OK, this year it’s official: I DO feel sorry for LeBron James
Here's LeBron looking to pass again. Why doesn't he shoot? (AP photo)
A year ago I almost felt sorry for LeBron James. This time there’s no “almost” — I do feel sorry for him. He cannot simply play a game anymore, and woe be unto him should his team happen to lose one.
About playing the game: The general idea is to win by whatever means necessary, but LeBron and the Miami Heat are held to a different standard. They have to win in a way that satisfies their critics, which has become impossible because there are too many critics. (I know. Before my sympathy button got pushed, I was one.)
You can see it at the end of these games against Boston. The Celtics trust one another; they don’t care who takes the last shot. The Heat may profess not to care, but deep down they know that there’ll be hell to pay if LeBron James — or, failing that, Dwyane Wade — doesn’t take the last shot.
And then come the permutations: What if LeBron is triple-teamed (as happened in Game 4) and passes to Udonis Haslem, who misses? Was LeBron wrong for not forcing the issue? Aren’t Great Players supposed to Make Something Happen? Would Michael Jordan have passed in such a situation?
(For the record, the answer is yes. Jordan would have and demonstrably did. The title-winning shot in the 1997 NBA finals was made by Steve Kerr off a pass from Jordan. The title-winning shot in the 1993 NBA finals was made by John Paxson off a sequence that commenced with Jordan driving and passing to Scottie Pippen, who passed to Horace Grant, who found Paxson on the perimeter.)
Back to Game 4: LeBron got ripped in some circles for not shooting at the end of regulation, and then, with LeBron disqualified on fouls, Wade was reduced to hoisting a contested 3-pointer at the end of overtime, which led to him getting ripped, too. So which is it: Is a superstar supposed to take the last shot no matter what or isn’t he?
Apparently the answer is: The superstar can do as he wants, so long as he doesn’t miss. Trouble is, superstars miss, too. Jordan missed more than half the shots he took as a professional. (Not many more, it should be noted.) A guy who takes the last shot cannot be afraid, but the pressure on the Heat — the initial helping having been self-inflicted — has made it difficult for them to breathe, let alone dare.
After Tuesday’s Game 5, the sixth paragraph of the Associated Press report began thusly: “James finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds for Miami, though he went eight minutes without scoring in the final quarter.”
The difference between the Heat and the Celtics is that the latter side knows its can lose without recrimination. Garnett and Pierce and Allen and Rondo have proved they can win a title. When LeBron made The Decision in July 2010, he reduced his career to two questions: Has he won it all yet, and if not, why not? Is he not good enough? (Ridiculous question.) Is there some sort of character flaw? (If there is, it didn’t show when he lifted the Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA finals by himself.) Is he scared?
Given that LeBron James is 27 and has, counting playoffs, scored 22,000 NBA points, that question would seem laughable — until you actually watch him play a postseason game, and then you begin to wonder. You wonder if the nit-picking of every on-court decision hasn’t gotten to him in a way it never got to Jordan. (Then again, there was no Twitter when MJ ruled and no real blogs, and even ESPN was a kinder, gentler place.)
All things being equal, the Heat should beat the Celtics. All things are not equal. Boston doesn’t have to impress anybody. The Heat do, but in the 21st century there’s no way impress everybody. When LeBron joined forces with his Super Friends, he had no way of knowing that in search of ultimate victory he’d plopped himself into the ultimate no-win situation.
If the Heat prevail, they’ll have done so because of their talent. (In other words, in spite of themselves.) If they fall, it’ll be because of some sort of moral failing, even if we on the periphery have to concoct one.
Comparing/contrasting LeBron James and Michael Jordan has been done so often as to make the eyes glaze over, but in LeBron’s second postseason run with Miami the key difference is obvious: We watched Jordan to see him win, and we’re watching LeBron to see him lose. He’ll eventually get his title — he’s too good not to do it — but he might never escape that trap. He set himself up, and we’re only too happy to keep knocking him down.
By Mark Bradley
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140 comments Add your comment
Rickster
June 6th, 2012
10:25 am
FIrst???
Mark Bradley
June 6th, 2012
10:26 am
Kudos, R.
Rickster
June 6th, 2012
10:26 am
And I feel sorry for LeBron James, too. He’s never been kudoed by Mark!
Ostrich Racer
June 6th, 2012
10:29 am
How many times have I felt sorry for LeBron?
Not two … not one ….
OK, this year it’s official: I DO feel sorry for LeBron James – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Danta Report
June 6th, 2012
10:33 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Guy Bailey
June 6th, 2012
10:35 am
Nada sympathy here although I am warmed to see a Boston team, that the Hawks are not that far behind in terms of talent and personnel, shutting the Heats collective big yaps.
Big Al
June 6th, 2012
10:39 am
He brought it on himself with the ridiculous “not one, not two, not three, not four…….” proclamation after “The Decision”.
Dan Breeding
June 6th, 2012
10:44 am
Dancing around on a stage and acting like you are the end all be all of everything basketball then claiming you will win multiple championships leaves you absolutely no room for sympathy. Act like a braggadocious fool and when you dont produce you will be called out for it, period.
Brian
June 6th, 2012
10:48 am
LeBron is a cry baby and can’t even own up to his tweets most of the time.
PureEvil
June 6th, 2012
10:49 am
No… I don’t think so!!! I really hope in 3 years when Wade Bosh and Lebrons contracts are up they’ll be ringless!! It would be fantastic!!
CrαZy
June 6th, 2012
10:51 am
I could never feel sorry for a man that makes that much money to play a kids game!! I’m not saying it’s unfair or that he doesn’t deserve the money. I just have a hard time feeling bad about him not winning! I’d feel sorry for him if something tragic happened to him or loved ones, but not about a game!! That’s silly!!!
sheepdawg
June 6th, 2012
10:54 am
does anyone care?
corkylovesbeer
June 6th, 2012
10:56 am
I feel sorry for being a atlanta fan
BigDawg
June 6th, 2012
10:56 am
He made his own bed!
