Official 'gee whiz LeBron is good' diary

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 31, 2007 11:35 PM CDT Comment 79 comments

Just getting this out there early...

I had a feeling that Cleveland could win this series, because as a team they have a very good defense and play at a slow pace, so scores with Detroit (with similar attributes) will be low and close.

Then when it comes to trading posessions and the Cavs can just toss it to LeBron and hope for the best, and it was pretty much 'the best' every time down.

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Unbelievable

The Bulls are going to have to deal with this guy for the next decade. Imagine if he actually had good teammates and a decent coach . . .

by Big D on May 31, 2007 11:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That's why, if it is at all possible, the Bulls

need to get a guy like Kobe (not that I think it is possible).

And it doesn't really matter if you have to give up Gordon and Deng to get him. LeBron is demonstrating that, in the East, a superstar (great player) on a mediocre team that plays defense can make the Finals. Even without Deng and Gordon, the Bulls would have a far better surrounding cast for Kobe than the Cavs currently do for LeBron.

I can't imagine the Bulls current roster beating the Cavs current roster in the playoffs. And if the Cavs actually find someone to compliment LeBron, it will make the task that much harder.

The Cavs are on the verge of eliminating a team that made the Bulls look silly on most nights in the playoffs. Even if Detroit comes back to win the series, it is relatively clear that the successor to the throne in the East is the Cavs.

by 1958ChiTown on Jun 1, 2007 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

incredible

imagine if he also had a good GM

by fireskiles on May 31, 2007 11:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He good.

But the Pistons really made him look good by not playing help defense. How many times do you let someone dunk on you? I don't care how good you are they should have doubled and doubled and doubled. Stupid Detroit.

Bears moving dynamic Hester to offense!

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Jun 1, 2007 1:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My question

is why isn't Prince on him all the time? Billups isn't long enough to guard him, Rip isn't good enough to guard him, at least put your best defender on him, and see what happens. Lebron got all his points in the 4th and overtime when they moved Prince off him.

by Wade.Jones on Jun 1, 2007 4:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watch the game again

Prince WAS on LBJ in the 4th and OTs. It often was Prince and another Piston. On one of LeBron's many dunks, Prince was seen crying to his teammates after the play, clearly expecting help on defense when none was coming.

Last night was one of those special games when nobody short of Jehovah could have stopped him. Prince tried, and ended up failing.

by The BBC on Jun 1, 2007 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pistons Coaching? Help Defense on the bench?

Pistons interior defense was extremely soft to allow so many uncontested dunks and layups. I've notice that McDyess, and Dale Davis provide the best help defense and intimation inside for the Pistons. Those two players don't allow uncontested layups. Neither was on the floor. McDyess flagarant2 costs much, but still Dale Davis was available? The 2nd year player Maxiell allowed James to cake walk to the basket. Rasheed was complaining too much, but provided some good defense occasionally. Webber, no comment!

by exult463 on Jun 1, 2007 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

McDyess

also has blocked James pull-up jump shot(s). Davis and McDyess have the quickness to also guard James outside the post.

by exult463 on Jun 1, 2007 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dale Davis has the quickness to...

really, there's no correct way to complete that phrase.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 1, 2007 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come on Matt?

what are you trying to disagree about? we all know Davis is an older player. But he is still serviceable for intervals during a critical game. Just like P.J. Brown during the recent Pistons-Bulls game when he scored 20 point in the first half. Davis was never a slow defender, and still can put together a few critical defensive minutes.

by exult463 on Jun 1, 2007 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was.

Bears moving dynamic Hester to offense!

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Jun 1, 2007 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wanted pistons to win

Not that they dont deserve a whooping, but i wanted it to be teh bulls who delivered it, sort of like how miami got treated by the bulls this year, i mean, imagine the season opener for bulls being detroit, and...another 42 win....man would that be sweet to throw at ol' boney

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Jun 1, 2007 3:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He is good,

But is he good enough to beat the Spurs? I don't think so.

by Wade.Jones on Jun 1, 2007 4:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Spurs will crush either team

The Pistons keep thinking the can just turn it on, and they obviously can't. I wouldn't count them out yet.

