"The Decision" in retrospect

[lukethejediknight]

Originally Posted by dland24

Originally Posted by LuketheJediKnight

Originally Posted by Mister Friendly

Nah the Lakers wouldn't be a playoff team without Kobe.  Gasol, Bynum and Odom while talented are SOFT as heck. Kobe yelling at them and semi-punking them are the only reason they don't play super soft all the time.

Do you see how often Kobe has to talk to those dudes on court?

The decision for Lebron was a great decision for him. A chance to go play without other great players and get a ring.

But the thing about Lebron that irriates people is all the hyperbole that follows him around. The names....... "King James"......We are all "Witness" to his greatness....... The Chosen One,..... The Lion King of the jungle. Lebron and his crew want him to be recognized as the GOAT but you cant have that and then go join 2 other superstars to lessen the load.

So Kobe ain't yelling enough during the Lakers five-game skid then?

The "soft" label is thrown around all too often. These are all SEVEN footers that man the paint and can come at you with a variety of offensive weapons. That's not soft; that's a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league.

When the Warriors had Baron, Jackson, Monta, JRich, etc they ran small.  They were a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league as well.  How good were they?  Not very.

Maybe because those four dudes were inefficient chuckers that didn't play any defense.Gasol and Odom provided more during the Lakers runs on both end of the floor than those four did combined in 2007.

 

[lukethejediknight]

Originally Posted by dland24

Originally Posted by LuketheJediKnight

Originally Posted by Mister Friendly

Nah the Lakers wouldn't be a playoff team without Kobe.  Gasol, Bynum and Odom while talented are SOFT as heck. Kobe yelling at them and semi-punking them are the only reason they don't play super soft all the time.

Do you see how often Kobe has to talk to those dudes on court?

The decision for Lebron was a great decision for him. A chance to go play without other great players and get a ring.

But the thing about Lebron that irriates people is all the hyperbole that follows him around. The names....... "King James"......We are all "Witness" to his greatness....... The Chosen One,..... The Lion King of the jungle. Lebron and his crew want him to be recognized as the GOAT but you cant have that and then go join 2 other superstars to lessen the load.

So Kobe ain't yelling enough during the Lakers five-game skid then?

The "soft" label is thrown around all too often. These are all SEVEN footers that man the paint and can come at you with a variety of offensive weapons. That's not soft; that's a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league.

When the Warriors had Baron, Jackson, Monta, JRich, etc they ran small.  They were a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league as well.  How good were they?  Not very.

Maybe because those four dudes were inefficient chuckers that didn't play any defense.Gasol and Odom provided more during the Lakers runs on both end of the floor than those four did combined in 2007.

 

[lightweight champion]

Originally Posted by dland24

Originally Posted by LuketheJediKnight

Originally Posted by Mister Friendly

Nah the Lakers wouldn't be a playoff team without Kobe.  Gasol, Bynum and Odom while talented are SOFT as heck. Kobe yelling at them and semi-punking them are the only reason they don't play super soft all the time.

Do you see how often Kobe has to talk to those dudes on court?

The decision for Lebron was a great decision for him. A chance to go play without other great players and get a ring.

But the thing about Lebron that irriates people is all the hyperbole that follows him around. The names....... "King James"......We are all "Witness" to his greatness....... The Chosen One,..... The Lion King of the jungle. Lebron and his crew want him to be recognized as the GOAT but you cant have that and then go join 2 other superstars to lessen the load.

So Kobe ain't yelling enough during the Lakers five-game skid then?

The "soft" label is thrown around all too often. These are all SEVEN footers that man the paint and can come at you with a variety of offensive weapons. That's not soft; that's a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league.

When the Warriors had Baron, Jackson, Monta, JRich, etc they ran small.  They were a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league as well.  How good were they?  Not very.

That core group was only healthy together for half a season. When they were injury riddled they weren't in the playoff picture. Then when they made the trade to bring in Stack and Al and played Nellie ball when Baron and JRich got healthy they steamrolled into the playoffs. And 3 of the 4 games they lost to Utah were very close games. The JRich for Brandan Wright trade was the worst thing that happened to GSW. Baron might've been the leader but JRich was the soul and epitome of the Warriors and their fans.

