View Full Version : Where would Lebron rank with 6 Championships, 6 FMVPs, 6 MVPs, 6 All-Star MVPs?
just curious...
lets not act like he has not potential to do that and has not time to do that.....
winwin
10-08-2011, 05:22 PM
20-30
asdf1990
10-08-2011, 05:22 PM
666 automatically makes him the GOAT forever.
SuperPippen
10-08-2011, 05:24 PM
Where would Brian Scalabrine rank withh 12 championships, 12 Finals MVPs, 12 MVPs, and 12 All-Star MVPs?
Above LeBron James, that's for sure.
Where would Brian Scalabrine rank withh 12 championships, 12 Finals MVPs, 12 MVPs, and 12 All-Star MVPs?
Above LeBron James, that's for sure.
not sure if serious....
lets be realistic here.... i am talking about a player who truly has potential to do that....
he is 26 years old... he is the best player in the NBA.... has FINALLY a great team............ the future looks good my friend.... very good....
he has 2 MVPs, 2 All-Star MVPs already... he needs only 4 more MVPs and 4 more All-Star MVPs (those are piece of cake for him considering his talent...) and 6 rings to achieve this feat (that is more harder considering its a team accomplishment, no matter how good u are u cant win it if u dont have the pieces)........ im sure in next 11-14 seasons he has POTENTIAL to achieve this......
Thorn
10-08-2011, 05:28 PM
Where would Brian Scalabrine rank withh 12 championships, 12 Finals MVPs, 12 MVPs, and 12 All-Star MVPs?
Above LeBron James, that's for sure.
Scal is already GOAT without those awards. :bowdown: :bowdown:
DaPerceive
10-08-2011, 05:30 PM
Where would Tony Allen rank with 8 championships, 7 finals MVPs, 7 MVPs, and 6 all-star MVPs?
:applause: Above LeBron just like Scal in that hypothetical.
CAstill
10-08-2011, 05:30 PM
He would be top 5 with a strong case for Top 3 depending on how Kobe ends his career.
thwarriorojmayo
10-08-2011, 05:32 PM
dude whats wrong with you? is all u think about lebron? Why don't you sit down
and chill. everytime it's lebron this, lebron that calm the ***K down. the rest of us are worrying about if we get to see basketball this season with the lockout and ur worried about if lebrons dick is hard enough for u to sit on. the way you talk about lebron u would make his baby-mama jealous. Ur the type of fan athletes get security guards for shit.:facepalm
He would be top 5 with a strong case for Top 3 depending on how Kobe ends his career.
6 Rings
6 FMVPs
6 MVPs
6 All-Star MVPs
17++++ POTM (he already has the most of all time)
100 triple doubles
#1 scorer of all time (yep he is on the best pace ever to shatter kareems scoring record)
and so on
not sure if serious.... thats GOAT...
EnoughSaid
10-08-2011, 05:33 PM
GOAT. But you can say that for everyone.
dude whats wrong with you? is all u think about lebron? Why don't you sit down
and chill. everytime it's lebron this, lebron that calm the ***K down. the rest of us are worrying about if we get to see basketball this season with the lockout and ur worried about if lebrons dick is hard enough for u to sit on. the way you talk about lebron u would make his baby-mama jealous. Ur the type of fan athletes get security guards for shit.:facepalm
did the other kobe thread/threads got the same reception from you? in that case ok... i guess i had it coming... :facepalm
GOAT. But you can say that for everyone.
like i said...
lets be realistic here... i am talking about a player who has truly POTENTIAL to do that....
so NO you CANT say that for everyone....
-Original-
10-08-2011, 05:35 PM
i'd say around top 15. he's quit way too many times to be GOAT.
DaPerceive
10-08-2011, 05:36 PM
not sure if serious....
lets be realistic here.... i am talking about a player who truly has potential to do that....
How in any way is this realistic? You think LeBron can win 4 more league MVPs and ALL 6 Finals MVPs of the 6 championships they would hypothetically win? There is nothing realistic about this scenario. The two most realistic ones you posted were the 6 all-star MVPs and the 6 championships.
