Thread: NBA 2008-09 Season

My God! I wake up from a late night, awesome buzzer beater of a game and I expect to log onto the NBA thread to talk about how great of a game we all witnessed last night and instead I awake to accusations of LeBron being on 'Roids and free agency rumors 2 years from now!!!

There's always people who will hate and are jealous of others successes. As for LeBron having a body similar to Karl Malone, first off LeBron is 24 years old, not 18. If AntAltMike followed the kid throughout his career, he would also know LeBron wasn't always as cut as he is now. He came into the league 6 years ago and was much leaner than he is now. Secondly, the NBA has anti-doping testing. If he was doing the unthinkable, he would've been exposed like all the baseball players by now. 3rdly, as Salsa said, LBJ is simply a freak of nature. We've never seen this type of athleticism in sports. The dude has been blessed. I've followed his career here in Ohio since his freshman year at St. Vincent St. Mary in Akron. In his Junior year at High School he was on the cover of SI along with the title: "The Chosen One". He's a blessed kid with God given abilities. Period. End of discussion. Show some respect, instead of spewing more hate next time you open your mouth Mike!

Originally Posted by salsadancer7

AND a marketing BEAST....I know HD hates to hear it...but I think he is outta Cleveland. IF he get's his NBA championship this year...it's SAYONARA!!! NYC here he comes!!

I actually think it's quite the opposite. If he wins, he'll stay. Like my local buddy Skyhi has said, LBJ has said in the past he wants to win more than anything else. He wants to be known as the best there was. And right now, with the team assembled around LeBron, it's hard to imagine him being in a better scenario in getting the rings he covets so much.

Originally Posted by salsadancer7

Or he is just a freak of nature. I am almost willing to be the house he is NOT on the juice....but you have never heard him workout like a "fiend" until RECENTLY...

....it's that time where once very 20 years or so, you get that almost perfect basketbal player. I saw last nights game and I am more and more convinced he IS the best player in the world....and the Cleveland Cavs are starting to grow on me.....but I am still convinced that in a tight game...their ONLY weekness is the coach.

1. I'm glad your coming around on LeBron and the Cavs. This season has been exciting to be a part of and what LeBron is doing in his career is truly awe inspiring.

2. I don't get all the hate for Coach Mike Brown. Sure he doesn't have the track record of the Phil Jackson's or Pat Riley's of the world, but Brown is a great defensive mind, the team respects him and plays hard for him. To me, his stout defense first philosophy sets this team apart from all others. We all know LeBron, Mo, D-West and the boys can handle their own on the offensive end, but for Brown to get everyone to buy into his defensive philosophy makes him ok by me.

Originally Posted by Skyhi

Why do you say that? He's said repeatedly that he wants to win multiple championships. I don't see how leaving Cleveland for NY would advance that goal.

It's ONE thing to win multiple championships....it's another to wanna stay in Cleveland. Nothing against Cleveland, but when it comes to excitment, there is no comparison. He wins in Cleveland his 1st NBA championship...it would AMAZING....he is the God of Cleveland. If he brings an NBA championship to the Knicks....he is an NBA GOD and legit basketball God of the World!

He is constantly refusing to talk about past his contract...IF he really wanted to stay, he would say "I wanna be Cavalier FOREVER...."

Originally Posted by HD MM

2. I don't get all the hate for Coach Mike Brown. Sure he doesn't have the track record of the Phil Jackson's or Pat Riley's of the world, but Brown is a great defensive mind, the team respects him and plays hard for him. To me, his stout defense first philosophy sets this team apart from all others. We all know LeBron, Mo, D-West and the boys can handle their own on the offensive end, but for Brown to get everyone to buy into his defensive philosophy makes him ok by me.

...Not hate....I want to put things this way. With ALL things being equal....players, position, a neutral site....it comes down to Xs and Os.....you chose, Phil Jackson or Mike Brown? It is NO CONTEST......

Originally Posted by salsadancer7

...Not hate....I want to put things this way. With ALL things being equal....players, position, a neutral site....it comes down to Xs and Os.....you chose, Phil Jackson or Mike Brown? It is NO CONTEST......

But we got the ultimate X factor in LeBron James.

Originally Posted by HD MM

But we got the ultimate X factor in LeBron James.

Neutralized by Kobe....like I said, with ALL things being equal....

Gotta remember, during Magic, there was Bird...NOW, during Kobe there is Lebron or visa versa.

There was no so-called equal during Michael Jordan's prime...none!

Originally Posted by SabresRule

James' buzzer-beater lifts Cavs - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Losing to the Warriors would have been inexcusable.

Good thing LBJ saved their butts!

All road games are tough, especially on an extended West Coast trip the Cavs are in the midst of. The Warriors have a good offense (Stephen Jackson, Corey Maggette, etc). Plus, they got their star PG, Monta Ellis back last night.

Either way, this was a heckuva game. If any of you missed it, I urge you to watch the ESPN Highlight Recap....

[ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290123009"]Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors - Recap - January 23, 2009 - ESPN[/ame]

Originally Posted by AntAltMike

Lets start one. How is it that an eighteen year old Lebron James could have had a body like a 28 year old Karl Malone?

This ain't the PIT. This conversation is a non-starter for me, and should have been for everyone else, too.