So will the media start trashing Durant they way they did Lebron?

[Force]

assuming the Thunder go out this round.

It would only be fair right?

Does Durant have what it takes to be a champion? Will he ever win a title? Will he be able to evolved his game into a better overall more effective player?

Or is that the kind of thing that only Lebron gets from the media?

just saying.

[IGOTGAME]

honestly, if they get sweep then he should start getting the same treatment.

[50inchvertical]

Westbrook will take all the blame

[Clippersfan86]

Yup. Would be fair. Last year they let Rose off the hook who got eliminated in round 3.... yet they bashed the shit out of Lebron who made it to the finals. Durant will probably be protected and excused by people.

[StateOfMind12]

It would be fair.......if Durant guaranteed championships like LeBron did and said it was going to be easy.

Did Durant ever make those statements like LeBron did? If not, then how are they even close to being related?

Durant is like the last guy you can blame for the Thunder being down 0-2 in this series so far. He has played tremendous and has been the best individual player for BOTH teams.

[IGOTGAME]

It would be fair.......if Durant guaranteed championships like LeBron did and said it was going to be easy.

Did Durant ever make those statements like LeBron did? If not, then how are they even close to being related?

Durant is like the last guy you can blame for the Thunder being down 0-2 in this series so far. He has played tremendous and has been the best individual player for BOTH teams.

Lebron was getting shit in Cleveland before that happened...

[Clippersfan86]

It would be fair.......if Durant guaranteed championships like LeBron did and said it was going to be easy.

Did Durant ever make those statements like LeBron did? If not, then how are they even close to being related?

Durant is like the last guy you can blame for the Thunder being down 0-2 in this series so far.

Please stop twisting shit. Lebron never guaranteed them. When he said the not 1... not 2... not 3... thing he was just saying what the teams AMBITIONS were. WAS NOT a prediction. Durant isn't demanding the ball and having the impact he should be. He's the Thunder's franchise player and runner up MVP so you bet your ass he deserves a large portion of the blame. So does Scott Brooks and Westbrook.

[guy]

Durant isn't losing to teams he was expected to beat and he also doesn't invite the criticism by the way he carries himself like Lebron does. So no, its not the same.

And no one was asking if Lebron had what it takes to win a ring after his 5th season. At that time, it was pretty much a given conclusion that Lebron would win multiple rings. If you told people back in 2008 that by 2012 Lebron still wouldn't have a ring, alot of people would've laughed at you.

[Force]

honestly, if they get sweep then he should start getting the same treatment.

So winning one game would excuse Durant from getting trashed? no way.

lebron played some ridiculous basketball the year they ended up getting swept by the Spurs in the finals. it didn't matter to people, and apparently still doesn't. Just last night the media is saying it doesn't matter if Bosh is injured, the Heat get no pass, they have to win.

just saying. A lot of folks been saying Durant is better than Lebron. well, he should get trashed by the media the same way every time his team fails.

just saying.

[Clippersfan86]

Durant isn't losing to teams he was expected to beat and he also doesn't invite the criticism by the way he carries himself like Lebron does. So no, its not the same.

And no one was asking if Lebron had what it takes to win a ring after his 5th season. At that time, it was pretty much a given conclusion that Lebron would win multiple rings. If you told people back in 2008 that by 2012 Lebron still wouldn't have a ring, alot of people would've laughed at you.

No doubt Lebron has highest expectations... but that's because he's such a superior player. Doesn't change the fact that Durant shouldn't get the Rose treatment where he gets crushed in a series and nobody says a word. Whenever the same happens to Lebron or Kobe everybody is ripping them apart... saying they are done, overrated and a bunch of other stupid bullshit.

[StateOfMind12]

Lebron was getting shit in Cleveland before that happened...
Whoever was blaming LeBron for his failures in Cleveland is either a moron or a Kobe fan unless you are talking about just the 2010 series then that is fair since Lebron had a subpar series vs. Boston and some argue that he quit although I'm not one of those people that think he quit.

[Clippersfan86]

So winning one game would excuse Durant from getting trashed? no way.

lebron played some ridiculous basketball the year they ended up getting swept by the Spurs in the finals. it didn't matter to people, and apparently still doesn't. Just last night the media is saying it doesn't matter if Bosh is injured, the Heat get no pass, they have to win.

just saying. A lot of folks been saying Durant is better than Lebron. well, he should get trashed by the media the same way every time his team fails.

just saying.

Yup. Many people say he's better or close to Lebron... then why should he be given a pass so easily? Because he's more likable or humble supposedly? Fu** that.

[Force]

lol @ revisionist history.

Lebron was getting killed by the media before he even left the Cavs. You know, where he played with Mo Williams as his best player. Where he went to the finals and took out the great Pistons playing with Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Eric Snow and Big Z. oh yeah, when he was only 21 years old.

[Remix]

The Thunder already beat a team tougher than the Heat will face until the finals.

[stallionaire]

If durant gets swept it should be considered just as bad as when LeBron got swept by them.

[IGOTGAME]

So winning one game would excuse Durant from getting trashed? no way.

lebron played some ridiculous basketball the year they ended up getting swept by the Spurs in the finals. it didn't matter to people, and apparently still doesn't. Just last night the media is saying it doesn't matter if Bosh is injured, the Heat get no pass, they have to win.

just saying. A lot of folks been saying Durant is better than Lebron. well, he should get trashed by the media the same way every time his team fails.

just saying.

Lebron played like shit in that series. 2-27 from outside the paint on conceded jumpers....horrible fg% and bad leadership.

That is why he got crap after the spurs series.

[ihoopallday]

It would be fair.......if Durant guaranteed championships like LeBron did and said it was going to be easy.

Did Durant ever make those statements like LeBron did? If not, then how are they even close to being related?

Durant is like the last guy you can blame for the Thunder being down 0-2 in this series so far. He has played tremendous and has been the best individual player for BOTH teams.

Take away the whole decision and pre season celebrations, and people will still find a way to hate. If the Thunder lose two WCF in a row, there has to be some blame on KD. KD needs to be more of a leader.

[IGotACoolStory]

When you are dubbed as the next great thing and fail to meet expectations 100% of the time, you get killed by the media and fans. It's unfair, there is no justice to it, but it happens.

Luckily for Durant (the second best player in the league), LeBron had the nickname 'the King' since high school.

[Kurosawa0]

If durant gets swept it should be considered just as bad as when LeBron got swept by them.

Worse. LeBron had Larry Hughes and Daniel Gibson. Durant has Westbrook and Harden.

[Force]

If durant gets swept it should be considered just as bad as when LeBron got swept by them.

Much worse imo. Look at the difference in their teammates. Look at who Lebron was playing with that season. Look at the STACKED talent on the Thunder. The team is loaded with talent, scorers and size too.

OKC has WAY more talent on the team right now than Lebron's Cavs EVER had. it's not even close.

[SCdac]

Lebron averages 6-9 assists a game and is basically a walking triple double. He's just a different player. There's no justification for Lebron to be standing around or lackadaisical because he affects the game in so many ways. Durant is more of a pure scorer ala George Gervin, though I'd like to see the ball in his hands more, and see him become a better defender.

[StateOfMind12]

Take away the whole decision and pre season celebrations, and people will still find a way to hate. If the Thunder lose two WCF in a row, there has to be some blame on KD. KD needs to be more of a leader.
If we take away the decision, pre-season celebrations then people would blame LeBron for not showing up in the 2011 Finals and for being the heavy favorite and still losing.

How does any of that have anything in common to what Durant is currently going through with the Spurs?

Thunder aren't the favorites in this series, Durant isn't playing bad at all, so what is the similarity besides the fact that they are both great players and they both lose a playoff series?

[nbaballllller]

lol @ revisionist history.

Lebron was getting killed by the media before he even left the Cavs. You know, where he played with Mo Williams as his best player. Where he went to the finals and took out the great Pistons playing with Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Eric Snow and Big Z. oh yeah, when he was only 21 years old.

this lol

but the truth is- the reason why the media is so harsh on lebron is because he is obviously the best player in the world and has been for some time. Some people say durant is close/better but no one who knows anything about basketball actually feels that.

[LakersReign]

assuming the Thunder go out this round.

It would only be fair right?

Does Durant have what it takes to be a champion? Will he ever win a title? Will he be able to evolved his game into a better overall more effective player?

Or is that the kind of thing that only Lebron gets from the media?

just saying.

It's not even ever close to being the same thing. KD has never done anything other than come in second to Lebron in MVP voting, so why should he be criticized and for what reason? The only people who would want to do such a thing are Lebronytes, who what to try and discredit him like they tried to do Rose. Simply cuz their play is on the same level as Lebron, so they see them as threats.

[guy]

No doubt Lebron has highest expectations... but that's because he's such a superior player. Doesn't change the fact that Durant shouldn't get the Rose treatment where he gets crushed in a series and nobody says a word. Whenever the same happens to Lebron or Kobe everybody is ripping them apart... saying they are done, overrated and a bunch of other stupid bullshit.