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 05:39 PM
just curious...
lets not act like he has not potential to do that and has not time to do that.....
:lol
he doesnt, he already played 8 full seasons
averaged 39.5 MPG his Rookie year
How in any way is this realistic? You think LeBron can win 4 more league MVPs and ALL 6 Finals MVPs of the 6 championships they would hypothetically win? There is nothing realistic about this scenario. The two most realistic ones you posted were the 6 all-star MVPs and the 6 championships.
lets see...
lebron has a fantastic team right now, they almost won it last year despite him playing horrible in the Finals... is 26 years old... is the best player on his team.... CHECK (there goes that championship + FMVP scenario potential in to reality)
lebron is the best player & most productive player in the NBA and his team will end up with one of the best records (if not the best)..... lebron once again is only 26...... CHECK (there goes that 4 more MVP scenario into reality again)....
whats not so realistic :confusedshrug:
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 05:40 PM
6 Rings
6 FMVPs
6 MVPs
6 All-Star MVPs
17++++ POTM (he already has the most of all time)
100 triple doubles
#1 scorer of all time (yep he is on the best pace ever to shatter kareems scoring record)
and so on
not sure if serious.... thats GOAT...
on pace sure, but he wont come close tho
on pace sure, but he wont come close tho
sure... if he gets injured... or if somebody shoots him....
Kareem at his age had 4000 less points.... he has a very good headstart.... what 4000 points mean is he can afford to chillout averaging 22-24 ppg STARTING TODAY until he retires and still end up #1....
:lol
he doesnt, he already played 8 full seasons
averaged 39.5 MPG his Rookie year
i dont get it? how does that mean he has not potential? :wtf:
EnoughSaid
10-08-2011, 05:42 PM
like i said...
lets be realistic here... i am talking about a player who has truly POTENTIAL to do that....
so NO you CANT say that for everyone....
You said: Where would LBJ rank with this...
You CAN say that for everyone.
Better would be: Does LBJ have the potential to win these...
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 05:44 PM
sure... if he gets injured... or if somebody shoots him....
Kareem at his age had 4000 less points.... he has a very good headstart.... what 4000 points mean is he can afford to chillout averaging 22-24 ppg STARTING TODAY until he retires and still end up #1....
let him reach 30K first before even talking about it
Lebron came right off the bat from HS to the NBA at age 18, and played heavy minutes every year of his 8 season career, hes gonna decline fast once his athleticism goes away
You said: Where would LBJ rank with this...
You CAN say that for everyone.
Better would be: Does LBJ have the potential to win these...
it wouldnt be better.... i dont need that answered... ofcourse he has potential to become GOAT.... ? who doesnt think so? (dont mind answering that lebron haters :oldlol: )
ballup
10-08-2011, 05:46 PM
lets see...
lebron has a fantastic team right now, they almost won it last year despite him playing horrible in the Finals... is 26 years old... is the best player on his team.... CHECK (there goes that championship + FMVP scenario potential in to reality)
lebron is the best player & most productive player in the NBA and his team will end up with one of the best records (if not the best)..... lebron once again is only 26...... CHECK (there goes that 4 more MVP scenario into reality again)....
whats not so realistic :confusedshrug:
You do realize Lebron has Wade as a teammate? It's not like Lebron will be the clear cut FMVP if the Heat ever win a championship.
let him reach 30K first before even talking about it
Lebron came right off the bat from HS to the NBA at age 18, and played heavy minutes every year of his 8 season career, hes gonna decline fast once his athleticism goes away
30K will be reached in 5 years... 2000 points per season in 5 seasons, 75-82 games, 24 PPG each of those 5 seasons.... that will give him 30000 points... at the age of 31....
no player in NBA history had this kindof pace my man... Lebron is the youngest player in NBA history to ANY scoring total... all the way from 1 point to soon 18.000 points
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 05:47 PM
You do realize Lebron has Wade as a teammate? It's not like Lebron will be the clear cut FMVP if the Heat ever win a championship.
yep, and 6 championships :oldlol:
EnoughSaid
10-08-2011, 05:49 PM
Pauk, I actually believe LeBron will be in the 4-6 range for MVP's. With Wade declining, LeBron will more likely take on the full leading role.
