Posts Tagged ‘Lebron James’

HE IS THE YOUNGEST!

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Posted 03 May 2013 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Miami Heat, NBA

lebron_art

LeBron is the MVP again. He DOMINATED the NBA, while helping his team to a 27 game winning streak.

Last week, James finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting for the second time since 2009.

James is the fifth player in NBA history to win four MVPs, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Michael Jordan (five), Bill Russell (five) and Wilt Chamberlain (four). At 28, James is a year younger than Abdul-Jabbar and Russell, three years younger than Chamberlain and five younger than Jordan were when they won their fourth MVPs.

James owns numerous NBA “youngest player” records.

He is the youngest:

  • To be selected #1 overall draft pick (18 years of age).
  • To be named NBA Rookie of the Year (19 years of age).
  • To record a triple-double (20 years, 20 days).

    • Recorded 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists on January 19, 2005 vs. Portland Trail Blazers.
  • To record a triple-double in the playoffs. (21 years, 113 days).

    • Recorded 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists on April 22, 2006 vs. Washington Wizards.
  • To score 30 points in a game (18 years, 334 days).

    • Recorded 33 points on November 29, 2003 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
  • To score 40 points in a game (19 years, 88 days).

    • Recorded 41 points on March 27, 2004 vs. New Jersey Nets.
  • To score 2,000 points in a season (2004–05).
  • To average at least 30 points per game in the NBA.
  • To be awarded All-NBA honors (2004–05).
  • To be named to the All-NBA first team (21 years, 138 days).
  • To win an All-Star Game MVP (21 years, 55 days).
  • To lead the league in All-Star voting (22 years, 26 days).
  • To score 2,000 points in seven consecutive seasons (26 years of age).
  • To score at least 30 pts while shooting at least 60% in 6 straight games.
  • To receive Most Valuable Player award four times (28 years of age)

James averaged 26.8 points a game, added 8.0 boards, 7.3 dimes and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 56.5% from the field and 40.6% on three-pointers in the most efficient season of his career. He is the second player in NBA history to shoot 55% from the field and 40% on threes in one season, joining Chris Mullin in 1996-97. Also worth noting that if LeBron keeps up his pace of 2,000 points a season he could be the youngest to the 30,000 point club, in about 4 to 5 years.

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At Last…LeBron & the Heat Get Their Credentials

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Posted 22 Jun 2012 — by Phillip Pyle
Category 2012 Playoffs, Miami Heat, NBA

Twenty-three months after LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh combined their talents in South Beach, they are NBA champions. Unfortunately it comes at the expense of the young dynamic Oklahoma City Thunder team and their talented forward Kevin Durant.

On a night where Mike Miller hits 7 three-pointers and the Heat as a team connect on 14 three pointers, the inevitable finally arrived as the Heat won going away in Game 5, 121-106. The Heat became the 11th team in NBA history to win a title after losing in the NBA Finals the previous season and the seventh champion to sweep four straight after losing Game 1.

The Heat become the 31st team to go up 3-1 in a series and win the championship. After being up at the half, the Heat smelled blood in the 3rd quarter, and LeBron’s first triple-double of the season didn’t hurt. LeBron becomes the fifth player all-time to earn a triple-double in a series clinching game.

James averaged 30.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists this postseason. It was the second time he has averaged a 30/9/5 combination in a single postseason. He also did so in 2009. The only player to hit those plateaus even once for a postseason was Oscar Robertson for the 1963 Cincinnati Royals.

The Heat also tied an NBA Finals record with 14 3-pointers in the game, matching the mark previously set by the 1995 Orlando Magic and 1995 Houston Rockets, who each did it once in that series. The Heat were 14-for-26 from 3-point range in the game after combining to go 14-for-39 in Games 3 and 4.

Kevin Durant had 32 points and 11 boards, thus earning the “It Ain’t My Fault” award.

Bosh and Wade, the other members of the Big Three who sat alongside James as he promised titles at his Miami welcoming party, both had strong games. Bosh finished with 24 points and 7 boards, Wade had 20 points and 8 boards.

Enough with the numbers, the most important aspect is that a 3-time MVP has the piece of jewelry that silences a large number of critics. In his third attempt at a championship, LeBron played the way we all wanted, and knew he was capable of playing. Not settling for fall away jumpers, not constantly deferring to teammates, but instead taking the ball to the basket, and of course there is the NEW* post game.