Neither team is brilliantly coached (I think coaching mistakes cost the Cavs in the first two games).

The next few years in the league are going to be interesting. Cavs/Bulls/Raptors taking prominence. Fun times.

by KT on Jun 1, 2007 6:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually think that the Cavs match up favorably

with the Spurs.

Both teams play a deliberate, plodding half-court style. San Antonio is aging and,, frankly, isn't all that athletic. It's not like they can run on the Cavs consistently.

If the Cavs advance, it will be a very slow Finals feauturing low scoring, close games.

I think the Cavs actually swept the Spurs during the regular season, though I don't know if there injury issues or other factors that affected the outcomes.

by 1958ChiTown on Jun 1, 2007 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they don't have to run on the Cavs

and there is no Cleveland answer for the Spurs' guards, or Tim Duncan.

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 1, 2007 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Parker and Duncan will get their points.

But I think Manu and the rest of the Spurs team team will struggle.

I see San Antonio winning, just not in a walkover. I think the series will go 6 or 7 (assuming Detroit doesn't come back).

by 1958ChiTown on Jun 1, 2007 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Makes sense

Since the Cavs held Manu Ginobili to 10 points per game this year (14 and 6 points in each matchup)

Parker and Duncan will get their points. But they won't be able to run, and that's where they have trouble. Utah had no defense and Duncan set up plays in 10 seconds or less. The longer the Cavs have on defense, the better they get.

by The BBC on Jun 1, 2007 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ummmm....

...you are aware that the Cavaliers held the Spurs to 79.5 points per game this year?

And that the Cavs won both of those games?

Not that you're ever wrong about anything, though........

by The BBC on Jun 1, 2007 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

aware and don't care

The Spurs are just a lot better.

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 2, 2007 7:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm.....

Isn't that what you said about the Pistons?

by The BBC on Jun 2, 2007 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

doubt it

I don't recall writining anything about the ECF 'cept how unappealing it was.

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 3, 2007 8:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

boo!

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 1, 2007 8:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm.....

http://blogabull.com/comments/2007/5/17/234239/664/103#103

"No one is going to start talking Cavs either."

Yet another prediction gone horribly wrong, huh?

by The BBC on Jun 1, 2007 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

based on your

dickish attempts at initiating Cavs discussion? No.

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 1, 2007 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

"No one is going to start talking Cavs"....and yet here stands a thread about the Cavs, with people talking about it.

Denial is not healthy.

Enjoy ESPN's 4-second segment on who will be the 9th pick in the draft. It'll be on right after they show LeBron James' 48 point performance. Then they'll show more LeBron highlights.

by The BBC on Jun 1, 2007 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If ESPN slurping was a worthwhile goal

we'd all have Jay Mariotti posters in our rooms.

don't 'trash talk' here, Cavs boy.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 1, 2007 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh heh

Hey Cleveland . . . HOW'Z BOUTS WINNING SOMETHING AT ALL EVER IN ANY SPORT OR OTHER COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE?

by Petor on Jun 1, 2007 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

see, this is why it's the 'official' diary

that way, paxjax, it's clearly labeled so you can avoid Cavs talk if you don't want to talk (or read) about it.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 1, 2007 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm only here to pooh-pooh

I hope Lebron trips over Flopobili in the Finals, and turns into Penny Hardaway.

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 1, 2007 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL!!!

Ouch!

The Future is bright!

by Goostafer on Jun 1, 2007 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not annoying?

You can decide today!!! Does the Master of Ridicule want the tables to be turned on him? Is he attempting to be as boring, non-humorous and, yes, superduper annoying as he claims everyone else is? Stay tuned and find out later!

Yes, of course.

by tyger1147 on Jun 1, 2007 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

FYI

If you're going to comment on me, I suggest you start your own blog. I'm positive no one is interested. My point about Mr. BBC's previous 'smack-attack' being a failed attempt at getting Cavs yack started here was pretty apt. This is a cretin who described people from Chicago as white trash on his own blog.