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 05:49 PM
30K will be reached in 5 years... 2000 points per season in 5 seasons, 75-82 games, 24 PPG each of those 5 seasons.... that will give him 30000 points... at the age of 31....
Lebron has 17,000 points
17,000 + 10,000(next 5 seasons) = 27,000
27,000 at age 31 (or 32 with Lockout)
You do realize Lebron has Wade as a teammate? It's not like Lebron will be the clear cut FMVP if the Heat ever win a championship.
You do realize Wade is not as good or more productive than Lebron in season or playoffs?
You do realize Wade is older than Lebron?
You do realize Wade is more injury proned than Lebron?
You do realize Wade is less consistant than Lebron?
I love Wade... but im realistic here... its much more likely Lebron will come out with the FMVPs... you are crazy if you think lebron will have that one in a billion performance in the finals again....
Lebron has 17,000 points
17,000 + 10,000(next 5 seasons) = 27,000
i say 5 seasons... he will average more than 23-24 ppg... even with Wade (but an aging Wade) there....
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 05:51 PM
You do realize Wade is not as good or more productive than Lebron in season or playoffs?
You do realize Wade is older than Lebron?
You do realize Wade is more injury proned than Lebron?
You do realize Wade is less consistant than Lebron?
that means less championships :lol
3 is the maximum I see the Heat winning
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 05:53 PM
i say 5 seasons... he will average more than 23-24 ppg... even with Wade (but an aging Wade) there....
25 PPG x 82 = 2050
and thats if he plays every single game and doesnt get an injury
26 PPG x 82 = 2132
I dont see him averaging more than 26 PPG
Heavincent
10-08-2011, 05:54 PM
not sure if serious....
lets be realistic here.... i am talking about a player who truly has potential to do that....
he is 26 years old... he is the best player in the NBA.... has FINALLY a great team............ the future looks good my friend.... very good....
he has 2 MVPs, 2 All-Star MVPs already... he needs only 4 more MVPs and 4 more All-Star MVPs (those are piece of cake for him considering his talent...) and 6 rings to achieve this feat (that is more harder considering its a team accomplishment, no matter how good u are u cant win it if u dont have the pieces)........ im sure in next 11-14 seasons he has POTENTIAL to achieve this......
He's not the best player in the NBA right now.
And Lebron won't age as gracefully as Kobe and Jordan did.
25 PPG x 82 = 2050
and thats if he plays every single game and doesnt get an injury
26 PPG x 82 = 2132
I dont see him averaging more than 26 PPG
why not? he just averaged 27 ppg... :confusedshrug:
just getting in to his prime.... only getting better... just caring about adding a post game... only 26 years old... it will stay there at least at 26 ppg or go up... :confusedshrug:
EnoughSaid
10-08-2011, 05:55 PM
LeBron is big enough and bulky enough to play in the post. Defense will only get less and less tougher. If LBJ develops a post game as he ages, then he'll easily drop 20+ for the next 10 years.
that means less championships :lol
3 is the maximum I see the Heat winning
damn didnt think about it that way... ur right lol
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 05:57 PM
Lebron will not have 30,000 points at age 31 (after his 13th season)
17300
2200
2200
2200
2200
2200
= 28300
2200 is a 26.8 PPG average
28,300 points is what he gets if hes lucky theres no lockout and he plays all 82 games those 5 seasons
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 05:58 PM
why not? he just averaged 27 ppg... :confusedshrug:
just getting in to his prime.... only getting better... just caring about adding a post game... only 26 years old... it will stay there at least at 26 ppg or go up... :confusedshrug:
:eek:
:confusedshrug:
EnoughSaid
10-08-2011, 05:59 PM
You guys are acting like LBJ will only play until he's 31. If LeBron can adapt to his changes as he's aging, then we'll see a player that can play for 18-19 seasons.
:eek:
:confusedshrug:
You dont think Lebron is getting better? He is 26 right? Just now caring about a post game.....
i think that means only getting better.... :confusedshrug:
ballup
10-08-2011, 06:00 PM
You do realize Wade is not as good or more productive than Lebron in season or playoffs?
