Lebron really needs to lose some weight/muscle

[aburre21]

sIt's made him way to rigid and slow He's lost so much agility/speed/quickness. I was watching his game from early in his career and the way his game has changed so drastically is mindblowing. This guy used to be so agile/quick and the way he used to finish at the rim was way more graceful and explosive


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feTymdqcNOU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HjYgDlsxEE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlOwuSAs8to



Lebron seriously moves like a slug compared to these days. He had way more spring/bounce

[Electric Slide]

He just won two championships with that weight/muscle. I'm pretty sure he cares more about that than entertaining a bunch of idiotic fans like yourself.

[keep-itreal]

He thinks too much on the court nowadays. That's why he plays like a mental midget

[9erempiree]

He thinks too much on the court nowadays. That's why he plays like a mental midget

This.

The fast break use to come so natural to Lebron but now he doesn't really run the break. He's usually the one finishing the break. During those Cleveland days he was much better with the ball.

Like I said, his peak play is over with. He use to be like Shaq in Orlando, with that flashy and dominant play, he is now Lakers' Shaq. Get's his points but nothing impressive.

[Segatti]

he is now Lakers' Shaq. Get's his points but nothing impressive.

rofl

[aburre21]

He just won two championships with that weight/muscle. I'm pretty sure he cares more about that than entertaining a bunch of idiotic fans like yourself.
damn bruh....it's like that? :lol

[jdm_dc_fan]

rofl
Right?.

[che guevara]

Watch some of his highlights from '09 or '10, he looks the same size but is much more athletic. I'm not sure it has much to do with his weight, it's a combination of having tons of mileage on his legs and being 28 (the vast majority of players are past their athletic peaks by this age).


This.

The fast break use to come so natural to Lebron but now he doesn't really run the break. He's usually the one finishing the break. During those Cleveland days he was much better with the ball.

Like I said, his peak play is over with. He use to be like Shaq in Orlando, with that flashy and dominant play, he is now Lakers' Shaq. Get's his points but nothing impressive.
This is just retarded. Shaq on the Lakers was a much better player than he was on Orlando. 2013 Lebron had the best regular season of his career, and his 2nd best playoff run.

[strike first]

So he went from not winning rings, to winning rings, and now he should go back to playing like he used to?

:applause:

[9erempiree]

So he went from not winning rings, to winning rings, and now he should go back to playing like he used to?

:applause:

We're saying he's not what he use to be. He's winning rings because his team is loaded.

Replace Lebron with Melo or Durant they win too.

[9erempiree]

This is just retarded. Shaq on the Lakers was a much better player than he was on Orlando. 2013 Lebron had the best regular season of his career, and his 2nd best playoff run.

Based on what? Championships?

Like Lebron, Shaq was finally on a better team, Kobe Bryant.

Individually, Lakers' Shaq got nothing on Orlando Shaq.

[aburre21]

Based on what? Championships?

Like Lebron, Shaq was finally on a better team, Kobe Bryant.

Individually, Lakers' Shaq got nothing on Orlando Shaq.
nah, i'm not saying that all you idiot




Loaded with Chris Bosh scoring 0 pts in game 7 and Dwade hobbling on one knee? :facepalm



****in Kobe stans man, the world would be a better place if they all committed suicide

[aburre21]

So he went from not winning rings, to winning rings, and now he should go back to playing like he used to?

:applause:

:facepalm you dudes totally missing the point. All the muscle weighs him down amd makes him so much more rigid and easier to defend. His first step/explosiveness used to be legendary.

[strike first]

Replace Lebron with Melo or Durant they win too.


All hypothetical bullshit. Step outside your fantasy world.

[9erempiree]

nah, i'm not saying that all you idiot




Loaded with Chris Bosh scoring 0 pts in game 7 and Dwade hobbling on one knee? :facepalm



****in Kobe stans man, the world would be a better place if they all committed suicide

Thanks for proving my point. This is how loaded Miami is. Bosh had 0 points but Battier went perfect. When a Battier can go perfect while the other superstar is scoreless, you know you are loaded.

