Hi, I’m LeBron’s Apologist
Nice to meet you. Shut up.
I wasn’t going to do this. I didn’t want to do this. And anyway, I hardly have the time. I’m dumb busy this week, what with my regular job and lawn care responsbilities and constantly looking over my back to make sure the Bluegrass Mafia isn’t sneaking up to merck me with a pick-ax.
Sometimes, though, I just can’t help myself.
I assume Jake’s handling the Cavs-Pistons game notes (update: he’s not), and I’m sure Sam will address this if he hasn’t already (update: he has). In truth, I was content to let everybody else have this one. Then I got to the office today and started reading the internets. Bad idea. Not only did Jimmy Carter backtrack on his fair and balanced critique of the Bush Administration, but all the national basketball writers have apparently lost their minds.
I know many of you won’t agree with me here, but as always, you’re entitled to be wrong.
Two pieces in particular caught me. First is this one, by SLAM favorite Chris Sheridan. We genuinely do like Chris. Good people with a great, dark sense of humor. One of the few mainstream media cats we’re always happy to see at All-Star weekend or at the Finals. So it’s anything but personal when I say Chris got this one dead wrong. Here are the highlights:
It was an instant that called for a split-second decision, and James decided to give it up. And it’s not like he gave it up to Scot Pollard. He gave it to a guy who nailed six 3s in the Cavs’ previous game.
“I go for the winning play,” James said. “If two guys come at you and your teammate is open, then give it up. Simple as that.”
Actually, it’s not that simple, LeBron. Not when the eyes and the weight of the world are on you, and not when people expect otherworldly things out of you even though you’re only 22.
And then, later…
We’re talking about what might have been a game-winning assist from James, not a game-winning shot. It just sort of doesn’t seem right, does it?
Doesn’t matter how open Marshall was, and it doesn’t matter how many defenders were coming at him. It just didn’t seem right, and it’s an open debate as to whether it was.
Thanks, Chris. You just threw off my whole f*cking morning.
Five minutes after reading that, I stumbled across this column from an AP writer. I don’t know this person, and although I do have a problem with the AP employing columnists (to me, they’re supposed to be the just-the-facts portion of the media; getting opinions from the AP is like getting nutrional advice from the high school kid at the check-out counter at the grocery store — to which I say, “Shut up, press the buttons on the cash register and put my f*cking cereal in the f*cking bag”) this one isn’t personal either. But here’s what she said:
Give Michael Jordan that same shot, and he doesn’t give the ball up for anybody.
‘’I go for the winning play,'’ an unapologetic James said afterward. ‘’The winning play when two guys come at you and a teammate is open is to give it up. It’s as simple as that.'’
Not quite…
If there’s a knock on James, it’s that he’s too good. Too much of a team player. More Magic than Michael.
And thank you, Nancy.
They’re both right, of course, as is every other sh*tbag talking head and talk-radio caller and blogger who will criticize LeBron today. Yes, he could’ve done more last night. Yes, he needs to be more cut-throat and ruthless at the end of games. Yes, it’s no longer a valid excuse that he’s only 22 years old. And yes, the Jordan-esque thing to do on that last play would’ve been to put his head down, do that crazy runaway-train bullrun drive he does and just get to the damn basket, no matter what. Everybody’s right. LeBron didn’t win the game last night, so he has to take the hit for the loss.
Fair enough. Just a few counterpoints, then:
He still is only 22 years old. Sorry, but it’s still valid, and I’m not the only one who knows it.
Beyond that — LeBron was, on a night when his shot wasn’t falling against regular triple teams, just one assist away from a triple-double. If Jason Kidd had the exact same game last night, including making that same decision to pass to Donyell on the final possession, our collective reaction would be overwhelmingly positive.
If you want to criticize LeBron for what he did in the first 47:50, I ask only that you remember that the Cavs were in this game, holding a fourth-quarter lead on the road against one of the most dominant and experienced teams of the decade. No, he wasn’t scoring, and yes, he could’ve been more aggressive. But he was also being swarmed by arguably the best defensive team of the era, and as the leader of his team, he had done his primary job: Given his team a chance to win.
And if you want to criticize LeBron for what he did in the last 10 sesconds, I ask that you eat a d*ck.
Seriously.
You can’t have it both ways, people — like my man Chris saying that the idea of a “game-winning assist… just doesn’t seem right,” and this AP writer saying that “if there’s a knock on James,” it’s that he’s “more Magic than Michael,” I’m sorry, but NO. You’re not allowed to go there. You can’t go there and still pretend like you know anything about basketball, because the whole thing with LeBron, the thing that anyone who does know anything about basketball has said all along, is that he is more Magic than Michael, and that’s what makes him special.
This is what Keith Dambrot, LeBron’s high school coach, told me when LeBron was a sophomore, and this is what every NBA scout and coach and GM who watched him told the media over the next few years, and this is what every sportswriter with half a brain regurgitated onto their keyboards when writing about this high school phenom. He’s a remarkable passer, but the blessing and curse is that he’s also probably the most physically gifted passer we’ve ever seen — the “curse” part of that equation being that, because he is such a remarkable athlete, we figure he should always do the Jordan thing in situations like these and take the shot, no matter what.
Except, of course, that Mike passed on that shot a few times, as well. But you knew that.
So, back to that play. LeBron hasn’t been to the line all night, which is partly a result of the fact that he hasn’t been overly aggressive driving to the basket, and partly because when he has gone to the basket, the Pistons’ swarming D has, well, swarmed about as convincingly as it ever has, and partly because he isn’t getting any of the superstar calls he’s used to — or, in a few key cases down the stretch, the regular-dude calls that even the announcers are sort of bemused to see go unwhistled. He gets a one-on-one with Tayshaun Prince, who is undeniably one of the best defenders in the game, and he gets a lane. Rasheed Wallace, who BLOCKED SEVEN SHOTS IN THE GAME, is lingering in the paint.
The sum total of this information: a) LeBron is unlikely to get a clean look at the basket, b) he’s equally unlikely, based on the precedent set throughout the game, to get a call on anything but the most blatant hack, and c) Rasheed’s presence in the paint means Donyell Marshall is wide-the-f*ck-open in the corner.
LeBron, who much to Nancy Armour’s dismay is more Magic than Michael, finds his teammate, a proven three-point shooter, with a perfect pass for a potential game-winning shot.
Donyell missed. If he makes, these columns (this one included) don’t get written, and we’re talking about what a great win that was for the Cavs and what a great play LeBron made.
Unless we’re not. Would you be one of the exceptions, still criticizing LeBron because he didn’t man up and take the shot himself, even if they’d won? That, at least, I could respect. But you can’t have it both ways. The Cavs lost a road playoff game to a better team last night, and as the team leader, LeBron carries some of the guilt for that, because he could’ve done more. There are still a lot of ways this kid can (and will) get better, and you can (and should) hold him up to that higher standard and criticize him for falling short. But that play? You gotta let that one go. Facing a superior team, in a game (and a series) that the Cavs really shouldn’t have a chance of winning, they had a chance last night.
And if, in failing, LeBron James was a little too much Magic and not enough Michael, so be it.
192 Responses to “Hi, I’m LeBron’s Apologist”
May.22 at 10:04 am
Jason says:
Amen.
May.22 at 10:06 am
slamrules!!!! says:
first!!! lebron is good and all but u know kb24 wouldve taken it and made it…
May.22 at 10:22 am
Cheryl says:
Well, yes you are his apologist, Mr. Jones. But, like you said, the did is “only 22″ and can and hopefully will get better. I guess my beef is that the world annointed this guy while in freakin’ High School, way before we knew how his skills would translate to a MAN’s game. All the while, this 22yr. old kid is doing what he can to be the “global icon”, hanging out with Warren Buffett, et al. Not hatin’ on the kid, just saying. I applaud him being the “smart businessman”, more power to him. I just ain’t ready to call him the next anything until I see passion and relentlessness.