You do realize Wade is older than Lebron?
You do realize Wade is more injury proned than Lebron?
You do realize Wade is less consistant than Lebron?
:oldlol: So defensive. Wade is capable of great performances. Sure he will decline in a couple of years, but as of the nearby future, Wade and Lebron are in the same tier. And no their spacing in that tier isn't a large gap.
http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2010/02/15/16690215wade1.jpg
It can happen again.
You guys are acting like LBJ will only play until he's 31. If LeBron can adapt to his changes as he's aging, then we'll see a player that can play for 18-19 seasons.
Yes... and considering how his body - endurance and so on is built..... and his work ethic..... all he will need to care about is adding skills (right now only adding a freakin post game)
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 06:01 PM
You guys are acting like LBJ will only play until he's 31. If LeBron can adapt to his changes as he's aging, then we'll see a player that can play for 18-19 seasons.
his athleticism?
his speed gets him to the basket, it will get harder year after year
Da Heroic One
10-08-2011, 06:02 PM
:oldlol: So defensive. Wade is capable of great performances. Sure he will decline in a couple of years, but as of the nearby future, Wade and Lebron are in the same tier. And no their spacing in that tier isn't a large gap.
http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2010/02/15/16690215wade1.jpg
It can happen again.
who do you think is the best player on the heat, currently?
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 06:02 PM
You dont think Lebron is getting better? He is 26 right? Just now caring about a post game.....
i think that means only getting better.... :confusedshrug:
going into his 9th season
:oldlol: So defensive. Wade is capable of great performances. Sure he will decline in a couple of years, but as of the nearby future, Wade and Lebron are in the same tier. And no their spacing in that tier isn't a large gap.
http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2010/02/15/16690215wade1.jpg
It can happen again.
Wade is waaaaaaay to good not to play better than Lebron some games.... absolutely....
But Lebron is waaaaaaaaaaay to good not to play better than Wade more often.... and WAY to good to play the same way he did in the previous Finals against Mavs... i mean cmon, that was absolutely horrible by his standards... one in a billion occasion.... to hell with u if u think he will be that bad if those series were replayed :oldlol:
with that being said... i think Wade still has chance to snatch some FMVP if they win mutliple championships.......... Wade can easily outproduce even Michael Jordan in about 4-7 games.... thats how easy u can get the FMVP.... so yes ur right.... i mean even Tony Parker had a FMVP over Tim Duncan...
going into his 9th season
CORRECTION:
going into his 27th year of age....
seasons dont matter.... a season is just basketball..... workout / playing basketball / getting pro treatment is actually only good for u......
ITS AGE THAT IS THE TIME LIMIT.... NOT HOW MANY SEASONS YOU PLAYED... :facepalm
A GUY COMES IN THE NBA AT THE AGE OF 12... PLAYS 8 SEASONS.... NOW HE IS 20..... SHOULD HE RETIRE SOON? IS HE OUT OF HIS PRIME? ARE HIS LEGS DEAD BECAUSE HE PLAYED BASKETBALL FOR 8 YEARS? :facepalm
JordanTime
10-08-2011, 06:10 PM
just curious...
lets not act like he has not potential to do that and has not time to do that.....
"Re: Where would Lebron rank with 6 Championships, 6 FMVPs, 6 MVPs, 6 All-Star MVPs?"
lol......6 All-Star Game MVP really? What does that have to do with ranking a player?
Well anyways.......If Lebron James does go on to win 6 Championships, and 6 MVP's in his career, he'd be in the discussion with Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul Jabaar as the greatest to ever play the game of basketball.
"Re: Where would Lebron rank with 6 Championships, 6 FMVPs, 6 MVPs, 6 All-Star MVPs?"
lol......6 All-Star Game MVP really? What does that have to do with ranking a player?
Well anyways.......If Lebron James does go on to win 6 Championships, and 6 MVP's in his career, he'd be in the discussion with Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul Jabaar as the greatest to ever play the game of basketball.
good point... yea... all-star mvps are useless... i just had to lay down 4 6's tho... so i had to spam down something :D
maybe i should replace it with 6 DPOY's? LOL
ballup
10-08-2011, 06:18 PM
who do you think is the best player on the heat, currently?