:facepalm

Sometimes I wonder if people here watch basketball.

[strike first]

Forreal imagine if durant and lebron did switch teams

People would be crying about how stacked OKC is with lebron/westbrook/ibaka

[9erempiree]

Forreal imagine if durant and lebron did switch teams

People would be crying about how stacked OKC is with lebron/westbrook/ibaka

No.

Now I know you don't watch or understand basketball.

I'll play along. Westbrook and Ibaka? Heck, that's two players. Watch Miami and just watch how many players came through for them. I'll wait.

Last time I check, Miami has a 13 man rotation. Name me another team that has that.

[strike first]

Not buying that.

OKC with lebron= championship

[9erempiree]

People always say that Kobe has Shaq or Shaq has Kobe but what they failed to realize was that was the only two of them.

I can say Lebron, Wade and Bosh have each other but they also got Allen, Battier, Birdman and Chalmers. All of whom came up big. Great team no doubt.

Did Bosh not have a game winning block shot to send it to game 7? Allen hitting a shot that makes it 1 for 123 times it has happened? My numbers are wrong but off by a few.

Compare them to 3peat Lakers, it was really all about Kobe and Shaq.

[cos88]

Last time I check, Miami has a 13 man rotation. Name me another team that has that.


last time i checked you were the worst poster on this forum. what 13 man rotation you piece of shit ??

[plowking]

People always say that Kobe has Shaq or Shaq has Kobe but what they failed to realize was that was the only two of them.

I can say Lebron, Wade and Bosh have each other but they also got Allen, Battier, Birdman and Chalmers. All of whom came up big. Great team no doubt.

Did Bosh not have a game winning block shot to send it to game 7? Allen hitting a shot that makes it 1 for 123 times it has happened? My numbers are wrong but off by a few.

Compare them to 3peat Lakers, it was really all about Kobe and Shaq.

The same Birdman no one wanted?
The same Allen the Celtics already sent to the bench and wanted to get rid of?

:oldlol:

There are more stacked teams in the league, Miami just happens to have the best player.
Clippers, Thunder, Lakers, etc all have a better team around their best player.

[FLDFSU]

Forreal imagine if durant and lebron did switch teams

People would be crying about how stacked OKC is with lebron/westbrook/ibaka


What alot of people don't understand is that folks were complaining about Cleveland being too stacked with Lebron. I remember when they traded for Jamison folks actually said "how much help does Lebron need. The Cavs are loaded!"

[Graviton]

The same Birdman no one wanted?
The same Allen the Celtics already sent to the bench and wanted to get rid of?

:oldlol:

There are more stacked teams in the league, Miami just happens to have the best player.
Clippers, Thunder, Lakers, etc all have a better team around their best player.
Put the crack pipe down man, OKC just has Durant and Westbrook and bunch of absolute SCRUBS, including the scrubass coach.

You call overrated piece of shit Ibaka, PERKINS, FISHER, Thabo, Martin a "better team"?

Bosh>Ibaka
Westbrook>Wade(wash if Wade is healthy)
Battier is a better version of Thabo that can hit 3s on top of good defense
Haslem/Birdman>Collison, Perkins, Hasheem the Dream
Then you have players we don't even possess like Ray ****ing Allen, Norris Cole/Chalmers, couple deadly shooters in JJ/Lewis and a better coach. Get the **** outta here with that shit, OKC is garbage sprinkled with two Top 5 players. :roll:

Calling a team where Perkins/Fisher/Thabo get 20+ minutes stacked is insane, those guys would be rotting on the Heat bench with Joel Anthony and Howard. :oldlol:

[aburre21]

Thanks for proving my point. This is how loaded Miami is. Bosh had 0 points but Battier went perfect. When a Battier can go perfect while the other superstar is scoreless, you know you are loaded.

