Poll: Cavs-Pistons Series - Who do you want to win?
Wabittwax
Posts: 1,984 ✭✭✭
in Sports Talk
Instead of asking "Who will win" (because the poll would be heavily lopsided), I'll ask "Who do you want to win".
I'm really rooting for the Cavs. I like Lebron, I live near Cleveland, and it's nice to see an underdog win. Not that I dislike the Pistons though, they are a good hard working team and I respect that.
I was digging around ESPN.com and saw a little thing on Lebron. A few funny things and some good analysis on his play. Thought I would share it.
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Within five games, he successfully answered the "Will he raise his game when it matters?" ... "Can he come through in the clutch when it matters?" ... "Will he be accorded MJ-level respect by the refs at the end of games?" (as witnessed by his four-step travel on the game-winner in Game 3) and "Will he chew his fingernails more than every other NBA star in playoff history combined, to the point that he could develop some rare version of oral basketball herpes if somebody doesn't stop him soon?" questions. Just a virtuoso offensive performance. Just like Bo Jackson in the late '80s, he officially has no ceiling. If you stepped out of a time machine and told me that LeBron averages a 45-15-15 during the 2011 NBA Finals, I would absolutely believe you.
LeBron. ... for three things:
First, his playoff beard stands out only for its atrociously atrocious atrociousness. Since when did people start shaving everything on their face but their neck? How could this possibly catch on? As Pittsburgh reader Chris Scott points out, only Kevin Martin's attempt to single-handedly bring back the high fade haircut has been more of a disaster.
Second, the playoff sneer after big shots has to go. It looks like he's either losing a staring contest or having a colonoscopy performed on him. I can't take him seriously if he's going to keep doing it; between the playoff sneer, the playoff beard and the fingernail chewing, he's inadvertently submarining his own coolness. He might as well start wearing a champagne-colored earring or carving "Bron-Bron" into the back of his head.
And third, how could someone who's so prodigiously talented offensively stink so much defensively? Did you see Arenas' go-ahead layup in the final minute of overtime? Only LeBron was back on defense, so Arenas put his head down and went right to the rim because he knew LeBron couldn't stop him. LeBron never even challenged the shot -- and it's not even an effort thing, more of an instinctual thing. For instance, watch any old game from the '80s on Classic and you'll notice how many times the smarter players from that era (Bird, Magic, MJ, Isiah, Stockton) broke up 3-on-1s and 2-on-1s when they were the only guy back. (You would never think this, but Bird was the absolute greatest defender ever in this spot; he always broke on the pass early, almost like a cornerback who knows the out route is coming.) And yes, it's early with LeBron, and any nitpicking with him would be like nitpicking a young Van Gogh or a young Stevie Wonder ... but it's a little bit of a concern. He's way too good of an athlete to struggle defensively. It should never happen.
I'm really rooting for the Cavs. I like Lebron, I live near Cleveland, and it's nice to see an underdog win. Not that I dislike the Pistons though, they are a good hard working team and I respect that.
I was digging around ESPN.com and saw a little thing on Lebron. A few funny things and some good analysis on his play. Thought I would share it.
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Within five games, he successfully answered the "Will he raise his game when it matters?" ... "Can he come through in the clutch when it matters?" ... "Will he be accorded MJ-level respect by the refs at the end of games?" (as witnessed by his four-step travel on the game-winner in Game 3) and "Will he chew his fingernails more than every other NBA star in playoff history combined, to the point that he could develop some rare version of oral basketball herpes if somebody doesn't stop him soon?" questions. Just a virtuoso offensive performance. Just like Bo Jackson in the late '80s, he officially has no ceiling. If you stepped out of a time machine and told me that LeBron averages a 45-15-15 during the 2011 NBA Finals, I would absolutely believe you.
LeBron. ... for three things:
First, his playoff beard stands out only for its atrociously atrocious atrociousness. Since when did people start shaving everything on their face but their neck? How could this possibly catch on? As Pittsburgh reader Chris Scott points out, only Kevin Martin's attempt to single-handedly bring back the high fade haircut has been more of a disaster.
Second, the playoff sneer after big shots has to go. It looks like he's either losing a staring contest or having a colonoscopy performed on him. I can't take him seriously if he's going to keep doing it; between the playoff sneer, the playoff beard and the fingernail chewing, he's inadvertently submarining his own coolness. He might as well start wearing a champagne-colored earring or carving "Bron-Bron" into the back of his head.
And third, how could someone who's so prodigiously talented offensively stink so much defensively? Did you see Arenas' go-ahead layup in the final minute of overtime? Only LeBron was back on defense, so Arenas put his head down and went right to the rim because he knew LeBron couldn't stop him. LeBron never even challenged the shot -- and it's not even an effort thing, more of an instinctual thing. For instance, watch any old game from the '80s on Classic and you'll notice how many times the smarter players from that era (Bird, Magic, MJ, Isiah, Stockton) broke up 3-on-1s and 2-on-1s when they were the only guy back. (You would never think this, but Bird was the absolute greatest defender ever in this spot; he always broke on the pass early, almost like a cornerback who knows the out route is coming.) And yes, it's early with LeBron, and any nitpicking with him would be like nitpicking a young Van Gogh or a young Stevie Wonder ... but it's a little bit of a concern. He's way too good of an athlete to struggle defensively. It should never happen.
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I cheer for Detroit anyway
Actually, I think everyone who doesn't have a long standing interest in one of the remaining teams should be pulling for the 'stons. The about as close to being a 'true team' as you'll find these days, and they're the perfect antidote for the me-first mentality that pervades the NBA. And it would be hilarious to see Shaq get knocked out of the playoffs by them for the 3rd time in three years.
I am from Chicago and I loved MJ and our 6 titles.
IMO, Lebron is better than MJ this early in his career. He could out do him. I am a big fan. He makes the guys around him better which makes him in the league of MJ. Kobe doesn't. He's a great player with great skills, but he doesn't have IT. Lebron does. This kid will be one of the best the game ever saw. Wilt, Dr. J, Magic, Bird, Jordan and Lebron. He is the predecessor.
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<< <i>I am from Chicago and I loved MJ and our 6 titles.
IMO, Lebron is better than MJ this early in his career. He could out do him. I am a big fan. He makes the guys around him better which makes him in the league of MJ. Kobe doesn't. He's a great player with great skills, but he doesn't have IT. Lebron does. This kid will be one of the best the game ever saw. Wilt, Dr. J, Magic, Bird, Jordan and Lebron. He is the predecessor. >>
Remember Kobe plays both sides of the game. Defense.