 

[mister friendly]

Originally Posted by LuketheJediKnight

Originally Posted by Mister Friendly

Nah the Lakers wouldn't be a playoff team without Kobe.  Gasol, Bynum and Odom while talented are SOFT as heck. Kobe yelling at them and semi-punking them are the only reason they don't play super soft all the time.

Do you see how often Kobe has to talk to those dudes on court?

The decision for Lebron was a great decision for him. A chance to go play without other great players and get a ring.

But the thing about Lebron that irriates people is all the hyperbole that follows him around. The names....... "King James"......We are all "Witness" to his greatness....... The Chosen One,..... The Lion King of the jungle. Lebron and his crew want him to be recognized as the GOAT but you cant have that and then go join 2 other superstars to lessen the load.

So Kobe ain't yelling enough during the Lakers five-game skid then?

The "soft" label is thrown around all too often. These are all SEVEN footers that man the paint and can come at you with a variety of offensive weapons. That's not soft; that's a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league.

Actually Kobe is a part of the reason why they are this 5 game losing season too, Have you seen the defense Kobe's been playing alot lately?

  

But the fact is the Lakers frontcourt is SOFT and goes in the tank when things get bad. 
You take Kobe off that that team the only other leader they have is Fisher, but is he enough to still lead a team to the playoffs? Nah.

Thats the thing with Kobe now, While hes still a great player I can probably name 10 players that have better skills than Kobe now, its not really his play and skill that carries his team anymore its his will. Its mental toughness, his belief that he think hes so great that he can will the team to victory.   Kobes mental toughness is still the best in the NBA by far.

 

[mister friendly]

Originally Posted by LuketheJediKnight

Originally Posted by Mister Friendly

Nah the Lakers wouldn't be a playoff team without Kobe.  Gasol, Bynum and Odom while talented are SOFT as heck. Kobe yelling at them and semi-punking them are the only reason they don't play super soft all the time.

Do you see how often Kobe has to talk to those dudes on court?

The decision for Lebron was a great decision for him. A chance to go play without other great players and get a ring.

But the thing about Lebron that irriates people is all the hyperbole that follows him around. The names....... "King James"......We are all "Witness" to his greatness....... The Chosen One,..... The Lion King of the jungle. Lebron and his crew want him to be recognized as the GOAT but you cant have that and then go join 2 other superstars to lessen the load.

So Kobe ain't yelling enough during the Lakers five-game skid then?

The "soft" label is thrown around all too often. These are all SEVEN footers that man the paint and can come at you with a variety of offensive weapons. That's not soft; that's a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league.

Actually Kobe is a part of the reason why they are this 5 game losing season too, Have you seen the defense Kobe's been playing alot lately?

  

But the fact is the Lakers frontcourt is SOFT and goes in the tank when things get bad. 
You take Kobe off that that team the only other leader they have is Fisher, but is he enough to still lead a team to the playoffs? Nah.

Thats the thing with Kobe now, While hes still a great player I can probably name 10 players that have better skills than Kobe now, its not really his play and skill that carries his team anymore its his will. Its mental toughness, his belief that he think hes so great that he can will the team to victory.   Kobes mental toughness is still the best in the NBA by far.

 

[lightweight champion]

Originally Posted by dland24

Originally Posted by LuketheJediKnight

Originally Posted by Mister Friendly

Nah the Lakers wouldn't be a playoff team without Kobe.  Gasol, Bynum and Odom while talented are SOFT as heck. Kobe yelling at them and semi-punking them are the only reason they don't play super soft all the time.

Do you see how often Kobe has to talk to those dudes on court?

The decision for Lebron was a great decision for him. A chance to go play without other great players and get a ring.

But the thing about Lebron that irriates people is all the hyperbole that follows him around. The names....... "King James"......We are all "Witness" to his greatness....... The Chosen One,..... The Lion King of the jungle. Lebron and his crew want him to be recognized as the GOAT but you cant have that and then go join 2 other superstars to lessen the load.

So Kobe ain't yelling enough during the Lakers five-game skid then?

The "soft" label is thrown around all too often. These are all SEVEN footers that man the paint and can come at you with a variety of offensive weapons. That's not soft; that's a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league.

When the Warriors had Baron, Jackson, Monta, JRich, etc they ran small.  They were a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league as well.  How good were they?  Not very.