Amazing
June 6th, 2012
10:58 am
Great post! Mr. Bradley. It is a shame that one bad decision (not pun intended) has overshadowed the sportsmanship and teamwork he demonstates on the court. He will not use it as an excuse but the loss of Bosh has had a huge impact on this series given Boston’s size and experience. Give Boston credit for giving the old guys something to cheer about!
Nate Klaiber
June 6th, 2012
10:58 am
“What if LeBron is triple-teamed (as happened in Game 4) and passes to Udonis Haslem, who misses?”
LeBron wasn’t triple teamed, he dribbled into the defenders and then passed it off. You can watch it here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZUtsYNTRgw). He ran into help side defense – which would have happened any other play, too.
But then again, this gives him an excuse….
Brian
June 6th, 2012
10:59 am
He said 5-6 championships but forgot 1 comes before 5. Should have considered college.
That kid in Miami
June 6th, 2012
11:00 am
Good Effort! Good Job! Good Effort! Good Job!
Freddy Freeman = Nick Esasky
June 6th, 2012
11:00 am
All you naysayers (a much better word than “haters”) out there will rue the day just a mere three years hence when the Heat have won their third straight title.
Trojan
June 6th, 2012
11:01 am
I couldn’t care less about where he took his talentZ. Karma is heck and Lebron (ESPN’s King) is due a lot of bad karma.
TalentZ!
Brian
June 6th, 2012
11:02 am
Its Durants year anyway. Thunder is more balanced than Celts and Heat.
hollywood
June 6th, 2012
11:04 am
Mark:
I totally agree with you, I am a BIG!!! Jordan fan and he is the G.O.A.T, but I cringe at the thought of his legacy if Paxton, Kerr, Pippen, Horace Grant did not hit those shots, or get the rebounds, of if the officials would have called a foul on Jordan against Byron Nelson. If you Win all of your misses, losses are forgiven, but if the ball does not bounce your way, you are toast!
James
June 6th, 2012
11:12 am
In all fairness the criticism is justified. Lebron MVP this year. Talent they are ranked amoung the best (Wade, Lebron, Bosh).Number 2 seed in the playoff. In your comparison to others such as Jordan, the hard line is great players finds the will the way to win. Jordan would not have passed the ball unless he trusted his others. Jordan first year he scored lots of points in games he lost. He learned to win, we all knew he can shoot, and yes he had talent. But with Lebron he has not learned to win in the moment that makes players famous.
evil empire
June 6th, 2012
11:21 am
wade is killing the heat…constant pouting….
matt cryin
June 6th, 2012
11:28 am
How about a trade of Joe Johnson for D-Wade straight up. D-Wade is a 1 who doesn’t want to be a
2, and Joe is a 2 who doesn’t want to be a 1.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 6th, 2012
11:34 am
Oh yeah, poor guy, he’s only worth nine figures and was universally beloved before he took a dump on his hometown on national television.
I hope he retires ringless. Unless the Heat trade him to the Hawks for Joe Johnson.
anonymous
June 6th, 2012
11:35 am
The rest of the Miami players will not come close to their own potential with those 3 around. That is the sad consequence.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 6th, 2012
11:38 am
“The difference between the Heat and the Celtics is that the latter side knows its can lose without recrimination. Garnett and Pierce and Allen and Rondo have proved they can win a title.”
Yeah, and before KG and Pierce and Allen won a title, they faced largely the same pressure that LeBron faces. Pierce and KG in particular had reps of being players who put up big stats but couldn’t win championships, much like LeBron. In LeBron’s case it is magnified because there is literally nobody in NBA history who has his accomplishments but hasn’t won a ring. If he doesn’t win a ring, he will literally be the only player that good who never did.
So yes, the pressure is merited. And so is the scorn, thanks to the Decision.
Jay
June 6th, 2012
11:47 am
Could it possibly be that the Celtics are a better team? They have a better bench and they run their sets much better down the stretch. It is easy to defend the Heat in crunch time because you what they will try to do. Larry’s Celtics, Magic’s Lakers, Micheal’s Bulls were all great teams who knew how to play team ball when it mattered. The Heat don’t and that is why they have a hard time winning the big one. LeBron is great player but it takes great teams to win in the playoffs.
Joey
June 6th, 2012
11:51 am
I suppose you feel sorry for Joe Johnson too, MB? It’s not his fault he makes $20M, yet disappears in big games too . . .
Pretty soon, South Beach may hope the King takes his talents back to that other beach aka “The Mistake by the Lake.”
Brian
June 6th, 2012
11:53 am
Side note: Cleveland is not his home town. He’s from Akron and there is a difference. Second, I have found it very interesting with how social networks have transformed the whole sports life. Imagine the mental stress caused by how quickly any little thing is caught and exploded note scene. Example the little kid saying good job. Never would have become a thing if it weren’t for cameras everywhere, twitter, and Facebook type outlets. Can’t even imagine the pressure.
Adam Keefe
June 6th, 2012
11:54 am
Don’t let your mouth write checks your @$$ can’t cash………..
Joey
June 6th, 2012
11:54 am
“D-Wade is a 1 who doesn’t want to be a 2, and Joe is a 2 who doesn’t want to be a 1.”
****************************************************
That’s too funny matt.
You left out a little part though.
“Joe is a 2 who doesn’t want to be a 1, but wants to be paid like a 1.”
Derek
June 6th, 2012
11:56 am
I don’t feel sorry for him at all. He will never get sympathy from me after telling the fans that they could go back to living their pathetic lives while he went about living his great life. He’s the one that made The Decision and while he had not choice but to go forward with The Celebration, no one made him guarantee his 8 championships. Wade and James trash talk and taunt every chance they get when they are ahead, but they cannot seal the deal in close games against good competition. Then they pout when the trash talking is turned on them.
In LJ’s defense, I think his coach is horrible. Phil Jackson had an offense with set plays that allowed MJ to pass to good shooters that could knock down game winning shots. The Heat look like they are running open gym plays at the end of games and the results demonstrate that.
