The message reads noticeably en route to Q Arena: We Are All Witnesses. Lebron James. Most talked about basketball player in the 'States since his junior year in high school. Featured on Sports Illustrated the summer of his senior year. Played high school ball on the flagship ESPN station. The last consensus #1 pick since 1997 when Tim Duncan came out of Wake Forest. The man who walked into the L at 18 years of age, standing 6'8 and 240. The next Jordan. The next Magic. The player the NBA needed to put fans back in stands. The player Cleveland earned with their terrible season. Nike's next corporate engine.
He walks into his first game with the greatest amount of expectations than any player before him. And he strives to exceed those expectations. [Will fill with stats after the two remaining APs] While he can't play defense, there is no doubt that LBJ23 will be one of the game's greatest players-ever. No, he won't be the next MJ and trust me- I know MJ. I saw MJ live. I watched each of his televised games since I came to the US in late '92. I bought his jersey. I have all the Chicago Tribune/Sun Times papers for each of their championship years (I ordered them from Chi town). I know Jordan.
But he will be Next. He's dropping 30, 7 and 7 a game in his third year. in '06 he's a definite threat for 32 8 and 10, especially with Z and Larry Hughes for the whole year. And that's only year four. Would it be a stretch for his 10 year averages to hover in the 30-8-8-2 range? Not at all, and for that reason alone we have to grant him Next status. He won't ever be a Jordan. No one can be a Jordan. The work ethic, the talent level, the grace, the charisma, the companionship, the bonding, the businessman, the classic, the modern, the synergy, the icon- all that can never be replaced. But something new can be born and fostered. We have it now. And we must savor the moment.
After all, we are all witnesses.
We are all Witnesses
By Keating - Posted on May 9th, 2006
Tagged: Sports
Oh please. Don't get me wrong, I like LeBron. And sure he's broken all the records ... but come on, enough praise already, okay? This year his team FINALLY made the playoffs ... with all of the talk in the past three years, you would've thought he'd won three championship rings! (*cough cough* someone down in L.A. has) I definitely enjoy watching him play. And I definitely can't wait to see him play live. He's still over-praised though. Peace out and never quit lovin' the game!
Oh please. Don't get me wrong, I like LeBron. And sure he's broken all the records ... but come on, enough praise already, okay? This year his team FINALLY made the playoffs ... with all of the talk in the past three years, you would've thought he'd won three championship rings! (*cough cough* someone down in L.A. has) I definitely enjoy watching him play. And I definitely can't wait to see him play live. He's still over-praised though. Peace out and never quit lovin' the game!
I'm not a Lebron lover. I just promised another poster I would address the issue of Lebron being next. In fact, if there's a single player I would pay to watch right now it would be singularly Kobe Bryant, the closest replica of MJ.
Yes, I agree LBJ is over praised, but I don't think the substance of the praise is meaningful. People either say he is the best player or people say he's pretty good. Very few accord Lebron the praise he deserves.
The main point I was trying to convey was that this is the first step in the cementing of his greatness. Right now he's one of the top 5 (in the current L), in 10 years, considering expected progress, he could be top 20 (purely statistically) all time. That's the ONLY reason he garners so much support. The fact of the matter is that for a 21 year old, this is insane.
Lebron came into a team that wasnt even close to winning 50% of their games. Nobody said that he would lead Cleveland to a championship in his first year, or even a couple of years after that. But the hype was that he would turn the team around, which he did. People said he would eventually lead the Cavs to the playoffs, which he has. But he is not the only person on that team, and he cannot win that ring on his own. This is only his third season and look how much he has done. That is the point of all the praise.
LeBron is good. Please though do not overrate him. This will be the last time I talk about him here. He is no M.J... Jordan played in an era where defense was actually played. Jordan was hands down the best and most electric player. Jordan was not only EXCELLENT on offense but EXCELLENT on defense as well. Jordan had talent around him so he didn't get the ball as much as LeBron. Of course when the game was on the line he did but I mean LeBron is the only one for the cavs. The other guys are ok to crappy. Nobody in the league really plays defense and the league overall has gone down so he is not even able to be thought of as jordan-like. Jordan was a better player, and a better businessman and many other things I could go on and on. But like I said im done L.B.J will not be as good as M.J. ever.
I agree. I never said he would be.
Just said we should all be aware that he is greatness in the making.
Yea. Just putting it out there for all those who don't know basketball :D.
Lebron is the next big thing. He is the face of the NBA right now. If there is anyone even in Lebron's stratosphere, its Kobe