Do you like the way LeBron plays in the 2014 playoffs?

[yarrak]

I feel like he is way too passive. He should be in attack mode at all times. He is setting way too many screens and getting into passing mode way too often now. I don't like the way he plays in the 2014 playoffs at all.

Look at the way he played in 2009 against the best defense in the league and then look at him now. It's cringeworthy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dshwrkS3Ig8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPT6QxoxEZg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlz7jItVg24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otYxO3MHV2g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q69FMBddlYA

That dunk, block, 3pt combo in the first video at 0.37 mark is just nuts.

I honestly think that he was better in 2009 than he is now. Obviously he is more skilled at the moment with the improved post game and shooting, but that insane athleticism he had in 2009 makes up for it.

He gets hot in the first quarter, scores 16 and then goes into passive mode. I don't understand that. I've seen lots of stretches from him where he doesn't shoot for like 10 mins and gets cold. Is it the stamina? Cleveland LeBron was everywhere, always chasing guys down. He doesn't even get those chase down blocks anymore, maybe once in like every 15-20 games.

I wanna see him attack more. 13-15 shots a game in the playoffs from a player his caliber isn't good. He needs to take at least 18-20 a game imo. It can't be worse than guys like Battier and Lewis shooting the ball. I also don't like it when he just goes into full pg mode and just passes the ball to shooters.. I don't have a problem with it if guys are making shots but there are times where they are like 2-14 from the 3 and he still keeps doing it. Why not attack? Instead they just keep chucking 3s.

Long story short, I don't like or enjoy the way he plays in the 2014 playoffs at all. When was the last time we saw a 2009 type of game from LeBron other than game 6 in Boston, or that Indiana game where he had 40-18-9 or whatever his stats were. He used to have those types of games on a regular basis.

[navy]

The Heat have lost 1 game after 6 straight wins.....

[yarrak]

The Heat have lost 1 game after 6 straight wins.....

It's not like they've been playing against very good teams...

[Milbuck]

I still love his game. He's less dominant physically, more dominant mentally. He's evolving with age like all the greats before him.

From the 2009 videos you posted he was substantially quicker, faster, more explosive, and overall on another level physically. He's just not the specimen he was 5 years ago. He's still probably the most dominant athlete in basketball, but he's not where he used to be.

That being said, he is bigger and stronger than he used to be, which helps that athletic drop a bit. This, with him honing his jumper and working on his post game has allowed him to take the little guy totally out of the game whenever he wants to. We saw it from his transition from the 2011 finals to the 2012 finals. It's why guys like Tony Allen these days won't give him much trouble like they do Durant.

Another thing is he's developed a much better understanding of the game. He's more patient, more calculating, and more controlled. He's not going balls out all the time any more. Yeah, his shot selection gets a little cherrypicking-like at times...but overall he's playing more in the flow of the offense. Which is why he can take 13-15 shots and Miami can still blow out their opponents and score 120+ easily. He's still not perfect, and I totally agree with you about him needing to turn on the gas when needed. But we can't really complain when they're 6-1 in the playoffs so far, on the verge of making their 4th straight finals, and potentially 3-peating.

Of course it's easy to wish he was still that explosive monster he was in Cleveland, dropping insane statlines daily. It's not as easy to appreciate the smarter, more finesse based, evolved player he is today. But give it a chance.

[Real14]

Look at his roster. Look at their easy road. Thank you.

[navy]

It's not like they've been playing against very good teams...
So what's the problem? Lebron should chuck just because you want him too?

[VengefulAngel]

I feel like he is way too passive. He should be in attack mode at all times. He is setting way too many screens and getting into passing mode way too often now. I don't like the way he plays in the 2014 playoffs at all.

Look at the way he played in 2009 against the best defense in the league and then look at him now. It's cringeworthy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dshwrkS3Ig8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPT6QxoxEZg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlz7jItVg24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otYxO3MHV2g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q69FMBddlYA

That dunk, block, 3pt combo in the first video at 0.37 mark is just nuts.

I honestly think that he was better in 2009 than he is now. Obviously he is more skilled at the moment with the improved post game and shooting, but that insane athleticism he had in 2009 makes up for it.

He gets hot in the first quarter, scores 16 and then goes into passive mode. I don't understand that. I've seen lots of stretches from him where he doesn't shoot for like 10 mins and gets cold. Is it the stamina? Cleveland LeBron was everywhere, always chasing guys down. He doesn't even get those chase down blocks anymore, maybe once in like every 15-20 games.