:facepalm

Sometimes I wonder if people here watch basketball.

they won because LeBron played great and scored 37




I bet your bitchass think Kobe's team wasn't stacked even though he went 6-24 and they still won though huh? :lol



when LeBron doesn't play great, his team loses more often than not. That's not the same as players like Kobe who perform terrible often and still win

[aburre21]

Put the crack pipe down man, OKC just has Durant and Westbrook and bunch of absolute SCRUBS, including the scrubass coach.

You call overrated piece of shit Ibaka, PERKINS, FISHER, Thabo, Martin a "better team"?

Bosh>Ibaka
Westbrook>Wade(wash if Wade is healthy)
Battier is a better version of Thabo that can hit 3s on top of good defense
Haslem/Birdman>Collison, Perkins, Hasheem the Dream
Then you have players we don't even possess like Ray ****ing Allen, Norris Cole/Chalmers, couple deadly shooters in JJ/Lewis and a better coach. Get the **** outta here with that shit, OKC is garbage sprinkled with two Top 5 players. :roll:

Calling a team where Perkins/Fisher/Thabo get 20+ minutes stacked is insane, those guys would be rotting on the Heat bench with Joel Anthony and Howard. :oldlol:


yes this Heat team of today is better than the Thunder...not that 2012 Thunder team, yall were ****in stacked

[Nuff Said]

Thanks for proving my point. This is how loaded Miami is. Bosh had 0 points but Battier went perfect. When a Battier can go perfect while the other superstar is scoreless, you know you are loaded.

:facepalm

Sometimes I wonder if people here watch basketball.

So with your logic the spurs were even more loaded than Miami? Danny green>battier

[tazb]

Off topic but look at LeBron's defense on Kobe at 10:25 in the first video OP posted. ****ing masterpiece.

[buddha]

Based on what? Championships?

Like Lebron, Shaq was finally on a better team, Kobe Bryant.

Individually, Lakers' Shaq got nothing on Orlando Shaq.


Shaq had Penny Hardaway in Orlando.. and he had other good role players like Nick Anderson and Horace Grant. I don't think the Lakers team was really any better.

[9erempiree]

What alot of people don't understand is that folks were complaining about Cleveland being too stacked with Lebron. I remember when they traded for Jamison folks actually said "how much help does Lebron need. The Cavs are loaded!"

Nobody said that.

:facepalm

[catquickspider]

Not buying that.

OKC with lebron= championship

whos gonna space the floor for Lebron? Perkins?

Lebron would be played like Rondo on that team even more.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Watch some of his highlights from '09 or '10, he looks the same size but is much more athletic. I'm not sure it has much to do with his weight, it's a combination of having tons of mileage on his legs and being 28 (the vast majority of players are past their athletic peaks by this age).

I agree 100%.


Based on what? Championships?

Like Lebron, Shaq was finally on a better team, Kobe Bryant.

Individually, Lakers' Shaq got nothing on Orlando Shaq.

Based on the fact that Shaq was noticeably more skilled in the post(jump hook was there in Orlando, but more consistent in LA plus his short turnaround over the right shoulder was a much bigger part of his arsenal in LA, his footwork was more fluid) even stronger and more overpowering without losing too much quickness and explosiveness until '02 or so, smarter and more committed defensively(not necessarily committed on a consistent basis except for 2000, but more than he was in Orlando) and smarter and more mature overall after Phil took over. Plus, there was a noticeable improvement in his passing. He was a good passing big man by '95, he was a great one during the 3peat.

So yeah, LA Shaq was better in pretty much every facet of the game except free throw shooting which he was equally bad at in Orlando.

As far as team? The '95 and '96 Magic were loaded. Noticeably more talented than the 2000 Lakers when Shaq won his first title. In fact, Penny was even a better player than Kobe was for that first title, and never mind the rest of the roster with Horace Grant in his prime(Easily the best 4 LA/Orlando/Miami Shaq played with other than Malone before he was injured) as well as Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott for additional offense.