Still, not one made him sign there & when he went there he had to know it was championship or bust. You can’t form a Dream Team and not win a ring. He would have had no problem taking the glory if the Heat were on the verge of back-to-back titles. He has to live with the negativity of them not being able to get the job.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 6th, 2012
11:58 am
“Cleveland is not his home town. He’s from Akron and there is a difference”
Distance from Cleveland to Akron – 39 miles
Distance from Atlanta to Buford – 38 miles
Not buying it.
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 6th, 2012
11:59 am
Mark what was wrong with that? It is well known joke.
You have to be CRAZY to feel SORRY for LeBron. He did it to himself.
Billy
June 6th, 2012
12:00 pm
you shouldn’t feel at all sorry for lebron, he still his entire life hasn’t figured out what a team is.. once he stops being a self centered egotistical prick, maybe he will win when it counts instead of choking per usual
Matt from MN
June 6th, 2012
12:01 pm
Nope. Sorry. I don’t feel one ounce of sadness for Mr. James. He brought all of this on himself with the crap about deciding where to play and then the idiotic “The Decision” program. Also, he’s been over-hyped from Day 1 in the league.
Mike Mitch
June 6th, 2012
12:06 pm
Great Article! I agree 100%. If a player doesnt have the mentality of winning multiple rings, I wouldn’t wan him on my team. As for the Lebron hate, it only shows the American mentality in its purest form. How could you hate this guy for leaving one contracting job for another? Yet when Eli Manning declares that he won’t play for the Chargers, it’s ok. No one considered him an egoist at all. Why? Maybe if you’re you’re black and wealthy in America, you’re suppose do what this society expects or tell you to do. It’s never been such a strong hate for a white person on any sport regardless of their actions. And Lebron is easily the best player in the game. The “Kobe System”, the advertisement campaign for Kobe fits Lebron much better. Only he can fail at “success” level. In other words, a triple double is failure for Lebron.
ATLJorge
June 6th, 2012
12:06 pm
I have as much sympathy for Le BRA Janes as his mother does for valet parking staff….
DetroitBraves
June 6th, 2012
12:10 pm
There was a commercial some time ago, Nike I assume, where they showed a bunch of Jordan buzzer beaters and then showed him practicing in the gym (I may be getting the order mixed up). At the end his voice is heard to say something like ‘they talk about my X number of buzzer beaters. They don’t mention the Y number of times I missed at the end.’ I guess the deal for LeBron is he’s yet to hit that defining shot. When he does he may get some leniency when he misses. I’m not saying it’s fair, but I think that’s the deal. Not that he can’t miss just that the perception is that he always misses when it really counts.
Mike
June 6th, 2012
12:15 pm
I agree, Mark. The pressure is more on Miami, but even so, they are outgunned. The C’s have 4 different players that can take that last shot with confidence. All 4 have played very well in this series, even with a couple hampered by injuries. Chris Bosh not playing for Miami is HUGE. It cannot be understated. Without Bosh, Miami is one-dimensional, and the C’s can double off the Miami big men on Wade or James. Not to mention, Miami’s role players have to step up and fill an 18pt 8reb gap left by Bosh.
Still, the media is all over Lebron and Wade as you said, Mark. Its as if Miami should win the title even missing a big piece like Bosh on a team with not a lot of depth.
rayzr
June 6th, 2012
12:18 pm
I feel sorry for Lebron but only because OKC isnt going anywhere soon…and thats where all his championship trophies will be.
Mike
June 6th, 2012
12:19 pm
Lebron has let the championship fever grip him for years. The media kept comparing him to Jordan over and over. All he was ever asked in Cleveland was “when will you bring them a championship?” Not “hey how does it feel to help Cleveland get back in the playoff mix?” Over and over he kept getting grilled about the championship, and you could see it wear on him in the last two playoffs he had with Cleveland.
He seems happier in Miami, and they are far more competitive than Cleveland. They could win this series even without Bosh…they are only a shot of two off winning the last two games. It would be nice to see him catch a break, but I’m not sure I see it happening. Overall he seems like a good dude.
ATLJorge
June 6th, 2012
12:22 pm
@Mike,
And yet with all that lack of depth, they STILL held a “championship parade” to celebrate a free agent signing, and declared to the world that they’d win “not 1, not 2, not 3….” titles.
O'Brien
June 6th, 2012
12:25 pm
Dirk was criticized alot too (especially for being soft). And if I’m not mistaken, he has been eliminated in the first round 7 times. But he finally got the right HC (Rick Carlisle), and the right players around him, and they won.
Right now, I don’t think Miami has the right HC or the right role players.
GT
June 6th, 2012
12:26 pm
Wouldn’t it be a sad world if we could precook everything and have it ready to pop into the oven whenever we got hunger? Everything in this world tries to gravitate toward predictability and thank God it doesn’t meet the goal, especially sports which is suppose to be a contest not a macho movie where the latest superhero wins every time.
In politics we get the superpac which are steroids to that contest that try to muscle the questionable outcome from the voter into the hands of the wealthy lobbyist. In sports the money tries to freak the nature and make a predictable super team. Entertainment becomes more important than a good contest, the audience is cheated, the deck is stacked and yet still the fix is not in or not taking. The paid fighter refuses to fall and clear the way for the mob’s boy. It is what makes us keep coming back, it is some small taste of real justice and for five minutes truth has the upper hand.
O'Brien
June 6th, 2012
12:26 pm
Mark,
I know its not your area, but what do we need to do to keep the Hawks beat blog open?