I wanna see him attack more. 13-15 shots a game in the playoffs from a player his caliber isn't good. He needs to take at least 18-20 a game imo. It can't be worse than guys like Battier and Lewis shooting the ball. I also don't like it when he just goes into full pg mode and just passes the ball to shooters.. I don't have a problem with it if guys are making shots but there are times where they are like 2-14 from the 3 and he still keeps doing it. Why not attack? Instead they just keep chucking 3s.

Long story short, I don't like or enjoy the way he plays in the 2014 playoffs at all. When was the last time we saw a 2009 type of game from LeBron other than game 6 in Boston, or that Indiana game where he had 40-18-9 or whatever his stats were. He used to have those types of games on a regular basis.

First of all Lebron has lost a lot of explosiveness compared to 2009, he still has a great top speed and great acceleration, but his first step is now putrid.

Secondly with the Heat team that level of intensity isn't required, When lebron was with the cavs it was 1 vs 5 all the time. With the Heat he has so many weapons and with age he has learnt how to utilise these weapons and win.

Finally Lebron made a conscious decision to sacrifice speed for power. His game now is now predicated on power rather than solely speed. When Lebron has his big scoring nights they are mainly on the perimeter, in this series he has been working in the post, whilst more efficient it is less explosive. It is why the Heat have become less attractive to watch but more effective.

[Verticality]

It's not like they've been playing against very good teams...

Yeah, they were EXCELLENT!

[BoutPractice]

"Attack mode at all times" doesn't necessarily translate into wins.

The truly great offensive stars pick their moments, and try to reach a careful balance between setting up teammates/scoring within the flow of the offense, and taking over when needed. Bird was one of the best at this. Championship MJ also understood this. Tim Duncan, etc.

LeBron will occasionally land too far on the passive side, certainly, but when he's cornered, and his team has no other way to win than him taking over, you'll often see him respond with insane outbursts where he seems to be playing possessed (first 3 quarters in Game 6 against Boston in 2012, and most of the fourth quarter in Game 6 against San Antonio in 2013, being the best examples of these "moments"... you could see it in his eyes, he was like a different person, there was something almost primal in his play).

Right now though there's no need. The Heat haven't really been threatened, everything is going according to plan.

Most of the time games are won by playing "civilized". The Spurs are the best in this business. But at some point a team will meet a worthy opponent that opposes resistance to the usual tricks and they will be forced to win "savagely".

[Andrei89]

It's not like they've been playing against very good teams...


A few weeks ago people were saying " Heat got swept by the Nets lulz....Nets are going to beat the Heat"

Now they are not worthy opponents...; ISH :lol

[Marlo_Stanfield]

i LOVED how he played against the Bobcats. Bobcats have a good defense and he clowned them going for 30PPg on 55% with 6 assists:bowdown: GOAt level stuff right there.
but i HATE how he played last game.
you dont just stop shooting after you went for 16 in the first quater. thats BS. his team first mentality is hurting himself AND the team. Heat when LeBron is dominating= unbeatable
Heat with LeBron just one of the guys= complete trash retard team
i expect him to go isnane tonight as his due for a HUGE game.

that being said it doesnt help if you have a retarded coach with an inferiority complex.
its Spos obvious agenda to prove the team wins because of his brilliant system and not because of lebron. every time lebron gets hot he takes the ball out of his hands, makes lebron set screens and space the floor. it happens EVERY time. what kind of fuqqed up sh1t is that??
he also barely calls post plays for bran even tho they ALWAYS work.
Spo thinks Lebron is at his best when he only takes 15 shots per game but the reality is he is at his best when he dominates with 20+ FGA:confusedshrug:
spo is a retard for not seeing this

[Marlo_Stanfield]

I still love his game. He's less dominant physically, more dominant mentally. He's evolving with age like all the greats before him.

From the 2009 videos you posted he was substantially quicker, faster, more explosive, and overall on another level physically. He's just not the specimen he was 5 years ago. He's still probably the most dominant athlete in basketball, but he's not where he used to be.

That being said, he is bigger and stronger than he used to be, which helps that athletic drop a bit. This, with him honing his jumper and working on his post game has allowed him to take the little guy totally out of the game whenever he wants to. We saw it from his transition from the 2011 finals to the 2012 finals. It's why guys like Tony Allen these days won't give him much trouble like they do Durant.

Another thing is he's developed a much better understanding of the game. He's more patient, more calculating, and more controlled. He's not going balls out all the time any more. Yeah, his shot selection gets a little cherrypicking-like at times...but overall he's playing more in the flow of the offense. Which is why he can take 13-15 shots and Miami can still blow out their opponents and score 120+ easily. He's still not perfect, and I totally agree with you about him needing to turn on the gas when needed. But we can't really complain when they're 6-1 in the playoffs so far, on the verge of making their 4th straight finals, and potentially 3-peating.