[9erempiree]

last time i checked you were the worst poster on this forum. what 13 man rotation you piece of shit ??

Mario Chalmers Norris Cole
Dwyane Wade Ray Allen
LeBron James Shane Battier
Udonis Haslem Chris Andersen
Chris Bosh Joel Anthony

Mike Miller
James Jones

That's a 12 man rotation right there, not 13. So a 12 man rotation is not loaded?

What was the Spurs rotation? 8 or 9? ROFL

:facepalm

[buddha]

Mario Chalmers Norris Cole
Dwyane Wade Ray Allen
LeBron James Shane Battier
Udonis Haslem Chris Andersen
Chris Bosh Joel Anthony

Mike Miller
James Jones

That's a 12 man rotation right there, not 13. So a 12 man rotation is not loaded?

What was the Spurs rotation? 8 or 9? ROFL

:facepalm

James Jones or Joel Anthony were not part of any rotation, and Mike Miller replaced Shane Battier in the rotation. So it was a 9 man rotation.

[FLDFSU]

Mario Chalmers Norris Cole
Dwyane Wade Ray Allen
LeBron James Shane Battier
Udonis Haslem Chris Andersen
Chris Bosh Joel Anthony

Mike Miller
James Jones

That's a 12 man rotation right there, not 13. So a 12 man rotation is not loaded?

What was the Spurs rotation? 8 or 9? ROFL

:facepalm

:facepalm My God I have no words for your stupidity.

Anthony? Jones? Why didn't you include Howard and Lewis too?

[9erempiree]

:facepalm My God I have no words for your stupidity.

Anthony? Jones? Why didn't you include Howard and Lewis too?

:facepalm

those guys didn't play.

[buddha]

:facepalm

those guys didn't play.

you are a tard.

[9erempiree]

anyways back on topic. I agree. He needs to lose the bulk.

He use to burn by Kobe. Kobe at 34, Lebron gets his stuff swatted.

[9erempiree]

you are a tard.

and you resort to name calling. get out of here and let the basketball talk be amongst men.

[pauk]

See no notable difference really, he had perhaps somewhat better acceleration/first-step... he traded that tiny bit with much more strength instead i guess.... it could also have something to do with wear n tear, he is not getting any younger/more athletic afterall.... at the end of the day he is a better player right now with that added muscle, more added & refined skills co-existing with his current physique right now... and using it well and will continue to use it even more especially in the post..... it is the reason behind his current success aswell... But sure he can lose some weight though, as long as it doesnt hinders what he is doing now....

[arifgokcen]

This.

The fast break use to come so natural to Lebron but now he doesn't really run the break. He's usually the one finishing the break. During those Cleveland days he was much better with the ball.

Like I said, his peak play is over with. He use to be like Shaq in Orlando, with that flashy and dominant play, he is now Lakers' Shaq. Get's his points but nothing impressive.
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[9erempiree]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

very insightful.

:cheers: <-------

I don't even think you can type. What is up with these one sentence and smiley responses.

:facepalm <------

[Trollsmasher]

He lost some quickness and explosivness in 2011. He was not only at his heaviest, but he was also out of shape.

He was even much more slower and less explosive than he is today.

[rzp]

lol at people mentioning Nick Anderson as a Shaq helper, the guy really fked up...i still remember this A-Hole missing those fts... changed the whole series and shaqs career...

[NBASTATMAN]

Watch some of his highlights from '09 or '10, he looks the same size but is much more athletic. I'm not sure it has much to do with his weight, it's a combination of having tons of mileage on his legs and being 28 (the vast majority of players are past their athletic peaks by this age).


This is just retarded. Shaq on the Lakers was a much better player than he was on Orlando. 2013 Lebron had the best regular season of his career, and his 2nd best playoff run.