But LeBron’s story is still in its infancy, at 26 he has another 10 years left in the league. We have always and will continue to *witness.

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NIKE: Bling James

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Posted 21 Jun 2012 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Miami Heat, NBA

 

Nike with a timely ad for Bling James:

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LeBron Can Win All By Himself! Who Knew?

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Posted 08 Jun 2012 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Uncategorized

LeBron James scored 45 points in a closeout game in Boston, pulled down 15 boards, missed only 7 shots, and took a beer bath. Mel Brooks once said “It’s not easy being the King”, but on Thursday night LeBron made it look so very easy.

VERY EASY!

The multitude of shots ranged from Olajuwon taught baseline fadeaways, tip dunks, pull up three-pointers, to five dribble and-1′s. The last time anyone came close to a 45 point, 15 board, 5 dime game was Wilt in 1954. Wilt had 5 more points and 1 more dime, which James could have easily surpassed: LeBron James had 45 points with 8 mins left in the 4th quarter. In some strange way I feel LeBron put the brakes on after 45 points to keep from passing teammate D. Wade’s Miami Heat Playoff record 46 points. Unfortunately on his way off the court after an interview a fan ruined the show pouring beer onto him. Stay Classy Boston.

Due to his performance his team remains in the Playoffs, and critics may give him a day of peace.  On Saturday, in Game 7 LeBron will once agin have the weight of the Miami Heat, his Decisions, his headband, on his shoulders, and he will have to produce similar numbers again.

This team, like all the rest LeBron has ever played for will go as far as he can carry them. See you all in Oklahoma on Tuesday!

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WHY LBJ IS MVP! (AGAIN)

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Posted 07 May 2012 — by Imogen Reed
Category 2012 Playoffs, Miami Heat, NBA

Whether you love him or hate him, and let’s be honest it has to be either one, or the other, there is no doubting that LeBron James is one of the leading players in the game right now. He is a player that has polarized the opinions of many in the game. Even the fans of Miami Heat have divided opinions on their star player. Certainly for the majority of fans outside of South Beach the preference for MVP would be anybody but LeBron, but there is no arguing the fact that he is in the front running for the Most Valuable Player award 2012.

A glance at the statistics and it seems inevitable that the league’s top honor must one again be heading in Bron Bron’s direction. Having missed just four games in the season he has managed to rack up some pretty impressive numbers. Of the four matches he did miss three were in the last four of the season and those were due to the fact that Coach Erik Spoelstra chose to give him a well-earned rest.

James averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 boards, 6.2 dimes and 1.9 steals per game. Which place him ahead of all other players for the top award. It is also worth pointing to his simple rating. This is a measure of a player’s stats against his counterpart player from the other team while he is on court. Calculated out James has earned a simple rating of +18.7. This is 3.8 points above Chris Paul the second place finisher this season.

If stats are the driving force in the decision, which they are, then there is just no doubt that LeBron James will pick up the third MVP trophy of his illustrious career. The award has been so clear cut that even the experts have not gotten involved in the debate and the perceived wisdom is that the trophy is James’ to lose during the final weeks of the season.

It has not been entirely a one horse race however and his closest rival, Kevin Durant, has put up some pretty impressive statistics of his own including 28 points and 8 boards per game, which is better than LeBron’s tally on both counts. The key stat for Durant is his number on assists which is a lowly 3.5 almost three whole points lower than LeBron’s 6.2 in this respect. This stat points to the fact that, throughout the season, Russell Westbrook, and other Thunder players consistently needed to create his own offense.

Durant can take some solace from the fact that in the head to head between their two teams the Thunder ended the season with one more win than Miami Heat. Durant is philosophic about the award and has come out in support of LeBron himself. In a recent interview he stated, “He deserves all the love (for MVP). He’s playing phenomenal basketball. I’m just trying to get better every single game and trying to help my team as much as I can. I’m just blessed to be in that conversation.”

Continue reading “WHY LBJ IS MVP! (AGAIN)” »

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HEAT FOOLED ME ONCE…

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Posted 31 Dec 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Miami Heat, NBA

Word on the street, is the Heat are everyones favorite to make to back to the Finals, this is primarly due to every team aside from the Los Angeles Clippers getting somewhat worse, but in last years playoffs there was a moment when I thought the Heat had figured it all out and were poised at that time to get LeBron his first ring. Then suddenly as if it had all been a mirage the Heat took a giant step back and folded under the surging Dallas Mavericks.