May.22 at 10:24 am
BJ Armstrong says:
Because you know…Michael would not have let john paxson steve kerr or even Bill Wenington take that last shot…ever.
May.22 at 10:25 am
Sesa says:
Who’s the writer the article?
May.22 at 10:27 am
Cheryl says:
I meant “kid”, not did (1st sentence).
May.22 at 10:28 am
Ryan Jones says:
I am the writer, Sesa. Don’t make me get ill on your Friendster page again.
May.22 at 10:31 am
David says:
Who let this article get published….F*cking this….Suck A D*ick….An editor needs to get fired.
May.22 at 10:32 am
Jason D. says:
No need for anyone to apologize for Lebron. He’s the best player on the floor. But the Pistons are a better team, and it’s a team sport. I think that’s all.
May.22 at 10:36 am
rosalia levy says:
Kobe would have made that with his yes closed.
No quention asked.
May.22 at 10:36 am
Ryan23 says:
Thanks Ryan. I totally agree.
May.22 at 10:39 am
Alan says:
Hey there. Loved the article. So I’m wondering… since when did being more “Magic than Michael” become a bad thing? I might be in the tiniest of minorities, but I actually think Magic was a better player than Michael. If Magic didn’t have to contend with Bird throughout his career, he probably would have won more rings than Michael.
May.22 at 10:41 am
K22C says:
Thank You Ryan.
May.22 at 10:41 am
Sesa says:
@Ryan
Sorry my good Man. I guess you forgot to put your name on this article.
*Ahem* To comment about your column: I guess everybody demands LeBron to do this or to do that.
That guy needs to stand up for himself and said “Fck the critics!”.
May.22 at 10:42 am
colodude says:
Re: Michael. I recall he decoyed and he passed the ball to some unnamed designated outside shooter to win the championship one year with just a couple seconds left in the game. Who was that guy?
LeBron made the right play at the right time. Period.
May.22 at 10:43 am
Sesa says:
C’mon Man. Why y’all hatin’ on my friendster page?
May.22 at 10:44 am
Ryan Jones says:
The “Jones” in Farmer Jones is supposed to be the tip-off, Sesa. I ain’t trying to hide.
May.22 at 10:45 am
Ben Tan says:
King James will be back… with a vengeance!!!
May.22 at 10:49 am
Christian says:
I agree that LeBron is in a classic catch 22 situation. Damned if he drives and is blocked, damned for passing to a WIDE OPEN F$CKIN CORNER WHO SHOULD HAVE MADE THE STUPID SHOT!!! HE REGULARLY MAKES THOSE SHOTS!! If LeBron cant rely upon other team members to do their jobs, then this series is already over. LeBron did the right thing, give the man some slack…
May.22 at 10:49 am
Anonymous Detroit Fan says:
Great article, Ryan. Cavs were on the road, Lebron was not getting calls he was used to, his scoring was shutdown, hadn’t been to the stripe all night, and they had a well executed play to have the hot hand WIDE OPEN. Seriously, have any of these other writers ever played ball before? It’s just like going for the two-point conversion and missing. The Cavs went for the throat, but missed. It was gutsy performance, and I give ‘em props for the call. If anyone should feel bad today, my money’s on Ilgauskus. Dude was draining shots in the second half, but missed when it counted most.
May.22 at 10:50 am
Esco says:
Well, this is the exact same point I made in Sam’s post, just in broader terms. Great post Ryan.
May.22 at 10:55 am
K22C says:
I think Ryan is taking drugs. I dont think LeBron should have shot but LeBron should have stepped up and used magical powers to make Marshall’s shot fall…. he didn’t use them though so its his fault…
May.22 at 10:57 am
Chris says:
Cheryl is right on, Lebron is a very good player but he doesn’t deserve the accolades yet until his team is a consistent threat to win it all. Right now they don’t scare anybody. He better demand some players around him or else he’s going to become the next AI, KG, or late-stage Kobe. But I think he takes the marketing and all that crap more seriously than he does the actual hoops.
May.22 at 10:59 am
Jake Appleman says:
Hooray for boobies. And perspective.
May.22 at 11:00 am
Jake Appleman says:
Don’t worry Ryan, I’ll have game 2.
May.22 at 11:00 am
namik says:
All of what you wrote would be true Ryan if it actually was about those 10 seconds. This is not the first time LeBron has passed in these situations. LeBron may be more like Magic than Mike but its not like Magic was scared to put up a shot. One of the defining moments of Magic’s career is the sky hook in the Finals. LeBron showed last year in the playoffs that he could take the pressure and make such shots. Thats why everyone has such high hopes for him. I dont like LeBron but there is no denying his talent. And when youre that talented youre supposed to do unbelievable things when it counts. You talk about the critics having it both ways but thats exactly what the Witnesses do. If he has already made game winners in the playoffs, had triple doubles and broken an assload of records, his age is irrelavent. If “arguably the best player in the game” needs Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones to take game winning shots, then comparing him to Magic, Mike or even Wade is stupid. The IDGAF factor in clutch moments is something LeBron seriously lacks. This is not based on 10 seconds. This is not about one game. This has been proven repeatedly over the last 4 years.
May.22 at 11:00 am
Thanh says:
I think the other issue with these columns is that it talks a lot about how columnist/sportswriters are putting a “team” sport into a “superstar” sport. They make the superstars the only people on the court/field to make magic happen. What the f-k, we got players in the NBA or any professional sport b/c all of them are exceptionally better than the average player. It’s a team sport. Like you said, Jordan passed up game winning (if that) shots (e.g., Shot to John Paxon). Peeps need to recognize that it’s a team. If you wanted to just focus on LeBron, let him play 1 on 5 then. The best basketball are being played by “teams” (e.g., Golden State, Phoenix, SA, Detriot, Dallas.)
May.22 at 11:00 am
Bill says:
He made the right play. But he still should have shot it. It’s an impossible spot to be in. If he took it and they won, he’d be lauded. If Donyell hit the shot, Lebron would be lauded. Either of those shots miss, Lebron gets the blame. DM missed the shot, so that makes Lebron “more Magic than Michael.” If Lebron missed it people would just be saying that “he’s no Michael Jordan.” You know, I think that is his shot to take no matter what. And I would argue that in a situation like that he should let his team live and die with him taking that shot. But did he make a wrong decision? No, he made a smart one and it didn’t go down. Those are the breaks. You still have a whole game before to play before that moment even came up. Anything could have happened. That’s just one play in the long run.
May.22 at 11:00 am
Allenp says:
Good point on Kidd. Lebron almost had a triple double, and while it would have been a meager triple double, he still could have had one. He should have scored more than 10 points no matter what defense he saw, but I don’t have a big problem with the last shot. A few weeks ago everybody was mad at him because he jacked a contested three over a double team instead of passing. Dude can’t win unless he wins. The media determines whether something is the right play by whether it’s successful. Unless you’re Steve Nash, then any play is the right play even if you manage to get eight turnovers in a game.
May.22 at 11:03 am
mike_01 says:
All true Ryan. There’s too much of the ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda’ school of journalism around. Its too easy to criticise with hindsight and a lot of the top guys in the league can’t win whatever they do. Great point about MJ passing up shots at the end of games/creating open looks for teammates in crunch-time - the likes of Steve Kerr almost made a career from taking advantage of these situations. Its a team game, MJ,Magic whoever never won a game on their own, it’s ridiculous to expect LeBron to. Finally, way to use ‘mercked’, Rio would be proud!