That core group was only healthy together for half a season. When they were injury riddled they weren't in the playoff picture. Then when they made the trade to bring in Stack and Al and played Nellie ball when Baron and JRich got healthy they steamrolled into the playoffs. And 3 of the 4 games they lost to Utah were very close games. The JRich for Brandan Wright trade was the worst thing that happened to GSW. Baron might've been the leader but JRich was the soul and epitome of the Warriors and their fans.

 

[tunnel vision]

Originally Posted by DsLee559

I've always assumed that discussions went something like this before "The Decision" was aired:

ESPN/LeBron's Enoutrage: "Look LeBron, people all over the country are already dying to hear where you're going to play. Why not do it on ESPN during a special? It would be good for the brand, and we can even donate proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club. EVERYONE will love you even more if you do it."

LeBron: "Okay."

I don't think LeBron really outweighed the good and bad to come before actually doing "The Decision".
With that being said, I don't think he really thought about how fans would perceive it as a smack in the face or what not.
I still blame his management group more than I blame him for even allowing such a thing.

However, I'm not mad at all about LeBron's actual decision to go down to Miami to hoop. I actually respect that fact that he took the route of going to a place where he can win multiple championships with people who he actually likes as human beings.

This.
Seeing it put like this doesn't actually make it sound like a bad idea + he'd be raising money for the boy's & girls club (which he'd done on previous occasions).

Its not like he went on TV and called Cleveland a sh**hole or something. I understand that they feel rejected but the level of vitriol they spewed after the decision was out of line IMO. 

The majority of fans there took it too personal to where they chanted negative %%** about dude's mom and family. The double standard is ridiculous by those fans yet they call Lebron the jerk. 

He's just a damn basketball player.

 

[tunnel vision]

Originally Posted by DsLee559

I've always assumed that discussions went something like this before "The Decision" was aired:

ESPN/LeBron's Enoutrage: "Look LeBron, people all over the country are already dying to hear where you're going to play. Why not do it on ESPN during a special? It would be good for the brand, and we can even donate proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club. EVERYONE will love you even more if you do it."

LeBron: "Okay."

I don't think LeBron really outweighed the good and bad to come before actually doing "The Decision".
With that being said, I don't think he really thought about how fans would perceive it as a smack in the face or what not.
I still blame his management group more than I blame him for even allowing such a thing.

However, I'm not mad at all about LeBron's actual decision to go down to Miami to hoop. I actually respect that fact that he took the route of going to a place where he can win multiple championships with people who he actually likes as human beings.

This.
Seeing it put like this doesn't actually make it sound like a bad idea + he'd be raising money for the boy's & girls club (which he'd done on previous occasions).

Its not like he went on TV and called Cleveland a sh**hole or something. I understand that they feel rejected but the level of vitriol they spewed after the decision was out of line IMO. 

The majority of fans there took it too personal to where they chanted negative %%** about dude's mom and family. The double standard is ridiculous by those fans yet they call Lebron the jerk. 

He's just a damn basketball player.

 

[dland24]

Originally Posted by Lightweight Champion

Originally Posted by dland24

Originally Posted by LuketheJediKnight





So Kobe ain't yelling enough during the Lakers five-game skid then?

The "soft" label is thrown around all too often. These are all SEVEN footers that man the paint and can come at you with a variety of offensive weapons. That's not soft; that's a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league.

When the Warriors had Baron, Jackson, Monta, JRich, etc they ran small.  They were a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league as well.  How good were they?  Not very.

That core group was only healthy together for half a season. When they were injury riddled they weren't in the playoff picture. Then when they made the trade to bring in Stack and Al and played Nellie ball when Baron and JRich got healthy they steamrolled into the playoffs. And 3 of the 4 games they lost to Utah were very close games. The JRich for Brandan Wright trade was the worst thing that happened to GSW. Baron might've been the leader but JRich was the soul and epitome of the Warriors and their fans.

Although I dont remember this half season of health you speak of, I was just illustrating a point.  Dude was saying because the Kobeless Lakers still would have three 7-footers they would be a matchup nightmare for almost every team in the league.  And I was countering it by saying the small ball Warriors were matchup nightmares for almost every team in the league too.  Doesnt mean the Warriors didnt have glaring weaknesses which prevented them from being a good playoff team.....just like the Lakers would have without Kobe, in spite of their matchups.

 

[dland24]

Originally Posted by Lightweight Champion

Originally Posted by dland24

Originally Posted by LuketheJediKnight





So Kobe ain't yelling enough during the Lakers five-game skid then?