The Heat are 4-0 for the second time in franchise history, and first since 2004-05.  The Heat  have shown glimpses of both sides, the unstoppable force that flashed in last years playoffs, and a team that struggles when a 2-3 Zone is thrown in their face.  The two biggest improvements for the Heat was the drafting of Norris Cole, and the signing of free agent Shane Battier.  Norris Cole may not be the distance shooter that Mario Chalmers is, but he makes up for it speed, and confidence.

 ”Mentally you just have to be prepared for the worst,” Cole told reporters after his first practice with the team. “There’s going to be a lot of things thrown at me, but with me being in college for four years, I think I have a quick learning curve. I’m mature enough to be able to handle criticism. As long as we work hard and earn the respect of the veterans, I think everything will be fine. This team was already good without me being here. With me having a quick learning curve, [the] only thing I can do is make us better”

Shane Battier hasn’t done much on the floor this season, but will be LeBron’s Bundini Brown when it counts.

So far this season Wade and Lebron have attempted only one three-pointer and LeBron James notched his 38th career 30-point, 10-assist game on Friday. It’s the most among active players, one more than teammate Dwyane Wade.

Before I resign up for the Heat bandwagon I need to see CONSISTENCY, and more of this ridiculousness:

 

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OPENING DAY: HIGHS & LOWS

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Posted 26 Dec 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Uncategorized

The opening day of the NBA was every bit as exciting as we all hoped it would be. Here is a list of HIGHS & LOWS:

HIGHS:

  • From Elias: Carmelo Anthony’s 37 points is the 3rd-most by a Knicks player on Christmas Day. Only Bernard King and Richie Guerin have scored more for the Knicks on December 25th.
  • Rajon Rondo had 31 points, 13 assists and 5 steals, joining Larry Bird (on Feb. 18, 1985) as the only Celtics players with 30+ points, 10+ assists and 5+ steals in a single game.
  • Brandon Bass had 20 points and 11 rebounds in his Celtics debut
  • Only three forwards in the last 25 seasons have recorded at least 37 points and 10 rebounds in a season opener. LeBron James accomplished this in win over the Dallas Mavericks. The other two players to reach this feat are first ballot hall of famers Charles Barkley who did it three times, and Karl Malone who did it once. 
  • Clippers big DeAndre Jordan had 8 blocks, but he also made the LOWS list as well

LOWS:

Mavs banner covered after getting blown out on XMAS!

  • Kobe Bryant really struggled in isolation play types against the Bulls, scoring just 6 points on 13 plays. He shot 3-11 including a combined 1-8 on isolations from the top of the key and the right side of the court. Last year he led the NBA with 643 points in isolation.
  • Rip Hamilton and Joakim Noah finished with a combined 12 points on 6 of 20 shooting.
  • Chris Bosh scored just 4 points, his fewest in a game that he played at least 20 minutes since December 19, 2004 vs the Nets (as a member of Raptors).
  • Lamar Odom had four points four boards in 13 minutes and was ejected in the third quarter.
  • Kevin Durant missed five free throws. He is a career 88 percent free throw shooter.
  • Stephen Curry who was questionable due to ankle injury was 2 for 12 for four points.
  • DeAndre Jordan was 4 of 12 from the free throw line…thus Hack-A-Jordan will continue.

Heres the TNT Intro video from Christmas day via @jose3030

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LeSCRUTINY: ALL EYES ON LeBRON

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Posted 08 Jun 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA

ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

LeBron James, the media darling, is in many ways getting what he wanted. What he didn’t seem ready for was the immense pressure and accusations that come from playing at a sub-standard level. Of course he wanted ALL of this attention. The easy part is getting the media to notice you, the hard part is fulfilling whatever the media believes you are capable of, and in the post-Jordan era the bar is set extremely high.

Throughout LeBron’s career he has put up tremendous numbers and during this postseason he has carried the Heat past the Sixers, Celtics, and Bulls.  During the Finals though when “greatness” is measured James has faded away from the spotlight deferring to teammates. There is nothing wrong with trusting in your teammates, but there is a big difference in being a facilitator and vanishing completely.