Nicole
June 6th, 2012
12:29 pm
LeBron (or I call him LeBrick) is not a closer, and never will be!!! Even if the Heat beat out Boston in this series, they STILL have to answer to either the Spurs or Thunder (my team)!!! The Heat doesn’t have a chance!!! GO THUNDER!!!
doc
June 6th, 2012
12:31 pm
mark please, you say; “the difference between the Heat and the Celtics is that the latter side knows its can lose without recrimination”. no, so very wrong, they heaped it on themselves. first labron coming up with the titles of the chosen one, the decision and the king. then they went and became the three amigos who could vanquish all that go in their way for infinite numbers of titles. it isnt about who makes the winning shot but that they are arrogant, self absorbed and self appointed winners that have not won anything.
so, i dont feel for them at all. in fact let this do away with the notion it is all the advertising hype that came with it and the riches falsely heaped on them. let them earn it without feeling sorry for them at all, or anybody like them going forward. where is pittman to throw a cheap punch at pierce or haslem to try to take off kg’s head. they are all wimps when it comes to this idea of vanquishing the others, so far? it is great they have to earn it, isnt it, the old fashion way? let us hope that stern doesnt get in their way as he is the only one who can out tough the celts right now to give ti to the heat.
amazing, where were your boys last night instead of talking it up to the press sending out bosh? wimps! he set himself up for the fall mark, and all we have to do is watch. they dont lose as well as they win another sign they might have a hard time without help from stern and nike.
again, let them win first and fell nothing for them as they have created it. right now they are nothing more than the little wizzard behind the screen talking about the human condition trying to look big and the three amigos, the lion, the scarecrow and the tin man hoping someone is going to take them to kansas. i’ll take the spurs or thunder any day over the heat. i would have loved to see durant win against the heat but it would be second beat to see him take the crown in his hands before the queen as he is the real deal that when it matters. he steps up and wills his team to win. that is the integral difference in labron and the folks he compares himself to and you mark compared him to. the kobes or jordans were tough on the others but never became deteached during the process and that is exactly what labron does, detaches himself from others instead of leading them.
Time
June 6th, 2012
12:35 pm
IMO, LeBron has payed his pittance for the mistakes of the “decision”. People ought to lay off the guy. Everyone wants to love DWade and call him Batman or whatever. Problem is, DWade is a former superstar in serious decline. He’s one of those guys that have relied on extreme athleticism to get it done on the court. He’s losing the athleticism, he’s little more than a good 3rd option on a championship caliber team.
I think they’ll blow it up this year. Bosh and Dwade will be gone. That’s when I think LeBron gets his title.
Heisenberg
June 6th, 2012
12:36 pm
There is no feeling sorry for this idiot and his sidekicks. They put the target on themselves and it will remain there as long as they are together. LBJ does not have IT and still does not get IT. Not even PJax could coax a title out of these guys. If he is wise, he will sit this one out.
Heisenberg
June 6th, 2012
12:44 pm
There is no consolation that the Hawks battled these same Celtics in round 1. They lost in 6 games including at home when Rondo was suspended. I am not a Celtic fan but I can respect they have heart, know how to compete, and know how to play the game to win.
Chris
June 6th, 2012
12:44 pm
Lebron scores 30 and he had a great game. When Jordan scored 30, he had an average game. Jordan’s average was like every other players best. I will never feel sorry for Lebron but it is unfair to compare him to Jordan. He’s a totally different player, and not even close to the same level. Jordan always seemed to make the right decision during crunch time, while Lebron seems to make the wrong decisions. I do know one thing. Jordan in his prime never would have been missing in action for 8 minutes in the 4th quarter of a crucial playoff game.
DC
June 6th, 2012
12:47 pm
Davenpoop…John Stockton & Karl Malone…but yeah I get what you’re saying. I think its LeBron’s character that makes everyone dislike him…Mark just wrote this article so everyone can disagree with him b/c he is in the extreme minority on this…good work MB..
Scot
June 6th, 2012
12:52 pm
If LBJ had quietly found a new team 2 years ago, nobody would have cared. Now, no matter how many championships he wins – and I suspect he will win ZERO – the Decision will follow him forever.
FalconUGAFan
June 6th, 2012
1:02 pm
Nope don’t feel the least bit sorry for him….I wanted him to win a ring at Cleveland as I thought he was one of the few loyal players, but after the “decision” forget it……
Mike R
June 6th, 2012
1:03 pm
I’ll give James a pass on “The Decision”. It was a boneheaded move but people make mistakes…ok. But then James and the Heat come up with the bright idea of “The Introduction” (boneheaded move #2). If you have forgotten this production, here’s the link http://youtu.be/aD9lZflXsgU. Next, during the introduction. James predicts multiple championships (boneheaded move #3).
At that point, the team hadn’t practiced together, nor had the coach implimented a gameplan. It was assumed that all the Heat needed was the “talent” of the big three and a championship was theirs. I think that is what they currently believe. In two seasons the Heat have failed to become a Team and that is what they lost to last night. A Team named the Celtics.
Maybe next year after haveing another year of maturation, the Heat will become a team and maybe win a championship.
jeffrey d
June 6th, 2012
1:13 pm
I respect the heck out of LeBron’s abilities. That said, ever since he decided that he needed an entire TV special to announce his signing, I lost respect for him as a person.
Peter
June 6th, 2012
1:15 pm
Mark……Come on TEAM work wins in the NBA look at Dallas last year, one real star and the rest very good players playing as a team.
If Bosh comes back then you have 3 legitimate stars….. but really how the bench and role players play, and if and only if they play as a team distributing the ball will they win.
Look at the Hawks as an example……The ball stops with JJ. and so thus the series in the Hawks playoff run.
jimi
June 6th, 2012
1:16 pm
Just think. all this because he left Cleveland!, I left Cleveland with
a greyhound bus ticket and was glad to go.
Goodoleboy58
June 6th, 2012
1:16 pm
“The Decision”… maybe not a good decision at this point ehh… Lebron brought this on himself, Miami brought this on themselves by ticker tape parading a free agency signing instead of a Championship. Now the rest of the NBA can laugh, and deservedly so.
Peter
June 6th, 2012
1:17 pm
Right on the mark !!!!!!!! Yes Mark ?