Of course it's easy to wish he was still that explosive monster he was in Cleveland, dropping insane statlines daily. It's not as easy to appreciate the smarter, more finesse based, evolved player he is today. But give it a chance.
hes a the best athletically since joining Miami. it doesnt make any sense he doesnt attack Teletovic or Pierce VICIOUSLY EVERY SINGLE TIME they guard him one on one.
no excuses, he played to passive in this series and has to go into fuq spoelstra mode and just do what he wants again.
spoelstra is ACTIVELY trying to diminish lebrons scoring stats because he thinks they hurt the team and not everyone is involved when its the diffenrence.
when lebron scores many points it opens up the floor for everyone more than any player outside of prime Shaq ever did:confusedshrug:

[JohnMax]

How can Boston be considered a great defense if 2007 and 2013 Spurs did a better job guarding Lebron?

Eastern conference defenses are pathetic. This also goes for 2007 Detroit, 2011 Bulls and 2013 Pacers.

[pauk]

Passive/Coasting etc. and still having his 2nd most productive/efficient playoffs of his career with a league leading per of 30.7.... and it all has translated to only 1 random loss so far...... interesting...

...and nice vids bro, how many rings did that 2009 LBJ win?

[lilgodfather1]

2009 LeBron was a better athlete, 2014 LeBron is a smarter player. He picks his spots more carefully, he doesn't take bad shots, and he relies on teammates for easy buckets either for himself, or for them. 2009 LeBron was awesome to watch, 2014, is awesome to watch win titles.

[AirFederer]

Have to agree with Puke here :cheers:

[ArbitraryWater]

No.... Hes right there as my Favorite Player, but playing like this wont bump him up any spots all time... This isnt some 1991-1993 MJ DOMINANCE...

None the less, at least we're winning, and I think he will push his level to the next gear. At least in the next round.

And stop with this "There winning so its all good" bs flawed logic.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

No.... Hes right there as my Favorite Player, but playing like this wont bump him up any spots all time... This isnt some 1991-1993 MJ DOMINANCE...

None the less, at least we're winning, and I think he will push his level to the next gear. At least in the next round.

And stop with this "There winning so its all good" bs flawed logic.
he dont need some super dominant series before the ECF he needs to go ham and destroy Indianas dreams early tho. needs to average 37 per game in that series:applause:
that being said i know it was the bobcats and they are pretty crappy but against them lebron was as dominant as jordan ever was. he dictated the entire game:confusedshrug:

[K Xerxes]

He is incredibly passive at times which can be very frustrating to watch, but he has shown he consistently brings it in elimination games. These last two seasons we've seen the best out of him when everything is on the line. As long as he keeps winning series, there's nothing too much wrong with it.

[yarrak]

Passive/Coasting etc. and still having his 2nd most productive/efficient playoffs of his career with a league leading per of 30.7.... and it all has translated to only 1 random loss so far...... interesting...

...and nice vids bro, how many rings did that 2009 LBJ win?

Current LeBron wouldn't have won on those Cavs teams either. Well yeah he has D-Wade and Bosh on the team now. He gets a lot more easy buckets compared to his Cavs days.

I'm not saying he is a bad player now. LeBron has been my favorite player since 2003 so it's not like I'm hating on him either. I still love his game but, I just enjoyed what he did in Cleveland more. The only thing I don't like about LeBron right now is his passiveness. I don't really have any other problems with his game.

[305Baller]

Yeah so he will get tired by the 3rd round and lose again.. No thanks.

[AnaheimLakers24]

boring. i forget hea arr even in playoffs

[dc_chilling]

2009 Lebron was hindered by his team. IMO 2009-2010 Lebron was the peak of his powers. He was so athletically dominant the rest of the NBA was like child's play.

He has gotten smarter, but I don't think he is better. If you put the version of Lebron that went for 38,8,8 with one of the craziest PERs in history in the ECF on the past 4 versions of the Heat team, they are 4 peating without a doubt in my mind.

That shit was just another level man.

[jlip]

Did this game satisfy you?

[ArbitraryWater]

well there you go :cheers:

THIS is the epic stuff everyone was waiting for and wants to see...

[Hoopz2332]

I still think he's too unselfish:coleman: I believe what he did tonight, he can do at will when he's not settling.

[yarrak]

Did this game satisfy you?

Oh yea:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[pauk]

Do you like the way LeBron plays in the 2014 playoffs?

http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/no-damn.gif

[Prometheus]

Did I really just see people try and say that Erik Spoelstra tries to diminish LeBron's PPG? How delusional can you people be?