I think both Lebron and Wade have been worn out by the defensive scheme their team plays. They have to do a ton of switching and they have no interior defense so they play a tough 40 minutes of ball every night.. If the Heat want Lebron and Wade to stay healthy longer they have to get a defensive presence inside.. The Lakers have used that strategy with all the bigs they get.. Kobe hasn't worked on defense for years and that is why he still great offensively... :rockon:

[Robalvarez2010]

Thanks for proving my point. This is how loaded Miami is. Bosh had 0 points but Battier went perfect. When a Battier can go perfect while the other superstar is scoreless, you know you are loaded.

:facepalm

Sometimes I wonder if people here watch basketball.

Are u being serious right now? I really hope U r joking right? So because battier had one great game that means the heat r loaded now right? Get the **** out of here. If that's the case then every team in the nba is loaded because there is always that one game when I certain individual has a great game in there career.
So that means that San Antonio is loaded as well because in game 3 Duncan, Parker, and ginobbli had a horrible game and they still won because of green and Neal right? Every team is loaded if that's the case because like I said there is always that one person that has a great game.

[aburre21]

See no notable difference really, he had perhaps somewhat better acceleration/first-step... he traded that tiny bit with much more strength instead i guess.... it could also have something to do with wear n tear, he is not getting any younger/more athletic afterall.... at the end of the day he is a better player right now with that added muscle, more added & refined skills co-existing with his current physique right now... and using it well and will continue to use it even more especially in the post..... it is the reason behind his current success aswell... But sure he can lose some weight though, as long as it doesnt hinders what he is doing now....


man if you could combine combine the LeBron from today with his experience, knowledge and improved jumpshot, post game, etc. with that explosiveness/quickness of his earlier days it wouldn't even be fair for the league :lol


Did you watch the videos though? Did you see how he was way more agile and nimble? Look at the first vid, it's crazy how much he's changed

[pauk]

I can say one thing though... i could see a significant difference only as soon as he got to Miami... just some 4 months before putting on a Miami jersey this was Lebron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrCAskM65N4

What could have happened in just 4 months for him to lose that much athleticism? 2011 his athleticism was at its worst.... Dont know what happened to his body/legs that year (stopped working out, like plyometrics or something for to long, injury?) but it sure was something..... after 2011 he only got more and more athletic compared to how he was that year....

[NattyPButter]

he still plays the same to me. He just takes more jump shots and plays in the post. So he doesn't need to attack the rim and show his agility as much. He would put a lot of tear on him if he continued playing that way...just look at Wade. He won't see any athleticism gone until he's probably 32.

[juju151111]

LJ dunked from near the FT line in game before. I forget what year but I think it was 09. He was crazy athletic back then.

[Le Shaqtus]

His weight won't affect him right now, he's only 28-29. I do think we'll see a drop in his athleticism when he's about 33-34 though, that'll be the time to start shedding some pounds. But he is a freak athletic specimen, be could maintain his athleticism with that weight into his mid 30'a for all we know.

[secund2nun]

No.

Now I know you don't watch or understand basketball.

I'll play along. Westbrook and Ibaka? Heck, that's two players. Watch Miami and just watch how many players came through for them. I'll wait.

Last time I check, Miami has a 13 man rotation. Name me another team that has that.


Miami= no centers therefore not even close to stacked. Center is by far the most important position.

This is why they were pushed to 7 by Indy and SA. Hibbert and Duncan destroyed Bosh and Wade didn't do much for most of the games in that series.

Lebron and Wade are just a terrible fit. There is a reason Lebron led the game 6 comeback when Wade was on the bench replaced with a shooter. Lebron looks a lot quicker (and better) when he has more spacing.

[Bandito]

I can say one thing though... i could see a significant difference only as soon as he got to Miami... just some 4 months before putting on a Miami jersey this was Lebron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrCAskM65N4

What could have happened in just 4 months for him to lose that much athleticism? 2011 his athleticism was at its worst.... Dont know what happened to his body/legs that year (stopped working out, like plyometrics or something for to long, injury?) but it sure was something..... after 2011 he only got more and more athletic compared to how he was that year....
Really? I don't see him faster or more athletic compared to his 2011 version, I think he's just more skilled.

he got a three point shot, a post game and his passing game just got better.

