[thepostman]

This thread has turned into a ridiculous crap fest.

It almost makes me want to just say LeBron IS great...

I don't like Lebron, its true and I still don't think he's a great player, but he is without a doubt one of the most talented players in the league. It seems like people are trying to diminish that because they don't like him....

[Purple Haize]

RUBBER. I agree that I'm one of the few about his Defense. But the play I mentioned earlier and a couple of others have me going I'll grant it's a small sample but they didnt seem to be one offs either.
I agree that he is a better player then Pippen but believe his skill set is more in line with Pippens then Jordan's or Kobe's. Basically you take Pippen's skill set and turn the dial to 11. Or take Jordan's and turn the dial to like 8.

[Purple Haize]

Both teams are on FIRE the 1st quarter

[RubberMallet]

RUBBER. I agree that I'm one of the few about his Defense. But the play I mentioned earlier and a couple of others have me going I'll grant it's a small sample but they didnt seem to be one offs either.
I agree that he is a better player then Pippen but believe his skill set is more in line with Pippens then Jordan's or Kobe's. Basically you take Pippen's skill set and turn the dial to 11. Or take Jordan's and turn the dial to like 8.

i can live with that.

this game is pretty good so far. i'm not understanding the heat game plan much. get bosh involved more please. garnett getting screwed on ticky tack fouls but he a doucher so i don't mind.

[Purple Haize]

I'm glad I could save your life or at least make it more livable!
Agreed about Bosh and Miami's game plan. But I'm now watching The Tower Heist and will watch the rest of the game on DVR

BOLD PREDICTION: if the Heat don't win it all this year they bring in.....wait for it.......Phil Jackson

[thepostman]

wouldn't surprise me at all and might be just what lebron needs. He did wonders in helping kobe and micheal grow up

[RubberMallet]

wouldn't surprise me at all and might be just what lebron needs. He did wonders in helping kobe and micheal grow up

agreed. i wouldn't be surprised if spolstra was gone even if they win.

[lynchburgwildcats]

LeBron with some majorly clutch 4th quarter baskets to take the will of the Cs, somehow he'll still get criticized for not making a field goal in the last 5 minutes though...

On another note, Rondo only player in NBA history to record a triple double in two Game 7s. Did it against Philly and tonight against Miami.

[Purple Haize]

When Miami was flat D Wade got them over the hump. He had a great stretch taking the team on his shoulders.
As for LeBrons 'clutch' 3 what did he follow it up with? A HORRIBLE fade away jumper and then got beat back on defense. I guess as this discussion and series has gone on I think that is his biggest issue. He does something good followed up but a whole bunch of stupid. He's also a mental midget and very easy to get him off his game. Case in point the jump ball at the beginning of the 4th. Garnett was playing a little gamesmanship and James keeps looking around for a foul. He was worthless for the next 4 or 5 possessions. But it didn't matter because as I mentioned earlier Wade took the team on his back.
Bosh came up HUGE as did the Duke grad Battier!
Didn't care for Garnett's cheap shot on Wade at the end.
The finals look good but OKC is bigger and more athletic then Miami.

[NotAJerry]

That was more like it. You could see LeBron starting to slip into his usual ways, but he made just enough plays to actually be a factor in a tight 4th quarter. He's still got light years to go to get into the Jordan/Bird/Magic level of big game finisher, but he didn't completely disappear and that's a step forward for sure. It also helps the Heat immensely to have Bosh on the floor for 30 minutes. He's not a great post player, but he's a good one and the only quality one they have.

OKC in 5.

It will be interesting to see what happens to Boston's roster this offseason.

[jcmanson]

Phil Jackson to the Heat? You must not be familiar with the Riley/Jackson relationship. Won't happen

[thepostman]

OKC in 7. There is no way the series won't go 7

[TDDance234]

The play of the game that stood out to me is where he drove have to the basket, got elbowed in the head and everywhere else, and made the basket with an and-one.

[Purple Haize]

Phil Jackson to the Heat? You must not be familiar with the Riley/Jackson relationship. Won't happen

Jackson thrives on conflict. Riley is shrewd and all about winning. I'm not saying it will but wouldn't be suprised if it did.

[RubberMallet]

The play of the game that stood out to me is where he drove have to the basket, got elbowed in the head and everywhere else, and made the basket with an and-one.

once that happened they turned on a switch. it was over that point. that 3 was stupid silly.

[RubberMallet]

When Miami was flat D Wade got them over the hump. He had a great stretch taking the team on his shoulders.
As for LeBrons 'clutch' 3 what did he follow it up with? A HORRIBLE fade away jumper and then got beat back on defense. I guess as this discussion and series has gone on I think that is his biggest issue. He does something good followed up but a whole bunch of stupid. He's also a mental midget and very easy to get him off his game. Case in point the jump ball at the beginning of the 4th. Garnett was playing a little gamesmanship and James keeps looking around for a foul. He was worthless for the next 4 or 5 possessions. But it didn't matter because as I mentioned earlier Wade took the team on his back.
Bosh came up HUGE as did the Duke grad Battier!
Didn't care for Garnett's cheap shot on Wade at the end.
The finals look good but OKC is bigger and more athletic then Miami.

wade? lol. lebron's 10 points with bosh's 3 sprinkled in between put them up 7. wade didn't get going until the game was already in hand.

