A couple months ago, LeBron was getting killed about not having the killer instinct needed to go to the next level. He even said himself he’s not of that mindset where he just wants to kill everyone like Kobe Bryant does.
Well, sumpin’ done changed.
LeBron took over down the stretch again yesterday and broke the Nets’ 14-game winning streak. Did it on the road. Did it without Z. Most importantly, he did it with a look on his face that’s been developing over the past six weeks.
We’ve mentioned Pissed LeBron before, and that he’d only come around in flashes. Well, he seems to have moved in permanently, and the rest of the NBA should be very, very afraid.
With the Wizards’ loss to Miami, the Cavaliers now have the 4th seed and home court sealed up for the first round. There’s much debate around and about – go for 50 wins or get extra rest? Our preference would be to go for 50 – don’t keep playing LBJ 45 per, but go for 50. Here’s why:
1) Larry Hughes is still working his way back into the rotation, and really hasn’t played much with these guys even before the injury that put him down for 45 games. We’re rolling, and there’s still a lingering fear this team could go into another schizo spell. Don’t screw with it – LeBron won’t want to to sit anyway.
2) They get to 50, LeBron gets MVP – this is still our belief, especially with PHX slipping a little down the stretch. Both the 50 and the MVP are important milestones in the growth of James and this team.
3) They only need to go 4-2, and the only really tough games are @OKC, @WASH, and @DET, the Pistons game coming up this Wednesday. Basically, it’s completely attainable. (Plus a win at Detroit could seal up the MVP, and send a small message to Motown. (Stop laughing, Need4 and DBB.))
Speaking of the Pistons, we’re not one to get too heavy into MJ-LeBron comparisons, and the Cavaliers haven’t even played a playoff game yet, let alone gotten out of the first round, but one can’t help looking ahead at the potential historical similarities in terms of…stuff.
{ 23 comments }
dirk for MVP
I think he probably deserves it, but it won’t happen.
Lebron’s probably earned it. Since the knock before was that the team wasn’t winning and that he was disappearing in the fourth quarter and both of these problems are mostly dealt with, I think it’s hard to find a reason not to give it to him.
The “he’s young and has plenty of these coming” angle will work against him, I think.
If they beat Detroit on Wed and get 50 wins, I think the momentum will swing his way tremendously.
I’m just happy they bounced back and beat NJ. With Z out and them coming off the Knick loss, it would’ve been easy to give in on that one.
Lebron is MVP, simple as that.
Why does everyone always want to compare LBJ and MJ? The better comparison would be with the Big O.
Possibly Mi’scar Robertdan.
Cav is pathetic.
Lebron deserves the MVP as much as Pierce, and Pierce doesn’t deserve it at all.
SO he made the playoffs, WOOHOO, welcome to mediocrity arsehole. I thought C’s fans were over excitable, then I started reading this blog.
Haha, MattB makes a strong point to being you all’s enemy.
Joe Johnson for MVP!!
Have you actually checked out any stats to back anything up, Matt? Our boy John Hollinger is even starting to throw his weight behind Lebron
I’d have to go with Dirk for MVP; Mavs are gonna finish with about 10 more wins than Cavs and Dirk has won with a lot of youth, inconsistent line-ups, and a “first year” coach. In the West. Course if the Pistons win out, Chauncey…
I like Chauncey, but ask 10 people who’s most valuable out of the 5 Pistons starters, and you’re going to get a variety of answers, y’know? Is he even the most valuable to his own team?
Chauncey just wouldn’t make sense. Either the Detroit Pistons are a team built around an MVP or they’re about balance and chemistry – you can’t pretend it’s both. It’s my recollection also that when Billups went down with an injury in the playoffs back in 2003, Chucky Atkins stepped up bigtime and the Pistons still managed to tackle a formidable Sixers squad in a tough series – and that was pre-Rasheed. If Chucky Atkins, even on a limited basis, can work as a sub for a weaker Pistons squad…
I was only throwing the Chauncey bit out there in jest, but I doubt anyone believes that the mvp of the Pistons is someone other than Billups or Ben.
As a Pistons fan, I’m rooting for Chauncey, but I won’t be upset if LBJ wins.
That said, I disagree with Dan P. — why would a team that features an MVP have to be built around the MVP? Can’t a player simply fit in so well that he makes everyone around him better?
Case in point: Rip Hamilton is scoring at a career-high pace while shooting near .500, which is rare for a jump shooter who jacks up a shot literally the second he catches the ball. But Chauncey gets him the ball off screens at just the right spot each and every time, making life easier for him.
Plus, people forget this now, but a lot of media-types predicted the Pistons would finish behind Indy and enter the playoffs as the No. 4 seed. But Chauncey quickly mastered a new offense, helped the team make a smooth transition to a new coach and kept the Pistons one of the hottest teams in the league from the get-go.
I also have to imagine his recent dismantling of Nash and the Suns (and the fact he outscored Dirk while beating the Mavs) helps his case.
But, yeah, the Pistons are a talented team. If people fault him for that, OK, but there’s no way you can pass on Chauncey and vote for Nash or Dirk. If you pass on Chauncey, you have to vote for LBJ, who’s not only perhaps the best individual player in the league, but also one that knows about teammwork, unlike Mamba in LA.
Man, I should have just made this a post on DBB. Sorry about the length. Let’s see some more comic strips!
I think MattB is a Hawks fan and is kinda bummed they didn’t draft CP3. That’s the only way to explain his incredible blind rage towards LeBron. It’s ok man, you don’t have to take it out on the most complete player in the NBA.
Should “Lebron” get the MVP yes..should he be compared to MJ or anyone else no why simply because there is no comparision.Show me any player in the history of the NBA without college experience who has put up numbers anything close to what “Lebron” has been able to post.As for the knock on his late game performance..he’s shooting about 65% from the field in the forth quarter…no other MVP candidate is shooting better than 50%.Lets not forget the fact that he’s putting up triple doubles with regularity & not the Jason kidd variety either 13-12-10 Lbj’s are more like 47-12-11..lets not punish him just because he’s only going to get better!
Roger I’ve wondered lately – what if this is as good as he gets? Disappointment or no?
I’m only talking skills/stats, not winning.
why did Roger put Lebron’s name in quotes? is there some sort of subtle mockery going on?
‘What if this is as good as it gets’???? WELL jesus christ, how much better do you want him to be, Cavalier???
BDP I didn’t understand it either. Roger is a Cavaliers fan I think, too.
Chris – I dunno – just something I was thinking about. Logic says he’ll get better, based on the progression of high school players into the league, but your question is pretty valid.
He can improve his defense a lot, but offensively, dude is shooting 56% the past month or something. What else can he do?
I still don’t see, given what I said about 10 posts up, how Dirk isn’t more deserving than “({Lebron})” for MVP.
I think rip is a really great player and he is really cute 2 i love u rip…
Comments on this entry are closed.