[Goldrush25]

sIt's made him way to rigid and slow He's lost so much agility/speed/quickness. I was watching his game from early in his career and the way his game has changed so drastically is mindblowing. This guy used to be so agile/quick and the way he used to finish at the rim was way more graceful and explosive


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feTymdqcNOU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HjYgDlsxEE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlOwuSAs8to



Lebron seriously moves like a slug compared to these days. He had way more spring/bounce

Spring and bounce? Guy is playing at an all-time high for efficiency. With all due respect, you're wrong.

Who gives a damn if he can jump over a building or not? The best players learn that all you have to do is open the door to the building and walk through it. Work smarter not harder.

Highlight reel athleticism isn't what wins you championships. It's not a coincidence that he doesn't fly all over the place like he did when he was younger. He just needs to keep developing his below-the-rim game, especially if he wants to continue being effective into his 30s.

[buddha]

I can say one thing though... i could see a significant difference only as soon as he got to Miami... just some 4 months before putting on a Miami jersey this was Lebron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrCAskM65N4

What could have happened in just 4 months for him to lose that much athleticism? 2011 his athleticism was at its worst.... Dont know what happened to his body/legs that year (stopped working out, like plyometrics or something for to long, injury?) but it sure was something..... after 2011 he only got more and more athletic compared to how he was that year....

He is still fast and can still jump high, he just isn't as quick as he once was.

[aburre21]

I can say one thing though... i could see a significant difference only as soon as he got to Miami... just some 4 months before putting on a Miami jersey this was Lebron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrCAskM65N4

What could have happened in just 4 months for him to lose that much athleticism? 2011 his athleticism was at its worst.... Dont know what happened to his body/legs that year (stopped working out, like plyometrics or something for to long, injury?) but it sure was something..... after 2011 he only got more and more athletic compared to how he was that year....


nah, he was still able to jump high, look at the Mavs in the 2011 finals, he jumped out the gym on that one. What all this muscle has done is made his movements more rigid, he's way less finesse and nimble and doesn't have that same agility and spring in his step. Earlier in his cleveland days, his legs looked more spring and light, now he looked like he's weighed down. I can't explain it

[tmacattack33]

He's still ridiculously quick and fast though for someone 6'8.

And his muscle helps him in the paint with rebounding and defense, which we all know Miami needs since Bosh doesn't do that.

[Nebraskanball]

He thinks too much on the court nowadays. That's why he plays like a mental midget
This. All the media/fan criticism has really destroyed Lebron mentally.

[tmacattack33]

And LOL at that starting lineup...Ira Newbie, Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, and Anderson Varejao :oldlol:

[Kingwillball]

We're saying he's not what he use to be. He's winning rings because his team is loaded.

Replace Lebron with Melo or Durant they win too.


Yeah do U replace Lebron's Defense withe theirs and also setting open teammates for open shots ? Yeah I didn't think so. :wtf:

[Kingwillball]

He Can still Jump high but doesn't have the Fluid Movements of 4 or 5 years ago and his First step in Close space is not as explosive. I think he could get a BIT of that back if he lost 10-12 lbs but father time effects every player even the freaks like Lebron. IN years past he seemed to finish alot better after contact or in traffic now he seems to look more for the Foul than concentrating on finishing with contact.

[2swift4u]

http://gamedayr.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/lebron-james-hits-head-on-rin-dunk-570x720.jpg

if I was able to do stuff like this, I wouldn't worry too much about losing weight/muscle...

[eSOL]

Edit^^^^ Beat me to it lol

Ill just leave this here.

Lost his hops? Put the pipe down ******



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl2pYbasL9k

[SpecialQue]

No he doesn't.

[pauk]

http://gamedayr.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/lebron-james-hits-head-on-rin-dunk-570x720.jpg

if I was able to do stuff like this, I wouldn't worry too much about losing weight/muscle...