May.22 at 11:09 am
WeS says:
If Marshall hits that shot, LeBron is hailed as a genius and a basketball god. AND he notches a playoff triple-double against the Pistons. He did the right thing. I wish there was a lot less sports media attempting to relate to people who’ve never played sports.
May.22 at 11:12 am
Sesa says:
If he DO take the shot instead of passing then people will ask:
“Should he have passed instead of shooting the ball?”
Some people with their expectations…
May.22 at 11:13 am
Garrett says:
People should be complaining more about Donyell Marshall! Hit the damn shot already! You’re a good 3-point shooter, the corner is your sweet spot, you were wide open!
May.22 at 11:15 am
Ryan Jones says:
I appreciate your points, namik, and that’s why I said you’re right to expect more from the kid. But again… what sets him apart is his ability to (wait for it…) make the guys around him better, which only Magic did as well at such a young age. And Magic had guys like Kareem and Jamaal Wilkes around him when he was 22, not Drew Gooden and Donyell Marshall. As Jake said, perspective. And boobies.
May.22 at 11:22 am
Kevin Wilson says:
Why is it nobody criticized LeBron for giving up the ball during Game 6 of the Wizards series last year? Oh yeah, because Damon Jones hit the game-winner and there was no convenient second-guessing to be made.
May.22 at 11:28 am
namik says:
Yes Ryan, but no matter how good he can make his teammates, he is “The Man”. I am tired of people riding his jock and then making excuses when he F’s up. LeBron at 22 is a 4 year vet. Magic was not. At 22 he has had the team on his back for 4 years and has been in game winning situations before and failed. Instead of facing the criticism, he has shied away from the challenge and then made his “best play” statements. I am sorry, but if you have the “CHOSEN 1″ tatted on your back, you better back it up. And yes that means making clutch sometimes. Mike passed sometimes. LeBron SHOOTS sometimes. Big difference. However I am in complete agreement about boobies.
May.22 at 11:35 am
kevin says:
Lebron Lechoked last night. Plain and simple. 10 points? Give me a break. Superstar my ass.
This series will be over in 5 possibly 4.
May.22 at 11:37 am
Larry says:
Ryan, it doesn’t matter if LeBron made the right decision or not. What really matters is that they lost what was a stealable game on the road. If the assist works, they win; if he takes it to the rack and makes it, they may win in OT (doubt it, Pistons had momentum). But like all great players (remember how long it took MJ to get through his set of Pistons) LeBron (and TMac and Dirk and..) are judged by the championships they win or don’t…and he didn’t win this game. Should be a great series.
May.22 at 11:37 am
JonesIsLame says:
You can apologize for your friend (ahem) idol all you want. Next year he’ll only be 23. The year after that he’ll only be 24. Maybe we should excuse him then, too. Nice try, Jones. Lebron is on the Cavs to score first. The Cavs LOST because he only scored 10 points. We don’t watch Lebron because he is like Jason Kidd. We watch Lebron because he SCORES. He didn’t. It is because he was so lame that the Cavs lost. Take that to the bank. The Pistons sure did.
May.22 at 11:37 am
JonesIsLame says:
You can apologize for your friend (ahem) idol all you want. Next year he’ll only be 23. The year after that he’ll only be 24. Maybe we should excuse him then, too. Nice try, Jones. Lebron is on the Cavs to score first. The Cavs LOST because he only scored 10 points. We don’t watch Lebron because he is like Jason Kidd. We watch Lebron because he SCORES. He didn’t. It is because he was so lame that the Cavs lost. Take that to the bank. The Pistons sure did.
May.22 at 11:43 am
Aleesha says:
If he had kept the ball and taken the shot himself and missed, he would be equally vilified. He was doing what he had been taught to do. TEAM PLAY! No self-aggrandizing glory. Give the kid a break. He made a good decision, it just turned wrong. If anyone must be to blame for a loss in a silly little ball game, blame the guy that flubbed the shot, not the one who did what he has been taught to do. Lebron James should be commended for taking the high road on this one. At 22, he has a lot of poise, manners, and class. His mother should be very proud of how he has handled himself and the media should get off this kid’s back and let his coaches develop his talent. How many of the media criticizing this youngster have ever been faced with making a decision like this in SECONDS? Not many, I think. If you have not walked in this guys shoes in this same situation, you should not be criticizing him.
May.22 at 11:43 am
JonesIsLame says:
Get a life, Jones. Your friend (ahem) idol didn’t get the job done. Lebron will be 23 years old next year. Maybe we should keep making excuses for him until he’s 25. Lebron is not on the Cavs to be like Jason Kidd. He is paid to SCORE. If he scores 10 points per game, the Cavs will lose. It is heartening to know the Cavs were still in the game. I’m sure that will encourage them in Game 2. Give it up, Jones. YOU are the one who “doesn’t know the game of basketball.” Because everyone else knows Lebron is paid to SCORE.
May.22 at 11:44 am
motorhead says:
He did exactly what he’s payed to do, play ball. You step to the line and take your changes. If he’d of missed you’d be ragging on him for that. Just support your team and stop being a weiner. Until your perfect shut up.
May.22 at 11:47 am
Richie says:
At least this series seem like it will be a good one. I was more disappointed Donyell missed than i was that Lebron passed it but i also agree that he wasnt as agressive earlier in the game and did expect more. Everyone will be questioning his ‘greatness’ until he wins and even after he wins, it will never be enough.
May.22 at 11:51 am
justscott says:
Everyone keeps talking about whether or not he _should_ have shot. No one seems to remember the fact that THERE WAS NO SHOT. LeBron, Boy-Wonder and Chosen One and Great Grand Pooba of Hope For The Sport that he is had NOWHERE TO GO. It wasn’t like he made a decision between passing or shooting. It was making a decision between passing to Marshall who _maybe_ misses or driving in and _definitely_ missing.
May.22 at 11:51 am
Carl says:
Balanced team play will beat a “one man show” every single time. The Chicago Bulls couldn’t win anything during M.J’s first six years in the league. That’s because thay were a one man team. It took Phil Jackson to teach the Bulls what balanced, team play can do. Suddenly, the Bulls won six championships. LeBron and the Cavs haven’t learned that lesson yet.
May.22 at 11:56 am
atari says:
you should not use the word d*ick
May.22 at 11:57 am
Art Merims says:
Namik is right; LeBron had to take the layup rather than depend on a long three. But more than that, LeBron has to play more aggressively and take the ball to the basket, throughout the game. And so do the rest of the Cavs.
Of course, I’ve never seen such terrible officiating. LeBron was getting double mugged when he went in for a shot and the referees called nothing. But they were very good at calling walking fouls. Wonderful. It’s one thing for refs to avoid ticky-tacky fouls in the playoffs. But out-and-out muggings!! The refs should be heavily fined.
May.22 at 11:59 am
H to the izzo says:
Yes boobies are enjoyable.
No matter what LeBron does he is gonna get hate he could single handedly win the championship-solve world hunger-declare world peace-solve the global warming crisis-save the world from Godzilla-save a kitty from a tree and still be back for dinner and people will still say that he is not living up to his potential.Where do people think his cieling is-he’s human and will stop improving eventually.
But these people make a hobby out of being contrari-ists and nothing will be good enough
May.22 at 12:02 pm
Clev Fan says:
You know, it ruins MY day when some dirt bag web commentary guy mixes stupid comments about Carter and Bush in with my sports. I don’t want to read about your politics, stick with what you know.
May.22 at 12:05 pm
Joemel says:
I’d ask Bill Russell.
Forget Lebron, Michael, Magic, ect…
Bill Russell is the greatest ever. Ask him,
one of the best assist guys out there about
team play.