The "soft" label is thrown around all too often. These are all SEVEN footers that man the paint and can come at you with a variety of offensive weapons. That's not soft; that's a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league.

When the Warriors had Baron, Jackson, Monta, JRich, etc they ran small.  They were a matchup issue for pretty much every team in the league as well.  How good were they?  Not very.

That core group was only healthy together for half a season. When they were injury riddled they weren't in the playoff picture. Then when they made the trade to bring in Stack and Al and played Nellie ball when Baron and JRich got healthy they steamrolled into the playoffs. And 3 of the 4 games they lost to Utah were very close games. The JRich for Brandan Wright trade was the worst thing that happened to GSW. Baron might've been the leader but JRich was the soul and epitome of the Warriors and their fans.

Although I dont remember this half season of health you speak of, I was just illustrating a point.  Dude was saying because the Kobeless Lakers still would have three 7-footers they would be a matchup nightmare for almost every team in the league.  And I was countering it by saying the small ball Warriors were matchup nightmares for almost every team in the league too.  Doesnt mean the Warriors didnt have glaring weaknesses which prevented them from being a good playoff team.....just like the Lakers would have without Kobe, in spite of their matchups.

 

[throwedindagame]

It was funny. Dude literally ##@#$$# on the city and they won't recover economically or emotionally for years

 

[throwedindagame]

It was funny. Dude literally ##@#$$# on the city and they won't recover economically or emotionally for years

 

[tonyreali]

Originally Posted by Tunnel Vision

Originally Posted by DsLee559

I've always assumed that discussions went something like this before "The Decision" was aired:

ESPN/LeBron's Enoutrage: "Look LeBron, people all over the country are already dying to hear where you're going to play. Why not do it on ESPN during a special? It would be good for the brand, and we can even donate proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club. EVERYONE will love you even more if you do it."

LeBron: "Okay."

I don't think LeBron really outweighed the good and bad to come before actually doing "The Decision".
With that being said, I don't think he really thought about how fans would perceive it as a smack in the face or what not.
I still blame his management group more than I blame him for even allowing such a thing.

However, I'm not mad at all about LeBron's actual decision to go down to Miami to hoop. I actually respect that fact that he took the route of going to a place where he can win multiple championships with people who he actually likes as human beings.

This.
Seeing it put like this doesn't actually make it sound like a bad idea + he'd be raising money for the boy's & girls club (which he'd done on previous occasions).

Its not like he went on TV and called Cleveland a sh**hole or something. I understand that they feel rejected but the level of vitriol they spewed after the decision was out of line IMO. 

The majority of fans there took it too personal to where they chanted negative %%** about dude's mom and family. The double standard is ridiculous by those fans yet they call Lebron the jerk. 

He's just a damn basketball player.

He was just the only thing that the city of Cleveland had going for them. Now look at them


My opinion that Lebron is an ignorant, pompous **!%*!% will never change, but hey its not really his fault. Just look at his mom.

I just feel that if you're gonna %$+% on the town that did so much for you during your tenure there, at least give them a heads up and let them know beforehand that you would be taking your talents to south beach.

 

[tonyreali]

Originally Posted by Tunnel Vision

Originally Posted by DsLee559

I've always assumed that discussions went something like this before "The Decision" was aired:

ESPN/LeBron's Enoutrage: "Look LeBron, people all over the country are already dying to hear where you're going to play. Why not do it on ESPN during a special? It would be good for the brand, and we can even donate proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club. EVERYONE will love you even more if you do it."

LeBron: "Okay."

I don't think LeBron really outweighed the good and bad to come before actually doing "The Decision".
With that being said, I don't think he really thought about how fans would perceive it as a smack in the face or what not.
I still blame his management group more than I blame him for even allowing such a thing.

However, I'm not mad at all about LeBron's actual decision to go down to Miami to hoop. I actually respect that fact that he took the route of going to a place where he can win multiple championships with people who he actually likes as human beings.

This.
Seeing it put like this doesn't actually make it sound like a bad idea + he'd be raising money for the boy's & girls club (which he'd done on previous occasions).

Its not like he went on TV and called Cleveland a sh**hole or something. I understand that they feel rejected but the level of vitriol they spewed after the decision was out of line IMO. 