Definitely nothing wrong with his hops or speed.... its just his accel. from stand still somewhat, its the natural laws of physics with all that added muscle...

[fpliii]

http://gamedayr.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/lebron-james-hits-head-on-rin-dunk-570x720.jpg

if I was able to do stuff like this, I wouldn't worry too much about losing weight/muscle...

We need to put together a list of guys confirmed as getting their heads to rim level. Damn.

[che guevara]

Edit^^^^ Beat me to it lol

Ill just leave this here.

Lost his hops? Put the pipe down ******



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl2pYbasL9k
Top speed in the open court, and his max vertical are two things he hasn't lost much of. Nobody's saying he can't get up after building up a head of steam. It's the halfcourt where this is noticeable, he's not nearly as quick or explosive as he used to be. You'd have to be blind not to notice the difference.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Top speed in the open court, and his max vertical are two things he hasn't lost much of. Nobody's saying he can't get up after building up a head of steam. It's the halfcourt where this is noticeable, he's not nearly as quick or explosive as he used to be. You'd have to be blind not to notice the difference.
This.

Quickness, acceleration, body dexterity, finishing with contact and explosion in the lane, first step in the half court, lateral mobility and fluidity have definitely regressed. Top speed once he gets going, and leaping ability haven't all that much. Dude hit his head on the rim in game 7 v.s. Pacers on that alley oop. Had to duck and everything. His lower body is so strong, he launches into the air regardless of his size and weight. He has powerful legs.

I think it's a combination of father time, mileage (it's been 10 seasons in the league, doing major heavy lifting for 7 years in Cleveland and 2 years in Miami), and probably a weight thing.

In 2009 and 2010 he was at his athletic peak. He was the size he is now, but had the quickness, speed, explosion he had from 2004, 2005 2006, 2007, and 2008. It was a scary physical combination. If he had the mentality, skills, maturity and knowledge he does now to go along with his peak athletic days (2009 and 2010) he'd possibly be on par with Jordan was at his peak from '90 - '93.

He definitely was noticeably slower in 2011. I don't know if it was a possibly injury that plagued his body that year that made him sore and affected his athletic ability that he didn't let the public know about. But he was definitely a lot slower. The past two years he's recouped a lot of his quickness, first step, and athletic ability. Maybe it too was a confidence thing. But he's looked a lot better athletically in 2012 and 2013.

[Smoke117]

Uh...why? He's the best player in the world who just had a dominate season and in his prime. Why should he lose weight? People are always saying players as they get older should lose weight, yet MJ actually gained weight as he got older. He used strength to make up for waning athleticism. Right now Lebron is fine...if anyone needs to drop some weight it's Wade as he carries a lot of muscle on his frame and would be more effective if he was thinner...though he's a great post up guard and that weight helps him there so it's pick your poison.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Why should he lose weight?
Do you even ball? More weight means further stress on joints in a game that is brutal on knees, ankles, and ligaments. You wear down faster doing all that stop and go explosions, and quick cuts. LeBron is 6'8 250 lbs, almost the size of Karl Malone playing PG. That will take it's toll on your body, quickly. To ease the transition long term, you need to loose weight.

Wade should be doing it too. He's carried more pounds on his frame since he started juicing in the summer of 2008, and it is now slowing him down and his knees can't support the weight naturally along with his quick cutting game and he now has constant knee issues. It's relative to the weight / muscle gain.


People are always saying players as they get older should lose weight, yet MJ actually gained weight as he got older. He used strength to make up for waning athleticism.
Strength isn't directly associated with weight. MJ focused on LOSING weight in transition from the '96 season to the '97 season. He was worn out by the Finals, and he felt he needed to be quicker to hang with the much younger guards in the league. I think him struggling with Payton's defense in the Finals inspired this as well.