May.22 at 12:11 pm
You_Eat_D*ck! says:
The editor shoud be fired for publishing this article full of f*cks and d*cks!!!!!
May.22 at 12:18 pm
hartadi says:
…
all the while i thought ryan jones was only a kobe fan….now im glad to know that he love and understand lebrons game too….(did lebron gave you a treat to dinner now?)
May.22 at 12:24 pm
Sesa says:
This comes down about LeBron making the “right” decision.
when the ball doesn’t go in it’s obvious that people will view it as the “wrong” decision. Whether he passed it or shoot it.
@Hartadi.
Are you ther one who wrote on the TrashTalk?
May.22 at 12:27 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Well, thank god. When I left for lunch at around 11:30, I was a little worried about the lack of angry comments. Thankfully, I come back to find some well-made points, and a guy who was actually name-drops me in his screen name! And posted the same comment three times! Outstanding. It’s touching, guys, and don’t think I don’t appreciate it.
May.22 at 12:29 pm
Nadav Mor says:
About the Jordan comment…He gave it up to Kerr, when he KNEW he’d be double teamed. Of course, Kerr made the shot…
May.22 at 12:29 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Clev Fan: I’m pretty sure “dirtbag” is one word. At least, it is on my business card. Beyond that, some questions…
Can I safely assume that you wouldn’t have been bothered by my commentary if you’d agreed with it?
Can I also safely assume that you voted not once, but twice, for the worst president in U.S. history?
Can you safely assume that I’m sorta glad I ruined your day?
May.22 at 12:30 pm
Smitty313 says:
If you look at that last play. Lebron had Tayshaun beat and would probably had an easy lay up. Kobe, MJ, Iverson, Melo, D-wade would not have passed that. He was not swarmed the d was coming but it would not have got there in time. Don’t use his age as an exscuse. Magic was dominating in the finals as a rookie. Kobe started to take over and hit big shots when he was twenty. I don’t see fire in Lebrons eyes. Poeple are saying he passed it to an open Donyell Marshall (he hit six 3’s against the Nets). He didn’t do shit yesterday, and he isn’t Steve Kerr or John Paxson. Look at what D-wade did last year he was not passing the rock in crucial moments of the games. I would rather have Lebron score 40 than have 16 assist. The Cav’s are like the Lakers the more Kobe scores the better chance the lakers have.
May.22 at 12:32 pm
H to the izzo says:
Never before have I seen people so offended by the word d*ck…look down people you all have one
May.22 at 12:36 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Damon Jones would have hit that shot.
May.22 at 12:36 pm
Ryan Jones says:
It’s the right wingers, izzo. Probably from Kentucky.
May.22 at 12:37 pm
kc says:
I don’t buy it. Magic won Finals MVP when he was, what? 22? Michael built up his rep as a playoff game killer long before he starting passing to Wennington for the win. And Kidd? Really? If LeBron’s line was 3pts, 15 boards, and 2 assists would you be saying “if this were Ben Wallace….”
May.22 at 12:54 pm
white hot eboy says:
@ H to the Izzo, I’m pretty sure Cheryl doesn’t. And if Lebron doesn’t win a chip anytime soon, does he get this “whoa is me, Im only 23,24,25,26, I only want to make money, don’t really give a sh*t about winning” article written for him year after year. There are other great young players who the public doesn’t make half as many excuses for. And I’m sorry, after being in the league for 4 years, he should cut out the babyish nail biting all game long. Grow up, young man. You’re a father, a role model (whether you want that title or not) a corporate entiity and a FRANCHISE basketball player. You had an entire league handed to you. Work for it. 22 years old or not, your legacy will be made on how you played the game, not how many checks you cashed. I never heard Michael, Larry, Magic, Kobe or Duncan talk about how much money they wanted to make. Take a cue from these guys if you want to be a legend. Otherwise, be Dominique Wilkins. (Sorry Lang)
May.22 at 1:01 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Quick reminder: Michael Jordan was 28 years old, and in his seventh NBA season, playing alongside future Hall of Fame teammate Scottie Pippen, before he won his first NBA title. So maybe, just maybe, it’s not too late for LeBron…
May.22 at 1:08 pm
tike says:
Lets just get this straight there will never and i mean never going to be another Michael Jordan…and i think lebron did the best thing he could do he notice the double team kicked it out to his three point shooter and marshall just couldnt knock it down…but 10 points in a playoff game is unexcusable for lebron….i guarantee he bounces back from this!
May.22 at 1:15 pm
Chris says:
If LeBron had taken and missed the shot, I think there’d be less of an uproar. LeBron is the best offensive option on that team and he’s the guy that needs to take the shots down the stretch. Fans want to know that LeBRON feels confident he can make shots down the stretch. I was upset when he passed the ball off to Z a couple possessions earlier for a jumper (Z hit the shot but I was like damn LeBron why didn’t you take it). If your superstar gets tight in the fourth that doesn’t bode well for your team.
May.22 at 1:18 pm
Omar says:
I swear to God, Ryan will ride of die for Lebron.
May.22 at 1:22 pm
white hot eboy says:
O, from out of the darkness, is the voice who speaks the biggest truth.
May.22 at 1:23 pm
Ryan Jones says:
UNNNNNHHHH! O, what up baby. When are you gonna come visit me on my farm?
May.22 at 1:24 pm
Dark says:
Thank you Ryan. Hindsight is 20/20.
May.22 at 1:29 pm
2G40 says:
@Ryan, Couple of key points; 1) It’s the writers, Slam included who hyped Lebron as the next coming. 2) had the pistons lost it could also be argued that it was due Chauncy Billups had he missed those two 3’s.
-
I’m wont debate Lebrons basketball skills because he’s better than any of his peers, and most of his elders. But last nights situation is what makes super stars and legends. Until bron can prove that he’s capable of coming through in the cluctch the criticism is warranted. Right now we have to many media generated stars like Dirk and Lebron, but not enough proven winners in the mold of Duncan and Billups. Don’t blame the writers for citicizing their own creation.
May.22 at 1:31 pm
Cheryl says:
H to the Izzo, um, I don’t. but I do love my “boobies”…
May.22 at 1:33 pm
Cheryl says:
Hear, hear, white hot.
May.22 at 1:40 pm
Cheryl says:
And something no one is really talking about–i don’t think the Piston’s really played their best game, either. This game was there for the taking for the Cavs. 10 points in the first game of the ECF?? Didn’t we just dog the crap out of Dirk for wanting to be a “team player” and making the right “game-winning” decision? Oh, the hypocrisy? (back of hand to the forehead, in melodrammatic fashion…)
May.22 at 1:41 pm
hartadi says:
yeah sesa…..guess we the only 2 indonesians writing reviews to slam….(well MESSAGE TO ALL SLAM CREWS, MY ROOM IS STARTING TO CRAMPED UP CAUSE OF YOUR MAGS AND NOW I DECIDED TO BUY ONLY WHEN YOU HAD MY FAVOURITE PLAYERS ON THE COVER OR SOON I WOULDNT HAD SPACE TO SLEEP)
May.22 at 1:43 pm
Ryan Jones says:
2G40, it’s not SLAM “included,” it’s SLAM ESPECIALLY who hyped LeBron as the next coming. I would never shy away from that fact, and I will always be proud we knew about him before pretty much anyone. He’s done nothing to make me think we weren’t right to do so. As was already stated, Jordan was 28 with a HOF teammate before he won anything, and Magic (my childhood hero, and my personal G.O.A.T., so I’m certainly not trying to front on him) was drafted onto a team that had Kareem. And I agree with you that *intelligent* criticism is warranted, which is why I pretty much wrote those exact words in my column. But again, back to the point: To criticize him for making that pass last night, which is what the writers I cited (and many others) are doing, is absurd.