Its partly cause he's a superior player but its also cause he brings it upon himself. Calling himself King, some of the ridiculous showboating over the years, promising championships for Cleveland, the Decision, guaranteeing 8 rings, leaving to play with another superstar at his level on their team, etc. Kevin Durant has never done anything remotely close to those things, and he's also never shrunk the way Lebron has in the past 2 years. Neither Durant, Rose, or pretty much any of the other superstars in the league just quit in the middle of a series the way Lebron has. I don't really understand how this is lost on people.

[guy]

lol @ revisionist history.

Lebron was getting killed by the media before he even left the Cavs. You know, where he played with Mo Williams as his best player. Where he went to the finals and took out the great Pistons playing with Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Eric Snow and Big Z. oh yeah, when he was only 21 years old.

I don't recall anyone getting on Lebron's case for losing in 2007 except from crazy old Skip Bayless. He was getting nothing but praise at the time from everyone else. He only started really getting alot criticism after the 2009 playoffs.

[Force]

I don't recall anyone getting on Lebron's case for losing in 2007 except from crazy old Skip Bayless. He was getting nothing but praise at the time from everyone else. He only started really getting alot criticism after the 2009 playoffs.

wow, you are in such denial.

Lebron get's crap for that series to this very day still.

[nbaballllller]

I don't recall anyone getting on Lebron's case for losing in 2007 except from crazy old Skip Bayless. He was getting nothing but praise at the time from everyone else. He only started really getting alot criticism after the 2009 playoffs.

actually alot of people still criticise him for 2007 finals sweep

oh and why in the fk would people criticise him after 2009 playoffs?

the dude aveeraged 38 9 9 or some shiz. he was spectacular.

But the sad thing is you are right. he did/ still does take criticism for those playoffs aswell

[Replay32]

It would be fair.......if Durant guaranteed championships like LeBron did and said it was going to be easy.

Did Durant ever make those statements like LeBron did? If not, then how are they even close to being related?

Durant is like the last guy you can blame for the Thunder being down 0-2 in this series so far. He has played tremendous and has been the best individual player for BOTH teams.

I don't recall Lebron ever "guaranteeing" a Championship. This is a Myth made up by the media.

Also Lebron said "the way he and dwade are going to challenge each other in practice. When the game starts, it's going to be easy." Obvious this was ignorant but that's what he thought. He's still young and I think he's learned just how dumb that statement was.

But Lebron never guaranteed a championship. He just said he "believed" they could win multiple titles if they played the right way.

Lebron was a free agent and had every right to play for whatever team he wanted as a free agent.

Regarding the OP: No Durant won't catch blame like Lebron. The lebron hate is something I've never seen watching basketball since the mid 80's.

[SpecialQue]

"It's all Westbrook's fault!"

[Tenchi Ryu]

Yup. Would be fair. Last year they let Rose off the hook who got eliminated in round 3.... yet they bashed the shit out of Lebron who made it to the finals. Durant will probably be protected and excused by people.
Oh please, stop with this bull. People want to keep bringing up his 30% FG, yet the reason it WAS that low was cause he kept trying and didn't give up. Of course people will tend to let you off the hook when you forcibly get shut down by a team with 3 of the top 15 players in the NBA.

Lebron got flak cause he flat out quit, period. I could understand if he got 4 points and bricked 8 shots. But he was a NO show, went completely absent and would just stand in the damn corner. Now if Durant does the same thing, then yes, he gets the hammer.

[Clippersfan86]

Oh please, stop with this bull. People want to keep bringing up his 30% FG, yet the reason it WAS that low was cause he kept trying and didn't give up. Of course people will tend to let you off the hook when you forcibly get shut down by a team with 3 of the top 15 players in the NBA.

Lebron got flak cause he flat out quit, period. I could understand if he got 4 points and bricked 8 shots. But he was a NO show, went completely absent and would just stand in the damn corner. Now if Durant does the same thing, then yes, he gets the hammer.

Shot attempts don't=effort.

[Tenchi Ryu]

Shot attempts don't=effort.
When you are losing, need points, and the best damn player in the NBA...yes it does.

[Clippersfan86]

When you are losing, need points, and the best damn player in the NBA...yes it does.

Rose only impacts the game with his scoring for the most part. Lebron can not score at all and have a bigger impact than rose with his playmaking, rebounding and defense. Last year I saw a Lebron who was game planned for perfectly by Dallas and looked worn out. I wouldn't define that as "quitting".

[guy]

wow, you are in such denial.

Lebron get's crap for that series to this very day still.

At the time and for the year or two after? No not really. Now they do because it's more evidence to support his relatively disappointing playoff play. At the time, the majority just looked at it as a bump in the road for a young phenom and that it was inevitable that he'd start winning multiple titles sooner rather then later. He was getting nowhere near the criticism he gets today as he was probably the most beloved player in the league.

[305Baller]

they can and they will

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QjARWd5a84/T3OXHJJbe1I/AAAAAAAAA34/OVtLNvwpMvI/s1600/nod-of-approval.gif

[Tenchi Ryu]

Rose only impacts the game with his scoring for the most part.
You really make yourself look foolish with statements like this. Especially if you are referring to this year. Its him being a threat on the floor why he can set his teammates up for good shots. We get it, you don't like Rose, but at least use factual statements. Him only good for scoring is the reason his PPG took a significant drop.....sure



Lebron can not score at all and have a bigger impact than rose with his playmaking, rebounding and defense. Last year I saw a Lebron who was game planned for perfectly by Dallas and looked worn out. I wouldn't define that as "quitting".
I'd define it as you giving him more excuses. He quit, gave up, didn't care. He's done this MULTIPLE TIMES in his career. It is what it is.

[WeGetRing2012]

No Durant didn't self proclaim himself the "King" :lol
He doesnt embrace the accolades.
No posters saying "witness" (:lol witness what for Lebron?)
He didn't promise to bring a championship to OKC
He didn't bail out on his team after coming up short a few times
He didn't go join another superstars team to try to win (though him & Rose would be nice)
He didn't promise 8 rings :lol (what was Lebron thinking...)
He didn't hold a parade/concert during the offseason for no reason
And he didn't choke.

I wish Durant the best of luck in his long career....

[Celtic_Pride]

Poor guy

His Point guard doesn't feed him in his areas, takes more shots than him and it seems like his coach is too soft to request their PG to pass the ball to the 3 time scoring champ!

[guy]

actually alot of people still criticise him for 2007 finals sweep

oh and why in the fk would people criticise him after 2009 playoffs?

the dude aveeraged 38 9 9 or some shiz. he was spectacular.

But the sad thing is you are right. he did/ still does take criticism for those playoffs aswell

The shaking hands thing. I'm not saying he deserved criticism or not. I'm just saying he really only became a huge target of criticism around that time. He didn't get much criticism in his first five years just like most young players.

[Clippersfan86]

No Durant didn't self proclaim himself the "King" :lol
He doesnt embrace the accolades.
No posters saying "witness" (:lol witness what for Lebron?)
He didn't promise to bring a championship to OKC
He didn't bail out on his team after coming up short a few times
He didn't go join another superstars team to try to win (though him & Rose would be nice)
He didn't promise 8 rings :lol (what was Lebron thinking...)
He didn't hold a parade/concert during the offseason for no reason
And he didn't choke.

I wish Durant the best of luck in his long career....

This is the same retarded logic people use to bash Griffin. Lebron himself never claimed to be the Chosen One etc.... that was the media who gave him the nicknames and proclaimed him the next GOAT. Sure he didn't do anything to calm the hype but don't confuse that with HIM saying the crap.

[Tenchi Ryu]

This is the same retarded logic people use to bash Griffin. Lebron himself never claimed to be the Chosen One etc....
So he doesn't choose his own tattoos now?

[guy]

Rose only impacts the game with his scoring for the most part. Lebron can not score at all and have a bigger impact than rose with his playmaking, rebounding and defense. Last year I saw a Lebron who was game planned for perfectly by Dallas and looked worn out. I wouldn't define that as "quitting".

:oldlol: if that doesn't define quitting, what does?

[WeGetRing2012]

This is the same retarded logic people use to bash Griffin. Lebron himself never claimed to be the Chosen One etc.... that was the media who gave him the nicknames and proclaimed him the next GOAT. Sure he didn't do anything to calm the hype but don't confuse that with HIM saying the crap.

No one is talking about Griffin get off his nuts...

And Lebron had that tatted on him before people started calling him that. The dude is extremely cocky...and he loves the attention.

[Clippersfan86]

:oldlol: if that doesn't define quitting, what does?

Wait... so playing against a team that does a great job neutralizing you.... and getting exhausted means quitting? I'm confused now :confusedshrug: .

[305Baller]

Poor guy

His Point guard doesn't feed him in his areas, takes more shots than him and it seems like his coach is too soft to request their PG to pass the ball to the 3 time scoring champ!

Trade Westbrook then haaha

[RaininTwos]

No Durant didn't self proclaim himself the "King" :lol
He doesnt embrace the accolades.
No posters saying "witness" (:lol witness what for Lebron?)
He didn't promise to bring a championship to OKC
He didn't bail out on his team after coming up short a few times
He didn't go join another superstars team to try to win (though him & Rose would be nice)
He didn't promise 8 rings :lol (what was Lebron thinking...)
He didn't hold a parade/concert during the offseason for no reason
And he didn't choke.

I wish Durant the best of luck in his long career....
In all seriousness, the whole "Witness"" thing was one of the best Ad campaigns I have ever seen and you are an idiot for blaming lebron for that. Also dude is one of the greatest players in NBA History, just because he didnt win a championship doesnt mean they didnt see anything worthy of greatness.:facepalm

[guy]

This is the same retarded logic people use to bash Griffin. Lebron himself never claimed to be the Chosen One etc.... that was the media who gave him the nicknames and proclaimed him the next GOAT. Sure he didn't do anything to calm the hype but don't confuse that with HIM saying the crap.

Lebron came into the league referring to himself as a "brand" and said his goal was to be the first sports billionaire. He tried to make himself bigger then basketball right from the beginning. And he's been quite successful at it, but when he doesnt win when that's the case, the criticism is understandably magnified.

[DirkNowitzki41]

Lebron on July 8th 2010: "This gon' be easy"

Lebron on June 12th 2011: "No one said it's gon' be easy"

To answer the OP, no. WeGetRing2012 gave alot of good reasons, and I'm no LeBron hater.. I'd love to see him win it all this year.

[Tenchi Ryu]

Wait... so playing against a team that does a great job neutralizing you.... and getting exhausted means quitting? I'm confused now :confusedshrug: .
Wasn't too exhausted to tell us that we were not rich and our lives suck. Wasn't too exhausted to say he stayed in his room for 2 weeks yet had photographic evidence he was in the islands not even remotely pissed 2 days later....

Just give it up man, a lot of the trashing he has put on himself.

[305Baller]

Lebron on July 8th: "This gon' be easy"

Lebron on June 12th: "No one said it's gon' be easy"

To answer the OP, no.

NBA: where contradictions happen.


more like...

LIFE: Where contradictions happen.

[amfirst]

No, because Durant actually shoot his shots and not pass the ball for another to miss.

[Clippersfan86]

Wasn't too exhausted to tell us that we were not rich and our lives suck. Wasn't too exhausted to say he stayed in his room for 2 weeks yet had photographic evidence he was in the islands not even remotely pissed 2 days later....

Just give it up man, a lot of the trashing he has put on himself.

I didn't say he hasn't done anything to make it worse. Just think people go way too far and act like golden boys like Rose+Durant don't deserve criticism because they are "humble" and quiet. Fu** that. You play bad as the superstar.. and you deserve criticism.

[imdaman99]

Ummm Westbrook will get all the blame, take that to the bank :rockon:

[Sarcastic]

How many times has Lebron lost with HCA?

How many times has Durant lost with HCA?

[Clippersfan86]

Lebron on July 8th 2010: "This gon' be easy"

Lebron on June 12th 2011: "No one said it's gon' be easy"

To answer the OP, no. WeGetRing2012 gave alot of good reasons, and I'm no LeBron hater.. I'd love to see him win it all this year.

Man this is what I won't stand for is people twisting things. He said "It's going to be easy" in reference to playing with Wade+Bosh. NOT winning rings or anything else. Stop making shit up guys.

[guy]

Wait... so playing against a team that does a great job neutralizing you.... and getting exhausted means quitting? I'm confused now :confusedshrug: .

Okay. If that wasn't Lebron giving up and was 100% the Mavs defense, then the 2012 Mavs are easily the GOAT defense ever. If a defense could hold someone as great as Lebron down to that putrid of a performance, then there really is no argument for any other team. Are you ready to agree to that?

[Tenchi Ryu]

I didn't say he hasn't done anything to make it worse. Just think people go way too far and act like golden boys like Rose+Durant don't deserve criticism because they are "humble" and quiet. Fu** that. You play bad as the superstar.. and you deserve criticism.
No criticism? To this day, you still hear about Rose being a shotjacker who ain't a pointguard, and Durant who is a one dimensional player. We hear this ALL the time on the internet and media. Ain't Durant and Rose's fault being humble helps compared to being a jackass at times that puts WAY more targets on your back.

[DirkNowitzki41]

Man this is what I won't stand for is people twisting things. He said "It's going to be easy" in reference to playing with Wade+Bosh. NOT winning rings or anything else. Stop making shit up guys.

Yeah, it's going to be easy playing with Wade and Bosh to win multiple championships.

Seriously, what else would he mean by that?

[Clippersfan86]

Okay. If that wasn't Lebron giving up and was 100% the Mavs defense, then the 2012 Mavs are easily the GOAT defense ever. If a defense could hold someone as great as Lebron down to that putrid of a performance, then there really is no argument for any other team. Are you ready to agree to that?

They don't need to be a GOAT defense. They had top tier perimeter defenders like Marion, Kidd and Stephenson doing a great job trapping, doubling him and in general the Mavs centered their defense around stopping Lebron on the perimeter then when he drove he had Chandler to worry about. Yes the Mavs were a great defensive team though. They shredded the Thunder and Heat who both have two superstars, so what do you think?

[Clippersfan86]

Yeah, it's going to be easy playing with Wade and Bosh to win multiple championships.

The context of it though had to do with the ease of blending it... not the ease to win it all man. Not fair to use that against him.

[WeGetRing2012]

In all seriousness, the whole "Witness"" thing was one of the best Ad campaigns I have ever seen and you are an idiot for blaming lebron for that. Also dude is one of the greatest players in NBA History, just because he didnt win a championship doesnt mean they didnt see anything worthy of greatness.:facepalm

:lol :lol

Before he even stepped on the court we were supposed to "witness" something... get out of here

Jordan agrees

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37ZjiJb9Efk

And I see greatness through rings sorry bro.

[Clippersfan86]

No criticism? To this day, you still hear about Rose being a shotjacker who ain't a pointguard, and Durant who is a one dimensional player. We hear this ALL the time on the internet and media. Ain't Durant and Rose's fault being humble helps compared to being a jackass at times that puts WAY more targets on your back.

Don't compare it. If you ASK or make a thread about Rose sure people chime in... but in general people respect Rose and don't often bring up his 30 percent shooting in the ECF. With Lebron EVERYTHING he's ever done that can be turned into a criticism.... IS. He brings some of it on himself and sure he has a big ego but so what? Enough is enough.

Dude has some of the most batshit career playoff numbers that rival Jordan and anybody else. So it's time to lay off and see what he does before criticizing.

[Maestro33]

No Durant didn't self proclaim himself the "King"
He doesnt embrace the accolades.
No posters saying "witness" ( witness what for Lebron?)
He didn't promise to bring a championship to OKC
He didn't bail out on his team after coming up short a few times
He didn't go join another superstars team to try to win (though him & Rose would be nice)
He didn't promise 8 rings (what was Lebron thinking...)
He didn't hold a parade/concert during the offseason for no reason
And he didn't choke.

Genius.

[ILLsmak]

Westbrook will take all the blame

as he should. I still think they should trade that bitch. His value is extremely high and they could bring in a real big and a pass first PG, likely.

-smak

[guy]

They don't need to be a GOAT defense. They had top tier perimeter defenders like Marion, Kidd and Stephenson doing a great job trapping, doubling him and in general the Mavs centered their defense around stopping Lebron on the perimeter then when he drove he had Chandler to worry about. Yes the Mavs were a great defensive team though. They shredded the Thunder and Heat who both have two superstars, so what do you think?

If you're saying it's all the defense, then they are GOAT. There has never been a defense that has held down a superstar of Lebron's caliber to that bad of a series and that much under his capability. Not the bad boy Pistons, 90s Knicks, 90 Bulls, 00s Spurs, 00s Pistons, 00s Celtics, etc. There really is no other conclusion you can make.

[Clippersfan86]

If you're saying it's all the defense, then they are GOAT. There has never been a defense that has held down a superstar of Lebron's caliber to that bad of a series and that much under his capability. Not the bad boy Pistons, 90s Knicks, 90 Bulls, 00s Spurs, 00s Pistons, 00s Celtics, etc.

:facepalm . Defense is a huge part of it. The other part is Lebron simply not hitting shots, being aggressive enough scoring or playing well. None of which means they quit. For example CP3 played his heart out vs the Spurs couple weeks ago but just couldn't get it done with his injuries. He gave 110 percent every position so you can't call it quitting. Just a bad series.

[Droid101]

The Thunder already beat a team tougher than the Heat will face until the finals.
Bingo.

The 1st-6th seeds of the West are better than 1-15 in the East, not close.

[tpols]

They don't need to be a GOAT defense. They had top tier perimeter defenders like Marion, Kidd and Stephenson doing a great job trapping, doubling him and in general the Mavs centered their defense around stopping Lebron on the perimeter then when he drove he had Chandler to worry about. Yes the Mavs were a great defensive team though. They shredded the Thunder and Heat who both have two superstars, so what do you think?
The Bulls had Deng(best small forward defender in the league in 2011), Ronnie Brewer(very very good defensive SF), and Kieth Bogans along with some of the best positional/rotational defense and Lebron played twice as good against them.

The Bulls defense EASILY being better than the Mavs completely disproves that notion.

[Clippersfan86]

The Bulls had Deng(best small forward defender in the league in 2011), Ronnie Brewer(very very good defensive SF), and Kieth Bogans along with some of the best positional/rotational defense and Lebron played twice as good against them.

The Bulls defense EASILY being better than the Mavs completely disproves that notion.

Not true. Without Noah+Rose... Mavs are a much better TEAM defense (2011 Mavs).

[Bladers]

This is the same retarded logic people use to bash Griffin. Lebron himself never claimed to be the Chosen One etc.... that was the media who gave him the nicknames and proclaimed him the next GOAT. Sure he didn't do anything to calm the hype but don't confuse that with HIM saying the crap.

Say what?

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/569/529/lebron_display_image.jpg

[guy]

:facepalm . Defense is a huge part of it. The other part is Lebron simply not hitting shots, being aggressive enough scoring or playing well. None of which means they quit. For example CP3 played his heart out vs the Spurs couple weeks ago but just couldn't get it done with his injuries. He gave 110 percent every position so you can't call it quitting. Just a bad series.

Yea CP3 was injured. Big difference. There's a difference between quitting and just having a bad series. Lebron's 2007 vs the Spurs and 2008 vs the Celtics were bad series but he didn't quit. In 2010 and 2011, he just quit. Lack of aggressiveness and deflated body language from a player who is usually quite animated when he plays are clear signs of that.

A guy that doesn't quit, goes down swinging. Is that how you would describe Lebron last year?

[chazzy]

Not true. Without Noah+Rose... Mavs are a much better TEAM defense (2011 Mavs).
He's talking about the 2011 Bulls.. their defense was much better than Dallas'.

[tpols]

Not true. Without Noah+Rose... Mavs are a much better TEAM defense (2011 Mavs).
Im talking about Lebrons performance last year against the Bulls..

How he played much better against the Bulls than he did against the Mavs despite the Bulls easily being the better defensive team. How could it have been all the Mavs defense when he showed an ability to play at a higher level against a much better defense than the Mavs. That eliminates the 'defense' as the most signifigant variable. He fvcking choked dude.

[Clippersfan86]

Say what?

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YODg65nll_o/SYDRcjAfjNI/AAAAAAABapQ/wNnEorYCmGk/lebron-james-tattoo-001-back-chosen-one-small.jpg"]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YODg65nll_o/SYDRcjAfjNI/AAAAAAABapQ/wNnEorYCmGk/lebron-james-tattoo-001-back-chosen-one-small.jpg

As I said... he made things worse by embracing them... but he didn't start them.

[Clippersfan86]

He's talking about the 2011 Bulls.. their defense was much better than Dallas'.

I wouldn't go as to say "much better". Dallas was the 7th ranked defense and the Bulls were the 1st. In the playoffs... Dallas was the 3rd best defense. There isn't a big gap... and I feel the collective unit of defenders on Dallas who took turns and did well on Lebron is much larger than what Chicago has. Basically Dallas had more great perimeter defenders, while the Bulls had the more balanced D.

[Clippersfan86]

Im talking about Lebrons performance last year against the Bulls..

How he played much better against the Bulls than he did against the Mavs despite the Bulls easily being the better defensive team. How could it have been all the Mavs defense when he showed an ability to play at a higher level against a much better defense than the Mavs. That eliminates the 'defense' as the most signifigant variable. He fvcking choked dude.

I already stated fatigue as being a factor for that.... After a very physical Bulls series and another round of course he's more prone to lapses.

[LakersReign]

This is the same retarded logic people use to bash Griffin. Lebron himself never claimed to be the Chosen One etc.... that was the media who gave him the nicknames and proclaimed him the next GOAT. Sure he didn't do anything to calm the hype but don't confuse that with HIM saying the crap.

The ret**ded logic is trying to make pathetic excuses for him willingly playing into the hype. Then after it backfired, saying" oh...well....he never said it himself, so it doesn't count." He went and got a tattoo that said "Chosen One" so there goes that theory:facepalm

[Shepseskaf]

Durant will never get trashed. 1) Likeable image; 2) No televised 'Decision'; 4) No predictions of multiple titles; 5) Negotiated quietly, and stayed with his original team.

[RaininTwos]

:lol :lol

Before he even stepped on the court we were supposed to "witness" something... get out of here

Jordan agrees

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37ZjiJb9Efk

And I see greatness through rings sorry bro.
:facepalm

[tpols]

I already stated fatigue as being a factor for that.... After a very physical Bulls series and another round of course he's more prone to lapses.
Get the fvck outta here.:oldlol:

[tpols]

Durant will never get trashed. 1) Likeable image; 2) No televised 'Decision'; 4) No predictions of multiple titles; 5) Negotiated quietly, and stayed with his original team.
Basically.. wasnt a dumbass about everything.

[keepinitreal]

How many times has Lebron lost with HCA?

How many times has Durant lost with HCA?

How many times has Carmelo lost with HCA?

How many times has Duncan lost with HCA?

:banana:

[Sarcastic]

How many times has Carmelo lost with HCA?

Less than Lebron.



How many times has Duncan lost with HCA?

:banana:

More than Carmelo.

[bdreason]

Bashing LeBron is just trendy. Durant could fail to win anything for the rest of his career, and never receive the type of irrational hate LeBron gets.

[All Net]

Durant is 23 he has plenty more years to win titles...his time will come. He has had 3 game winners in this playoffs... He has led his team to back to back conference finals could could be the case where he lost to the champs both times.

[fos]

Only if Durant hosts his own "The Decision" before leaving Oklahoma City to bring his talents to South Beach and team up with Lebron, Wade, and Bosh in Miami. :confusedshrug:

[LakersReign]

Bashing LeBron is just trendy. Durant could fail to win anything for the rest of his career, and never receive the type of irrational hate LeBron gets.


You mean the "irrational hate" of him promising Cleveland a title that he never delivered? Or the "irrational hate" of him hosting a special on ESPN to announce to the world and Cleveland at the same time, that he was leaving for Miami? Or the "irrational hate" of being told he was the next Jordan even when it's obvious he has NONE of Jordan's qualities....that "irrational hate"?:rolleyes:

GTFOH!!!!

[RazorBaLade]

Maybe not because hes not as hyped and thats more of a "team" than what lebron has ever had to work with but in either case, I've sure lost a lot of respect for him. Its a lot easier to be a good closer if you only do it once in a while and some nights just back off and end up LOSING because youre hurting your team. I really dislike the idea of letting worse players close on some nights and not have the best player shoot in the 4th just because it makes it easier for you to close once in a while when you're open and feeling it...

[arifgokcen]

Durant has never been the faceof Nba.You cant expect the same treatment.Because lebron is the face of nba and better player.

[Maindi]

And I see greatness through rings sorry bro.
So, Robert Horry is better than KAJ, Jordan, Stockton, Malone and heck pretty much anyone else? :lol

[stephanieg]

Thing is no one cares about Durant that much, only as an anti-LeBron foil. Plus he's not so douchey and self aggrandizing.

[NumberSix]

Durant doesn't have anywhere near the expectations that LeBron does. However unfair it is, LeBron came in with the expectation of being one of the top players to ever play the game. KD never had that. Everything he does/ will do is an accomplishment. With LeBron, it's only what he has fallen short of.

[Brickz187]

Honestly people don't view Durant the same as they view Lebron. As much as people will say Durant is the best to discredit Lebron, everyone expects Lebron to be in the finals every year and lose. No one expects or even cares if Durant makes the finals except for Thunder fans. That is the biggest difference between the two. Everyone cares about Lebron whether he is failing or succeeding. No one cares about Durant. He is never expected to go to the finals "as long as he is playing with Westbrook". His excuse is already set in stone.

[ScarSymmetry]

Durant isn't losing to teams he was expected to beat and he also doesn't invite the criticism by the way he carries himself like Lebron does. So no, its not the same.

And no one was asking if Lebron had what it takes to win a ring after his 5th season. At that time, it was pretty much a given conclusion that Lebron would win multiple rings. If you told people back in 2008 that by 2012 Lebron still wouldn't have a ring, alot of people would've laughed at you.

Agreed

[Nero Tulip]

If OKC loses then that's pretty much normal. Everyone expects him too.

[SilkkTheShocker]

Did someone in this thread really refer to Rose as the best player in the NBA?

LOL

[clipse]

I think the Spurs deserve a lot of credit for the strategy they are executing. Basketball is a team sport, and as good as Durant is, the team defense of SA is simply doing an excellent job of denying KD the ball and clogging the lane when he does get it. They are forcing him into tough shots.

It isn't solely Durant's fault, nor was it solely Lebron's fault, for losing. There are 4 other guys on the court as well. Win as a team, lose as a team.

[Rysio]

probably not. lebron was getting trashed cuase he was supposed to be the chosen one and not the choken one and even then he didn't start to get really trashed till about 09.

[Duncan21formvp]

assuming the Thunder go out this round.

It would only be fair right?

Does Durant have what it takes to be a champion? Will he ever win a title? Will he be able to evolved his game into a better overall more effective player?

Or is that the kind of thing that only Lebron gets from the media?

just saying.
No, because Durant will not have lost as the favorite or with HCA, while Lebron would have still lost with HCA 3 years in a row.

[LBJDW305]

Yes he should. It's only fair since he's considered by some the best player in the league.

[Extempo]

Nobody cares about Durant enough to waste energy trashing him. As much as I don't like Lebron, he is interesting to discuss. Durant is just...blah.

[dynasty1978]

Lebron is the "next in line" , not Durant, so he's going to have to take the good with the bad.

Kobe was getting absolutely crushed until he won again post-Shaq.

Heavy lies the crown.

[hennigplex]

Doesn't change the fact that Durant shouldn't get the Rose treatment where he gets crushed in a series and nobody says a word. Whenever the same happens to Lebron or Kobe everybody is ripping them apart... saying they are done, overrated and a bunch of other stupid bullshit.

Just curious, how does a single player 'get crushed' in a series? The team gets crushed, right?

[D-Wade316]

Just curious, how does a single player 'get crushed' in a series? The team gets crushed, right?
Did you not saw Lebron making Rose his personal bitch in last year's ECF? :lol

[Sarcastic]

Durant doesn't have anywhere near the expectations that LeBron does. However unfair it is, LeBron came in with the expectation of being one of the top players to ever play the game. KD never had that. Everything he does/ will do is an accomplishment. With LeBron, it's only what he has fallen short of.

A lot of that is self imposed. No one forced him to get "Chosen 1" tattooed on his back, and no one forced him to say "not 5, not 6, not 7..."

[pegasus]

So winning one game would excuse Durant from getting trashed? no way.

lebron played some ridiculous basketball the year they ended up getting swept by the Spurs in the finals. it didn't matter to people, and apparently still doesn't. Just last night the media is saying it doesn't matter if Bosh is injured, the Heat get no pass, they have to win.

just saying. A lot of folks been saying Durant is better than Lebron. well, he should get trashed by the media the same way every time his team fails.

just saying.

That's gotta be one of the most ignorant things people say on this board. Other than that one epic game against the Pistons (game 5 I think), he did nothing extraordinary.

It was Boobie Gibson who shot the ball out of his mind in that series and made the difference. The Pistons were aging anyway, and the other teams they beat in the first two rounds were trash, then Lebron played horribly against the Spurs. Where was the ridiculous part?

[Tenchi Ryu]

Funny most Lebron stans fail to realize is that most NBA fans bash him simply cause they don't like him for usually being an arrogant jerk without even winning something yet. His cases of choking and other charades just make him a easier target.

At least Jordan and Shaq waited til they proved something before getting cocky.

[Simple Jack]

It's not even ever close to being the same thing. KD has never done anything other than come in second to Lebron in MVP voting, so why should he be criticized and for what reason? The only people who would want to do such a thing are Lebronytes, who what to try and discredit him like they tried to do Rose. Simply cuz their play is on the same level as Lebron, so they see them as threats.

If their play is on the same level, you should have similar expectations. If you hate on one for not getting it done, you hate on his peer, who apparently you believe is equal in his level of play, for doing the same.

[Simple Jack]

That's gotta be one of the most ignorant things people say on this board. Other than that one epic game against the Pistons (game 5 I think), he did nothing extraordinary.

It was Boobie Gibson who shot the ball out of his mind in that series and made the difference. The Pistons were aging anyway, and the other teams they beat in the first two rounds were trash, then Lebron played horribly against the Spurs. Where was the ridiculous part?

Gibson had 3 games above 10 points. 1 game of 21, the other of 11 on 2/7 FG and his big game 6 of 31 on 7/9.

For the series, he shot 47% FG, with game 5 included. Without it he shot 37% FG.

:roll: @ this retard acting like Gibson was playing amazing all series.

[Dolphin]

Funny most Lebron stans fail to realize is that most NBA fans bash him simply cause they don't like him for usually being an arrogant jerk without even winning something yet. His cases of choking and other charades just make him a easier target.

At least Jordan and Shaq waited til they proved something before getting cocky.

You really think MJ and Shaq weren't cocky before proving something, eh?

And by "proving something" I assume you actually mean winning a title because obviously Lebron winning three MVP's is proving something.

But ya, look at when MJ and Shaq won their first titles. I'd laugh if you came back here and claimed they weren't cocky as hell before that. This really might be one of the silliest notions I've ever read on here. lol

[pegasus]

Gibson had 3 games above 10 points. 1 game of 21, the other of 11 on 2/7 FG and his big game 6 of 31 on 7/9.

For the series, he shot 47% FG, with game 5 included. Without it he shot 37% FG.

:roll: @ this retard acting like Gibson was playing amazing all series.

I said Gibson was the difference maker. Lebron played his normal basketball, except for that one game.

Had Gibson, a mere rookie, not made those shots, they wouldn't have advanced. I'm not saying he carried them, but he was the X factor, especially in their critical wins.

And to answer your rant about Durant not getting enough criticism... You don't ever criticize Lebron (not that I have seen), so why would you bitch about Durant?

I'm sure you don't consider him the best player in the world, so why would you expect so much of him when you give Lebron (the best according to you) a free pass every time he fails?

Yep, it's a two way street, and you lie down like a roadkill right now.

[Tenchi Ryu]

You really think MJ and Shaq weren't cocky before proving something, eh?

And by "proving something" I assume you actually mean winning a title because obviously Lebron winning three MVP's is proving something.

But ya, look at when MJ and Shaq won their first titles. I'd laugh if you came back here and claimed they weren't cocky as hell before that. This really might be one of the silliest notions I've ever read on here. lol
Show me a pic of Chosen one and King nicknames associated with Shaq and MJ before Rings.

[hawke812]

assuming the Thunder go out this round.

It would only be fair right?

Does Durant have what it takes to be a champion? Will he ever win a title? Will he be able to evolved his game into a better overall more effective player?

Or is that the kind of thing that only Lebron gets from the media?

just saying.

When Lebron folds yet again, the media will not even discuss any other subject. It will be Lebron 24/7. Book it:coleman:

[pauk]

Nah... he aint Lebron... he aint the "best player in the world", he hasnt spoiled us with 30-50 point triple doubles, no MVPs, he hasnt been in the Finals and so on, there is no ridicilous expectations of Durant...

I hope he doesnt tho... bashing a player for not being able to win a championship is not fair, this is a team game... the better team will ALWAYS win, not the team that has the better player...

[Dengness9]

assuming the Thunder go out this round.

It would only be fair right?

Does Durant have what it takes to be a champion? Will he ever win a title? Will he be able to evolved his game into a better overall more effective player?

Or is that the kind of thing that only Lebron gets from the media?

just saying.


Kevin Durant has only played 5 seasons and didn't jump ship cuz he couldn't handle the pressure.

Did KD promise 8 championships??

Does KD call himself the Chosen one?

/thread

[Dengness9]

Yup. Would be fair. Last year they let Rose off the hook who got eliminated in round 3.... yet they bashed the shit out of Lebron who made it to the finals. Durant will probably be protected and excused by people.


Who let Rose off the hook?

It was his 3rd season, he was only 22 on a team w/ no other all-stars?

What are you talking about?

[pauk]

Kevin Durant has only played 5 seasons and didn't jump ship cuz he couldn't handle the pressure.

Lebron played 7 seasons and didnt "jump ship", where he was also much more successful than Durant despite the much worse supporting cast... Durant was NEVER in Lebrons situation, if Lebron had the supporting cast Durant has right now Lebron would have NEVER left Cleveland and he would have dominated the league and won a championship/multiple championships long time ago....

Durant is not the Player Lebron is & was......... this comparasant is ridicilous


Did KD promise 8 championships??

No... and neither did Lebron? Where do you dream that shit up?



Does KD call himself the Chosen one?


No, neither does Lebron... thats the nickname GIVEN TO HIM by the media just before the NBA.... as a 18-19 year old i guess he liked it...

Im sure Durant has some other cool thing tattood instead:

http://mit.zenfs.com/207/2011/07/118588686.jpg
http://stk.dimemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Kevin-Durant.jpeg

[tmacattack33]

Durant is pretty boring both personality wise and in terms of how much his on court game excites casual fans.

Therefore, nope he will not get a fourth or even an eight of the criticism that Lebron gets.


Also.... Something funny that is happening is Durant fans saying that westbrook is the problem and was the problem last yr against Dallas. If that happened to Lebron, the media would bash Lebron for not yelling at Westbrook and getting him to pass.

