Guess we’ll have to wait at least one more game to see if LeBron James is going to come up big in a fourth quarter of a meaningful playoff game. That’s what happens when the guy scores 41 of his destructive 45 in the first three quarters.
This was why Doc Rivers was anything but smug following Tuesday night’s triumph in Miami. He knew the Celtics needed to win one more game in order to advance to the Finals, and he knew very well that, no matter what his lunatic critics may say, LeBron James was capable of standing in his team’s way.
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Sorry but that's kind of a ridiculous equivalency. I can be as impressed as hell at his skills, and still dislike him as an arrogant, annoying personality. It's like saying you can't dislike Rush Limbaugh without disliking radio, because he's been very successful at what he does. Neither is the embodiment or incarnation of their field, and being successful in either field doesn't require someone to be as self-important as they have chosen to be.
Mr. Ryan: It is with the utmost deference and no small amount of reluctance that I offer my dissent. You yourself, through your superlative analysis and writing over the years, have taught us what it is to recognize the thrill and purity of sport and why it is a worthwhile endeavor for us fans to appreciate sport in our lives and teach its values to our children. Likewise, you have pointed out countless examples of athletes whose behavior detracts from this ideal and makes them less worthy of out attention and admiration. LeBron James can do wondrous things with a basketball, it is true. Yet his many, many actions that reflect an insufficient appreciation for the sport he plays and his own role leaves the discerning observer empty, in a a way that watching the greats, like Havlicek, Johnson, Bird, Jordan, etc., never did and never will. We can't manufacture the thrill inside us just because we are told that we should. We are the watchers -- either a player's greatness come through in our eyes, or it doesn't. With LeBron James, it simply doesn't. He is an extraordinarily talented player who had a great night. So what -- is what many people are saying this morning. It is too bad, but it is true.
This is like saying that if you don't like Bob Ryan, you don't like good writing?
What a load. I appreciate his greatness. What I don't like is his attitude, and therefore, I don't like him. It's that simple.
I appreciate the insight that you offer your readers, but I respectfully disagree with the thesis here. His attitude is key. When an ex-NBA player came out as gay, Lebron James tried to reason as follows: "With teammates you have to be trustworthy, and if you're gay and you're not admitting that you are, then you are not trustworthy.... It's a trust factor, honestly. A big trust factor." OK, he was young. Still, he showed an almost unimaginable tone deafness to what gay athletes face every day. If he has apologized for this colossal insult to a colleague (let alone to a whole community), I would appreciate the reference. Grant Hill or Charles Barkley, sure - they accepted and embraced diversity that included gay teammates. Lebron? I'm still waiting.
This from a bill simmons story from september 2010 titled 'New Rule: Never Bet Against Durant'. "he's a great patriot, as he proved by smartly writing "1972" on his sneakers before Thursday's Russia game, and then "09/11/01" on his shoes for Saturday's game." not impressed? not relevant? ok, then add it to his actual performance as captain of that team USA in the '10 World Championships in Istanbul. or add it to his recent performances against the Spurs, or just extrapolate his career numbers v lebron numbers into the future, or just look at his resume thus far in the nba. if, at age 27, as lebron is now, do you think he'll have the same resume of failure as lebron? do you think he'll stab an entire city in the back on live tv as did lebron? while lebron was wrecking his 'brand' in connecticut that summer, kevin quietly reupped with okc with little or no fanfare in......gulp, oklahoma city. not exacltly the most exalted city in america. maybe, just maybe lebron will actually take out the celts again this year, but considering boston's endless list of injury misfortunes combined with the age of it's stars, it will say little about lebron. he's destined to become wilt chamberlin to kevin durant's bill russell. as a celtic fan, i can easily handle losing to miami in game 7. we've already proven that celtic pride is real. lebron hasn't proven anything yet, and his biggest embarrasment is likely just about to begin: this year's Finals.
Bob, one can seriously dislike Lebron and LOVE basketball. I think he is immensely talented, but I cannot stand what I know of him as a person.
Bobby - your commentary is historically, against that of the Boston sports fan. The NBA has been trying to make this guy as one of the league's All-Time greats and he simply is NOT! I heard one commentator suggest this guy is one of the 15 greatest players in NBA history. GET REAL! I love basketball and will admit - on Thursday night we saw an individual NBA player having an outstanding shooting night versus a flat Boston Celtics team. Nothing more.