Jones on the NBA started it in our comments section, and ESPN’s Ric Bucher questions it somewhat, as well.
Why isn’t LeBron getting criticized as harshly as Kobe for a weak second half performance, especially when he was kicking major ass in the first half?
There are a few simple reasons, and before you get mad at us, understand that we don’t agree with the Kobe criticism. We’re only trying to explain it. As such:
1) Kobe has a longtime rep as a gunner, and a selfish one at that. He also has a history of having not taken any shots to prove a point before. LeBron has the exact opposite rep – if anything, he’s been criticized for deferring too much in the past.
2) The Lakers were down fifteen at the half to the Suns, who aren’t exactly known as a group of lockdown defenders. The Cavaliers were down only two to the Pistons, who put on as intense a defensive display as any of us will probably see this season.
The first half was as competitive as the previous four games had been, which doesn’t exactly lend itself to a “screw you guys, I’m giving up” theory. The Lakers body language screamed that they didn’t they they had a shot. Remember, Kobe wasn’t criticized for playing badly – he was getting it for throwing in the towel.
2a) That defense was insane. Combine it with a complete lack of movement on behalf of the Cavs, and it was doom all around. That LeBron got off 8 shots at all was a miracle. He was doubled almost immediately, and had another guy shadowing. We don’t remember PHX being quite that intense.
3) This is the biggest one – simple inexperience. LeBron, along with the rest of the Cavs, wilted under the pressure of a tight Game 7. Like it or not, he’s getting leeway for that his first time around. Remember, most experts weren’t picking Cleveland to even get out of the first round.
Kobe is far past the point where he gets such luxuries. In many of the Kobe-over-LeBron arguments, the Kobe side often points to his impressive history of delivering in the playoffs, especially in clutch situations. This happens again next year with LBJ, and the questions will start.
Obviously we’re extreme LeBron fans, but we think what’s spelled out above is pretty objective. We’re big Kobe fans, as well, but facts are facts.
Again, we don’t agree with the criticism Kobe got. All we’re saying is we understand the difference.
Now…enough of this serious crap – there’s an orange roundie up for grabs tonight…and whoever gets it shall have the power to destroy us all.
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CONGRATULATIONS ON A GOOD SEASON FOR THE CAVALIERS, CAVALIER … But In Honor Of TAYSHAUN PRINCE, Can I Make A Request For The Site To Be Named TAYSPORTS–Maybe For, Like, Just An Hour Or Two … ???
CONGRATULATIONS ON A GOOD SEASON FOR THE CAVALIERS, CAVALIER … But In Honor Of TAYSHAUN PRINCE, Can I Make A Request For The Site To Be Named TAYSPORTS–Maybe For, Like, Just An Hour Or Two … ???
I read that article and I don’t think Ric Bucher’s heart is in it. He’s trying to claim LBJ acted like Kobe, but then he gives reason for LBJ’s performance Larry Hughes, moving LBJ to the wing, switching Prince on him.
This looks like one of the producers was aking him to stir up sh*t.
Here’s the biggest reason there should be no comparison:
LeBron tried in the 2nd half against Detroit. Kobe didn’t really try in the 2nd half against Phoenix. End of story.
What was the rest of the team shooting, like one for infinity? They were forcing somebody to step-up and no one else did/could. That pretty much sealed our fate.
As to Kobe v. LeBron, it’s all about expectations. People expect Kobe to take 35 shots. When he doesn’t, they start talking and he starts text messaging.
In case you missed it (and you weren’t going to hear it from LeBron’s media shills), King James abdicated the floor yesterday without shaking hands. Putting him on a higher plane than Bryant is just another con job. Both are boy-kings with a sense of entitlement, but one is a newer flavor of the month.
Wait, he left without shaking hands, screw the Kobe comparisons he’s in Isiah levels now.
Vs. Kobe in the game: LeBron just had no legs left. You’re just not going to be able to keep shooting jump shots when you’re averaging 46.5 minutes per game for 12 straight playoff level games. Also, LeBron took (I believe) 7 shots in the second half, which is more than twice what Kobe did. He just wasn’t making them. He took 24 shots in the game, compared to his season average of 23.
Vs. Kobe postgame: What is the deal with non-hand-shaking policy. I can understand he was tired and probably wanted to get the hell out before he cried… but, I’d rather see him cry than see him leave without at least slapping palms with at least a couple of the Pistons. He builds the respect up, and then tears it back down.
No handshakes? That’s crass.
However, I have to say that it was a true pleasure watching Lebron make a series out of this matchup.
OMG HE DIDNT SHAKE HANDS HE SHOULD BE BANNED FROM THE NBA FOR LIFE
When they practically french kiss each other before every tip-off, I think it’s pretty insignificant that he didn’t shake hands at the end.
Yo, Cav. That asshat Skip Bayless is hating on your boy:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=bayless/060522
I love Skip – the man may know less about the NBA than any other man on the planet.
As for Bron not shaking hands – yeah it would’ve been nice to do it, but he looked to me like he was about to cry and wanted to get off the floor.
This was hardly Isiah leading his team off defiantly before the horn sounded.
Actually, I nominate SI’s Kelly Dwyer for being the all-time NBA Douchbag Journalist of the 21st century. Remember his article 10 games into this season, where he stated that the Clippers’ good start was just fools gold and that they’d inevitably fall apart like they always do? Re-reading it now is the definition of high comedy.
He spent two freaking pages backing up his theory. And the Clips just humiliated him. Actually, come to think of it, Dunleavy probably blew the article up onto poster board and put it in the locker room.
That’s some pretty shoddy reasoning. Essentially everything you said applies directly to Kobe, which was the point of the argument you attempt to counter.
This is aside from the Suns/Pistons disparity on defense, but you can pretty easily counter that with the fact that SMUSH PARKER, KWAME BROWN, and LUKE WALTON are starters for the Lakers.
People seem to have forgotten how bad those guys are simply because they strung some wins together.
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