NFT: Cavaliers-Celtics Game 1

Maybe thomas isn't the odd man out but there's no way in hell ainge commits $100M annually to IT, Bradley and smart.

a Cav sweep.

At least the Celtics have the no 1 overall pick.

Boston waves the white flag 18 minutes into the series.

have been trying to get into the playoffs this year. I had a glimmer of hope game one of the WCF but how can this possibly be seen as a compelling product? The players are unbelievably talented but the absolute lack of parity in the league is astounding

He's in the same vain as MJ or Kobe where he is a true floor general and demands greatness from his teammates. He's also such an unselfish player that makes his teammates better.

It's nice to see a player drive to the basket, draw in defenders, and then pass it out to the open man. Lebron just gets it. If Melo had that same mentality he'd be a much better player (not saying he'd be Lebron, obviously). But Melo is the ISO king.

Oh, and Shumpert still sucks at finishing.

I'm not even sure Melo is a HOF player. Maybe the Hall of Very good.

LeBron is so fucking good.

I'm not sure the C's can stop him if they put three guys on him right now. He makes this look so easy.

In comment 13474554 PhiPsi125 said:

Quote:

It's nice to see a player drive to the basket, draw in defenders, and then pass it out to the open man. Lebron just gets it. If Melo had that same mentality he'd be a much better player (not saying he'd be Lebron, obviously). But Melo is the ISO king.

That's simply not a part of Melo's skillset. He can drive head down to the hole for himself, but head up with handle and vision is something he isn't capable of doing. It's not a matter of "getting it"... it's a matter of never having it in the first place. Melo is actually a good passer, but it's almost always from a standstill position.

In comment 13474544 spike said:

Quote:

a Cav sweep. At least the Celtics have the no 1 overall pick.

Really going out on a limb there

Jordan was never this good. Lebron can physically impose his will on anyone. Better passer, defender.

In comment 13474589 jbenj20 said:

Quote:

Jordan was never this good. Lebron can physically impose his will on anyone. Better passer, defender.

This will forever be a hot button topic -

I'm a huge LeBron fan but I'm still not ready to make that declaration yet. That said, when all is finally said and done and LeBron's career is a wrap, I do think there will be a very good case to be made in his favor.

The way he's playing now, we're a ways away from seeing the last of him. So I have a feeling he's got quite a bit to add to his resume still.

In comment 13474589 jbenj20 said:

Quote:

Jordan was never this good. Lebron can physically impose his will on anyone. Better passer, defender.

lol... no

If the Celts can't stay within 15 points in Game 2, they should not make the trip to Ohio, forfeit the last two games and give the Cavs even more rest.

might be more interesting.

In comment 13474562 spike said:

Quote:

I'm not even sure Melo is a HOF player. Maybe the Hall of Very good.

melo is absolutely a hall of fame player, prkbably first ballot

.

James still in the game?

After averaging 26.0 points through the first three rounds, James was held to 14.0 points per game on 38.6 percent shooting in Games 3-5, and committed six turnovers in Dallas’ championship-clinching Game 6 win. He was 7 for 21 in the fourth quarter for the series.

Please answer for the 2011 Finals...

In comment 13474589 jbenj20 said:

Quote:

Jordan was never this good. Lebron can physically impose his will on anyone. Better passer, defender.

Welp, that settles it...

LeBron had one poor series 6 years ago so we've got to just end this conversation right now! He'll never be worthy!

"Never this good" ??? That might have been the dumbest comment I've seen on this site and that's saying something.

of the series

In comment 13474619 Vin R said:

Quote:

In comment 13474589 jbenj20 said: Quote: Jordan was never this good. Lebron can physically impose his will on anyone. Better passer, defender. lol... no

I love(d) Jordan as much as the next guy.
But we are at a stage now where it is time to
leave out the lol in this conversation as LeBron is
pretty darn close.
It is a matter of taste and how we view the rest of the league.
Jordan played in a way more physical league yes. But will that be
the only argument - same with Brady. That argument is getting a
little old.
Lebron is 32. As far as I remember that was right around when MJ took
a break. So they are even in rings at 32.
I was a big Kobe fan but IMO LeBron is a greater player than Kobe
and in 4-5 years when LeBron is finished he will go down as 1a or 1b.
But stop replying to the discussion like there is none.