[Purple Haize]

Start at the 7 .30 mark of the 3rd and get back to me.

[thepostman]

I wish the games during the week didn't start at 9. It makes it impossible for me to watch more than the 1st half if I want to my halfway productive at work.

[BJWilliams]

Oh good Lord people...Im no LeBron fan but you just keep pushing the bar higher dont you? He finally had a good performance in a game that actually MATTERED. What do you want now? Lebron finishes with 70 points, 30 rebounds, 21 assists, delivers a baby at halftime and performs CPR AND the Heimlich Maneuver on two separate occasions during the post game press conference, oh and just for good measure, solves worldwide hunger and ends the conflict in the Darfur? Yeah...then he will be a great player Im sure...

Im looking forward to this Finals series. Youve got two guys (Durant and James) looking for their first titles, youve got a coach in Spoelstra who has been hinted at being on a VERY hot seat this playoff season, and you've got two teams looking for redemption (OKC having moved from Seattle where they lost the NBA Finals to Michael Jordan's Bulls).

[thepostman]

I think purple is just doing it to tick people off...

I, on the other hand, have always said Lebron is one of the most talented player in the league. If he wins a championship with this Heat team I think it secures his greatness. This Heat team, is worse in my opinion, then the Cavs team that made the finals a few years ago.

Its going to be one hell of a Finals though. One of the most intriguing finals in a long time. It is just what the NBA wanted and so I am sure they are happy. I love the OKC team and think they are better top to bottom, but the Heat have 2 of the 3 best players on the court which makes things interesting.

Again I say OKC in 7 but its going to be fun to watch...well, watch highlights since I have that 400 wake up call every morning...

[lynchburgwildcats]

I think purple is just doing it to tick people off...

I, on the other hand, have always said Lebron is one of the most talented player in the league. If he wins a championship with this Heat team I think it secures his greatness. This Heat team, is worse in my opinion, then the Cavs team that made the finals a few years ago.

Its going to be one hell of a Finals though. One of the most intriguing finals in a long time. It is just what the NBA wanted and so I am sure they are happy. I love the OKC team and think they are better top to bottom, but the Heat have 2 of the 3 best players on the court which makes things interesting.

Again I say OKC in 7 but its going to be fun to watch...well, watch highlights since I have that 400 wake up call every morning...

I noticed you "conveniently" ignored my post from earlier:
Do you think Karl Malone was never a great player?

[BJWilliams]

Karl Malone certainly was a very good player...some may even call him great. He probably will go into the hall of fame (if he isnt already). When Utah met Chicago in the NBA Finals in 97 and 98, he came upon an even better player and better team in Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

[Purple Haize]

I'm not doing it to tick people off. I never sais he was untalented. My argument is he is nowhere near the greatest player of all time. In fact, those who are on the James Band wagon don't even have him Top 5, yet I'm the bad guy here. I have said that we need to look at him through a different set of criteria then 'The Greatest' and if we I'd his skill and ability would be more realistic.
Right now he is physically dominating opponents on the wing, similar to what Shaw did in the post. He really doesn't like going left but he can bully his way right. He scores 30 a game, but even the James lovers say his supporting cast is awful, so to win who else is going to score those points? I do not think he is a leader or has the respect of his team mates. IMB, you can't be the greatest or even 'great' without that. Jordan was a complete male appendage on and off the court but his team respected him because he brought it every day in practice.
He is a great 'talent' but not a great player.

[RubberMallet]

This Heat team, is worse in my opinion, then the Cavs team that made the finals a few years ago.

this is totally crazy. That cavs team will go down as one of the worst collection of nobodies to ever make the finals. is it really that long ago? Do people really forget how mediocre this supporting cast was? that's were haizes ridiculous "not a team leader" crap just makes him seem like hes not watching basketball just pregame and post game.

this heat team has two hall of famers on it and possibly another. so far and away better than any cave team. that same near cast lost what? 60 games when he left.

[Purple Haize]

This Heat team, is worse in my opinion, then the Cavs team that made the finals a few years ago.

this is totally crazy. That cavs team will go down as one of the worst collection of nobodies to ever make the finals. is it really that long ago? Do people really forget how mediocre this supporting cast was? that's were haizes ridiculous "not a team leader" crap just makes him seem like hes not watching basketball just pregame and post game.

this heat team has two hall of famers on it and possibly another. so far and away better than any cave team. that same near cast lost what? 60 games when he left.

Actually it is the Pre and post game crap that tries to make him out as the greates player ever. I'm just using my not so small background to form my own opinions. He is NOT a leader. He is a great talent.