Lebron.
Wade is waaaaaaay to good not to play better than Lebron some games.... absolutely....
But Lebron is waaaaaaaaaaay to good not to play better than Wade more often.... and WAY to good to play the same way he did in the previous Finals against Mavs... i mean cmon, that was absolutely horrible by his standards... one in a billion occasion.... to hell with u if u think he will be that bad if those series were replayed
with that being said... i think Wade still has chance to snatch some FMVP if they win mutliple championships.......... Wade can easily outproduce even Michael Jordan in about 4-7 games.... thats how easy u can get the FMVP.... so yes ur right.... i mean even Tony Parker had a FMVP over Tim Duncan...
If getting FMVP was so easy, then why is Parker the only non superstar (aside from Billups) to receive the FMVP?
greensborohill
10-08-2011, 06:19 PM
http://www.dallasnews.com/incoming/20110621-115957053.jpg.ece/BINARY/w700x467/115957053.jpg
Get one,then let's talk about six
Lebron.
If getting FMVP was so easy, then why is Parker the only non superstar (aside from Billups) to receive the FMVP?
its much more easier than a MVP dont you agree? thats what i mean with "easy"....
its only 4-7 games... if you have a stacked team... any of those players can win it in 4-7 games...
but in 82 games...? how many non superstars have won a MVP? NONE...
http://www.dallasnews.com/incoming/20110621-115957053.jpg.ece/BINARY/w700x467/115957053.jpg
Get one,then let's talk about six
doesnt work that way... its about POTENTIAL especially considering age and talent...
Dirk is 33 years old.... he got one... so can we talk about 6 championships for him? NO WE CANT... the potential is NOT there... get it?
alenleomessi
10-08-2011, 06:42 PM
thats pretty much the goat, but the fans would never rank him over jordan, and rightfully so
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 06:44 PM
http://www.dallasnews.com/incoming/20110621-115957053.jpg.ece/BINARY/w700x467/115957053.jpg
Get one,then let's talk about six
:applause:
http://www.postercheckout.com/PrintImagesNew/PFS/AAML22501.jpg
get 5, before you talk about 6
thats pretty much the goat, but the fans would never rank him over jordan, and rightfully so
yea i understand....
even for me... im a jordan homer... for Jordan i think it goes beyond those "on paper accomplishments".... simply because Jordan is and will forever be the ICON of this sport... he globalized the sport.... his impact on the league and the sport... i dont think any player had that kindof household name..... if Jordan didnt exist.... neither would Kobe and Lebron... Lebron will not be able to put that kindof "accomplishment" on his repertoir... no player will be able to..
everybody wants to be Like Mike.... even Kobe (cloning his every move, voice, tongue and everything lol) and Lebron (#23, his idol and so on)... :lol
even my god damn grandma knows who Michael Jordan is... :lol
Kobe who? A stake? A restaurant in Japan? Food?
Lebron who? Is he French?
thats pretty much the goat, but the fans would never rank him over jordan, and rightfully so
Anybody with 6 rings, 6 FMVPs, 6 MVPs would be top Jordan.
That player would be a combination of Jordan and Kareem, would he be?
MJ = 6 rings, 6 FMVP, 5 MVPs ...... Kareem = 6 rings, 2 FMVPs, 6 MVPs
EnoughSaid
10-08-2011, 07:01 PM
Kobe with 6 titles still wouldn't be top 5. lmao.
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 07:04 PM
Kobe with 6 titles still wouldn't be top 5. lmao.
Kobe 5 titles
Lebron 0 titles
lmao
Heavincent
10-08-2011, 07:05 PM
Kobe with 6 titles still wouldn't be top 5. lmao.
:roll: :roll: :roll:
Quit lying to yourself.
greensborohill
10-08-2011, 07:20 PM
doesnt work that way... its about POTENTIAL especially considering age and talent...
Dirk is 33 years old.... he got one... so can we talk about 6 championships for him? NO WE CANT... the potential is NOT there... get it?
Yer such a little b****. Even if LeBron gets 6 titles, that means Wade will get the Finals MVP's. LeBron is fvcking scared as sh!t of the big moments. That's why his nutz shrivel up like a a little baby in the kiddie pool. So shut the fvck up already about LeRobin Lames
NJW1247
10-08-2011, 07:25 PM
:applause:
http://www.postercheckout.com/PrintImagesNew/PFS/AAML22501.jpg
get 5, before you talk about 6
http://www.interbasket.net/news/wp-content/gallery/michael-jordan/mjhof-championship-trophy.jpg
Get 6, before you talk about 6.
Kobe 5 titles
Lebron 0 titles
lmao
Pippen > Kobe?
And dont give me that "the man in his team" crap... Kobe got 3 rings exactly the way Scottie did...
Deuce Bigalow
10-08-2011, 07:34 PM
http://www.interbasket.net/news/wp-content/gallery/michael-jordan/mjhof-championship-trophy.jpg
Get 6, before you talk about 6.
lol, but you already have 6, so why talk about getting 6?
greensborohill
10-08-2011, 07:48 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AviH4A_2cD95uOe7ZN7F3K68vLYF?slug=aw-wojnarowski_dirk_nowitzki_mavericks_comeback_game2 _nba_finals_060311
“I’ve got your back,” Nowitzki told him on his way back to the court, but he was speaking to everyone here. From Carlisle to Cuban, Kidd to Chandler, those big, broad shoulders can burden so much now. Ball in his hands, NBA Finals on the line, and suddenly there was no more dancing on the shores of Biscayne Bay, no more preening. Terry had been right about one thing: The Mavericks wouldn’t go that way, wouldn’t let these Finals turn into a coronation. Nowitzki hadn’t come to be a foil for the Heat’s stars, but the biggest and baddest closer in the gymnasium.
Out of nowhere, Nowitzki raised his arms in the stunned silence of American Airlines Arena on Thursday night. Out of Dirk Nowitzki’s guile, out of his genius, salvation belonged to the Dallas Mavericks. Damn right he had their backs.
greensborohill
10-08-2011, 07:51 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=dw-wetzel_heat_mavericks_collapse_celebration_game2_f inals060311
Phi Slamma South Beach had rained down another 3-pointer, Dwyane Wade(notes) this time. Miami was up 15, about to be up 2-0 in the NBA Finals, about to all but start the victory parade down here. Seven minutes and change remained and LeBron James(notes) came charging over to Wade, who was holding his post-release pose in the air in front of the Dallas Mavericks’ bench. Soon James was throwing jabs at Wade’s chest in celebration, and the entire Finals spun on the Heat’s preening.
“Upsetting,” the Mavs’ Tyson Chandler(notes) said.
“A turning point,” teammate Jason Terry(notes) said.
“I don’t think it’s an issue,” LeBron James said.
The Heat had come so far, so fast, and now here was the moment when it all came unglued, when they went right back to their worst tendencies. Oblivious. Cocky. Just unnecessary. When they play hard they reach seemingly unattainable heights. When they think things will be easy, even for just a moment, they can crater out with unfathomable fury.
greensborohill
10-08-2011, 07:55 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-wojnarowski_nowitzki_mavericks_win_nba_finals_0613 11
This one is too good. Gotta post the entire thing.
He held the trophy into the air, Dirk Nowitzki(notes) marching across the court pushing midnight now, pushing past his wildest dreams as a skinny, scared teenager arriving in the NBA all those years ago. There were a couple hundred Dallas Mavericks fans still waiting for him in Section 105, and they all looked like proud parents, like they had witnessed a young man grow into a legend, a champion now.
Nowitzki held that Larry O’Brien Trophy higher now, like an offering to the basketball gods. In those big, meaty hands, it looked like a lost friend found.
“WOOOHOOOO!!!” Nowitzki screamed, and now he stopped in the tunnel for a moment, lifting the big, shiny trophy higher and higher so that they could touch it too. When everyone else doubted that a European could be the cornerstone for an NBA champion, when the chance to trade him for Kobe Bryant(notes) once crossed the owner’s desk, they always believed that they would witness this night with Nowitzki. They always believed he could be a champion, could hold that trophy in the air, hold it high.