I do know one thing. Jordan in his prime never would have been missing in action for 8 minutes in the 4th quarter of a crucial playoff game.
rm
June 6th, 2012
1:22 pm
The problem is the heat don’t have a team. They have 3 stars and the rest, outside of haslem are inconsistent at best. Jordan had a team. Magic had a team. Bird had a team. Lebron bosh and wade brought this on themselves. Don’t feel sorry at all. Will happily continue to cheer against them. And for those that use that pathetic term “haters”… Grow up. Learn about integrity, doing things the right way and stop chasing the front runner. That’s the easy way out
Hillbilly D
June 6th, 2012
1:32 pm
The problem with having a team full of superstars is that you can only play with one basketball at a time.
Stank Wren
June 6th, 2012
1:33 pm
“And for those that use that pathetic term “haters”… Grow up.”
Agreed. For some reason I always end up hating people that use the phrases “haters” and “don’t hate”
blue
June 6th, 2012
1:36 pm
And it’s not just the ‘decision’ and the championship stuff. There was him and Wade in the tunnel making fun of/mocking a player from another team who was sick or injured last year (can’t remember who it was). And the other night, when a reporter misspoke about which game of the series it was, the two of them started making fun of him. I don’t hate him, but I certainly will not feel sorry for him. If he hadn’t done so many of the things the others have mentioned, maybe people wouldn’t hold him to such a high standard? He could learn a LOT from Kevin Durant!
blue
June 6th, 2012
1:38 pm
Time: I definitely disagree on Wade being in “serious decline”.
Phuch Le` Duc
June 6th, 2012
1:39 pm
Thanks Mark;
it`s very nice to get a basketball article somewhere ?
Does Michael Cunningham still work there with you guys ?
Peadawg
June 6th, 2012
1:41 pm
Lebron and his cocky attitude brought this on himself as did the Heat when they tried to buy a championship…which 2 yrs in hasn’t worked.
And I love it!
Peadawg
June 6th, 2012
1:41 pm
Anybody but the Heat and their arrogance and I’m happy!
bee38773
June 6th, 2012
1:42 pm
everybody talks about lebron dumping on his hometown wade dumped on his hometown too.he did an interview trashing bulls ownership and loyalty. thats why major free agents wont come to chicago. thats why nobody in chicago likes d wade.
ATLgator
June 6th, 2012
1:43 pm
Bradley, your columns get worse and worse as time goes on. You stand for absolutely nothing – you switch opinions like the wind blows. The most annoying part about your writing is that you are a complete homer for all the local teams. Any of our teams could be doing terrible, and you always find some kind of ridiculous argument to go against what everyone else is thinking.
I don’t feel the least bit sorry for LeBron. How do you feel sorry for an arrogant jerk that talks about himself in the 3rd person? You say how great he is – he does put up great stats. But great players are defined by how they perform in the clutch – and LeBron doesn’t perform in the clutch – he shrinks. When the games on the line, he just stands in the corner. He doesn’t cut to the basket or even move around the perimeter. If the ball comes to him, he’ll jack up a jump shot that usually bricks. You cannot be one of the greats if you can’t step up and win it at the end of the game.
LeBron is a legend in his own mind, and he is a victim of his own PR hype machine. He is simply over hyped and can’t deliver. And now he plays scared because of it. Pathetic.
Phuch Le` Duc
June 6th, 2012
1:43 pm
Oh I forgot !
” pronounced – foosh le duke “
Peadawg
June 6th, 2012
1:43 pm
Lebron brought this on himself with his cockiness. Hopefully he never gets a title.
Also, what do you expect when a team has 3 great individual players and the rest belong in the D-league.
Peadawg
June 6th, 2012
1:44 pm
Lebron brought this on himself with his arrogance and attitude. Hopefully he never gets a title.
Also, what do you expect when a team has 3 great individual players and the rest belong in the D-league. That’s no team.
Peadawg
June 6th, 2012
1:45 pm
“The difference between the Heat and the Celtics”
Is the Celtics are a TEAM.
Phil Mickelson
June 6th, 2012
1:49 pm
@Mike Mitch- stop being racist in my backswing or I’ll have you removed from this blog.
Thanks, Lefty
wxwax
June 6th, 2012
1:54 pm
“Is there some sort of character flaw?”
Yes. There is. He quit on his Cavs team in the playoffs, against these same Celtics, in 2010.
There’s a huge character flaw.
FD
June 6th, 2012
1:55 pm
Mark Bradley, I’m glad you were able to write this piece. I’ve grown up reading you and hailed you as a sports writer that thinks and gets it right. I viewed you as a sports writer that understood it was sports…a piece in the narrative of life. However, I was thoroughly disappointed last year when you fell in line with the schmucks of the world who live fantasy lives through these regular people who play a game. Thanks for coming back to right mind and suggesting to others that they need to also.
David Puddy
June 6th, 2012
1:59 pm
Funny stuff. I hope he never wins one. All the cat walk stuff, bells and whistles, promises…..going wherever it’s percieved to be the best chance. Love it.
FrankensteinSolaris
June 6th, 2012
2:01 pm
I do feel sorry for LaBron because he is so talented and has so many followers and media folks who are completely MESMORIZED by his skills to dunk the basketball. Basketball IQ means a lot more than dunking the basketball, which is why the REAL MVP (Kevin Durant) is thriving while LaBron is about to get eliminated from the playoffs. Kevin Durant’s team (Thunder) got rudely eliminated from the playoffs, because they made a ton of mistakes that they didnt have to make BUT WERE TOO YOUNG TO PREVENT THOSE MISTAKES FROM HAPPENING. This season, the thunder learned from those mistakes of the failures from last year, and instead are making smart, intelligent plays instead of emotional, stupid plays like the Heat are making. Last year, if a game were ending and the thunder needed a basket to win the game, either russell westbrook would be taking the shots and deny durant the basketball or kevin would take an ill-advised shot; maybe a 3-pointer or something late in the shot clock where he didnt get a good look at the basket. Not this year. Kevin practiced during the off-season last year and has become the best player in the league by a landslide. Its just that LaBron is more popular so James keep winning MVPs. KEVIN DURANT WAS CHEATED OUT THE MVP AWARD AND SHOULD HAVE WON THE AWARD GOING AWAY IN A LANDSLIDE.
elle
June 6th, 2012
2:01 pm
I’m a LeBron fan, but he brought much of this pressure onto himself. Most of the Heat “haters” don’t really hate the Heat. They’re just mad that LeBron didn’t pick their team to join. LOL, look at the Knicks.
