Once again in this game, LeBron James was hammered by an opponent. This time it was the Celtics' James Posey, who yanked James to the ground after being left in his wake on a drive to the hoop in the first half. Call it a clothesline, call it horse-collaring, call it what you want, it was as unnecessary as it was dangerous. Posey was beaten; James was on his way. Rather than live with it, Posey grabbed James and sent him to the hardwood. "OK, you're actually a lot better than me, but take THAT!"It's become standard practice in today's NBA. Mind you, while the league is populated with some of the best athletes in the world, it does not exhibit the best brand of basketball from a fan's perspective. That resides at the collegiate level, where, for example, help defense is allowed without resulting in fouls being granted to dribblers plowing their way to the hoop; pushing, shoving and hacking are treated as rules violations; traveling is a no-no; a charging foul is a charging foul; and "continuation" is treated as the stupid concept it really is.
But this is the NBA. Referees' decisions are often as perplexing as they are brilliant. Home teams get calls, visitors don't, and everybody knows it. (One imagines there are clauses to that effect in the NBA Rule Book, presuming one exists.) In Saturday's game, not only was it puzzling to see Posey plead his case with the officials -- this after his imitation of an NFL linebacker taking down a receiver exposed over the middle -- it was startling to hear ABC's broadcast team of Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy debate whether it was a flagrant foul or not. Jackson called it a "hard playoff foul."
In what universe are basketball players taught to grab people and throw them down? Is there a DVD series I don't know about that teaches mugging as defense? (Come to think of it, there may be a marketing opportunity there for Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn or Maurice Lucas.) Young players are taught to play defense with their feet and beat their opponent to a spot. In the NBA, players simply stand still and then whack people once they're beat. It's bush.
In what universe are basketball players taught to grab people and throw them down? Is there a DVD series I don't know about that teaches mugging as defense? (Come to think of it, there may be a marketing opportunity there for Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn or Maurice Lucas.) Young players are taught to play defense with their feet and beat their opponent to a spot. In the NBA, players simply stand still and then whack people once they're beat. It's bush.
Mind you, the Celtics are playing team defense, and aren't, as a rule, resorting to the tactics employed by the Washington Wizards in Round One. But Posey's move was shocking. James is 6-8, 260. Guys like that don't go down easily. LeBron hit the ground like a calf on the wrong end of a rodeo cowboy's rope.
The only way to stop it -- not that David Stern and the NBA seem particularly concerned about that -- is to eject players who do what Posey did then suspend them for a game. Minus that, guys like James are sitting ducks.
Players are resorting to this with James for two reasons: 1.) They know his outside shot is inconsistent, and 2.) they know they can't stop him from going to the basket. It's why he led the league in scoring. It's why he's so good, for crying out loud! If he's not hitting jumpers -- and thus far in this series he hasn't been -- then defenders will be tempted to pound him every time he goes to the hoop. In the permissive world of the NBA Playoffs, it's allowed, so why not?
This isn't just a LeBron James thing. Basketball is supposed to be a game of skill, of athleticism, of artistry. For the purist, it's what makes the game great. It's what makes a James, or a Kobe Bryant, or a Magic, Bird or Jordan so enthralling to watch.
Taking that away by allowing muggings on a near-nightly basis only serves to minimize the beauty of the sport.
The only way to stop it -- not that David Stern and the NBA seem particularly concerned about that -- is to eject players who do what Posey did then suspend them for a game. Minus that, guys like James are sitting ducks.
Players are resorting to this with James for two reasons: 1.) They know his outside shot is inconsistent, and 2.) they know they can't stop him from going to the basket. It's why he led the league in scoring. It's why he's so good, for crying out loud! If he's not hitting jumpers -- and thus far in this series he hasn't been -- then defenders will be tempted to pound him every time he goes to the hoop. In the permissive world of the NBA Playoffs, it's allowed, so why not?
This isn't just a LeBron James thing. Basketball is supposed to be a game of skill, of athleticism, of artistry. For the purist, it's what makes the game great. It's what makes a James, or a Kobe Bryant, or a Magic, Bird or Jordan so enthralling to watch.
Taking that away by allowing muggings on a near-nightly basis only serves to minimize the beauty of the sport.
10 comments:
Lebron gets killed all the time and doesn't get the calls. I'd like to see Kobe or the other MVP candidates survive the beatings he takes. He jsut handles it with class and poise. It's dumb the way the NBA lets it go on.
Lebron is certainly a classy individual on the court, but I dont think its been as rough on his as the media makes it out to be. Sure he has been beaten more than usual this series, but Lebron is a pretty good actor too (see Vitamin Water Attorney Commercial). Lebron can flop as well as Dennis Rodman. He flops so well that he actually believes hes been hit hard. Has anyone ever noticed how lebron acts after he draws a foul. He will perform his trademark flop, the foul will be called on the other team, and Lebron will lay there cringing in agony like he slammed his finger in the car door. He will then pace in circles shaking out the phantom injury. To me its the weirdest thing. The foul has already been called. Its not like the ref will revoke the foul because you broke character. I get kind of embarrassed to be a Lebron fan when he does that. Especially when they play the slow motion replay afterward showing how blatant the flop was while Mark Jackson describes the sequence of events. Thats another thing, I get a kick out of him too. Mark Jackson talks in a unique way for a former NBA athlete calling a basketball game. Every time he opens his mouth he sounds like hes giving a state of the union address to congress. I feel like he writes out his play by play commentary the night before.
anon -
I agree it sometimes looks like LeBron is putting on a show after being fouled -- hard, phantom or otherwise. A lot of guys in the NBA fall into an act when they're trying to draw contact, and that's annoying. James does it, too.
