I make no secret on where I stand on LeBron James - I feel that he is the best player in the NBA right now. It's simple, look at the numbers 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game throughout his career. This season alone, his numbers are 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. He has been criticized for his mentality in late game situations, especially in last year's NBA Finals - and I will be honest, I was yelling at the TV during the Finals waiting for him to make a play. So I understand some of the criticism, but I feel like maybe I am in the minority that want to see him succeed rather than the majority, who (due to "The Decision", the way he left Cleveland, and the Miami pep rally) want to see him fail.
With that being said, there were two moments yesterday that I found to be interesting. Although, they did not have anything to do with LeBron specifically, I found them to be intriguing views that can be attributed to some of the criticism.
Scenario One: I was listening to the Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN radio yesterday afternoon. NBA analyst Tim Legler was a guest at one point during the show. Legler was introduced and the host, speaking on Kevin Love's contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves, asked Legler if Kevin Love was a max-contract player. Legler started his answer by saying that while many have questioned whether Kevin Love can be counted on to be the go-to person offensively at the end of the game, he does enough in the first 45 (or so) minutes of games to help his team win games. What? So, it's okay that Love is not the go-to player at the end of games but LeBron has to be . . .
Scenario Two: The Chicago Bulls lost at home last night to the Indiana Pacers. Meaningless regular season game, right? Probably so, in the grand scheme of things. The interesting scenarios for me was that with about 25 seconds to go in the game, with the Bulls down two points (92-90), Derrick Rose drove left into the lane. As he drives, Roy Hibbert of Indiana steps up to contest a potential shot. Rose kicks the ball out to the right corner to Brian Scalabrine for an open three-pointer. Scalabrine, in limited minutes this year, has not made a three pointer (0-4 on the season) and is a career 34% three-point shooter. Scalabrine missed the shot and Indiana eventually won the game.
The play was reminiscent of a play involving LeBron James in Game 1 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons. Cleveland was down by two on the road and the ball was in James' hands in the final seconds of the game. He drove left and was met in the lane by the help defense. He kicked the ball into the right corner, where Donyell Marshall was waiting. Marshall was a career 35% shooter, holds the NBA record with 12 three-pointer made in a game, and made 902 three-pointers over the course of his NBA career. Marshall missed the open three and Detroit won the game. LeBron was criticized for not taking the final shot and whispers began about him not being a closer.
I haven't yet heard any of the analysts criticize Derrick Rose, in fact, on the analyst doing the highlight on NBA TV made the comment that, Rose's decision was the right basketball play. Rose also said that he is not second-guessing the play. What's interesting is that those are the same statements and comments that LeBron made in defending his decision to pass to Marshall in 2007. And for the record, both are right - they both made the right basketball play. The difference is LeBron was criticized and Rose wasn't. Also, for the record, this is no pity party for LeBron - he can shut everybody up by silencing his critics with big fourth quarter plays in the playoffs and Finals. I am just pointing out what appears to me to be a double-standard. You be the judge!
Pacers vs. Bulls - 01/25/12
Cavaliers vs. Pistons - 2007 Eastern Conference Finals
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