LeBron doesn’t need any of our sympathies. His time will come.
Veteran Fan
June 6th, 2012
2:03 pm
Lebron is a good scorer that plays in a league that is poor in comparison to Jordan’s time. The best illustration of the fact that he is not a great player(despite ESPN’s constant cheerleading and hype) was the play late in the game last night when he drove to the basket on the left side and put it up with his right hand! Garnett blocked it because he knows Lebron doesn’t have a left hand! Most guys in the league don’t either so no one usually notices! This is why the foreign players are taking over. They are fundamentally better players and can execute in crunch time! He is probably the only “MVP” in the history of the league who can only go to his right!
Ryan
June 6th, 2012
2:10 pm
sorry for a multi millionaire cry baby? puh lease.
John
June 6th, 2012
2:16 pm
He set himself up for this. He made people hate him. Boo Hoo.
Veteran Fan
June 6th, 2012
2:17 pm
Lebron is a good scorer in a very poor league! A good illustration that he is not great(despite ESPN’s constant cheerleading and hype) occurred last night late in the game. He drove the left side of the basket and put it up with his right hand. Kevin Garnett blocked it because he knew Lebron doesn’t have a left hand and can only go to his right and finish! The really sad thing is that most players in the league cannot finish with either hand so usually no one notices Lebron’s weakness! This is one of the reasons that the foreign players are increasing their numbers every year and taking over. They are fundamentally sound and can go either way in crunch time! I believe that in the history of the league, he is the only “MVP” that has no off hand! I think Boston has picked up on this and thats why they can shut him down late in games! No I do not feel sorry for him as he could have corrected this a long time ago. Jordan was weak with his outside shooting when he came into the league, but by his third season he was a deadly outside shooter! It takes HARD WORK Lebron combined with talent to be a star and he is only a scorer!
Roger
June 6th, 2012
2:24 pm
Larry Bird would have told the defender the exact place on the floor where he was going to take the shot, double-teamed, tripled-teamed or not, and then would have made the shot. Lebron is no Larry Bird.
Devil's Advocate
June 6th, 2012
2:27 pm
I don’t dislike LeBron, I dislike the hype machine (media and fans) who give credit before it is earned. LeBron on a national level is about the same as Matt Ryan on a local level. How great did we hear each already was when they began their respective careers? How many championships has each played for? What happened to looking at the most successful players and acknowledging them as being the best instead of trying to invent the best players on draft day?
GwinnettDad
June 6th, 2012
2:30 pm
If you need to feel sorry for something, feel sorry for Cleveland, which Lebron humiliated in classless, heartless fashion.
The Cavaliers had the best record in the NBA for two seasons. Lebong DID NOT do that by himself. He disappears at clutch time to have horrible games. Yes, he had 30 points in game five yesterday. A typical 11-25 on a team that had just 13 assists.
Lebong is doing to the Heat what he did to the Cavaliers. The team that plays team is the one that wins. Jordan always played TEAM! Lebong always is the great one, thus, he teammates watch and wait for him to be great.
And then we all wait for the aftermath when poor Lebong leaves the court with his head between his knees.
NoHomeForOldJames
June 6th, 2012
2:38 pm
Feel sorry for all true atlanta fans, can’t feel sorry for jerks like james.
Tap Out
June 6th, 2012
2:41 pm
People still watch ESPN….are you serious?? It’s the sports equivalent of watching one of those pathetic Real Housewife’s shows.
Rod aka RG3
June 6th, 2012
2:46 pm
I like Dwade and i am starting to like Lebron the man is amazing. But yall who talk negative yall are lame like do you haters have anything else to do but hate??? Yall just mad becuz he makin money got his shoes and he doing his thing he will win a ring for all you haters LeBron James is the best all around player in the NBA You dont need rings to make a point Charles Barkley Patrick Ewing. Otherwise if its about rings adam morrison and brian scalabrine are top 5 players in the nba
phil
June 6th, 2012
2:51 pm
Feel sorry for Mr. Decision?
Not now. Not ever. It is supremely enjoyable to watch him lose. In fact, if he NEVER won a single game, it still wouldn’t be good enough.
It restores a smidgen of my belief in the league when he fails. I’m less inclined to think it’s rigged.
Earnhardt, Jr’s 4 year losing streak in NASCAR is similar in its positive effect on the sport’s integrity. Lord knows he would win 10 a year if it was rigged.
Fire Eric Spoelstra!!
phil
June 6th, 2012
2:52 pm
Rod aka RG3
June 6th, 2012
2:46 pm
I like Dwade and i am starting to like Lebron the man is amazing. But yall who talk negative yall are lame like do you haters have anything else to do but hate??? Yall just mad becuz he makin money got his shoes and he doing his thing he will win a ring for all you haters LeBron James is the best all around player in the NBA You dont need rings to make a point Charles Barkley Patrick Ewing. Otherwise if its about rings adam morrison and brian scalabrine are top 5 players in the nba
****************
Not too late to go back to school and learn how to write something halfway intelligble….
phil
June 6th, 2012
2:55 pm
Chris
June 6th, 2012
12:44 pm
Lebron scores 30 and he had a great game. When Jordan scored 30, he had an average game. Jordan’s average was like every other players best. I will never feel sorry for Lebron but it is unfair to compare him to Jordan. He’s a totally different player, and not even close to the same level. Jordan always seemed to make the right decision during crunch time, while Lebron seems to make the wrong decisions. I do know one thing. Jordan in his prime never would have been missing in action for 8 minutes in the 4th quarter of a crucial playoff game.
*************
Jordan and LeChoke comparisons are absurd. There IS no comparison.
jlewis
June 6th, 2012
3:03 pm
I’ll tell you guys something you wont believe, Joe Johnson is better than D-Wade, a straight up trade would give the heat a championship. Joe is bigger, a better defender, shooter and ballhandler.
Role players win championships, they always have.
GwinnettDad
June 6th, 2012
3:07 pm
@phil – when you’re right, you’re right. Jordan scored the final basket in a 104-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, I believe in a semi-final 7th game, early in his NBA Championship career. Search all you want for a comparable highlight in clutch time from Lebong. It doesn’t exist. Cavs were up 2-1 against the Celtics, of all teams, and the third game was a huge Cavs victory. The Cavs lost the next three, and everyone in Cleveland wondered what happened to Lebong. Miami now has the privilege of asking the same question. And its Mark Bradley that doesn’t have a clue – AGAIN!
Sean
June 6th, 2012
3:08 pm
Any team that comes out and declares they will win a number of titles, acts so arrogant in assembling this ‘dream team’ and then on top of that expects not to foul out (and in general the NBA abides by these expectations) should feel pressure. These stars are treated favorably on the court with lenient (typically) officiating and with the good comes the bad; the bad here is the pressure.
Tell me this, if Pierce had complained about all the fouls against him like Lebron did after he fouled out, would Pierce have been fined by the NBA? You are darn right he would have been! Lebron reeps the benefits of being a superstar and until he wins that title he will suffer the consequences of unmet expectations.
TOo Tough44
June 6th, 2012
3:12 pm
boo hoo…hope LJ never wins a title the he did his clevland fans….
TOo Tough44
June 6th, 2012
3:13 pm
the way he did his clevland fans…espn announcent etc….hope he looses next game he plays too.
Heisenberg
June 6th, 2012
3:15 pm
Roger @2:24. Larry Bird not only would have but actually did to Xavier McDaniel of the then Seattle Supersonics. A timeout had been called and on the way to the bench, Larry pointed to a spot on the floor and told X-Man that is where is will score when they came out of the TO. And he did.
Jim
June 6th, 2012
3:18 pm
He brought it on himself. Hasn’t proven a thing and you’re absoulety right love to watch him miss and lose and love to see him pounded. For $44 million a year you could say anything you want about me…..He wanted the stage. He got it….No mercy in this dojo….
real deal is...
June 6th, 2012
3:21 pm
BULL HOCKEY… the best way for any team to impress is to WIN! ugly or otherwise
Keith
June 6th, 2012
3:24 pm
Lebron was right your life is sad if you are disliking something that had no affect on your life. Wow to continue to bring up the past shows who you are.
Sean
June 6th, 2012
3:28 pm
Keith – and judging shows who you are…
crackbaby
June 6th, 2012
3:33 pm
Mark,
I seem to recall reading your column when MJ played for the Bulls that stated unequivocally that the Bulls would not win a championship. They were not good enough. I believe they won their first, of six, championships later that very season.
Truth-O-Meter please. Am I hallucinating / having an Alzheimer’s moment or correctly recalling your past work?
crackbaby
June 6th, 2012
3:36 pm
Folks – If the Heat don’t win this year, Spoelstra gets fired and they will be contenders again next year.
Pat Riley would sell his soul to switch coaches with Boston right now. LOL.
BravesFan79
June 6th, 2012
3:50 pm
Hes been a joke since he came into the league. If you call yourself “the King” … well you better be better than Michael Jordan! Its not even close! Dude cant even hit clutch free throws! Not sure if ive ever seen such a overrated player in my life in any sport.
Left Coast Dawg
June 6th, 2012
4:02 pm
Lebron is a wanna be…..like Mike or Kobe.
Dwayne is has a consistently deteriorating moral fiber (becoming more of a pouter, flopper, and dirty player (see All-Star game act against Kobe for reference).
Bosh is good player with no heart to stand on his own.
They all get what the deserve with the regard to the added pressure. Mark (no pun intended) my words though, Pat Riley won’t stand for it long. He is a winner and will blow it all up if it keeps failing. Spoelstra isn’t safe either.
Left Coast Dawg
June 6th, 2012
4:04 pm
Crackbaby must be old school to remember pre-internet Mark Bradley columns…..lol
Elijah
June 6th, 2012
4:45 pm
First Jordon, Bird, Magic all shot over 50 percent from the field for their careers…. 2nd Lebrick does not use his body to create space, 6ft9 shooting fadeaway jumpers on a 6ft1in person is simple stupid. His basketball IQ is overrated, if you are the star you think you are quitting looking to the sidelines after when Boston scores. Quite getting beat on the backdoor pass.
J
June 6th, 2012
4:59 pm
Nicole claims the Thunder as her team and she probably never lived in OKC nor followed OKC until they made the playoffs last year. Nicole = typical bandwagoner. MY team, ha, what a joke.
duronimo
June 6th, 2012
5:19 pm
It’s his job. Most people put up with a lot to make a working person’s wage. I think he’s compensated royally for his trouble. Feeling sorry for him is just nuts.
LakeDawg
June 6th, 2012
5:31 pm
Guy Bailey
June 6th, 2012
10:35 am
Nada sympathy here although I am warmed to see a Boston team, that the Hawks are not that far behind in terms of talent and personnel, shutting the Heats collective big yaps.
———————————————————————————————————————————
Completely meaningless post. The Hawk’s problem isn’t talent. Its between the ears.
Nativebird
June 6th, 2012
5:40 pm
As if he and his talents he took to South Beach didn’t ask for and deserve this. No tears Mark, there are no tears in the land of get mine and $cr3w the rest of the world, Lebron James.
6Digitballin on blackplanet
June 6th, 2012
5:41 pm
Carletta won’t let me care. My gout won’t let me play. My cuz done hit so many fine redbones.
MS Bully
June 6th, 2012
6:08 pm
The “Truth” will send Queen James home so he can finish counting his ringless fingers!!!! Go C’s!!!
Justin
June 6th, 2012
6:53 pm
I feel sorry for orphans who live on the streets. NBA players, not so much.