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 1, 2007 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

* no one here

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 1, 2007 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad you're still reading my comments.

Let's me know you know you still care. :)

Yes, of course.

by tyger1147 on Jun 1, 2007 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since you are interested.

I'm not going to start my own 'blog. I only comment on you because you can't stop commenting back. It's an amazing study for me to see how often you can continue to reply to me even though I have admitted that I: a) have nothing to add about basketball, b) have asked you personally to skip over one of my comments because it will be add nothing to basketball discussion, and c) (I think) have said that I am only commenting to see how many times you reply.

Having said all those things before, it's hilarious to me that you keep replying. Probably about as much fun to me as it is for you to constantly put others down (The BBC, 1958, me, or whoever).

Yes, of course.

by tyger1147 on Jun 1, 2007 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stop making fun of Ryan

Or else this can turn into a week-long debacle, with him always needing the last word

Rasheed Wallace likes to comment about guys' butts. -"Them butt holes got tighter and TIGHTER."

by NittanyBull on Jun 1, 2007 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Alright. I'll stop.

He can have the last word if he wants. If he doesn't want it: I WIN!

Yes, of course.

by tyger1147 on Jun 1, 2007 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

week-long is doubtful

I don't hold grudges. This isn't a message board where you get rewarded for posting frequently either. As far as the last word goes tyger's martyr routine can stand.

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 1, 2007 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lebron

He would be even better if he wouldn't fade away all the time trying to emulate Jordan. He is lucky Chauncey didn't hit that shot at the end of regualtion because that fade-away airball three point attempt was ugly.

by Jesse07 on Jun 1, 2007 8:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You could see

where the loss of Ben Wallace (perhaps the best weakside help defender in the league) really hurt the Pistons. Losing Wallace didn't really hurt the Pistons until this series, and really until last night. Now that LeBron knows he can dunk at will, I don't see him passing that much.

And with the 9th pick the Bulls select...

by bullshooter on Jun 1, 2007 8:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

heh

I was chuckling every time Webber was the one 'helping'...what a corpse.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 1, 2007 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He did have a great game

and it's fun to see something like that every once in a while, but I'd really hate to watch that kind of basketball day in and day out.

I do like to see the Pistons lose though, even if it is to LeBron and the LeBrons.

Who says it can't be done?

by wjb1492 on Jun 1, 2007 9:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather watch Gund mow his own lawn

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 1, 2007 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why?

Are you getting tired of mowing it for him?

by The BBC on Jun 1, 2007 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LeBron and the LeBrons.

Sounds more like a Mo-town group than a Cleveland group. LOL

Who will come and who will go? Stay tuned!

by sue369 on Jun 1, 2007 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Flip Murray should be coaching

...instead of Flip Saunders. Or Willie "Flipper" Anderson. Anyone but Saunders. The guy is pathetic. It's sad to see that he is being thoroughly outcoached by Mike Brown!

They keep running plays through Tayshaun Prince, a man who apparently can not recognize nor deal with a double team and can not pass (case in point, his throwaway in OT last night).

At the end of regulation, for a defensive stop, Flip goes to a three guard lineup! You need a stop. Tayshaun Prince is NOT a power forward. Lebron is getting by everyone on the team, and the Cavs are outrebounding you. This results in two wide open dunks.

So when McDyess goes out of the game, you decide to play Webber and Dale Davis more? Rasheed should have stayed in for the remainder of the game. He was not in foul trouble.

The only advantage Detroit has on offense is Wallace. But they can't get him the ball on the block with more than five seconds on the shot clock.

Regarding the defense down the stretch, the TNT guys (aside from Reggie who I'm convinced was just trying to be a contrarian) hit it on the head. How did they continue to let Lebron get to the hoop? No one on the Pistons is willing or able to take a charge, and they are not defending the basket at all.

It's a truly pathetic display of coaching by Saunders. He either has no plan or his players are not listening to him. I'm guessing the former. Detroit is D-U-N.

And yes, Lebron is officially frightening.