May.22 at 1:46 pm
rob stewart says:
Actually Jordan has made this exact same play many of times. Like to Steve Kerr and John Paxson. Lebron did the right thing. If Marsahall makes that shot then everybody is talking about how great Lebron is and how he uses his teammates so well and how Detroit doesn’t play Defense. lebron you did the right thing kiddo.
May.22 at 1:48 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
On the road against a better team, it’s the right idea to go for the win there. Even if LeBron made a layup/dunk or two free throws, the Pistons would still have a chance to win it in regulation or OT. If Marshall hits the three, the Pistons at least have some pressure to lose the game right there.
But it still doesn’t feel right having the Chosen One choosing to pass. Maybe it’s just because we’re not used to it and we will just have to learn.
May.22 at 1:49 pm
rob stewart says:
Anybody know why Webber still wears Iversons? Does he like the shoe that much or is A.I. Reebok probably hooking C-Webb up?
May.22 at 1:57 pm
Ryan Jones says:
As noted in KICKS a couple years ago, Webber has now worn every brand in the League. Thus, he is contractually obligated to stick with Rbks the remainder of his career.
May.22 at 2:03 pm
hartadi says:
TALKING ABOUT KICKS, if you guys still remember the beginning of the year when lebron was doing advertisement for his lebron 4, the one thats called SWIMMING POOL, all of a sudden i remember when WISE lebron said : ” quit training in the pool. you cant beat detroit training in the pool. you think michael train in the pool?” If lebron is able to eliminate detroit this year, ILL BUY A PAIR OF LEBRONS AS SOON AS HE WON.
May.22 at 2:05 pm
mutoni says:
i understand where you’re coming from, ryan, but i don’t think it’s absurd to criticize the play. call me crazy, but when you’re not double-teamed and are within 2 feet of the rim, you don’t kick it out to a wide open teammate. and do you really think he wouldn’t have gotten the call against the pistons on that play? the nba would like nothing more than for this series to go as long as possible, and a cavs win in game 1 would have made david stern orgasm in his seat. bottom line: he should’ve hammered it home and possibly gotten to the line (where he would’ve probably missed the free throw), and taken his chances in overtime. unless you’re double teamed (which lebron wasn’t), there’s no need to kick it out.
May.22 at 2:09 pm
Tariq says:
Ryan,
Sorry man, if Jordan had that play he would have gone to the hole, just like he did when he hit that championship-winning shot against Phoenix in 93— Oh, wait… That’s the problem with Mike, he was more Magic than Jordan.
May.22 at 2:16 pm
Toney Blare says:
my thoughts last night: his teammates really are pretty terrible. i mean, someone this morning lauded sideshow brazil’s play, and i think doug collins complimented his “beautiful hands” last night. really? really? imagine if bron has boozer & dre miller. still, that was an open dunk, and mostly i’m not surprised we’re all sick of the excuses, if prematurely, when we’ve heard all this “global brand” bs. people are afraid of another anticlimax, ala the whole postseason. also, let’s put aside the mj comparison–due to mj and his marketing example, the whole world/spotlight/standard/cash reward is different. so let’s use tiger woods, who was at least as hyped but delivered early on with an obvious killer instinct (difference being he didn’t have to dish to an aging donyell marshall to do it) that we just haven’t seen in lebron yet. my thought today: christ, game one on the road and people want to second guess the 22 yr old like he gave us bad pre-war intelligence (DICK! i keep the politics in everything i do, dude, that’s why my girl’s always sayin, ‘oh, toney, oh, toney blair!’). OUT.
May.22 at 2:20 pm
Tariq says:
Z was pretty good last night, man
May.22 at 2:21 pm
JonesIsLame says:
hey motorhead, It’s spelled PAID not payed. We have to question your analysis, since you seem to be having difficulty with two syllable words. And I agree with ClevFan. Either comment on sports or politics. But, this guy obviously can’t enlighten us on either subject. Instead, he uses profanity in a weak attempt to emphasize his lame point. Put Farmer Jones out to pasture, where he and his columns belong.
May.22 at 2:33 pm
Steve O says:
Why is everyone so quick to fault Lebron? Even Magic was giving it to him in the postgame show. Granted he might have tied the game, but what if he goes to the free throw line and clanks one? (which he has been known to do) Not to mention Donyell Marshall is paid to make 3’s especially if they are wide open from the shortest part of the court. Lebron didn’t have a great game and still almost put up a triple double. No other elite NBA player is putting up a triple double in the Conference Finals and getting this much sh*t for it. Bet that.
May.22 at 2:35 pm
Joel O's says:
Had Donyell made the shot, last night would’ve been Lebron’s “Jordan-to-Paxson-for-THREE” in the ‘93 finals vs. Phoenix. Z was so good. Fun to watch when he’s nailing those outside shots, too bad he missed the big one. Rasheed was clutch as heck too, I think he hit 3 straight killer jumpers in the 4th…
May.22 at 2:38 pm
Joel O's says:
And what’s WRONG with being more Magic than Michael? Isn’t being like Magic good?
May.22 at 2:41 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Even in his last few weeks in office, the Prime Minister takes a break from his busy schedule to speak some truth. Thank you sir.
Also: “Put Farmer Jones out to pasture…” That, my friends, is comedy. The only thing you said that was funnier was “I agree with ClevFan.” Please tell me you’re going to name your first-born after me, too.
May.22 at 2:42 pm
Toney Blare says:
my fault, Z was actually very good…even if he looks like politician VLAD PUTIN!
May.22 at 2:42 pm
Ryan Jones says:
“Isn’t being like Magic good?” Yes, Joel. Yes it is.
May.22 at 2:43 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Republicans! Troop surge! Mitt motherf*cking Romney!
May.22 at 2:44 pm
Steve O says:
I bet Trajan “the Alaskan Assasain” Langdon would have canned that 3. Just kidding… f*ck dook
May.22 at 2:45 pm
jbn74sb says:
Somebody’s man-crush on LeBron is a little strong…
It’s not just about the last play, which in and of itself was the right play. LeBron played like crap for most of the game, and during crunch time spent a lot of time in the corner just standing there if he were Bruce Bowen. He did not look like he wanted the ball. Even Eric Snow called his soft *ss out when LeBron’s floating on a baseline out of bounds play caused a 5 second violation. In a nutshell, LeBron needs to worry about taking over basketball before he worries about taking over the world or whatever wack global icon status he claims to be pursuing. In fact, I believe Kobe is available for some lessons in demanding the ball when your entire franchise needs you to. As of now, he appears to modeling his game after Dirk’s.
May.22 at 2:49 pm
Steve O says:
Also, total BS Carter recanted his statements. I already had a Carter in 08′ bumper sticker ready for the presses.
May.22 at 2:53 pm
Ryan Jones says:
All of which is true. And yet, Bodie, only one of their teams is still playing…
May.22 at 2:55 pm
Ryan Jones says:
mutoni, you’re crazy. I think he knew Tayshaun had a decent chance of blocking his shot, and no, given the precedent set throughout the game, I don’t think he had the confidence he would’ve gotten the call there. I sure as hell didn’t.
May.22 at 2:58 pm
Co Co says:
I have no problem with them going for the win on the road had Lebron not had a wide open layup. He’s gotta take that shot. And as far as if Jason Kidd had done it, no one is expecting Jason Kidd to score 20+ points per night. When he does that it’s just gravy, but when the time comes that your team needs Kidd to score 20 on a consistent basis, you have big problems
May.22 at 3:00 pm
mutoni says:
obviously, the only way to settle this is a fight to the death. i’ll see you at 5.