But that shot from Blatche in Round One -- the one square across the face that wasn't called -- had to hurt. Stevenson's later clip across the head couldn't have been too pleasant, either. And it was pretty clear that Posey got LeBron's neck the other night, which is one of the most vulnerable spots on the body.
Physical fouls are part of the game. Flat-out muggings are dangerous. As Barkley said on TNT, Washington crossed the line in the first series, because as players they're all in the same business together, and they shouldn't be doing things that could result in injury.
Hard fouls are OK, but I agree people are just beating on LeBron. Just because he's big and strong doesn't mean players should be allowed to act like it's rugby or something. He's tough though. He'll just keep getting better and teams will have to come up with something else to try to stop him.
Flagrant fouls are like the Tooth Fairy and Santa Clause, in a man's league they dont exist. The #1 rule in NBA basketball is to protect the goal at all costs. Sometimes you got to put someone in the front row to set the tone and let the opponent know there wont be anything easy tonight. Lebron is flat out soft. When it comes to fight or flight Lebron is a track star, he wants nothing to do with confrontation. If it wasnt for the "feminization" of our culture and society we wouldnt be putting such a high value on scoring and rules that favor high scoring games. Our culture breeds Queens, Queen James to be exact. Get up, get in somebody's face and let them know you arent going anywhere. To lay on the ground from shots that couldnt hurt a fly flopping like a flounder are indicative of a man with poor character. From crying on every foul to biting his nails when the game is on the line Lebron is truely the Queen of Queens.
hahahaha, matts logged on
Matt, I would have to agree. LeBron's soft -- in a Jim Brown sort of way.
As we speak Jim Brown is on a bridge preparing to jump for being compared to Lebron James. Jim Brown is a man to be respected, one of the roughest, toughest running backs ever to play who took strong stances on political issues ranging from civil rights to gang violence in urban neighborhoods. Sure he threw a wife or two off the balcony but what man now and then just doesnt get the urge to choke a bitch. When Jim Brown walks into a room he commands respect. Throw out the faking injuries on fouls, biting his nails when the pressure mounts as minor character flaws Lebron exhibits. What stance has Lebron taken on the issue concerning Darfur? Rather than speak against the injustices and violence occurring in the Sudan Lebron has turned a blind eye for fear his popularity and endorsement deals will suffer in China. Jim Brown was a man of character, a man of honor, who was never afraid to give you his peace of mind, popular or unpopular. Lebron is a flash in the pan, a media darling, but no one to be looked up to.
Ha, ha, Matty, what's your beef? Nail biting? Making faces? Oh, boo hoo. LeBron is as good as it gets in the NBA. Switch him with any MVP candidate and the Cavaliers would be worse without him. Can you see Kobe, Chris Paul or KG carry the team the way LeBron did? I can't. He's a load, an amazing player, and we're lucky to have him.
Your viewpoint is taken but he ran over my dog and keyed my car when he was at St V's. Carried a Team? 45-37 in the East? If they played in the west they would have been a 10 seed and would have had no chance of even sniffing the playoffs. They beat a .500 Washington Wizards team without its best player in the 1rst round. You can honestly sit there and tell me that you dont think other superstars in the league could have accomplished the same if not better? He doesnt make people around him better at the end of the day. Dont get making plays for your teammates and making them play at a higher level confused. He is a rare talent, big, strong, fast, and an intelligent offensive player. He doesnt make players around him better, bottom line. Why is it that every #2 they bring in performs worse than they performed while with other teams? (Hughs was talented, im dont expect anything from Wally) Who has he made better? What player can you honestly say is playing at a higher level because Lebron is on the team? Its easy to cheer for the hometown guy, not so easy to look for the truth. Its easy to get behind statistics and numbers but at the end of the day they dont mean a thing. The most important part of the game, defense he cant play. He moves terribly laterally and never will be a great defensive player.(Wrong muscle type and build for basketball) Lets not forget the best bball players arguably of all time, Jordan and Russell were also 2 of the greatest defensively.Currently although not a fan Kobe he seperates himself from the rest of the league with his defensive play. It takes a certain character to carry a team and make the parts around you better. Lebron doesnt have that, very few players do including Kobe Bryant.(Lakers are loaded) With the "feminization" of our society the only player ive seen or can think off first hand that has the character to do so is Tom Brady which is another sport all together. Theres a certain toughness about the character that makes this individual a "King of Men," someone you want to get behind and go to battle with no matter what the situation. This man's confidence and inner strength can lift anothers spirit with his words and actions. At the end of the day if it wasnt for the lies being told about Lebron James id have no beef with him. You cant expect someone coming from the upbringing he had to posess this character and have a strong solid foundation inside. His mother was on crack and father was in prison, thats tough on any kid no matter who you are. He is what he is though and i can admit that. He is big, strong, fast, and an intelligent offensive ball player with a unique blend of size and speed. He is a great athlete. Just a stat sheet stuffer at the end of the day like so many other gifted athletes. Vote Brady in 2012!!!!!
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