Deng 4 MVP, 2008!

by corey williams corey benjamin on Jun 1, 2007 9:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

McDyess, and also Dale Davis provide the best interior help defense for the Pistons, together with Wallace. And neither (Davis or McDyess) could or was on the floor to stop James. Three guard? What was Flip thinking using the half-day-past rookie Maxiell? Nothing against Maxiell, but this challenge was a bit to much at this stage of his career. He would not step in and take a charge or stop the uncontested dunk or layup.

by exult463 on Jun 1, 2007 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's still basketball

being played? ;-)

Who will come and who will go? Stay tuned!

by sue369 on Jun 1, 2007 10:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

there's a standing pick up game

at the local Y. It's pretty entertaining.

by KT on Jun 1, 2007 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get why Detroit

didn't send that double to the top of he key to get LBJ to pass. It was working for them and then they just stopped doing it. Now LBJ is being called the greatest basketball player the NBA has ever seen. Don't tell me that was the greastest playoff performances ever. Really he was just running past any Detroit defender on the top of the Key. Yeah he played awesome but what the fuck I don't care how good he is Detroit's Defense was a fucking joke. I could blow past any of those guys. It was like dribble then fake left and go right. HE'S FUCKING RIIIIIIIGHT HANNNNDED WHY DIDN'T THEY FORCE HIM LEFT. Yeah he made unreal shots but getting dunked on like that is a sign of a lack of adjustments by the coach and the players. Knuckle Head!

Bears moving dynamic Hester to offense!

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Jun 1, 2007 10:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I love to

proof read.

Bears moving dynamic Hester to offense!

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Jun 1, 2007 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't he drive left for the game-winning basket?

Yes, I believe he did.

Yes, of course.

by tyger1147 on Jun 1, 2007 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no he went right

twat cunt

Bears moving dynamic Hester to offense!

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Jun 1, 2007 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

::shakes head::

ok, that's enough for our resident drunk.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 1, 2007 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

unfortunately

joejoe's correct in that Lebron went right every time.

And with the 9th pick the Bulls select...

by bullshooter on Jun 1, 2007 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b73duGXEyM0

20-second mark. He finishes right, but he drove left off of Billups.

Yes, of course.

by tyger1147 on Jun 1, 2007 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He still ended up right

regardless of how he started. So would you consider that being forced to go left? It was a right-handed layup. It's inexcusable.

And with the 9th pick the Bulls select...

by bullshooter on Jun 1, 2007 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Somehow I don't think the going right part

is what's objectionable about that comment.

Who says it can't be done?

by wjb1492 on Jun 1, 2007 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you sure?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b73duGXEyM0

He finished right... but he drove left--which is, I'm pretty sure, what most people mean when they say "force him to go left".

Yes, of course.

by tyger1147 on Jun 1, 2007 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

um, no.

And with the 9th pick the Bulls select...

by bullshooter on Jun 1, 2007 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What they should have done

on that last play is send him flying. Seriously, how did no one just pick him up and lay him on his ass?

And I agree that Billups did his job, shading him left. Had the 3 Pistons in the lane done THEIR jobs, he wouldn't have been able to shimmy back over and finish with the right.

If there are problems in this world that jumping can solve, Tyrus Thomas will solve them. (Truehoop)

by Chalkwhite on Jun 2, 2007 3:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does Flip Sanders even know how to coach?

Seriously? Did he even draw up a play for at the end of regulation? I'm just going to let Billups take a bad 3 point shot, what is that. Do they think because he came up big during the playoffs for one year that he's automatic. That ending was such a joke if Flip could coach, we wouldn't even be talking about Lebron right now.

by Wade.Jones on Jun 1, 2007 12:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LeBron

Okay, I really dislike LeBron, to the point where I was rooting for Detroit last night. His little "I'm tough" faces that seem so studied and artificial are like nails on a chalkboard to me. And his little affected gestures when he runs down the court after a shot? Yeech.