There is.

titles when I was like nine years ago and he was supposed to be one of the great athletes ever but there is no way he had the power and passing ability of LeBron or rebounding or ability to make the block on Iggy. That block was simply something very few basketball players could pull off and Jordan scoring a 15-foot jumper over Byron Russell hardly compares.

You can't compare eras but the idea that Jordan-led teams could slow down the King is ridiculous. No way a frail guy like Jordan could guard this man, there is no f--ing way.

into the futile waters of a LeBron vs. Jordan debate. I'm just going to sit back and continue to marvel at what LeBron can do on the court. There has never been a player like him in the history of the game and to see him do this in his fourteenth season is unprecedented. Eventually, the ride will come to an end and we may never see a guy like him ever again. The combination of that size, speed, strength, and IQ is awesome. Plus, he's unselfish, has a professional work ethic, and never gets in trouble off the court, and does a lot for his communities. Eventually, he will be missed sorely.

I don't see how they beat the Warriors this year, but I can't wait to see the effort.

In comment 13474715 LCtheINTMachine said:

Quote:

titles when I was like nine years ago and he was supposed to be one of the great athletes ever but there is no way he had the power and passing ability of LeBron or rebounding or ability to make the block on Iggy. That block was simply something very few basketball players could pull off and Jordan scoring a 15-foot jumper over Byron Russell hardly compares. You can't compare eras but the idea that Jordan-led teams could slow down the King is ridiculous. No way a frail guy like Jordan could guard this man, there is no f--ing way.

You don't know what you're talking about because (1) Jordan was not frail and (2) Pippen, one of the best wing defenders in the history of basketball, would be guarding LBJ.

In comment 13474721 Mike from SI said:

Quote:

In comment 13474715 LCtheINTMachine said: Quote: titles when I was like nine years ago and he was supposed to be one of the great athletes ever but there is no way he had the power and passing ability of LeBron or rebounding or ability to make the block on Iggy. That block was simply something very few basketball players could pull off and Jordan scoring a 15-foot jumper over Byron Russell hardly compares. You can't compare eras but the idea that Jordan-led teams could slow down the King is ridiculous. No way a frail guy like Jordan could guard this man, there is no f--ing way. You don't know what you're talking about because (1) Jordan was not frail and (2) Pippen, one of the best wing defenders in the history of basketball, would be guarding LBJ.

LeBron is much more stacked than Jordan, there is no debate to that. Maybe Jordan was not frail for that era but not today. Pippen was I am guessing a better defender than say an Andre Iguodala but he'd have about 20 pounds less muscle than LeBron.

LeBron can get to the basket against everyone. The most difficult matchup in NBA history barring maybe only Wilt Chamberlain. I'm not even a fan but he led the league in minutes per game and is head and shoulders above anyone else playing the sport. No one is close. Did you watch the first half? He made the Celts look like kids out there.

Google pictures of him from 1996-2000.

He was not frail for any era at that point in his career.
6'6 225 pounds is actually pretty athletic/muscular.
It is around 100 kg for a guy standing 198cm's.
Not many athletes/fitness guys weigh more kg. than they
are above 100cm with his body fat percentage.
LeBron (a freak) is 203cm and 113 kg. So actually not THAT much more
than MJ.

For GOAT.

But don't embarrass yourself with "Jordan was never this good" or on par as a defender.

Yes it does.

Greatness is determined when everything is on the line. The highest stakes


1- name a single bad Jordan playoff series? Let alone the NBA Finals where he won all 6 Finals MVPs

2- this wasn't just any series. This was the NBA Finals that LeBron had set himself up for yeArs for. Free Agency, the Decision. Forming the mega team of the Big 3 at the Prime of his career under Riley's guidance. He rsised the stakes himself. Not 1. Not 2. Not 3. Not 4 etc promising 7 NBA titles with that group.

He formed the Big 3, left Cleveland creating a massive blowback and took his "talents" to Miami in order to win his first NBA title.

The stakes couldn't have been higher.

And he crumbled. Repeatedly. Game after game.

In comment 13474675 arcarsenal said:

Quote:

Welp, that settles it... LeBron had one poor series 6 years ago so we've got to just end this conversation right now! He'll never be worthy!