Justin
June 6th, 2012
6:56 pm
Perhaps instead of apologizing for LeBron, Mark can apologize for trashing the Hawks after their first round loss to the Celtics. He lambasted the Hawks, but is apologizing for LeBron, both of whom apparently will have lost to the EC champs in 6.
dawg4u
June 6th, 2012
7:05 pm
It’s hard for me to feel sorry for LJ when I look around and see the struggles that many others are facing.
James
June 6th, 2012
8:06 pm
HE is the one that said at the end of the day we all have to face up to our pathetic lives, so since he felt compelled to label us “losers” in such a manner, I will be one of many who admits that I revel in his failures, that seeing him come up short time and time again gives life new meaning. And I see that Wade has absorbed all of LJ’s negative energy so much that he whines and moans like a little girl, seeing HIM fail is equally as gratifying. Honestly though, its not entirely LJ’s fault. Let’s face it, he is ten times too stupid to even comprehend the implications of what he says when he inserts foot in mouth, which he has a propensity for doing. He simply didn’t understand that what he said in that press conference was offensive and untoward. So let’s give him a break on that front. Many of these professional athletes could use a life coach to teach them what you can and cannot say. LJ as well as our Community Organizer in Chief are two prime examples.
satch
June 6th, 2012
8:09 pm
the heat do not a a point guard and cannot win until they get one .plus their coach is not that good .james and wade are scoring but are not getting jack from role players.their role players do not rebound get garbage points or run down loose balls
G'Vegas Dawg
June 6th, 2012
8:11 pm
LBJ couldn’t carry MJ’s jock strap in a wheel barrow
satch
June 6th, 2012
8:12 pm
TOo Tough44
June 6th, 2012
3:13 pm
the way he did his clevland fans…espn announcent etc….hope he looses next game he plays too
STOP WHINING ABOUT CLEVELAND FANS .NOTHING HE DID WOULD HAVE MADE THEM HAPPY NO MATTER HOW HE LEFT!!!!!!!! HE DID NOT OWE THEM JACK
satch
June 6th, 2012
8:13 pm
you can tell the folks who drunk the jordan kool-aid
satch
June 6th, 2012
8:14 pm
if the larry bird celtics and pistons stayed young mj would not have won jack remember they wore the bulls behinds out until they got old
Dawglasville
June 6th, 2012
8:18 pm
I could live with King James. I could live with the stupid powder thing at the beginning of games. The Decision didn’t turn me. The next night at the coming out party of the new look Heat absolutely turned my stomach. Mark Jackson almost got me feeling sorry for the guy blaming the introduction party on the Heat front office. All doubt was removed when he and Wade started mocking Dirk about having a cold. To top things off, when things go bad, he and Wade have to huddle together at the press conference. Besides, sports are so much better when you have something to hate. Ask any Tech or Georgia fan.
satch
June 6th, 2012
8:21 pm
and i say what say because nobody got the protection from the refs mike jordan got .he miss a shot fouls called on defender with on contact,tv announcers swallow their mike because it’s jordan and he was the biggest star in the 90’s by far.For my money kareem is the best ,he won it all on every level of hoops 3 ncca title rings, 6 nba rings took on all comers nobody ever stopped him even knowing what he was going to do, when he was doing it, how he was doing it and the refs let him get beat to death and still could not stop him,only father time stopped him
dawg4u
June 6th, 2012
8:25 pm
LJ would not even face the media after the loss last night but he sure is there when they win.
Boise Dawg
June 6th, 2012
8:27 pm
I don’t get the level of Lebron hatred either, but I certainly don’t feel the least bit sorry for him. Yes he had every right to move to Miami, but he did it under the premise that he needed to team up with Bosh and Wade to do it. The irony is, he played on better teams in Cleveland. It was an unpopular move and to then guarantee multiple titles, I do understand why so many continue to root against him. Assuming they fall the Celtics, it should be an interesting offseason in Miami.
Dawglasville
June 6th, 2012
8:31 pm
It is hard to get good role players and good coaches when 3 players make 95% of the total team salary.
W Reid Whitaker, Jr.
June 6th, 2012
8:32 pm
Bradley, you didn’t tell us how many LAST shots Jordan missed ???? I’m sure there were some, but all the games I watched, I don’t remember a single one. I remember plenty he made.
Go Celtics !!!
William
June 6th, 2012
8:42 pm
LeBron = over hyped LOSER.
Love that you made the man pay, bro.. but you and Pujols .. ought to be ‘rested for stealin
MattMD
June 6th, 2012
9:05 pm
If anybody saw that stupid, clown-show video of the Heat introduction to Miami, you’d hate them off the bat.
Lebron is legit but Bosh is a little girl. I went to Tech and I think the guy is an overrated female dog.
MattMD
June 6th, 2012
9:06 pm
Lebron will never have the supporting cast. Wade and Bosh are a joke.
Kapoonka
June 6th, 2012
9:26 pm
When was the last time LeBron or Wade didn’t either A) cry when they thought thy were fouled or B) cry when they were called for a foul? The answer is they always, always cry. This is why they are not liked. I don;t think Bron thinks he has ever commited a foul…ever….
I love to watch them lose…..go Rondo!
Wilbo
June 7th, 2012
2:15 am
Who feels sorry for a complete jerk? I don’t. Retire ringless, sucker!
george
June 7th, 2012
7:10 pm
hello Lebron. even when times are worse we have to keep our heads up. Im not a vivid follower of the series. but when i see a city so dedicated to hate it causes me concern. as much as things are imballanced in cleveland ohio we have put all our focus on hating lebron. when the city especially we as blacks should be cheering his success. HOW CAN THE RACIST IN DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND convince us to hate our own,, DONT BE DIVIDED like that..Lebron did what he wanted and im proud. lets stand behind him. they have spent so much to hate lebron. but applaud John demyanukl. on reentry to the country…BLACKS dont be fooled in to hating your own. LeBron stilll supports youths in our home area. lets support him…we have no REASON TO HATE LEBRON let them do that … they actuallly hate us all.so dont be fooled
george
June 7th, 2012
7:21 pm
please silence this racist cleveland and win one lebron.. this is almost like the old joe louis fights win one for us all.