There is no doubt he had a monster game last night. But it really wasn't anything beyond getting super-hot and having poor defense played against him. As many other people have said, and the TNT guys said last night, the defense on LeBron was pathetic. No one else on the Cavs could do anything, and the Pistons still let LeBron control each possession with the ball in his hands, usually without a double team (and if the Pistons did double, the double always came late).

I think the Pistons really missed McDyess last night, and I really think Flip Saunders is a terrible terrible defensive coach.

What we saw last night was a terrible offensive coach beat a terrible defensive coach because the offensive coach's player was hot. Big whoop.

Draft pick rodeo -- Yi Hawes!

by preverbal on Jun 1, 2007 12:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Saunders

At some point, like perhaps when a guy has scored his teams last 20 or so points, don't you need to consider quintuple-teaming the guy? I mean seriously, make someone else beat you. Not to take anything away from LeBron, that was a fantastic performance, but that was the worst coaching job I've ever seen.

by Mike Aparicio on Jun 1, 2007 1:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

FOUL HIM

Why let him dunk. He missed 2 free throws and then up one with like 50 secs they let him dunk. Where is the foul and make him earn it at line to get the lead.

And Billiups three? Why are you shooting 3 in a tied game. 9 secs, thats plenty of time to run a play and get something going to basket or kick out

by NY Chicago Fan on Jun 1, 2007 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say it was one of the

top ten playoff performances of all-time.

by bu11s on Jun 1, 2007 2:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The question to me

about how "great" a game it was in a historical context, is how much of it was Lebron and how much of it was lousy defense by the Pistons. I'm inclined to believe that a lot of it was the lousy defense by the Pistons. If they had started fouling Lebron, he wouldn't have scored nearly as many points. Even so, Lebron had a good game.

And with the 9th pick the Bulls select...

by bullshooter on Jun 1, 2007 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That was exactly the point

I was trying to make above. Well put.

Draft pick rodeo -- Yi Hawes!

by preverbal on Jun 1, 2007 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a lot easier said then done

Lebron is 250 pounds - when he's in the air flying at you, your first instinct is to get the hell out of the way, not to foul him. He's so strong that fouling him might not have stopped him from finishing plays anyways.

What they should have done was started triple-teaming him on every single play. How do you let anyone score 25 straight points on you?

by Big D on Jun 1, 2007 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

250 lb

is not out of the ordinary in the NBA. Do you really think this is the first time they've seen someone drive for a layup? Fouling him at the free-throw line would stop him. But like Kenny the Jet said after the game, the Pistons were slow the entire fourth quarter. The double should come before Lebron starts to make his move.

And with the 9th pick the Bulls select...

by bullshooter on Jun 1, 2007 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Foul him?

Come on...the guy was making fade-away 25-footers, and you think he'll miss from the foul line?

by The BBC on Jun 2, 2007 12:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

fouling might

cool his shooting entirely. Stop drinking Swill.

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 2, 2007 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have stopped

I'm now drinking champagne.

Say, how did you guys do against Detroit this year again?

by The BBC on Jun 2, 2007 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not on the team

Wow, champagne huh? That's only reserved for winners. You're a real winner now, and I would doubt it if you weren't drinking champagne.

by Paxson Jackson on Jun 3, 2007 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So tell me....

...does all that bitterness taste bad?

Enjoy the next decade or so....it's going to be painful for you.

by The BBC on Jun 3, 2007 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Again.....

Say, how did you guys do against Detroit this year?

by The BBC on Jun 3, 2007 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

YAWN

You are boring.

Who will come and who will go? Stay tuned!

by sue369 on Jun 3, 2007 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ill tell You

We softened them up for team lebron.
We mentally destroyed them
Put thier basketball minds through ubelievable rigors
put whispers of the words "you cant win" inside thier tiny heads
pushed thier bodies to the limits
assaulted thier pride and confidence
completely destroyed them.

However we were a little too good in our assault. It seemed the effects were slow, and left us completely offgaurd. We were sure the effects would kick in by game 6 but alas. They didnt kick in until game 4 against your cavs.

You really owe us big.

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Jun 4, 2007 3:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs