The Chosen One or more like The Protected One.

[TheMan]

http://www.usatoday.com/USCP/PNI/SPORTS/2012-01-04-PNI0104spt-p2mainPNIBrd_ST_U.htm


A longtime Suns follower and observer of the NBA recently e-mailed to point out that LeBron James is getting unprecedented protection from NBA referees.

For instance:

Last season, James was whistled for just one foul in 24 games. He wasn't called for a foul at all in six other games.
It's also worth noting that he didn't foul out of any game and reached five personal fouls only twice.

James is averaging 1.97 fouls per game over his career. That's fewer than some of the greater defensive players in the history of the NBA.
It's also way below the 2.6 fouls per game that Michael Jordan averaged during his career -- and we thought he was getting all the calls.
The only superstar we could find in league history who even came close to LeBron's level of Teflon was Wilt Chamberlain, who averaged 1.99 fouls per game during his career.
Chamberlain never fouled out of a game in 14 seasons. James has fouled out three times, but not since April2, 2008, in a game at Charlotte.

We know what you're thinking: This isn't anything new in the NBA, which always has had a reputation for protecting the best, most marketable players.
Well, yeah. But not to this level.

Sam Smith, who covered Jordan's career in Chicago, was first to point out on the Bulls website a couple of years ago that James is making Jordan seem like a Y-league hacker.
In 2008-09 James averaged 1.72 fouls per game and had one stretch of five consecutive games without a foul. We added it up, and James totaled three hours, three minutes and 49 seconds of game time in that stretch without being called for a foul!
In all, he played 11 games that season in which he wasn't charged with a foul.
Then in 2009-10 it got downright ridiculous. That season James had 13 games in which he wasn't called for a foul and another 24 with one foul.
He finished the season with an unbelievable average of 1.57 fouls per game.
Maybe the league took at least a little notice -- or perhaps the referees didn't like all that hoopla around "The Decision," either -- because even with 30 games of one foul or none, James saw his average per game jump to 2.06 last season.
Keep in mind that this is a guy who was named to the NBA's All-Defensive first team last season, so he at least has a reputation among coaches who pick the team for being an elite defender.
Thus, he isn't just avoiding fouls by letting people score.
What makes it all really questionable is that the NBA's rules have changed in an effort to reduce contact on the perimeter.
Yet, James is committing fewer fouls than the Z perimeter players of past eras when more contact was allowed.
Magic Johnson averaged 2.3 fouls per game. Gary Payton averaged 2.2. Dennis Johnson averaged 2.8.
How does James compare with some of his contemporaries?
Kobe Bryant has an average of 2.6 fouls per game for his career, and 2.1 per game was his best season once he became a full-time starter.
By contrast, LeBron's worst year was 2.29 in 2005-06.
Dwyane Wade has averaged 2.5 fouls per game during his career, Rajon Rondo 2.3, Kirk Hinrich 2.3, Shane Battier 2.4 and Grant Hill 2.4.
Evidently, James really is the "Chosen One."

[Ketchup]

Maybe he's just really good at defense? Did you think of that?

[DuMa]

watch the games. he hardly ever fouls a shooter. its easy to use your statistics to point out something you claim not to be true. LBJ just has a great reputation for not fouling and being a great defender. If you watch him closely and i assume everyone always does, otherwise there would be countless of youtube video mixes of him fouling and getting away with it. LeBron is the most scrutinized athlete on the planet. Anything he does or doesnt do will be fully dissected. Watch the games. He just doesnt foul at all.

[EasyD]

James is also the only NBA player ever who refers to himself as "winner" and "king" without ever winning. :hammerhead:

[nba_55]

the butt hurt one

[stallionaire]

Maybe he's just really good at defense? Did you think of that?
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/arusatia/yesitis.gif

[kurt_rambis]

what possible reason would the nba have to protect lebron over jordan, kobe, magic, etc? not only is there nothing close to evidence for this, there's no motive either

[brantonli]

Maybe he's just really good at defense? Did you think of that?

Have you even seen NBA games lately? Sometimes you don't even need to touch a player in order to foul someone. Plus they listed some other fouls per game like:


Yet, James is committing fewer fouls than the Z perimeter players of past eras when more contact was allowed.
Magic Johnson averaged 2.3 fouls per game. Gary Payton averaged 2.2. Dennis Johnson averaged 2.8.
How does James compare with some of his contemporaries?
Kobe Bryant has an average of 2.6 fouls per game for his career, and 2.1 per game was his best season once he became a full-time starter.
By contrast, LeBron's worst year was 2.29 in 2005-06.
Dwyane Wade has averaged 2.5 fouls per game during his career, Rajon Rondo 2.3, Kirk Hinrich 2.3, Shane Battier 2.4 and Grant Hill 2.4.



That said, I think if LeBron suddenly lost his entire offensive game, he could still make a decent living at the NBA level as a defender.

[wpdougie2180]

watch the games. he hardly ever fouls a shooter. its easy to use your statistics to point out something you claim not to be true. LBJ just has a great reputation for not fouling and being a great defender. If you watch him closely and i assume everyone always does, otherwise there would be countless of youtube video mixes of him fouling and getting away with it. LeBron is the most scrutinized athlete on the planet. Anything he does or doesnt do will be fully dissected. Watch the games. He just doesnt foul at all.

This is the perception that is being perpetuated but it's not true lebron barrels into defenders constantly yet is never called for offensive fouls he plays ultra aggressive post d but is never called (for example Harden was continuously called for fouls on Kobe for nothing not to bash Kobe just bring up a recent example) or how about when he ran over rondo in game 1 & 2 only to get a no call or get the on Rondo. Touch fouls are constantly called in the nba yet for some reason that doesn't apply to them for instance the 3rd quarter free throw line jumper by Pierce could have easily been called a foul even Breen said Pierce went up after the contact (it was a very similar play to the 2 And 1s Lou Williams got in the 18-point comeback against the Celtics. Anyone who can't see that they are reffed differently is blind or in denial.

[pegasus]

This the perception that is being perpetuated but it's not true lebron barrels into defenders constantly yet is never called for offensive fouls he plays ultra aggressive post d but is never called (for example Harden was continuously called for fouls on Kobe for nothing not to bash Kobe just bring up a recent example) or how about when he ran over rondo in game 1 & 2 only to get a no call or get the on Rondo. Touch fouls are constantly called in the nba yet for some reason that doesn't apply to them for instance the 3rd quarter free throw line jumper by Pierce could have easily been called a foul even Breen said Pierce went up after the contact (it was a very similar play to the 2 And 1s Lou Williams got in the 18-point comeback against the Celtics. Anyone who can't see that they are reffed differently is blind or in denial.

Good post. Lebron also gets away with constant push off with his off hand.

[TheMan]

the butt hurt one
http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/181/427/lebron-james-cry.jpg

[jlip]

James is also the only NBA player ever who refers to himself as "winner" and "king" without ever winning. :hammerhead:

"King James" was a moniker given to Lebron back in high school by fans. He went to a private religious high school, and they decided to make a play on words that tied a religious theme to his last name.

[nba_55]

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/181/427/lebron-james-cry.jpg
why are you crying?
Rose didnt bring enough fish today?

[Legends66NBA7]

You're setting yourself up, OP.

[tmacattack33]

This is stupid. It completely ignores the other explanations for Lebron not fouling.


If u don't even take into consideration the other side of an argument, I'm not reading your argument.

[Mr. Jabbar]

I prefer the Frozen one, or the choken one.

[Stern]

I prefer the Frozen one, or the choken one.
The Choken one sounds about right.

[Heavincent]

Lebron could probably be called for an offensive foul nearly every time he has the ball. Dude pushes off more than anybody I've ever seen.

[dynasty1978]

Maybe he's just really good at defense? Did you think of that?

I did think of that and then realized there are players past and present that are superior defensively, but coddled less.

[Sarcastic]

Any other player in the league does this, and they would get a tech

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1144336/hahaha_medium.gif

[Stern]

Lebron could probably be called for an offensive foul nearly every time he has the ball. Dude pushes off more than anybody I've ever seen.
And on defense the cheat are allowed to handcheck their opponents. Even that scrub Anthony is allowed to jump into opposing player when blocking a shot.

[EasyD]

"King James" was a moniker given to Lebron back in high school by fans. He went to a private religious high school, and they decided to make a play on words that tied a religious theme to his last name.

Nevertheless, LeBron does refer to himself in third person and as 'King James', see http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29946659 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrd9T-hny84

[pauk]

"the chosen one" is correct:

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/nursetpd/TSB/Chosen_One_VS_Big_3.gif

[pauk]

Nevertheless, LeBron does refer to himself in third person and as 'King James', see http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29946659 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrd9T-hny84

He took that from his idol Jordan aswell i guess, who was/is the master of "third person" talks

[Sarcastic]

He took that from his idol Jordan aswell i guess, who was/is the master of "third person" talks

Can you please show an example of this. I don't ever recall Jordan calling himself "Mike" or "Michael" or "Jordan".

[andgar923]

http://www.usatoday.com/USCP/PNI/SPORTS/2012-01-04-PNI0104spt-p2mainPNIBrd_ST_U.htm

He doesn't really foul tho.

At worst one could say he could be called for an offensive foul.

If one pays close attention he doesn't really reach or play physical with players, they usually try to bump him, not the other way around. He doesn't really need to try hard to keep players off their block cause he's usually stronger than they are. He doesn't even pick up the ball up court or play prevent defense up top either. His defense consists mostly on roaming, and when he does play man to man, he gives his opponent space. He doesn't use his hands to reach, he doesn't hand check as much. While I do think he could be called for an extra foul it still isn't that big a deal considering how he plays defense.

[WockaVodka]

Your Rose insults don't faze me fa.ggot, I'm from the Bulls Dynasty years, I saw 6 chips in 8 years, something you know nothing about... I'm playing with house money, homie.:oldlol:

You Miami Heat fakkits even retired MJ's jersey and it's hanging in your rafters, that's why LeBron had to go from #23 (Jordan jocker) to #6.

http://www.truthaboutit.net/uploaded_images/jordan-jersey-miami-751361.jpg

lol, that's a Chicago Bulls jersey hanging in the Heat's stadium rafters:lol
Actually he already planned on wearing #6 after the 2010 season before he even went to Miami. I remember during that season he said that everybody should stop wearing #23 and it should be retired for every team and player in the NBA.

I think Chalmers was originally #6 on the Heat too.

[G-Funk]

Maybe he's just really good at defense? Did you think of that?
:oldlol: yeah right, in ur dreams

[pauk]

Can you please show an example of this. I don't ever recall Jordan calling himself "Mike" or "Michael" or "Jordan".

You have to be kidding me???????? Just watch ANY interview with him and focus, he referrs himself in third person more than any player in NBA history...

I type in youtube "Michael Jordan interview" and close my eyes and just click any random link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=eajVGPdERmU#t=35s and he immediately referrs to himself in third person...

Michael Jordan even announced his retirement in the third person, “…Today is not just a day for Michael Jordan…”

They even made a parody of him with that third person thing: http://www.hark.com/clips/lbljljsxst-michael-jordan-speaks-to-himself-in-third-person

Michael Jordan is the greatest player of all time... but you have no idea how he was, Kobe or Lebron dont hold a candle on how arrogant MJ was.... all the best players were arrogant... but MJ was the best at it... In "Jordan Rules: The Inside Story of a Turbulent Season with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls" his arrogance with the teammates and opposing players, including "ball-hogging" tendencies are discussed (and that was written after his first championship). During his first comeback, Jordan actually called his team-mates often only as "my supporting cast." and made all kindsof insults/threats upon his teammates for not playing the way he wants them to. He also cursed out Scottie Pippen for example on the court after the game when Pippen took the last shot and won the game in the '98 Finals, game 2, because Jordan wanted the ball.... imagine Lebron doing that against Wade or his teammates? Lebron is a saint compared to Jordan... even of the court (im sure you heard of Jordans gambling, drinking and whore fueds)

[imdaman99]

:roll: at an opposing team's jersey hanging up in the miami rafters :bowdown:

[Xiengqichess]

He's running people over and never be called for offensive foul!

[kumquat]

Maybe he's just really good at defense? Did you think of that?

Maybe :roll::roll::roll:

[Horde of Temujin]

For those who say that maybe he just doesn't foul that much. Most fouls that are called in NBA are not really fouls. They make many questionable calls, but Lebron seems to be exempt from being called for the bullsh!t that the rest of the League is called for. So yeah, he is being protected.

[kenny817]

Jason Terry ripped him a new a hole in The Finals tho

[The Choken One]

Maybe he's just really good at defense? Did you think of that?
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

I love when you post... you really do make an ass of yourself with just about every post.

[TheMarkMadsen]

"King James" was a moniker given to Lebron back in high school by fans. He went to a private religious high school, and they decided to make a play on words that tied a religious theme to his last name.


Did they also tattoo "chosen 1" on his back too? Or was that just his decision?

[KingBeasley08]

Ha, you just admitted you are an ignoramus about even recent NBA history and there lies the problem with you LeBronytes, y'all an ignorant bunch and no serious NBA fan takes what you guys have to say seriously since you have admitted you don't care about anything before you were born:oldlol:

The NBA didn't start in 2000 you dumb pha.ggot:lol
we know about shit before we were born but we don't really care :lol so why the heck would you brag about it unless ur upset with the present. its like dat 40 year old virgin sayin that he almost scrwed a girl in his prime. who cares oldie :lol

[TheMan]

we know about shit before we were born but we don't really care :lol so why the heck would you brag about it unless ur upset with the present. its like dat 40 year old virgin sayin that he almost scrwed a girl in his prime. who cares oldie :lol
lol, great comeback.

Who says I'm upset with the present? You don't know what the fvck you're talking about.

[The Choken One]

we know about shit before we were born but we don't really care :lol so why the heck would you brag about it unless ur upset with the present. its like dat 40 year old virgin sayin that he almost scrwed a girl in his prime. who cares oldie :lol
What are you 5?

Where's the mods for this website? People like this need banned. This isn't homer-ism or trolling. This is just flatout retarded.

[KingBeasley08]

What are you 5?

Where's the mods for this website? People like this need banned. This isn't homer-ism or trolling. This is just flatout retarded.
this thread is about lebron and that poster started talking about the glory 90s. honestly, i couldn't care less about the 90s


lol, great comeback.

Who says I'm upset with the present? You don't know what the fvck you're talking about.
"the present doesn't faze me cuz I saw 6 titles in the 90s"

[TheMan]

this thread is about lebron and that poster started talking about the glory 90s. honestly, i couldn't care less about the 90s


"the present doesn't faze me cuz I saw 6 titles in the 90s"
You derailed the thread when you asked how Rose was doing, I answered that I'm not a young Rose stan because I grew up on the Bulls dynasty and I'll be a Bulls fan after Rose is gone. Players come and go, I'm not an insecure stan like you who needs to defend my fave player by trying to insult someone who doesn't agree with me.

This thread is about LeBron and his historically low rate of fouls called on him, I posted a link that is backed up by stats. The NBA is a league that stars get better treatment than role players, that is already widely known, but LBJ seems to get historic protection by the refs, did you not see him wack Rondo on his head going for a block in gm 1 and it was ignored by the refs? Are you blind? He shot 24 FTs the other day for ****s sake. I get it, he's a star and he's gonna get the 50/50 calls but he shouldn't get away with obvious blatant fouls. Wade is another guy that gets away with murder. All I'm saying is if he commits an obvious foul, it should be called a foul. Both get alot of ticky tack calls in their favor, too. The Heat don't need refs to win or do they?

You Heat fans shouldn't be proud of winning anything if the refs are helping you out that blatantly, but I guess after the 2006 gift title, you guys really don't care. BTW, it isn't just Bulls, Celtics, Lakers or Knicks fans who think Miami gets special treatment, every fanbase believes thia, just check out other NBA fan forums, all of them are talking about it.

[KingBeasley08]

You derailed the thread when you asked how Rose was doing, I answered that I'm not a young Rose stan because I grew up on the Bulls dynasty and I'll be a Bulls fan after Rose is gone. Players come and go, I'm not an insecure stan like you who needs to defend my fave player by trying to insult someone who doesn't agree with me.

This thread is about LeBron and his historically low rate of fouls called on him, I posted a link that is backed up by stats. The NBA is a league that stars get better treatment than role players, that is already widely known, but LBJ seems to get historic protection by the refs, did you not see him wack Rondo on his head going for a block in gm 1 and it was ignored by the refs? Are you blind? He shot 24 FTs the other day for ****s sake. I get it, he's a star and he's gonna get the 50/50 calls but he shouldn't get away with obvious blatant fouls. Wade is another guy that gets away with murder. All I'm saying is if he commits an obvious foul, it should be called a foul. Both get alot of ticky tack calls in their favor, too. The Heat don't need refs to win or do they?

You Heat fans shouldn't be proud of winning anything if the refs are helping you out that blatantly, but I guess after the 2006 gift title, you guys really don't care. BTW, it isn't just Bulls, Celtics, Lakers or Knicks fans who think Miami gets special treatment, every fanbase believes thia, just check out other NBA fan forums, all of them are talking about it.
crying about refs is about the saddest thing anyone can do. these "conspiracies" are some of the stupidest things ever. wouldnt lebron have won a ring by now if it mean that much. honestly, it seems more like lakers, bulls, knicks fans are just upset and gonna hate no matter what. you've been complaining for a large period of time lol. i personally think the spurs win the finals (not a heat fan) but i dont have an excuse on my sleeve. the better team wins, straight up

[NumberSix]

Don't quote stats. Show plays where he committed fouls that didn't get called.

[TheMan]

Don't quote stats. Show plays where he committed fouls that didn't get called.
Everyone outside the Heat fan base is complaining about the Heat's special treatment, here, ESPN, other bball forums. Don't tell me you haven't noticed. You can't chalk it up to just Heat hate either, I've seen Laker forums where they say they hate the Celtics more than the Heat but the Celtics are getting worked by the refs. I'll send you links if you want.

Certain teams get special treatment, the Heat are getting lots of it right now.

[NumberSix]

I haven't seen a single game from of any team this year where people weren't crying foul about the officiating.

[Sarcastic]

Don't quote stats. Show plays where he committed fouls that didn't get called.


http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x451/gulf10/asdasd.gif

[nba_55]

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x451/gulf10/asdasd.gif

WTF? where s the foul?

[nba_55]

Everyone outside the Heat fan base is complaining about the Heat's special treatment, here, ESPN, other bball forums. Don't tell me you haven't noticed. You can't chalk it up to just Heat hate either, I've seen Laker forums where they say they hate the Celtics more than the Heat but the Celtics are getting worked by the refs. I'll send you links if you want.

Certain teams get special treatment, the Heat are getting lots of it right now.

get a life, bitch

[TheMan]

get a life, bitch
yup, he mad.

[Sarcastic]

WTF? where s the foul?

Are you in prison? Smacking a player across the head is a foul almost everywhere other than jail yards.

[stallionaire]

Are you in prison? Smacking a player across the head is a foul almost everywhere other than jail yards.

There's no foul. Clean block. All ball. He tapped Rondo's head on the way down but that's unavoidable.

Stop reaching man.

[triangleoffense]

what possible reason would the nba have to protect lebron over jordan, kobe, magic, etc? not only is there nothing close to evidence for this, there's no motive either
Of course there's a motive. Every playoff or finals game broadcasting with Lebron playing generates much more revenue.

[Sarcastic]

There's no foul. Clean block. All ball. He tapped Rondo's head on the way down but that's unavoidable.

Stop reaching man.

:facepalm

Wade raked his face after the ball left his hand, so no foul either?

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/546265_10151810200195301_534680300_24348852_819157 415_n.jpg

[Horde of Temujin]

There's no foul. Clean block. All ball. He tapped Rondo's head on the way down but that's unavoidable.

Stop reaching man.


Yep, after reading that, I'm mad. If it was a game in which the refs were not calling many fouls, then you can argue that it wasn't a foul. fine let them play. But this was clearly not one of those games and it came at a crucial point in the game. Then they call the foul on kg afterwards. Come on kid, open your eyes.
If I happened to be a Miami fan I would not be able to enjoy this at all. Its wrong.

I wish I liked another sport nearly as much as I like basketball. The officiating in the league turned me off a long time ago, but im always drawn back. Its despicable and to hear people defend it is astounding.

[CelticBaller]

Actually he already planned on wearing #6 after the 2010 season before he even went to Miami. I remember during that season he said that everybody should stop wearing #23 and it should be retired for every team and player in the NBA.

I think Chalmers was originally #6 on the Heat too.
hellno

Go jock jordans balls somewhere else

[Mach_3]

There's no foul. Clean block. All ball. He tapped Rondo's head on the way down but that's unavoidable.

Stop reaching man.

It's not a clean block because he hits him across the head at the same time he smacks the ball.

I wouldn't even have a problem if they called it like that all the time but we all know if that was Wade or Bron getting hit in the head they're going straight to that foul line everytime

[Mor'Fiyah]

There's no foul. Clean block. All ball. He tapped Rondo's head on the way down but that's unavoidable.

Stop reaching man.

Seriously... I am a Lakers fan and I abhor the entire Boston franchise with every bone in my being... and yet I can objectively look at that animated gif and clearly see that Lebron catches him on the head BEFORE he gets the ball. Just stop...

[RRR3]

Rose Ranters at it again. :rolleyes: OP, are you aware that Derrick Rose averages 1.5 fouls per game over his career? Guess the refs let him get away with even more than LeBron, eh?

:coleman:

[Mach_3]

Rose Ranters at it again. :rolleyes: OP, are you aware that Derrick Rose averages 1.5 fouls per game over his career? Guess the refs let him get away with even more than LeBron, eh?

:coleman:


Well considering that rose doesn't even look like he's trying to play defense half the time i'm not surprised. :lol

[RRR3]

Rose Ranters at it again. :rolleyes: OP, are you aware that Derrick Rose averages 1.5 fouls per game over his career? Guess the refs let him get away with even more than LeBron, eh?

:coleman:
Where you at OP? Figured this little bit of info would scare you away:rolleyes:

[triangleoffense]

"the chosen one" is correct:

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/nursetpd/TSB/Chosen_One_VS_Big_3.gif
lol this gif is hilarious

[pauk]

http://cdn.videogum.com/files/2011/11/eddieoscars3.gif