[jbryan1984]

The media trashing Bron last year was mainly because of the Decision and the pep rally they had where they said they were going to win a million championships. Durant is loyal to his organization and has never promised anything other than he will play hard.

[arifgokcen]

The media trashing Bron last year was mainly because of the Decision and the pep rally they had where they said they were going to win a million championships. Durant is loyal to his organization and has never promised anything other than he will play hard.
You know thats bllsht.
Lebron had been loyal to his franchise and cleveland is his hometown.He brought that franchise more success than anyone could have ever imagined.However because of how bad cavs front office had been all those years,they really didnt get any player to play alongside lebron.When you have a player that basically averages 35-9-8 throughout playoffs you expect that team to win a championship.
Before all that he has been criticized right from the beginning,his rookie year.Actually i think there were more news and articles about him in his rookie year than there are about durant in this season.

[bdreason]

You mean the "irrational hate" of him promising Cleveland a title that he never delivered? Or the "irrational hate" of him hosting a special on ESPN to announce to the world and Cleveland at the same time, that he was leaving for Miami? Or the "irrational hate" of being told he was the next Jordan even when it's obvious he has NONE of Jordan's qualities....that "irrational hate"?:rolleyes:

GTFOH!!!!


This irrational rant only serves to prove my point.


The only rational people I would expect to hate LeBron are Cavs fans. And honestly, they should be more upset at their ownership for surrounding LeBron with garbage for 7 years. If Cleveland is able land LeBron one legitimate co-star (and please don't call Mo Williams a co-star), then LeBron would probably still be playing for the Cavs.

[LakersReign]

This irrational rant only serves to prove my point.


The only rational people I would expect to hate LeBron are Cavs fans. And honestly, they should be more upset at their ownership for surrounding LeBron with garbage for 7 years. If Cleveland is able land LeBron one legitimate co-star (and please don't call Mo Williams a co-star), then LeBron would probably still be playing for the Cavs.

Please.:rolleyes:

The word irrational means looking at a situation without sound logic and judgement. Nothing I said in my previous posts was anything like that. And had you not been haulin' a** away from the truth just like a typical Lebronyte and had actually read my post, you would've seen that. Which tells me you have no idea what the word really means. But again, you're a Lebronyte, so I'm not surprised. Holla back when you learn what the word actually means and how to use it properly in a sentence.:sleeping

[PJR]

Who let Reigny out of his cell?

[LakersReign]

You know thats bllsht.
Lebron had been loyal to his franchise and cleveland is his hometown.He brought that franchise more success than anyone could have ever imagined.However because of how bad cavs front office had been all those years,they really didnt get any player to play alongside lebron.When you have a player that basically averages 35-9-8 throughout playoffs you expect that team to win a championship.
Before all that he has been criticized right from the beginning,his rookie year.Actually i think there were more news and articles about him in his rookie year than there are about durant in this season.


Y'all keep singing that same tired song now, but can never explain, if the Cavs were so bad then, why did ALL Y'ALL keep talking about a eventual Lakers/Cavs Finals. Makes no sense, either they sucked or they didn't, it can't be both.

[Heavincent]

This is the same retarded logic people use to bash Griffin. Lebron himself never claimed to be the Chosen One etc.... that was the media who gave him the nicknames and proclaimed him the next GOAT. Sure he didn't do anything to calm the hype but don't confuse that with HIM saying the crap.


I guess that's why he has a Chosen One tattoo and often refers to himself in the third person.

[WeGetRing2012]

So, Robert Horry is better than KAJ, Jordan, Stockton, Malone and heck pretty much anyone else? :lol

I didn't say every player who has a ring is great (even though Horry is one of the clutchest players Ive seen)

But that great players have rings. See to even be included in the discussion you have to have a RING so when Lebron gets one of those we can start talking about where he belongs in relation to other greats.

For now he can be placed along with Malone,Barkley,AI,Stockton,Nash,Webber,King,Miller ,Ewing,etc you know with those other "almost" niccas...

[Dengness9]

Lebron played 7 seasons and didnt "jump ship", where he was also much more successful than Durant despite the much worse supporting cast... Durant was NEVER in Lebrons situation, if Lebron had the supporting cast Durant has right now Lebron would have NEVER left Cleveland and he would have dominated the league and won a championship/multiple championships long time ago....

Durant is not the Player Lebron is & was......... this comparasant is ridicilous



No... and neither did Lebron? Where do you dream that shit up?



No, neither does Lebron... thats the nickname GIVEN TO HIM by the media just before the NBA.... as a 18-19 year old i guess he liked it...

Im sure Durant has some other cool thing tattood instead:

http://mit.zenfs.com/207/2011/07/118588686.jpg
http://stk.dimemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Kevin-Durant.jpeg

Oh so you gonna act like that High School pep rally didn't take place before last season where we all know Lebron did his not 1 not 2 not 3....etc bullshit???

You blatantly lied. Its to be expected of someone like you who nut hugs Lebron. What team did you follow before jumping on the Heat bandwagon???

And nice try trying to justify Lebron jumping ship and the way he refers to himself in the 3rd person or by his pathetic nicknames he gave to himself.

He is the Chosen One of shriking in the biggest moments of his career.

[arifgokcen]

Y'all keep singing that same tired song now, but can never explain, if the Cavs were so bad then, why did ALL Y'ALL keep talking about a eventual Lakers/Cavs Finals. Makes no sense, either they sucked or they didn't, it can't be both.
Mate why are you using different accounts every time.
Anyway back to your post.I didnt say such thing.I wasnt even a member back then.Nobody has won championships by themselves.Kobe didnt even get past first round.Lebron actually took his scrub team to finals.A feat nobody accomplished before.2007 cavs finals team was by far the worst team in finals history.Had he won a couple rings we would be calling him the greatest player of all time.

[WeGetRing2012]

Mate why are you using different accounts every time.
Anyway back to your post.I didnt say such thing.I wasnt even a member back then.Nobody has won championships by themselves.Kobe didnt even get past first round.Lebron actually took his scrub team to finals.A feat nobody accomplished before.2007 cavs finals team was by far the worst team in finals history.Had he won a couple rings we would be calling him the greatest player of all time.

But he didn't. Why do Lebron fans always include imaginary rings :confusedshrug: :confusedshrug:

[Scholar]

Seeing as Durant is actually playing his heart out there instead of giving up like a certain Queen did, :confusedshrug: I can't see why he'd get the same treatment as LeBron.

He's not cocky. He's not guaranteeing championships; he isn't claiming to be the best player on his team; etc. The guy is just going out and balling. Once he decides to stop showing up for 4th quarters, then you can say what you want. Until then, no comparison between what he does & what LBJ did.

BTW, Durant is also still young. He's got years to prove himself. Why talk shit now? He's not in his mid-20's, flopping out of an NBA Finals.

[Scholar]

Mate why are you using different accounts every time.
Anyway back to your post.I didnt say such thing.I wasnt even a member back then.Nobody has won championships by themselves.Kobe didnt even get past first round.Lebron actually took his scrub team to finals.A feat nobody accomplished before.2007 cavs finals team was by far the worst team in finals history.Had he won a couple rings we would be calling him the greatest player of all time.

Allen Iverson says, "Hi."

[DJ Leon Smith]

If Durant is the fifth-leading scorer in the series that he's knocked out in, then the media should start trashing him the way they trashed LeBron.

In all honesty, LeBron got off lightly in the media.

[LakersReign]

Mate why are you using different accounts every time.
Anyway back to your post.I didnt say such thing.I wasnt even a member back then.Nobody has won championships by themselves.Kobe didnt even get past first round.Lebron actually took his scrub team to finals.A feat nobody accomplished before.2007 cavs finals team was by far the worst team in finals history.Had he won a couple rings we would be calling him the greatest player of all time.

The truth really does hurt....doesn't it?:lol

Prove it with a RELEVANT AND VALID ISH link, or STFU and go sit down somewhere.:sleeping

[Deuce Bigalow]

1. Thunder are not the favorites
2. Thunder do not have HCA
3. Durant isn't being outscored by a bench player and his 3rd option
4. Durant isn't averaging 3 4th quarter ppg
5. Durant doesn't have D-Wade dropping 28 ppg on high % through the first 5 games

[arifgokcen]

The truth really does hurt....doesn't it?:lol

Prove it with a RELEVANT AND VALID ISH link, or STFU and go sit down somewhere.:sleeping
OK my friend i dont have self esteem issues.Go do your trolling.

[LakersReign]

CAN'T find any RELEVANT AND VALID ISH links to my supposed "alternate accounts"....huh? Big surprise:rolleyes:

STFU and go sit down somewhere:sleeping

[dtbrehm]

Durant was 0-2 shooting in the 4th quarter of game 1 as his team blew a 9 point lead, and he was 1-3 shooting in the 4th quarter of game 2.

If that were Lebron the forum would be shut down from traffic.

[Derka]

Sounds like a pretty stupid argument.

No one ever got on Lebron's case merely because he was losing games in the playoffs. People got on Lebron's case, and rightly so, because he exhibited all the signs of a quitter once the going got tough.

Kevin Durant isn't doing that at all, at least not in this series. He's still out there doing what he's supposed to do...shoot the ball. He's not shrinking from his job because he's losing. He's still scoring roughly 30 a night.

This argument essentially asks people to fault Kevin Durant and the rest of the Thunder for getting beat by a far better team.

[iDefend5]

No because the majority of people truly do not give a **** about Durant. He is nowhere near as good as LeBron who people love to hate because of jealousy. ESPN will hate on LeBron because that's what satisfies the masses.

[DirtySanchez]

Nope...

Because Durant isn't as HYPED in the media like LeBron is.
Durant also does not call himself KING Durant or does he have Chosen One tattooed on his back. Durant never had a one hour special where he declared to take his talents to South Beach. Durant does not talk in 3rd person.

Need I say more?

[DirtySanchez]

No because the majority of people truly do not give a **** about Durant. He is nowhere near as good as LeBron who people love to hate because of jealousy. ESPN will hate on LeBron because that's what satisfies the masses.

No we hate LeBron because he is an a$$hole.

[The Iron Fist]

assuming the Thunder go out this round.

It would only be fair right?

Does Durant have what it takes to be a champion? Will he ever win a title? Will he be able to evolved his game into a better overall more effective player?

Or is that the kind of thing that only Lebron gets from the media?

just saying.
Did the media overhype him as king and chosen one and give him multiple rings while being the only face on basketballs mt rushmore?

[The Iron Fist]

Please stop twisting shit. Lebron never guaranteed them. When he said the not 1... not 2... not 3... thing he was just saying what the teams AMBITIONS were. WAS NOT a prediction. Durant isn't demanding the ball and having the impact he should be. He's the Thunder's franchise player and runner up MVP so you bet your ass he deserves a large portion of the blame. So does Scott Brooks and Westbrook.:lol once the games start, its gonna be easy:lol



Looks like a duck

[The Iron Fist]

This is the same retarded logic people use to bash Griffin. Lebron himself never claimed to be the Chosen One etc.... that was the media who gave him the nicknames and proclaimed him the next GOAT. Sure he didn't do anything to calm the hype but don't confuse that with HIM saying the crap.
Its tatted on him.

[guy]

You really think MJ and Shaq weren't cocky before proving something, eh?

And by "proving something" I assume you actually mean winning a title because obviously Lebron winning three MVP's is proving something.

But ya, look at when MJ and Shaq won their first titles. I'd laugh if you came back here and claimed they weren't cocky as hell before that. This really might be one of the silliest notions I've ever read on here. lol

Jordan and Shaq were cocky, but they did win titles earlier in their career then Lebron has so far and they never had the amount of quitting instances as Lebron and they didn't go out of their way as much as Lebron to get attention.

Jordan, Shaq, and Lebron are the three players in the modern era where it was basically a given early in their careers that they would lead teams to multiple titles. Jordan and Shaq lived up to that hype. Lebron hasn't and there's a good chance he never will.

[upside24]

Poor guy

His Point guard doesn't feed him in his areas, takes more shots than him and it seems like his coach is too soft to request their PG to pass the ball to the 3 time scoring champ!
My thoughts exactly. Watching posession after posession of Durant working to get open only to see Westbrook bolt to the basket and miss a bunny irritates the shit out of me. How does the three time scoring champ not even touch the ball on so many posessions?

Brooks must be afraid to criticize Westbrook because of his sensitivity but it has to be done. Maybe Parker melting Westbrook in the series will show him that he has to change his approach to the game.

[BlackVVaves]

Lebron, the King, the Chosen One, the "best player in the world," got outplayed and outscored in a Finals his "Super team" was favorite to win in by a bench player.

So no, in his fifth year, Durant doesn't deserve the same criticism. He's doing his part to win. Missed merely 7 shots last night, and as a jump shooter, not fast-break lay-up machine.

[The Iron Fist]

Did you not saw Lebron making Rose his personal bitch in last year's ECF? :lol
I saw marion make wade and lebron his bitch.

[The Iron Fist]

That's gotta be one of the most ignorant things people say on this board. Other than that one epic game against the Pistons (game 5 I think), he did nothing extraordinary.

It was Boobie Gibson who shot the ball out of his mind in that series and made the difference. The Pistons were aging anyway, and the other teams they beat in the first two rounds were trash, then Lebron played horribly against the Spurs. Where was the ridiculous part?
Lets also not forget that in the 07 playoffs, he faced. 500 teams in the first two rounds.

Whoopdeedo.

[The Iron Fist]

Lebron played 7 seasons and didnt "jump ship", where he was also much more successful than Durant despite the much worse supporting cast... Durant was NEVER in Lebrons situation, if Lebron had the supporting cast Durant has right now Lebron would have NEVER left Cleveland and he would have dominated the league and won a championship/multiple championships long time ago....

Durant is not the Player Lebron is & was......... this comparasant is ridicilous



No... and neither did Lebron? Where do you dream that shit up?



No, neither does Lebron... thats the nickname GIVEN TO HIM by the media just before the NBA.... as a 18-19 year old i guess he liked it...

Im sure Durant has some other cool thing tattood instead:

http://mit.zenfs.com/207/2011/07/118588686.jpg
http://stk.dimemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Kevin-Durant.jpeg
The board has given you the nickname "idiot". Did you get it tatted on your back too?

[The Iron Fist]

Y'all keep singing that same tired song now, but can never explain, if the Cavs were so bad then, why did ALL Y'ALL keep talking about a eventual Lakers/Cavs Finals. Makes no sense, either they sucked or they didn't, it can't be both.
The cavs sucked but every year we heard from pauk, lebron23 and a host of others, "THIS IS THE YEAR!"

[Simple Jack]

I said Gibson was the difference maker. Lebron played his normal basketball, except for that one game.

Had Gibson, a mere rookie, not made those shots, they wouldn't have advanced. I'm not saying he carried them, but he was the X factor, especially in their critical wins.

And to answer your rant about Durant not getting enough criticism... You don't ever criticize Lebron (not that I have seen), so why would you bitch about Durant?

I'm sure you don't consider him the best player in the world, so why would you expect so much of him when you give Lebron (the best according to you) a free pass every time he fails?

Yep, it's a two way street, and you lie down like a roadkill right now.

That's not what you said. You made a reference to Gibson shooting lights out all-series when that clearly wasn't the case and you got called out on it.

I have criticized LeBron before so there goes that point.

And Durant is playing on a much better team at their respective points in their careers. If you give LeBron shit for not performing well or winning against teams like Orlando + the Spurs when his cast was laughable compared to that of Durant's, you should criticize Durant as well no? Considering you were one of the idiots saying Durant was better than LeBron all season.

[LakersReign]

The cavs sucked but every year we heard from pauk, lebron23 and a host of others, "THIS IS THE YEAR!"

Yeah then they turn right around and try to say how bad the Cavs supposedly sucked and how hard Lebron supposedly had it in Cleveland.:sleeping

[Simple Jack]

Yeah then they turn right around and try to say how bad the Cavs supposedly sucked and how hard Lebron supposedly had it in Cleveland.:sleeping

Their belief that LeBron could pull off something historic doesn't change the fact that his teams were in fact, poor, relative to other teams with those expectations/winning at that high of a percentage. Hard idea to grasp, I know.

[PickernRoller]

Lol at this thread. Durant still too young and he's making wonders, his time will come. Just cause Lechoke is the laugh of the NBA doesn't mean Durant should too to appease a delusional fanbase.

[alfonsito123]

Im not so sure but I think Westbrook will take all the blame just like last year. IMHO.

[KingBeasley08]

lol at all the nerdy haters comin in. yall needa dive into some ***** or something. as for OP, Lebron >>>>>>> Durant. thats why ppl won't hate him as much. the greater player you are, the higher the expectations

[Tenchi Ryu]

Jordan never got as much Hate OR disrespect as Lebron....

[The Iron Fist]

Their belief that LeBron could pull off something historic doesn't change the fact that his teams were in fact, poor, relative to other teams with those expectations/winning at that high of a percentage. Hard idea to grasp, I know.
You werent saying that in back to back season when they won sixty plus games BEFORE the playoffs started.

[The Iron Fist]

lol at all the nerdy haters comin in. yall needa dive into some ***** or something. as for OP, Lebron >>>>>>> Durant. thats why ppl won't hate him as much. the greater player you are, the higher the expectations
So Kobe =GOAT? "Kobe cant win wo all star big man. Kobe didnt get out of west first round with smush, kwame and luke. Kobe overrated five time champion"

[NumberSix]

Jordan never got as much Hate OR disrespect as Lebron....
Are you f--king kidding? How old are you? Jordan got trashed hard before he won a championship. Both Players and media members openly called him a selfish ballhog who will never lead a team to a championship. Clyde Drexler openly said the only difference between him and Jordan is that Jordan shoots more. MJ had tons of pressure on him and tons of criticism. That's what happens to every great player before they win the chip.