May.22 at 3:02 pm
Nana says:
Unlikely to get a clean look at the basket ? I don’t think so, that was a sure two. Besides, he only scored 10 points in the entire game and for someone who has the ball as much in his hands as he does that is simply not acceptable and certainly not “more Magic than Michael”.
And the Kidd comparison ? Of course people would have lauded Kidd for the same effort (although a near triple double is hardly that great in Kidd’s case either), but Kidd’s a. old and battered b. could never score that well and c. isn’t called King Kidd.
May.22 at 3:03 pm
jbn74sb says:
Ryan - As we all know how important our opinions of you are to you, we will all respect you more if you just admit that LeBron has not shown a whole lot this year, compared to the very high standards he set for himself last year. Yes, the Cavs are still playing, but I can’t think of a single playoff moment this year in which LeBron has been the truly dominant force that he should be. He seems to have developed a propensity for floating through games. It remains to be seen if he can turn the switch on when he needs to. We’ve seen how well that has worked for the LDE, aka The Big Dust Pile (swept 6 times), aka Shaq.
May.22 at 3:10 pm
Ryan Jones says:
They lost in the second round last year, Bodie, and they’re in the conference finals this year. So you don’t compute.
And you gotta let the Shaq hate go, man. I was still a Laker fan when he was in L.A., so I have no problem saying that you and I and Kobe would all be three trophies poorer if he’d never come to town.
May.22 at 3:33 pm
Max Airington says:
Eastern Conference.
May.22 at 3:35 pm
Joe_x says:
So busting on Lebron is off limits. But we can still bust on Vince for playing like ass in the final 10 secs of a game, right? Cause he is ass.
May.22 at 3:37 pm
jbn74sb says:
Are you suggesting that LeBron has been dominant in this year’s playoffs? And we’d be 3 trophies richer if The Big Crybaby kept his fat *ss in shape and been a good teammate and employee.
May.22 at 3:39 pm
Tariq says:
Joe,
The next time you mention LeBron and Vince in the same sentence, that sentence better also include the words “can’t”, “hold”, and, most importantly, “jockstrap”. Thanks.
May.22 at 3:44 pm
Ryan Jones says:
… is one of my favorite boutique indie hip-hop labels, Max. Thanks for noticing.
May.22 at 3:45 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Bodie: You said he hadn’t shown a whole lot this year. I countered that with facts that seem to disprove your assertion.
Also, I don’t use an asterisk in “ass,” or if I do, I do it like this: a**. The way you did it looks like a Nazi insignia or something.
May.22 at 3:52 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
If im Lebron, im shanking Donyell in the shower after the game(no lil cease).
May.22 at 4:08 pm
jbn74sb says:
Ryan - Settle this once and for all and tell us what Kobe did to earn your scorn.
May.22 at 4:11 pm
Bigi says:
What is going on around here…?People are suddenly lovin’ KB24 and hatin’ on K.I.N.G.?Just after Game 1…and A GOOD PASS?Only at slamonline.com…Right?This should be an intresting series commentary-wise…Bring on Game 2!!!!!!!!!By the way I like both of em’ KB & King James.Take that!
May.22 at 4:39 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Scorn?
This summer, Bodie. I promise.
May.22 at 5:05 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
So he gave you the Colerado treatment huh Jones?
May.22 at 5:13 pm
tike says:
Now that i thought about it a little LBJ should of taken that shot after all he does get payed 60 million to do so.
May.22 at 5:16 pm
Mark Renfrod says:
hey, let’s get this point out there and outta the way…Lebron until he wins a ship will always be measured against the best, but how about for a change we look at what this kid is doing and has already done; throw out the comparisons to Jordan, Magic and any other retired player. Lebron is an all-around basketball player, he doesnt fit one role. If you need a pass he can make it, if you need a shot he has no arguements about taking it. He made a choice, and as he stated he did what he had to do to try and win the game. Game winning assist- who ever has a problem with that really needs to get his head on straight and realize that all the previous championships winners did it with a team (asterisk on d-wade’s solo performance in last years run).
May.22 at 5:17 pm
Mark Renfrod says:
oh and to tike…he doesnt get 60 mill to take the shot, he gets paid that to win games, a basket would have tied, d-marshall’s 3 would have won it…so on that note, dude clocked in to work.
May.22 at 5:50 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Quick reminder: Michael Jordan was 28 years old, and in his seventh NBA season, playing alongside future Hall of Fame teammate Scottie Pippen, before he won his first NBA title. So maybe, just maybe, it’s not too late for Kobe …
May.22 at 6:00 pm
Track masta "T" says:
I hate how LeBron always gets off cuz he’s 22. If he wants to act like he’s Jordan he better be blamed like Jordan was.
May.22 at 6:33 pm
James says:
John Paxson? Steve Kerr? Mike HAS given up the ball a few times, and nobody’s bitchin’
May.22 at 6:48 pm
JJ says:
Ryan, I don’t know you but honestly kid you’re coming off as a total hack. A good writer can express feelings like yours without all the (admittedly) censored profanity. And FYI - I vote conservative, I love hip hop and basketball and I don’t need to be talked down to or have my opinions marginalized because of my principles. My opinions on God, politics, basketball, music and Lebron are my own and frankly I believe what I believe sometimes to spite people like yourself. Not that you challenged my principles personally but you did others who wrote things I agreed with. Honestly I come here to read about hoops, not to have to wade through some angry diatribe that mixes Bush in with the playoffs. What does one thing really have to do with the other?
May.22 at 7:10 pm
MikeJ23 says:
Just to clarify it was Horace Grant not Jordan who passed to Paxson. Also the pass to Wennington was during his 55 point game against the Knicks just after he came back from baseball.
May.22 at 7:58 pm
Ro says:
Damn Ryan, you seem just a tad bit upset. lol I agree totally with you here, and just like BJ said…Jordan made Paxson, Kerr and Bill Wenington famous by dishing the game winning assit to them. Why is everybody hatin on the kid?
May.22 at 8:56 pm
kc says:
@ Ro because by the time Jordan was kicking it out to Kerr ftw he had *already*established*himself* as a cold blooded killer. Until LeBron gets that killer instinct, his kick outs at the end of playoff games will be seen as deference and not ’smart decisions’. Maybe all this criticism will light a fire under him for game 2 tho.
May.22 at 9:00 pm
BETCATS says:
what up farm boi, Jailblazers are NUMBAH ONE
May.22 at 9:14 pm
chiqo says:
hilarious read.
May.22 at 10:32 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
LeBron’s still in my five.
May.22 at 10:52 pm
alan p says:
Ryan, I simply can not and will not read the 126 posts above mine, but you are precisely right. I was just happy the game was on CCTV here in Beijing and I could watch it. I thought he made the perfect play, that the Pistons were damn lucky to have escaped and was shocked to see all this nonsense.
May.23 at 1:12 am
Jimmy G says:
The Lebron apologists and the critics are both right on this one. He made the right play at the end, but he has to be more aggressive from start to finish. When the nickname you go by is “KING” expectations should be big and you have the right to be picked apart at every term.
May.23 at 1:44 am
Sesa says:
So basically all them Kobe haters are sayin’, when the Lakers won those three rings it’s all on Shaq, Kobe just riding Shaq’s back.
IMO, Shaq wouldn’t have won those without Kobe on the Lakers as good as he was.
May.23 at 2:40 am
Russ Bengtson says:
I don’t think it’s ever all on anybody. Shaq doesn’t win without Kobe, Kobe doesn’t win without Shaq, and neither of them win without Phil. That said, just because I understand that doesn’t mean that KOBE understands that.
May.23 at 3:05 am
Sesa says:
@Russ Bengston.
I think you just made those Kobe haters very very angry.