Jordan plays ever. Age 38

Jordan and lebron is a very even debate. It's really a matter of preference. Both great defenders and scorers that could not be held by any singular defender. The huge difference in my mind is the type of defense they faced. Jordan never saw a zone once in his life while Lebron has seen a variety of defenses to deal with. To me the physicality and zone defenses are the two biggest differences in the NBA from the Jordan era to lebron. 1a and 1b is correct

was on defense. The dude made the NBA Defensive First Team nine times & won Defensive POY in '88.

LBJ is playing some of the best ball of his career right now. It's truly something to watch.

MJ brought IT every night, I feel like I can't say the same about LeBron.. I mean when LeBron is on - he's the best in the world but..

Lebron is the best passer I've ever seen. He makes passes that other players simply cannot make through his vision, velocity and accuracy. He's also the smartest player I've ever seen. I really enjoyed him completely destroying the Celtics last night. They didn't belong on the same court.

In comment 13474562 spike said:

Quote:

I'm not even sure Melo is a HOF player. Maybe the Hall of Very good.

You haven't watched him or followed his career then. That's an outrageous statement. The Melo hate has reached new levels. Go watch some highlights of the WCF of Nuggets Lakers. Melo was dominant.

In comment 13474898 TyreeHelmet said:

Quote:

In comment 13474562 spike said: Quote: I'm not even sure Melo is a HOF player. Maybe the Hall of Very good. You haven't watched him or followed his career then. That's an outrageous statement. The Melo hate has reached new levels. Go watch some highlights of the WCF of Nuggets Lakers. Melo was dominant.

Come on TH.. that was 8 years ago

In comment 13474900 Vin R said:

Quote:

In comment 13474898 TyreeHelmet said: Quote: In comment 13474562 spike said: Quote: I'm not even sure Melo is a HOF player. Maybe the Hall of Very good. You haven't watched him or followed his career then. That's an outrageous statement. The Melo hate has reached new levels. Go watch some highlights of the WCF of Nuggets Lakers. Melo was dominant. Come on TH.. that was 8 years ago

it doesnt matter he is still a first ballot hall of famer

In comment 13474904 nygiants16 said:

Quote:

In comment 13474900 Vin R said: Quote: In comment 13474898 TyreeHelmet said: Quote: In comment 13474562 spike said: Quote: I'm not even sure Melo is a HOF player. Maybe the Hall of Very good. You haven't watched him or followed his career then. That's an outrageous statement. The Melo hate has reached new levels. Go watch some highlights of the WCF of Nuggets Lakers. Melo was dominant. Come on TH.. that was 8 years ago it doesnt matter he is still a first ballot hall of famer

Yeah.. well you know that's just like your opinion man

So 8 years ago doesn't count for his HOF candidacy? What about finishing 3rd in MVP voting in 2013? Does that count? 10 all star games, 6 times AlL NBA, NCAA Championship... He's a Hall of Famer.

college championship, 3 gold medals, 10 time all star, 2 time secons team all nba, 3 time 3rd team all nba, national player of the year in college, 2nd team all american...

he is a lock hall of famer

Those guys have yet to make the HOF

I mean, Ralph Sampson is a HOFer because of his college career. Yao Ming is a HOF. Melo absolutely gets in.

but his non-NBA resume is obviously more impressive

In comment 13474941 Vin R said:

Quote:

but his non-NBA resume is obviously more impressive

Averaging 25 a game over 15 seasons with 10 all star appearances is a great NBA resume. Not everyone can be Lebron or MJ.

Looking up his stats and found something interesting. In 2006 he averaged 26 a game and was 3rd team all NBA but didn't make the all star team. Seems odd. Maybe he had a monster 2nd half to the season.

based on his NBA career entirely.

Melo made 6 more all star teams and 4 more All NBA teams (including 2 2nd teams, Marion only made 2 3rd teams).

Is not a hof and nobody believes him to be. Where the hell did you hear that

but I'm thinking it wasn't nearly as close as the score?

Is he the best ever? It's an argument, but Jordan still has the best argument.

Is he fucking amazing and a joy to watch? Yes.

I hope he shits on the Warriors again.

In comment 13475005 Tuckrule said:

Quote:

Is not a hof and nobody believes him to be. Where the hell did you hear that

I don't believe him to be but:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/hof_prob.html

He's at a 75% chance. Ranked ahead of STAT and Rodman.