Kobe lost weight after the 2007 playoffs heading into the Team USA FIBA tournament so he could guard quicker players, he worked hard to lose 15 lbs and ended up having arguably the best season of his life the next year winning MVP ... and looked like he found the fountain of youth and was moving much quicker and fluidly.

Losing weight can absolutely help a player. Going forward with age, mileage, wear and tear and yes weight (which packs on easier with age) LeBron needs to decide if he wants to continue to be a perimeter player (if so he HAS to lose weight) or if he wants to morph into an extremely athletic PF and play strictly in the block area and continue to be big and rock solid.

It's that simple.

[secund2nun]

Do you even ball? More weight means further stress on joints in a game that is brutal on knees, ankles, and ligaments. You wear down faster doing all that stop and go explosions, and quick cuts. LeBron is 6'8 250 lbs, almost the size of Karl Malone playing PG. That will take it's toll on your body, quickly. To ease the transition long term, you need to loose weight.

Wade should be doing it too. He's carried more pounds on his frame since he started juicing in the summer of 2008, and it is now slowing him down and his knees can't support the weight naturally along with his quick cutting game and he now has constant knee issues. It's relative to the weight / muscle gain.


Strength isn't directly associated with weight. MJ focused on LOSING weight in transition from the '96 season to the '97 season. He was worn out by the Finals, and he felt he needed to be quicker to hang with the much younger guards in the league. I think him struggling with Payton's defense in the Finals inspired this as well.

Kobe lost weight after the 2007 playoffs heading into the Team USA FIBA tournament so he could guard quicker players, he worked hard to lose 15 lbs and ended up having arguably the best season of his life the next year winning MVP ... and looked like he found the fountain of youth and was moving much quicker and fluidly.

Losing weight can absolutely help a player. Going forward with age, mileage, wear and tear and yes weight (which packs on easier with age) LeBron needs to decide if he wants to continue to be a perimeter player (if so he HAS to lose weight) or if he wants to morph into an extremely athletic PF and play strictly in the block area and continue to be big and rock solid.

It's that simple.


He will move more and more into the post over time. PFs/C don't lose their size over time unlike guards who lose their speed/athleticism over time so since he has the option to choose it makes sense he will choose to become an athletic PF.

[Mr. Incredible]

All I know is, LeBron has just as many FMVP's and 3 more MVPs than Kobe.

He's only 28.

:feelsgoodman:

[madmax]

he's definitely not as fast as he was in his Cavs days, especially in halfcourt offense, but he compensates that with greater strenght and maturity, which helps him in the post and rebounding the ball. There's no doubt in my mind that he's a better player now than he was 6 or 7 years ago at his athletic peak. That's the reason why even being a bit slower he's dominating more than ever before with his improved skillset...and heck, he can still jump out of the gym, as proved by that oop dunk against Pacers, so he's still a physical freak no matter what:pimp:

[inclinerator]

i dont get why he doesnt try to dunk on ppl anymore, also alot of times he tries to pass to someone elese on the break instead of finishing it everytime like he should

[MisterAmazing]

well after this thread i still think there's one thing we can all agree on

9erempiree is a huge dumbsh*t

[rzp]

http://gamedayr.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/lebron-james-hits-head-on-rin-dunk-570x720.jpg


:biggums:

he needs to lose w00t ?!?

:bowdown:

[#number6ix#]

I think he does need to lose weight for the sake of his knees

[HoopsFanNumero1]

well after this thread i still think there's one thing we can all agree on

9erempiree is a huge dumbsh*t

:applause:

[AintNoSunshine]

He thinks too much on the court nowadays. That's why he plays like a mental midget


Mental midget with a historically great Finals game 7 and piling up championships:applause: :applause:

[Le Shaqtus]

I think he does need to lose weight for the sake of his knees

This is too rational for the likes of ISH.

[eSOL]

well after this thread i still think there's one thing we can all agree on

9erempiree is a huge dumbsh*t


Thank **** someone said this.

9erempiree should take a break from the interwebz