May.23 at 4:35 am
Froggiestyle says:
blah blah blah, Jordan this and that, what a crock. Is everyone in the world so ADD they they forgot Jordan dishing to role players hitting big shots to seal and/or win games (kerry wouldn’t have a job right now, nor paxson a job)? No one recalls when Mike would get his 30, 40 or 50 and the Bulls still lost year after year? Man do we live on the same planet or what? You don’t have to like or love Bron but good god almighty why is this all on him? So what Detroit gets zero credit for fluckin up the cavs head and play? Come on
May.23 at 6:46 am
Slobodan Chutzpah says:
I don’t like ‘Bron a whole hell of a lot, but I still think it was the right play. Seems kinda curious that these journos that propagate him taking control more are the exact same ones who, in other contexts, commisserate the lack of team play and players being too selfish. I have three words for them: have, cake and eat… It must be testament to ‘Bron’s ability that the Cavs have progressed this far, though. I, for one, can’t get a handle on that team. It seems weird to me that they win as much as they do - even with LeBron not doing anything particularly heroic… Well, all that’s gonna come to a crashing halt pretty soon.
May.23 at 8:27 am
Ryan Jones says:
JJ—re: “coming of as a total hack.” I’m just glad someone finally noticed.
Also, Your politics suck, and I don’t care what you came here to read. It’s my motherf*cking blog and I’ll write what I motherf*cking want. I might even use swear words, just because I can. God Bless America.
May.23 at 8:28 am
Ryan Jones says:
AP: Thanks for the intercontinental support.
May.23 at 9:02 am
Reno says:
Some says that put KB24 on the same situation, he wouldve took and made that shot…but then again Kobe wouldve taken the whole friggin shot for the whole friggin game!..the team would never had the chance to trail that close..With LeBron?..it was his passing skill that kept the Cavs up on the Detroit asses…so to sum up, LeBron made the right play
May.23 at 9:03 am
Steve O says:
25, 8, and 8. You can’t argue with that.
May.23 at 10:51 am
James says:
Two posts in a row over 100 comments. Ryans on top form! And ill give you some European support - Lebron made the right play, nice article
May.23 at 11:14 am
Ryan Jones says:
Thanks James. Who you rooting for today?
May.23 at 11:25 am
H to the izzo says:
If Liverpool win tonight-I lose 100euro-my mind-all belief that life is fair and common decency.If Liverpool win tonight I’m moving to a different country
May.23 at 11:27 am
Ryan Jones says:
I probably won’t up and move, izzo, but I will be similarly disappointed. Although, again, it will be fun to say we took four points of the Champions of Europe this season…
May.23 at 12:18 pm
Harlem World says:
Lebron is a little like Magic AND Michael. That’s why (if he gets his mind right and can match their heart/competitiveness) he has the chance to be a player for the ages. For the record, NOBODY is seeing Mike or Magic anytime soon. Don’t believe the hype. Check back in 5 rings time, then we can seriously talk.
May.23 at 2:12 pm
H to the izzo says:
Ryan in fairness you probably don’t have to deal with the volume of Liverpool fans as I do in PA,they kind of remind me of Kentucky fans
May.23 at 2:59 pm
Ryan Jones says:
You’re right izzo. While I’m certainly the only Evertonian I know of in my little town, I can promise you there are a dozen or so boys in Carlsburg shirts at the one soccer-showing pub in town who’ve never been to Anfield and never will. If I can sneak out of here, I intend to watch the second half as a 45-minute Milanista. I feel for you my friend.
That said, I’m not gonna compare anyone to a UK fan, at least not to the ones who post on our site. To cruel…
May.23 at 3:08 pm
H to the izzo says:
Ryan you are missing nothing,it looks like Liverpool are playing for a draw for some weird reason.They’re playing backward football and I hate them for.Have you ever made the trek to Goodison?
May.23 at 3:21 pm
Ryan Jones says:
“…for some weird reason.” Nothing weird about it, man. Given their recent record in big-game shootouts and how Pepe Reina magically turns into a capable keeper in such situations, I’d be shocked if they weren’t playing for PKs. Of course, even if they were playing like Pele-era Brazil right now, I’d hate them just as much.
And I’ve been to Goodison twice. The currency disparity across the Atlantic makes it sort of a brutal trip these days, but thankfully my last trip was partially financed as work — if you ever see KING magazine, check out the current issue with Rocsi on the cover and you’ll see why. Hope to be back soon.
May.23 at 3:32 pm
H to the izzo says:
The standard has gone from boring to competitive.Sterling does indeed suck.I’m a Man Utd fan (and Sunderland fan but thats solely based around Roy Keane being the manager(best player of the premiership era)I’ve been to Goodison once for reasons I can’t remember but I was in Liverpool I wanted to see a match and wasn’t going to Anfield(where they sing Irish freedom songs that are against thier country)They make no sense
May.23 at 3:34 pm
H to the izzo says:
UPDATE:AC Milan 1-Liverpool-0
Flippo Inzaghi you are my hero
May.23 at 3:35 pm
Ryan Jones says:
From what the Soccernet GameCast tells me, that goal is against the run of play. And I couldn’t care less.
May.23 at 3:48 pm
H to the izzo says:
I’m, holding out on phoning every Liverpool supporter I know and giving them abuse untill the final whistle is blown.I learnt that lesson the hard way two years ago
May.23 at 5:29 pm
def jam says:
lebron is a 4 year vet he doesn’t hav killer instinct never will win witout a shaq type
May.23 at 5:51 pm
» “The best young sportswriter in America.” - SLAM ONLINE says:
[…] In short, its my opinion that Dave Zirin combines sports analysis with political and social insights better than any writer I’ve ever read. I feel confident I know as much about sports as Dave does, and maybe close to as much about the world we live in, but I could never combine my thoughts as eloquently as Dave does. Whether its his writing skill, his breadth of research, his sense of humor or even just having the self-confidence to state his true feelings in a public forum, Dave is a master of making a point and hammering it home with knowledge and wit. And I’m not the only one who thinks he’s great—the quote above comes from renowned author and New York Times contributor Robert Lipsyte, whose opinion you might consider more valid than mine. I will concede that Dave’s brand of politics might not agree with everyone on this website (some seemed to take fault with Ryan going there yesterday), but I still can’t imagine anyone who likes sports not respecting what Dave does. […]
May.23 at 6:04 pm
JJ says:
Ryan—re: “Your politics suck, and I don’t care what you came here to read. It’s my motherf*cking blog and I’ll write what I motherf*cking want.” Precisely why I won’t be reading it. And I vote with my money: I’m cancelling my subscription to Slam as of now. I know you don’t care but chances are your bosses do. Way to take the high road, genius. I sincerely hope your attitude gets better before it really costs you.
May.23 at 6:30 pm
dj Sidney says:
If the NBA was a legit league they would Suspend Lebron for the next game after his hit on Chris Webber in Game 1. Stu Jackson has already made precedent regarding this move in suspending Kobe not once, but TWICE. This was the same EXACT play, and the NBA has not mentioned this. The talking heads on NBA TV may try and bury this, but the NBA fans have taken notice and do not approve of this double standard when it comes to their meal ticket in LBJ. Why pick and choose who gets penalized for the same move? The video proof of Lebrons flailing elbow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGnnN5BMXwE
May.23 at 6:34 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Well, if Ryan was actually still on salary, you would have just affected it by .0086 percent.
May.23 at 10:53 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I’m pretty sure that was the low road, JJ. Good thing my boss doesn’t read this!
Also, Russ, when did you start doing math?
