9 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

ESPN: http://espn.go.com/b...e-the-favorites

74% of the respondents picked the Heat to win the title? I can understand them being the prohibitive favorite, bit surprised to see such a high %.

[mweb08]

The Bulls and the Thunder are the only other teams I give a legit shot to. Some other teams have a punchers chance, especially in the West because they won't have to go through the best two teams in the league to get to the Finals.

But of course this time last year I wouldn't have given the Mavs a legit shot.

[BSLChrisStoner]

What is the point of James saying he would be open to a Cleveland return? You have years and years left as a member of the Heat.

I guess it was just an olive branch to his hometown, but it came across to me like the guy is never comfortable in his own skin.

[SBTarheel]

LeBron is having a historic season right now, it's incredible what he's doing. I really hope people can put aside the pettiness and enjoy this kid as a player. It's remarkable to watch. Larry Bird said last week, LeBron is "by far the best player in the game", hopefully he can step up in the playoffs this year and get his ring.

[BSLChrisStoner]

LeBron is having a historic season right now, it's incredible what he's doing. I really hope people can put aside the pettiness and enjoy this kid as a player. It's remarkable to watch. Larry Bird said last week, LeBron is "by far the best player in the game", hopefully he can step up in the playoffs this year and get his ring.

I think LeBron looks a lot more comfortable in his skin this year. In the games I've watched, I've noticed he not settling for jumpers as much as I thought he did last year. The Orlando game was interesting the other day, with him providing D on Howard for several plays.

[SBTarheel]

LeBron is having a historic season right now, it's incredible what he's doing. I really hope people can put aside the pettiness and enjoy this kid as a player. It's remarkable to watch. Larry Bird said last week, LeBron is "by far the best player in the game", hopefully he can step up in the playoffs this year and get his ring.

I think LeBron looks a lot more comfortable in his skin this year. In the games I've watched, I've noticed he not settling for jumpers as much as I thought he did last year. The Orlando game was interesting the other day, with him providing D on Howard for several plays.

Agreed, it's all mental for him. He clearly didn't enjoy being "the villain", and frankly he was terrible at it. This year he's been great, and the booing is much less than last year.

Basketball wise, now that he's developing a back to the basket game, he's literally unstoppable.

Let's just see how he is in the 4th quarter of a playoff game.

[mweb08]

Quite the comeback led by James last night, but Wade screwed things up and obviously Haslem missed the J.

Interesting tweet by Dan LaBatard:

The Internet bleeds and collapses if LeBron had Wade's final 2 minutes while Wade was having LeBron's 17-point fourth quarter

And from Zach Lowe:

Only LBJ could make 2 last-minute Js, have star teammate commit 2 dumb fouls and miss 1 FT, make a defensible pass and still be the goat.

[Adam Wolff]

This may sound crazy to some, but I think, to some degree, D Wade is holding this team back. Lebron is the best player in the league. Whenever he is aggressive and focused, he's absolutely unstoppable. D Wade is a hell of a good player, but he's not as good as Lebron. LBJ ends up deferring to Wade a lot, I suspect to keep the peace, when he needs to be running the show the entire time he's in.

He was amazing the other night. Then Wade makes a few stupid plays, Haslem misses the shot, and it's all Lebron's fault. I get the fact that he passed it, but he got his team a wide open mid range jumper for a guy that is a very good mid range jump shooter.

I dunno. I almost think that team would be better without Wade.

[Brobey]

This may sound crazy to some, but I think, to some degree, D Wade is holding this team back. Lebron is the best player in the league. Whenever he is aggressive and focused, he's absolutely unstoppable. D Wade is a hell of a good player, but he's not as good as Lebron. LBJ ends up deferring to Wade a lot, I suspect to keep the peace, when he needs to be running the show the entire time he's in.

He was amazing the other night. Then Wade makes a few stupid plays, Haslem misses the shot, and it's all Lebron's fault. I get the fact that he passed it, but he got his team a wide open mid range jumper for a guy that is a very good mid range jump shooter.

I dunno. I almost think that team would be better without Wade.

If the Heat could pull it off, and I'm not sure if the $$ works, but they should offer Orlando Wade for Howard...

[mweb08]

This may sound crazy to some, but I think, to some degree, D Wade is holding this team back. Lebron is the best player in the league. Whenever he is aggressive and focused, he's absolutely unstoppable. D Wade is a hell of a good player, but he's not as good as Lebron. LBJ ends up deferring to Wade a lot, I suspect to keep the peace, when he needs to be running the show the entire time he's in.

He was amazing the other night. Then Wade makes a few stupid plays, Haslem misses the shot, and it's all Lebron's fault. I get the fact that he passed it, but he got his team a wide open mid range jumper for a guy that is a very good mid range jump shooter.

I dunno. I almost think that team would be better without Wade.

They wouldn't be better without him. Not even close. But if they could get a comparable talent like Howard as Brobey mentions, they'd be better. But at the same time, the team may be better with Howard instead of James even though James is better simply because James and Wade aren't the best fit.