments).  All of the modern stars (starting with Jordan) are a little more into media, brand, image, and all of that as compared to say Bird.

LeBron is the best in the world, making a run at the best ever.  I am enjoying being able to witness it.

[Celtics18]

He's amazing.  True greatness is rare.  He's got it.   The hate for him is petty.  People should stop and appreciate what he's accomplishing.   You're in the midst of watching one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game perform at the highest level in his prime.

Come 20 years, the same people hating him now are going to be the ones idolizing him, the same way that Jordan is idolized now.

Twenty years from now, I'll probably feel much the same way about Lebron James that I do about Michael Jordan now.

I always recognized Jordan's greatness while he played.  I never rooted for him, though.  Always rooted for the "underdog" to take him down.

but isn't Lebron the underdog

His team may be, but he isn't. 

[Ilikesports17]

Look, I understand that Lebron is one of the best to ever do it.

I also understand that what he is doing right now has a chance to erase the "one of" prefacing that statement.

I do not want this to happen for 2 reasons. 1(probably the bigger reason) He isnt on the Celtics. The better he does the less respect is shown to guys like Bird and Russell.

2 I really dont like him. Sure if he was on the Cs Id probably just ignore all the things I hate about him, but he has done so many winy prima dona like things throughout his career.

If Lebron can carry his team to this title and maybe 1 more he becomes our generations jordan. I dont want my kids to talk about Lebron James and idolize him like he was Gods gift to basketball. Id rather they idolize someone else who is less of a prima donna, less self-centered and less of an overall drama queen.

[GratefulCs]

He's amazing.  True greatness is rare.  He's got it.   The hate for him is petty.  People should stop and appreciate what he's accomplishing.   You're in the midst of watching one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game perform at the highest level in his prime.

Come 20 years, the same people hating him now are going to be the ones idolizing him, the same way that Jordan is idolized now.

Twenty years from now, I'll probably feel much the same way about Lebron James that I do about Michael Jordan now.

I always recognized Jordan's greatness while he played.  I never rooted for him, though.  Always rooted for the "underdog" to take him down.

but isn't Lebron the underdog

yes and no




I have a hard time calling the greatest player in the game an underdog even though he is shorthanded

[Ilikesports17]

He's amazing.  True greatness is rare.  He's got it.   The hate for him is petty.  People should stop and appreciate what he's accomplishing.   You're in the midst of watching one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game perform at the highest level in his prime.

Come 20 years, the same people hating him now are going to be the ones idolizing him, the same way that Jordan is idolized now.

Honestly this is why I am rooting for him to fail. I dont want to hear my kids idolize Lebron James nor do I want to have to be the one guy in a room of Celtics fans who remembers that I hated lebron.

Best basketball player Ive ever seen and its not close, but I really hate the dude.

[Finkelskyhook]

I don't see any comparison to Jordan.  Never have.  The only way they compare is the way they are/were officiated.  The messiah is bigger, faster, quicker, a better passer, a better defender, a better rebounder, and a better ball handler.  What he is doing in this series is beyond amazing.

The question is....Why officiate him differently?  He doesn't need any freaking help.  The play near the end of the game where the commentators were gushing about the messiah's "sprinting down the court" would have been a foul on any other player.  He didn't steal the ball from Curry...The messiah essentially slid into Curry the way a runner slides into second base to break up a double play.   He barrels into players at will to get into the paint.  It has to be colossally frustrating as an opposing coach to watch.

[Donoghus]

The Twitter machine is certainly in full blast this morning with hot takes at both ends. 

I do think Jordan tends to get over-romanticized and Lebron really is one of the first guys to blow up as a super-duper star in this social media era.  That increases the loud criticisms of him ten-fold.   The Decision will always be a black eye on Lebron so they'll be plenty of people who will never get over that.  The on-court demeanor and some of the drama queens antics on the court (and in press conferences) certainly don't help him.  However, his actual game is just on a whole other level and is quite the sight to be seen.   Won't be fully appreciated until after his career is done, though.

If today's environment existed in the 1990s,  the same thing would be going on with Jordan. 

[D.o.s.]

He's amazing.  True greatness is rare.  He's got it.   The hate for him is petty.  People should stop and appreciate what he's accomplishing.   You're in the midst of watching one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game perform at the highest level in his prime.

Come 20 years, the same people hating him now are going to be the ones idolizing him, the same way that Jordan is idolized now.

Twenty years from now, I'll probably feel much the same way about Lebron James that I do about Michael Jordan now.

I always recognized Jordan's greatness while he played.  I never rooted for him, though.  Always rooted for the "underdog" to take him down.

but isn't Lebron the underdog

His team may be, but he isn't.

Agreed entirely. 'Best player in the world wins' is never an underdog story.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

What he's doing is unprecedented. It's hard not to root for him to win the chip with the way he's carrying this Cabs team in the Finals. This is the LeBron James that I wanted to see in the late 2000's before he joined Miami and sort started the hate. He's very capable of being the absolute guy on both teams, and he's showing it now.

Man, I hope the Dubs turn it around, but I seriously believe that LeBron James DESERVES this championship.

"You're still my enemy now. But even enemies can show respect." King Priam of Troy.

[GratefulCs]

Although i am a lebron hater, i have to remind myself that, HEY,



at least it aint the lakers!

[apc]

Where are all the moderators? Why isn’t this topic blocked??

 

[SHAQATTACK]

Although i am a lebron hater, i have to remind myself that, HEY,



at least it aint the lakers!

There you go! 

Correct ......!    That's what I keep telling myself .......it's not Lakers or Old Man Rivers.

LeBron is playing at the MJ level ......

He won't be denied

Bad luck for Warriors

I doubt more than ever they can win......they have now given LeBron the confidence to take the series .

No K. Leonard  to stop him ......

It s over.

[Tr1boy]

Lebron is a ring chasing golddigger.

Watch him sign with another team if cavs lose. Or have them sign and trade Love for whoever he feels like the team needs

Hope his cavs lose

[loco_91]

Have to admit it, I'm rooting for LeBron in this series. Winning it all without either Love, Kyrie, or Varejao would be one of the greatest accomplishments in NBA history.

[Celtics17]

    Lebron is quickly becoming the best player since Wilt or possibly Kareem! Sorry MJ but you didnt have as much impact on the game as what Lebron is currently having. As great as MJ was his defensive impact was limited to what he could do against smaller players. Can you really say that MJ could guard all five positions the way Bron does?

   This isnt a knock on MJ but big men in the NBA have many advantages that smaller players do not. If Lebron can win this title he will have cemented his legacy as one of the greatest ever. He really already is but I stop short of saying that he is better then Wilt or Russ. I do think though that he has a bigger all around impact on the game then what MJ did.