The majority of fans there took it too personal to where they chanted negative %%** about dude's mom and family. The double standard is ridiculous by those fans yet they call Lebron the jerk. 

He's just a damn basketball player.

He was just the only thing that the city of Cleveland had going for them. Now look at them


My opinion that Lebron is an ignorant, pompous **!%*!% will never change, but hey its not really his fault. Just look at his mom.

I just feel that if you're gonna %$+% on the town that did so much for you during your tenure there, at least give them a heads up and let them know beforehand that you would be taking your talents to south beach.

 

[lukethejediknight]

"And I was countering it by saying the small ball Warriors were matchup nightmares for almost every team in the league too."

That team was BARELY above the average NBA team differential for the 2007 season. Why do you think their upset over the Mavs is among the greatest upsets in sports?

Just STOP man. These players shouldn't be compared to Gasol/Odom. Players with better offense AND defense.

 

[lukethejediknight]

"And I was countering it by saying the small ball Warriors were matchup nightmares for almost every team in the league too."

That team was BARELY above the average NBA team differential for the 2007 season. Why do you think their upset over the Mavs is among the greatest upsets in sports?

Just STOP man. These players shouldn't be compared to Gasol/Odom. Players with better offense AND defense.

 

[onetrust]

Remember, Pau Gasol (who would then be the guy carrying the Lakers) wasnt Pau Gasol until he teamed up with Kobe.  Just sayin.



Yeah, he was just a guy that took his team to the playoffs without Kobe more than ONCE.

 

 at the Lakers NOT being a playoff team without Kobe.  I guess people forgot Gasol took Memphis MULTIPLE times to the playoffs.  Give him a Bynum, Odom, Artest and Phil Jackson and you're telling me they won't make the playoffs??? Yeaaaaa okaaaay. 


Anyway, the Decision is the ONLY thing Bron should be getting hate for.  Him going to better his career and chances at winning the title shouldn't even be a discussion unless you're a hater that doesn't ever wan't to see him win.  I rather y'all admit that then to make up some BS about his "legacy."

 

[onetrust]

Remember, Pau Gasol (who would then be the guy carrying the Lakers) wasnt Pau Gasol until he teamed up with Kobe.  Just sayin.



Yeah, he was just a guy that took his team to the playoffs without Kobe more than ONCE.

 

 at the Lakers NOT being a playoff team without Kobe.  I guess people forgot Gasol took Memphis MULTIPLE times to the playoffs.  Give him a Bynum, Odom, Artest and Phil Jackson and you're telling me they won't make the playoffs??? Yeaaaaa okaaaay. 


Anyway, the Decision is the ONLY thing Bron should be getting hate for.  Him going to better his career and chances at winning the title shouldn't even be a discussion unless you're a hater that doesn't ever wan't to see him win.  I rather y'all admit that then to make up some BS about his "legacy."

 

[fatherless child]

Who gives a $%!%. Dude is a coward and will always be.

 

[fatherless child]

Who gives a $%!%. Dude is a coward and will always be.

 

[lukethejediknight]

"Its mental toughness, his belief that he think hes so great that he can will the team to victory."

Yes, I forgot. Kobe controls minds and move objects with the Force.

Last time I checked, these players are gown men with minds and wills of their own. Gasol can get all the "mentoring" from other people he wants, but in the end he makes HIMSELF better. Give HIM credit.

The same is true for Kobe. Unless he also invented the work ethic, which I'm positive he didn't do.

 

[lukethejediknight]

"Its mental toughness, his belief that he think hes so great that he can will the team to victory."

Yes, I forgot. Kobe controls minds and move objects with the Force.

Last time I checked, these players are gown men with minds and wills of their own. Gasol can get all the "mentoring" from other people he wants, but in the end he makes HIMSELF better. Give HIM credit.

The same is true for Kobe. Unless he also invented the work ethic, which I'm positive he didn't do.

 

[nicedudewithnicedreams]

Originally Posted by Fatherless Child

Who gives a $%!%. Dude is a coward and will always be.

He mad.

 

[nicedudewithnicedreams]

Originally Posted by Fatherless Child

Who gives a $%!%. Dude is a coward and will always be.

He mad.

 

[dland24]

Im not going to argue with you anymore Luke. There is no way either of us can prove what we are saying. Its called an opinion. Yours is no more valid than mine.