The prospect of ever trading Nowitzki always left team owner Mark Cuban asking himself this: What would a title for the Mavericks be worth without Nowitzki? He was the ultimate Maverick, a trailblazing European that redefined and reshaped the way a 7-footer could dominate a basketball game.
In the year of the trophy chase, here was the most improbable scene on the shores of Biscayne Bay: Dirk Nowitzki had marched out of Miami with an NBA championship, a Finals MVP and a victory for perseverance, staying the course.
This is rare now, a fading phenomenon in the NBA. Nowitzki has forever been the sun the Mavericks’ planets surrounded, an orbiting galaxy of coaches and teammates that have come and gone. He was the constant, the conscience of a franchise that invoked his ethic, his character, his relentless pursuit of victory. No one worked harder. No one worked longer.
No one took what should’ve been imperfections as a slow, un-athletic 7-footer, and turned them into unconquerable strengths, an ability to shoot with his body twisted, contorted and falling the wrong way. When his shot wasn’t falling in Game 6 – missing 11 of 12 shots to start the game – his longtime teammate, Jason Terry(notes), barked into his ear: “Keep pushing. Remember ’06.”
Five years ago, the Mavericks had a 2-0 Finals lead on the Heat, an immense Game 3 edge late, and lost four straight, lost the title. Remember ’06 was Terry’s way of reminding Nowitzki about the most important thing of all: Remember the failure, remember the ache – and make it all go away now.
“If I would have won one early in my career, maybe I would have never put all the work and time that I have over the last 13 years,” Nowitzki said.
He’s been the most awkwardly graceful star the sport’s ever seen, a testament to a game played far below the rim, and deep within the mind. The Mavericks were a remarkable story, and Nowitzki a remarkable star. Dallas swept the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, beat the burgeoning Oklahoma City Thunder, and finally beat the defending July champion, Miami Heat.
“It wasn’t about our high-flying star power,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “Come on, how often do we have to hear about the LeBron James(notes) Reality Show? When are people going to talk about the purity of the game and what these guys accomplished?”
Forever now. Once again, James was an uncertain, uneven star with a championship on the line. He didn’t play well in these Finals, and worst in the moments that the Heat needed him most. He didn’t want the ball in the fourth quarter, passing it away as fast as it had come to him.
James will win championships, but he’ll never enjoy a moment so singularly pure as Nowitzki did. He’ll never have this connection to a franchise and a fandom, a communion of shared struggle and pursuit and angst. This is still Dwyane Wade’s(notes) town, and probably Wade’s team. One Eastern Conference star said, “Right now all he’s doing is helping D-Wade get his second ring.”
To hear James suggest that the world will have to return to its sad, little ordinary lives and he’ll still get to be LeBron James late Sunday night was a window into his warped, fragile psyche. It was sad, and portends to how disconnected to the world he truly is.
“They have to wake up and have the same life that they had before they woke up today … the same personal problems,” James said. “I’m going to continue to live the way that I want to live. … But they have to get back to the real world at some point.”
There’s nothing real about James’ world, and never has been. He’s a prisoner of a life that his sycophants and enablers and our sporting culture has created for him. He’s rich and talented and something of a tortured soul. He’s the flawed superstar for these flawed times. He’s a creation of a basketball breeding ground full of such twisted priorities and warped principles. Almost every person who’s ever had to work closely with him, who has spent significant time, who’s watched him belittle and bully people, told me they were rooting hard against him. That’s sad, and that’s something he doesn’t understand and probably never will.
When the game was over, his attitude was downright defiant. They had done enough to win, he insisted, and of course he was wrong.
Strange, but Chris Bosh(notes) knew the truth. When he talked about Nowitzki, you had to wonder to whom he was directing his words. “There’s nothing extra. There’s nothing super. [Nowitzki] was just himself. And in these situations, I think when you’re yourself and you play your basketball, the best thing always happen.
“He’s worked very hard, for a very long time and he deserves it. I think we can take a page out of their book and really just pay attention to people’s work ethic and how much time they put into the game. Obviously, what we did wasn’t enough.”