[pegasus]

That's not what you said. You made a reference to Gibson shooting lights out all-series when that clearly wasn't the case and you got called out on it.

I said he was the difference maker. He did shoot the ball well, especially in those critical wins. I didn't say that he played well even in their losses, that he was the series MVP or anything.


I have criticized LeBron before so there goes that point.

Awww, that's cute. So you have criticized Lebron before. For what? You didn't like the way he looked when he announced his "Decision", or the color of the ink of his "Chosen One" tattoo? I'm sure it can't be the "decision" itself or the "tattoo" itself and what they say about him as a person. And don't even start me on your "supposed" criticism of his basketball performances. You have never said one negative thing about him. Even if you did, I'm sure it was followed by a list of excuses. Show me a link if you want me to believe you, or shut up.


And Durant is playing on a much better team at their respective points in their careers. If you give LeBron shit for not performing well or winning against teams like Orlando + the Spurs when his cast was laughable compared to that of Durant's, you should criticize Durant as well no? Considering you were one of the idiots saying Durant was better than LeBron all season.

Other than making it to the finals in 2007, Lebron has not done anything that would put him above Durant in the playoff rankings. And you know now what I feel about the 2007 finals and how they got there and how they got their asses kicked in the end.

So how can you criticize Durant? He plays in the much tougher Western Conference, and has made it to its finals twice in a row now. They lost to the eventual champions last year, and it may very well be the case again this year. He is also younger, and therefore has had fewer chances at winning a chip. Lebron could be entering his 10th year without a ring next year. I think you should leave Durant alone and worry about that for now.:lol

[Tenchi Ryu]

Are you f--king kidding? How old are you? Jordan got trashed hard before he won a championship. Both Players and media members openly called him a selfish ballhog who will never lead a team to a championship. Clyde Drexler openly said the only difference between him and Jordan is that Jordan shoots more. MJ had tons of pressure on him and tons of criticism. That's what happens to every great player before they win the chip.
GTFOH, Jordan or no superstar player in NBA history has been as disrespected and trashed as Lebron James. You got fukking Pacers scrubs clowning this man OPENLY in the playoffs giving him the choke signal. And a good amount of it is his own fault. Of course great players get hate, but until they win something, they STFU and keep working, keep grinding until they get it.

Lebron is the one who came out as if he was entitled to shit. So don't get butthurt when the media and NBA fanbase responds the way they do.

My statement "Jordan never got as much Hate OR disrespect as Lebron...." is not wrong in anyway.

[Simple Jack]

You werent saying that in back to back season when they won sixty plus games BEFORE the playoffs started.

My post just went way over your head, didn't it? And I wasn't here making predictions.

[Simple Jack]

I said he was the difference maker. He did shoot the ball well, especially in those critical wins. I didn't say that he played well even in their losses, that he was the series MVP or anything.

You said he shot lights out that series. Doing so for 1 game doesn't mean he shot lights out for the series. I don't see you saying Steve Blake was the difference maker in the Denver series despite him shooting lights out for that critical game 7 win.




Awww, that's cute. So you have criticized Lebron before. For what? You didn't like the way he looked when he announced his "Decision", or the color of the ink of his "Chosen One" tattoo? I'm sure it can't be the "decision" itself or the "tattoo" itself and what they say about him as a person. And don't even start me on your "supposed" criticism of his basketball performances. You have never said one negative thing about him. Even if you did, I'm sure it was followed by a list of excuses. Show me a link if you want me to believe you, or shut up.


:rolleyes:


Other than making it to the finals in 2007, Lebron has not done anything that would put him above Durant in the playoff rankings. And you know now what I feel about the 2007 finals and how they got there and how they got their asses kicked in the end.

So you only care about context when it's convenient for you? How about looking at their respective teams at that age and what each was doing in the playoffs?


So how can you criticize Durant? He plays in the much tougher Western Conference, and has made it to its finals twice in a row now. They lost to the eventual champions last year, and it may very well be the case again this year. He is also younger, and therefore has had fewer chances at winning a chip. Lebron could be entering his 10th year without a ring next year. I think you should leave Durant alone and worry about that for now.:lol

I'm not criticizing Durant. I wasn't one of the idiots here criticizing Bron either at the time. Point is however, that if you were going to criticize LeBron, when you think Durant is even better than LeBron, and Durant is playing on a team with a much better supporting cast, you have to criticize his failures as well....which you won't do....because it doesn't fit your agenda to hate LeBron no matter what he does.

[pegasus]

You said he shot lights out that series. Doing so for 1 game doesn't mean he shot lights out for the series. I don't see you saying Steve Blake was the difference maker in the Denver series despite him shooting lights out for that critical game 7 win.

:rolleyes:


So you only care about context when it's convenient for you? How about looking at their respective teams at that age and what each was doing in the playoffs?

I'm not criticizing Durant. I wasn't one of the idiots here criticizing Bron either at the time. Point is however, that if you were going to criticize LeBron, when you think Durant is even better than LeBron, and Durant is playing on a team with a much better supporting cast, you have to criticize his failures as well....which you won't do....because it doesn't fit your agenda to hate LeBron no matter what he does.

Very weak argument all around, except for that eye roll. That was a brilliant touch.

No response warranted.

[KingBeasley08]

So Kobe =GOAT? "Kobe cant win wo all star big man. Kobe didnt get out of west first round with smush, kwame and luke. Kobe overrated five time champion"
what are you talking about? :lol

where did kobe come from? gently remove his d!ck from your mouth, move his balls*ck outta the way and read what i wrote. moron :lol

[guy]

One thing that I didn't point out which I was reminded of yesterday when Lebron once again couldn't hit a gamewinning shot, Durant has 3 GAMEWINNERS in these playoffs ALONE. When he's already done that just recently, it would take alot more then just not playing that well in the 4th quarter against the championship favorites for him to get that much criticism.

[Simple Jack]

Very weak argument all around, except for that eye roll. That was a brilliant touch.

No response warranted.

Says the simpleton who exaggerated Gibson's impact in order to try to diminish what LeBron did in that series.

[RRR3]

One thing that I didn't point out which I was reminded of yesterday when Lebron once again couldn't hit a gamewinning shot, Durant has 3 GAMEWINNERS in these playoffs ALONE. When he's already done that just recently, it would take alot more then just not playing that well in the 4th quarter against the championship favorites for him to get that much criticism.
Lol

[Math2]

assuming the Thunder go out this round.

It would only be fair right?

Does Durant have what it takes to be a champion? Will he ever win a title? Will he be able to evolved his game into a better overall more effective player?

Or is that the kind of thing that only Lebron gets from the media?

just saying.

Durant isn't as much of an asshole as LeBron. so the answer is No.

[Overdrive]

The biggest difference there is and the reason why Durant might never see the same amount of criticism is the anticipation for Lebron coming to the NBA. The chosen one, the new MJ, the savior of the league, biggest talent ever and stuff like that was said before he even played one minute. He IS one of the greatest players ever, but when he failed on the stage that was supposed to his he got alot of flack. The Spurs series was "forgotten" quickly because he was young and his team sucked, but his team kept improving, not much, but it did and he failed with playoff exits every year, till he, Wade and Bosh joined together. It seemed like he could make it now, but this once in a century talent having a championship parade before they played one game, making a drama out of himself, and he promissed not 1...it was no wish it was a promise failed in a fashion unpreceded.

Nevertheless I think the failures helped his legacy alot actually. He had to come down to earth, not even the Wade, Bosh combo was unfailable and he still had to overcome something. The same way Jordan had to overcome the Pistons when he was already considered the greatest talent in BBall. Lebron had to overcome himself which is a bigger obstacle imo.

Durant on the other hand was just some lottery pick coming from his freshman year. There were doubt he'd be the best player in the draft. People were arguing that the already crippled Oden would be heads above Durant. His rookie effort was kinda nice but nothing what made him member of a Jordan, Oscaresque club.
His first scoringchamp season came out of nowhere, beat an Iverson streak at 21 years made the playoffs and held his own against the eventual champs.

Durant archieved more than expected already. Lebron archieved less until this year's finals.

[Flash31]

Durant hasn't been in the league long enough to get it yet another year or two though it'll come just people don't remember but lebron wasn't that criticisized in cle
it's just toward the end and when he became a heat player that all of a sudden he choked,isn't clutch,can't win the big one,has no heart

people were saying he had no and it was 1 man show but when he left they were great,60 wins,capable


Durant isn't far enough and disliked enough to get it

D Howard on the other hand besides laker fans is universally now disliked among
teams and public and if he doesn't win with Nash,Kobe,gasol

he's getting it worse bc of how he left,the shaq comparison,la
is basically num 1 talked about nba team then heat,
the centers hes going to be compared to
and extremely fickle unloyal bandwagon la fans and Kobe Stans

Dwight's in a world of hurt he basically has to be shaq num 2 and win title and be
finals MVP otherwise what lebron got wont even be close to what dwightll get