James scored two points and took a combined four shots in the fourth quarters of Game 3 and 4. He has scored a total of 9 points in the four fourth quarters of the series.

After a Game 3 win on Sunday night he was asked about shrinking in that fourth quarter, and he was defensive and pointed in his response: I do more to help my team than just score. There is nothing wrong bing the second-fiddle to Dwyane Wade, but on Tuesday night Wade needed help and LeBron, guarded by the likes of Jason Terry, and Jason Kidd vanished offensively.

Jason Kidd, and Jason Terry were not the guys any of us expected to contain LeBron. Of course Dallas’ zone, and constant double teams are proving difficult for James. He has also played at least 45 minutes of each game, but fautige for a 26 year-old is a tough excuse.

James spoke to reporters after the game about his play “[I've] got to do a better job of being more assertive offensively, not staying out of rhythm offensively the whole game,” said James.  “But I think one thing I try to concentrate is, if I get two guys on me, try to make my teammates better, hit those guys for open looks. They made some great looks, but at the same time I have to keep myself in rhythm while I’m doing that as well.”

With the series going to a best of 3, James will have an opportunity to quiet the critics, not only by playing at his normal level of greatness, but also winning that coveted first championship. It’s all up to James.

The incredible tarp of greatness that Michael Jordan has covered the NBA with over the last three decades has become nearly impossible for many players to remove. Kobe Bryant has managed to carve out his own legacy, while still falling one ring short of MJ(so far). Last week, Scottie Pippen drank two many rum and cokes proclaiming LeBron was better then Jordan from his estimation. Ironically, LeBron could, and should be more like Pippen, if the Heat are going to win the series.

 

 

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1 Comment
Posted 28 Apr 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, NBA

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Esquire Interviews Chris Rock: The LeBron Conversation

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Posted 16 Feb 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, Random

In a special LeBron Watch extension of their conversation for Esquire’s March issue, our man in Cleveland(Scott Raab) talks to the comedian about predicting the King’s departure, why he knew in advance, and when to move on.

Getty Images

SCOTT RAAB: I’m writing a book about LeBron. I’m a Cleveland guy. I’m mad at him.

CHRIS ROCK: I don’t even see what the big story is. The owner’s an idiot. Why is the owner an idiot? I said it on television — you can look it up. I was at a Lakers game — they were probably playing the Knicks. It was on TNT, and Kenny and Mark Jackson and whoever interviewed me on the sidelines, they asked me about LeBron. I said, “They should trade him.” I said it, on national television.

SR: We thought he was coming back, Chris.

CR: I said you should trade him. I said any owner, any big-ego owner would take this shot. You could’ve got any player — you literally could’ve got Kobe Bryant. You could’ve got any player you wanted. You could’ve gotten literally any player outside of Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard. Any player. You could’ve got any two or three players you liked. I said this on national television. You could look it up — you’re a writer.

I said that in the middle of the season. The day the season was over, I was doing press for Grown Ups, the movie I did with Sandler. They asked me again: “Where’s LeBron going? What’s going to happen?” I said, “Well, if he’s going to Cleveland, you will know within 24 hours, but if Pat Riley gets him in a room, it’s all over.”

SR: We thought he was coming back.

CR: Why would you think he’s coming back? People move from Cleveland to Miami every fucking day. They don’t move from Miami to Cleveland.

SR: Because of his mother. Because of Gloria.

CR: Well, guess where his mother’s living right now. In fucking Miami. I saw that coming a mile away. Are you kidding me? He’s not signing his extension? Trade him right now.

SR: He signed for the three years. They all did — he and Bosh and Wade.

CR: He didn’t realize it? He’s an idiot — the owner’s an idiot. You’re in Cleveland, dude.

SR: You’re killing me, man. You’re killing me.

CR: It’s Cleveland, man. And I’m not disparaging Cleveland.

SR: Yes, you are.

CR: I’ve had some great shows in Cleveland.

SR: Yeah.

CR: But… I’m 25 — whatever LeBron is — and even though he’s got a baby mama, he’s not married.

SR: Savannah’s more than just a baby mama.

CR: Fine.

SR: She’s down there.

CR: God bless her. Who didn’t see this guy going to Miami?

Continue reading “Esquire Interviews Chris Rock: The LeBron Conversation” »

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