As the buzzer sounded on a 105-95 victory, Nowitzki didn’t run to the middle of the floor, into the throbbing mob of teammates and coaches, cameras and flickering lights. He wanted to get out of there, wanted to be alone in the visiting locker room. The tears had started to come, and he just thought that he ought to be alone with them.
Eventually, the Mavericks had to drag him back out to take his Finals MVP trophy, and take his bow on the podium for national television. In the culminating moment of his career, Nowitzki was sheepish, deferring and humbled. He seemed so at peace, so contented. He had taken everything the basketball world could throw his way, and there was no Bleep You moment on Sunday night. There was no I Told You So.
Dirk doesn’t do endorsements and doesn’t do self-promotion. He doesn’t care. He never wanted to be a brand. He wanted to be an NBA champion.
Finally, the clock had pushed back to 1:20 a.m., early Monday and Nowitzki clutched his MVP trophy on the walk out of the arena, out onto the loading dock. There were still Mavericks fans waiting outside the barricades, cheering him, chanting “MVP … MVP … ” Yes, he clutched the trophy, but mostly the memories of making the Mavericks a relevant franchise out of a joke, carving a legacy and a legend as a forever hero. LeBron James will win a title, but he’ll never own it the way that Dirk Nowitzki did this one.
The Mavericks bus was packed with players and coaches and family, and the door opened up wide for Nowitzki. The noise and laughter and love came tumbling out for him. He climbed on, the bus peeled out of the parking lot and toward the Venetian Causeway across the green waters of Biscayne Bay, toward a long night of partying, and a longer life as a champion. And here’s how the Year of LeBron James finally ended in a balmy night in June: Dirk Nowitzki was taking his team, his trophy, his talents to South Beach.
greensborohill
10-08-2011, 07:59 PM
http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225063&page=61
Game 2 game thread, lots of win in there!
imdaman99
10-09-2011, 02:37 AM
ppl wouldnt clown on his hair issues thats for sure. anyone remember MJ's hair in that interview from early 90s? :lol
talkingconch
10-09-2011, 03:02 AM
How are you so sure that he'll have Finals MVP's when he's playing with dwyane wade?
talkingconch
10-09-2011, 03:03 AM
Kobe with 6 titles still wouldn't be top 5. lmao.
http://www.gifbin.com/bin/tn_4mceko5.gif
The Iron Fist
10-09-2011, 12:30 PM
http://www.interbasket.net/news/wp-content/gallery/michael-jordan/mjhof-championship-trophy.jpg
Get 6, before you talk about 6.
I hope this isn't your first post in the thread, or else it just comes down to you being very hurt that Kobe has 5. As it is, the thread is about lebronz having 6 championships,
when he doesn't even have one.
edit - just read the whole thread.
Your snatch is sore and bruised because Kobe has one title to go to get to six.
NBASTATMAN
10-09-2011, 06:43 PM
just curious...
lets not act like he has not potential to do that and has not time to do that.....
He will be lucky to win 3.. His legs will be shot in the current system Miami plays in.. That type of defense will kill Lebron the most cuz of his size.. He and Wade are also too similart to coexist... :rockon:
rodman91
10-10-2011, 06:55 PM
not sure if serious....
lets be realistic here.... i am talking about a player who truly has potential to do that....
he is 26 years old... he is the best player in the NBA.... has FINALLY a great team............ the future looks good my friend.... very good....
he has 2 MVPs, 2 All-Star MVPs already... he needs only 4 more MVPs and 4 more All-Star MVPs (those are piece of cake for him considering his talent...) and 6 rings to achieve this feat (that is more harder considering its a team accomplishment, no matter how good u are u cant win it if u dont have the pieces)........ im sure in next 11-14 seasons he has POTENTIAL to achieve this......
:D
chips93
10-10-2011, 07:09 PM
lol, but you already have 6, so why talk about getting 6?
:lol
SpecialQue
10-10-2011, 07:16 PM
How many times would a frog bump its ass a-hoppin' if it had wings?
How many times would a hamburger sing "happy birthday" if you put it in a toaster?
Both of these questions make as much sense as the fantasy-land described in the subject line.
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