In 3 of Orlando’s 4 wins, someone off the bench played more minutes than at least one starter. In the lone game where that did not occur, Mickael Pietrus played 1 min and 50 seconds less than Dwight Howard (Game 3). Only once did Cleveland have a non-starter play more minutes that a starter, also Game 3. Aleksandar Pavlovic played more minutes than Anderson Varejao.
It was always Pietrus who was the non-starter that netted more minutes, so perhaps he should be considered the key to the Magic winning the series. This stat also points out what a lot of LeBron Lovers point to as the reason the Cavs lost. They lament “Poor LeBron can’t do it all himself!!! His teammates let him down, his teammates are only good because the get to play with LeBron!â€. Bullshit. I guess his teammates had no part in the Cavs having the best record in the NBA in the regular season. I suppose that his teammates had no part in the Cavs winning their first 8 playoff games this year.
The bottom line is this, once you look past all the hype, and the commercials, and the chalk dust in the air that is clouding everyone’s vision, a few things become very clear:
The Cavs didn’t deserve to win any games in this series. The get a miracle shot to win Game 2, and because of that they get a Game 5 at home, otherwise they would have been done in 4. And do the Cavs really get a pat on the back for winning Game 5 at home, down 3-1?! Really?! The team with the best record in the NBA gets accolades for not quitting in a Game 5 at home, down 3-1?! Really?!
When push came to shove, neither the Cavs nor LeBron showed up. Last night was THE Game of Forever for Cleveland and LeBron goes 8 of 20 from the field, missed 4 foul shots, grabbed 1 offensive rebound, had 3 turnovers, and scored a grand total of 0, yes ZERO, points in the 2nd Quarter. Way to go King, really impressive how you carried the peasants all the way to a Game 6 loss.
[powered by WordPress.]
Powered by Twitter Tools
34 queries. 0.447 seconds
June 1st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Mr Browski… With all due respect, your first bullet is quite far-fetched. LeBron is The King. He is the Chosen One. “What more can a guy do with his team” is not only a sound argument, but it’s valid. The problem with his teammates isn’t just the lack of talent, but it’s the lack of experience and playmakers. I’m surprised the Cavs won over 50 games this season, but I guess it just shows you how mediocre the East is. Now, if LeBron were NOT on the Cavs, they wouldn’t even win 30 games. Even if they replace LeBron with any other player in the league, including Kobe, they would not be as good as they were. Why? Because no one player in the NBA can do what he does, and it’s a fact. Every time LeBron steps on the court, he influences the game more so than anyone else in the league. Fact.
below is a table I put together that shows you that LeBron was indeed MAXED in the playoffs and there’s nothing else he could have done to carry his team to victory. The comparison is LeBron and Kobe this Playoff season and Michael Jordan in his 1989 Playoff season, which was his best statistically, his 6th year in the league (same as LeBron) and he did not win the championship this year either (same as LeBron). The stats indicate what % each respective superstar is accountable for. For example, LeBron and MJ were responsible for 36% of their teams’ points, respectively, while Kobe was responsible for 29%.
And as far as the 2008-2009 playoffs are concerned, he did carry his team, but the Magic were just that much better. They had a true superstar and the most dominant big man in the lague in Dwight Howard and he is the biggest mis-match even against anyone in the playoffs. On paper, LeBron could carry his team straight to the Finals because his team won 66 games, most in the NBA. But in reality, the Magic were too tough because of the dynamics of that team. The match-ups were too lopsided. Howard was a beast that no one could stop. Then there was Lewis and Petrius and even Alston, who no one would guard the entire time.
Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Points
OFF DEF TOT APG SPG BPG PPG
LBJ 14% 26% 23% 38% 25% 19% 36%
KB 8% 14% 13% 24% 21% 12% 29%
MJ 11% 21% 18% 30% 32% 21% 36%
***Please note that this doesn’t include LeBron’s last second, game-winning shots
What more could LeBron have done here, Dean? He was responsible for 23% of his teams rebounds, 38% of assists, 25% of steals, 19% of blocks, and 36% of points! One of the best Playoff performances in history! Plus, he’s made last second shots, took over entire 4th quarters… 35+ points, 9+ rebounds, 7+ assists per game… What more could he have done?
” Bullshit. I guess his teammates had no part in the Cavs having the best record in the NBA in the regular season. I suppose that his teammates had no part in the Cavs winning their first 8 playoff games this year.”
Dean, his teammates did play a part, but they played a smaller part than any other supporting cast in the NBA, and that’s a fact, it really is. Kobe has his Gasol, Dwight has Rashard, Mello has Chauncey, Duncan has Tony, Garnett has Pierce, Nowitzki has Howard, who does LeBron have???
June 1st, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I won’t argue that LeBron is the most dominant player in the game, but with all the accolades comes the responsibility of actually winning something. It was a foregone conclusion that his team was going to the Finals. LeBron will accept all the praise when they win, therefore he must accept the responsibility when they lose. As I stated above, it may not be fair, but it is the reality of the situation.
LeBron may eventually win championships, but he hasn’t yet, and until that time I will not sit back and support the glory cast upon those that can only point to their individual achievement, when the game of basketball is about the team.