May.24 at 2:23 am
Simon Fuller says:
But his bank balance will be looking much nicer when all this LeBron d*ck sucking gets him the nod to pen the second King James biography…
May.24 at 4:01 am
bja says:
This column and comments were great fun Ryan. So much vitriol and anger. And the commenters weren’t exactly happy either. Imo, Lebron made the exact play he should have made.
May.24 at 8:37 am
Ryan Jones says:
I prefer the term “d*ck-riding,” Simon. Much more elegant, don’t you think. BTW, my first LeBron bio is still available on Amazon, if you want to buy a few more copies. They make great Father’s Day gifts!
May.24 at 8:38 am
Ryan Jones says:
Nice catch Sidney, that was Kobe-esque of him. Thankfully, the NBA is not a legit league, so LeBron will be in uniform tonight.
May.24 at 1:57 pm
Redrum says:
Anyone who says that Lebron was not right to pass has not played a minute of basketball in his life… (and I am a big Lebron critic…). anyone who has received a minute amount of proper coaching and has played in a important game knows that when you are 2 points down in the homecourt of a superior team (which the Pistons are) and you get the chance of an open 3 to finish the game, YOU BLOODY TAKE THE 3!!! YOU SIMPLY DO NOT GO INTO OVERTIME IN THE PISTONS HOMECOURT!!! YOU TAKE THE 3!! END OFF!!! So yeah, LBJ did good, they might lost the game but he proved to me (and to the rest of the world that understands basketball…) that he has high bball IQ and can take tactical decisions in split seconds. Oh.. and to finish this off… both MJs would have passed… ask them
May.24 at 3:02 pm
Darrell W.G. says:
Hey Bron Bron’s apologist… Do you apologize for Bron not standing up with his teammate Ira Newble on the Darfur situation.. I respect LeBrons game but I as a fan don’t know him as a person, but I would thing that any human would stand up for human rights regardless of the information…GENOCIDE IS GENOCIDE…no matter what more info you need!!!!
May.24 at 3:03 pm
Darrell W.G. says:
last comment bad grammar… Much love to SLAM Magazine also, sorry just got caught in my emotions.
May.24 at 4:38 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Darrell, if you check out my ranting posts on the current Continuing Ed. blog on this very site (and if you know that I was Ed. when we hired Dave Zirin) you should be able to figure out how I feel about this issue generally. I don’t give Bron or anyone else a pass, other than to say that, as a 22-year-old whose entire life since he was about 14 has been devoted to virtually nothing other than being a great basketball player and, more recently, to being really rich, and who is surrounded by people whose sole responsibility is to keep him always moving toward both of those goals, I’m not surprised that he’s not more socially conscious than he is. I give him credit for being pretty civic-minded in his own community, but I wish he had the perspective to see that impact he could have on a global level. Maybe some day.
May.24 at 6:01 pm
jbn74sb says:
I, for one, am loving the new kb24.com advertisement at the bottom of the main page. Hope it brings your much joy, Ryan.
May.24 at 6:02 pm
jbn74sb says:
also known as “brings YOU much joy”.
May.24 at 7:30 pm
Kobe Berg says:
Lebron has carried a Cavs team that has the almost calcified Eric Snow, the plodding Z, the non-shooter 2-guard Larry Hughes, a rookie combo-guard 2nd round pick D. Gibson, and the not quite ready Sasha P. to the conference finals. The only assets he has on the team are Donyell’s 3-point shooting and Side Show Bob’s energy. His head coach knows nothing about the offensive end of the floor, and they are playing a better team full of smart veteran players. If Donyell makes the shot, everyone would be d*ck riding just like Ryan. He does need to be more assertive in the forth quarter, but he is still the best 22 year old player in the history if the league (sorry Magic, you have Kareem). Peace.
May.24 at 8:36 pm
Ryan Jones says:
?
May.24 at 8:44 pm
Ryan Jones says:
??
May.24 at 8:44 pm
Ryan Jones says:
??
May.24 at 8:44 pm
Ryan Jones says:
My computer is on some SH*T
May.24 at 8:45 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Anyway, what I meant to say was: It DOES bring me joy, bodie…
May.24 at 8:45 pm
Ryan Jones says:
..because like every other ad on this site and in the magazine…
May.24 at 8:46 pm
Ryan Jones says:
… it’s helping pay my mortage …
May.24 at 8:46 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Thanks, Kobe Bryant!
May.24 at 10:57 pm
Simon Fuller says:
My issue is not really with the stance taken here. LeBron probably DID make the right play. I don’t live in the US and I was shocked to see that it even became an issue. It’s just that these words would carry a lot more weight (in my opinion) if they weren’t written by a guy who also WROTE LEBRON’S BIOGRAPHY. You might as well have got Lebron’s high school coach to write that piece. Or his mom. Just my opinion…
May.25 at 1:21 am
Ryan Jones says:
It’s a valid opinon, Simon, but I’m also not gonna bash the dude in the name of balance. I really believe what I wrote.
May.25 at 1:22 am
Ryan Jones says:
Or even a valid “opinion”… sorry, it’s late over here.
May.25 at 10:34 am
jbn74sb says:
Well, it looks like LeBron has proven me wrong, and it turns out he is not the second coming of Dirk. After watching him take over that game, put his entire franchise on his back, and lead them to victory? Oh,wait, that’s not what happened. He shrunk from the moment. Again. Step it up, LeBron. And don’t whine about the contact on the last play. Go chew your nails instead.
May.25 at 4:16 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Bodie, why the hate, man? I could be cruel and argue that LeBron has done much more as the undisputed best player on an otherwise mediocre team than Kobe ever has in similar circumstances, but I won’t (actually, I just did, but let’s move on). Seriously, though, is this KB-related bitterness? Or are you really convinced that, at 22 years old in his first trip to the conference finals and playing on the road against a better, more experienced team, his inability to inflict his will in this series means he’s a fraud, end of story? I just want to understand your motivation. And I’m serious about you buying me a beer if and when I get to L.A. in a couple weeks.
May.25 at 5:15 pm
jbn74sb says:
Ryan - No hate, for you or LeBron, irrespective of the fact that I do not know either of you one bit. However, as a lifelong basketball (and Lakers) fan, I have always felt that much of the critcism that Kobe receives is unfounded, misplaced, hyprocritical, and just plain wrong. Look, I don’t know Kobe as a person, and I don’t really care who or what he is as a person. But the things that he gets knocked for, Jordan was just as guilty of, if not more, on and off the court. The entire media blamed Kobe for breaking up the Lakers, despite the fact that Shaq was aging, repeatedly out of shape and injured, and publicly demanding a new contract extension. This on top of the fact that the media placed most of the blame on their various disputes on Kobe. The public followed suit in both cases, to the point that Kobe became one of the biggest villians in sports. In the midst of all of this, Kobe has repeatedly fought through it all, been incredibly focused, and has consistently given us some of the more amazing displays of basketball ability, heart, competitiveness, and effort time and time again. Is he a ball hog? Sure. Except for the fact that he led the leauge at his position in assists (in addition to nearly every other stat category) with mostly scrubs as teammates. Not to say that LeBron’s teammates are All-Stars - clearly they are not. But don’t forget that the Cavs are in the East, and have a very easy road in the playoffs thus far, matching up against the injured Wizards, and the Nets, whose best player has no heart. ANYWAY, back to the issue at hand. I guess it bothers me to see knowledgable basketball writers (such as yourself) and the public at large ignore the faults in LeBron’s game and/or psyche, or dismiss them as a by-product of youth. I don’t think there is any question that LeBron is by far the most talented player at his age in the history of the game, and the stats, especially last year, more than back it up. However, he has coasted this year, in my opinion, and has not earned the right to do so. If he is going to be the best player in the history of the sport, and he certainly has that chance, then it is time for him to start to show it. If not this year, fine, but it still has to hap