NBA Playoffs

[mpare]

If you haven't been watching the NBA playoffs, you might want to. The games have been great, especially the Celtics' series. It seems that every game they've played has been a nail-biter. They needed multiple overtime games to get past Chicago. Orlando has not been any easier. They need to win game seven in Boston to advance to the next round. Best of all is that they have done it all without their best player. Very exciting stuff.

[DIbit]

Wow, great to hear some bbal talk on the forum.
Besides the Celts, the Lakers and Rockets are going to game 7!
LeBron is probably the best athlete on the planet, and Michael Jordan is the Asst. Captain of the Ryder Cup Team.

[Gropper]

Michael Jordan is the Asst. Captain of the Ryder Cup Team??? really when did this happen?

[Weazl]

And when did Lebron become the best athlete in the world???? He can jump, that's about it.

[northern33]

And when did Lebron become the best athlete in the world???? He can jump, that's about it.

Depends on your definition of athlete...but it's hard to argue with his physical gifts. He's an absolute freak...it's like watching a video game sometimes when he plays. Recently read he doesn't even really lift weights because he will get too big....he weighs like 260lbs and its pure muscle...can you say god given. He has come a long way mentally too...IMO he is top 3 athlete right now...throw tiger in that mix too. I think tiger would be #1 but that's whole other debate.

[SGH]

And when did Lebron become the best athlete in the world???? He can jump, that's about it.

Huh?

He's probably the fastest and most cordinated 6'8", 260 point guy on the planet. Not to mention his ability to see the floor.

Maybe you're not a fan of basketball, but to imply Lebron can only jump is a disservice to the guy. He's unreal. He could average a triple double (unheard of in the modern era). On top of it all, he's what, 23 years old? Just incredible.

But yeah, I'd say he's probably top five athletes in the North American sport (don't know much about soccer, etc.).

[Weazl]

I am a HUGE NBA fan, and unfortuantely only see him as good, not great. He plays in a league with very few star players or young star players as many are aging now like Kobe, Duncan, KG,Allen, Pierce, etc...compared to years past. He is an exceptional talent I agree and has worked hard on his jumper, which still needs work but its his "ups" that save him as he gets many rebounds and points based on this.

I would definitely take him on my team however but I would also take Chris Paul in a heartbeat or Dwight Howard for that matter, now he's a freak! Next year's dunk championship between LBJ and Dwight Howard should be AWESOME!!!!!

[SGH]

Well, Kobe's 30, so pretty much in his prime. Also, I can't remember a time there was this much young talent in the league. Wade, Bosh, Paul, Roy, Howard, etc.

It's hard to argue that he doesn't benefit from his vertical.

Is the dunk contest confirmed between the two of them.

[Weazl]

I don't think it is "official" but during this year's contest LBJ stated, on camera, he would enter next year's.

[Eldred]

Most NBA players as we see, either process quickness or power game...LBH has that rare combination of both. Straight out from high school and be one of the top players from year one, he plays a game of domination. Scary part is, he's still improving..

[Chambokl]

Lebron is the best...

Comparing Lebron to Dwight Howard is a joke... Not even in the same league...

[northern33]

Depends on your definition of athlete...but it's hard to argue with his physical gifts. He's an absolute freak...it's like watching a video game sometimes when he plays. Recently read he doesn't even really lift weights because he will get too big....he weighs like 260lbs and its pure muscle...can you say god given. He has come a long way mentally too...IMO he is top 3 athlete right now...throw tiger in that mix too. I think tiger would be #1 but that's whole other debate.

Oh and I forgot...he's extremely clutch too!

[Sakuraba]

Oh and I forgot...he's extremely clutch too!

Just WOW! that shot goes down as one of the biggest, best buzzer beaters ever.

[fundonny]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!! Bye bye LeBron!!! Let's go Dwight!!!!!!!! Can't stand LeBron. And people even mentioning him in the same sentence should be flogged!

[northern33]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!! Bye bye LeBron!!! Let's go Dwight!!!!!!!! Can't stand LeBron. And people even mentioning him in the same sentence should be flogged!

Why such a hate for Lebron? You can't compare him with Dwight...two different positions with very different games. Their both dominant in their own ways. Lebron had very little support in that series...his personal stats are ridiculous though so it's hard to argue that he didn't bring it. Magic as a team played well and posed too many matchup problems for the Cavs. They also just play better team basketball and have the parts to do so. The Cavs losing had nothing to do with Lebron....he's a pretty special player that by the end of his career will be mentioned with greatest players to ever play imo.

[fundonny]

Why don't I like LeBron? When a basketball player comes out of high school and a reporter asks him what his career goals are and he answers to be a global brand, that's it for me. The only thing I ever liked about him was the Sprite commercials. I just like Dwight better as a player and as person (as much as we can get to know someone through the media anyway).

And reading above, no basketball player is in the top 50 athletes in the world. No one ever considers decathletes.

[Hacker]

I can't stand basketball........when it takes as long to play the last minute of a game as it did to get to that last minute something is just messed up

[Chambokl]

Hacker, have you ever watch baseball.... ½ inning might take 30 minutes and no runs are scored...

[northern33]

Why don't I like LeBron? When a basketball player comes out of high school and a reporter asks him what his career goals are and he answers to be a global brand, that's it for me. The only thing I ever liked about him was the Sprite commercials. I just like Dwight better as a player and as person (as much as we can get to know someone through the media anyway).

And reading above, no basketball player is in the top 50 athletes in the world. No one ever considers decathletes.

Fair enough...everyone has their favourite players for one reason or another. Sports these days are about making a "name" for yourself anyways so just because Lebron said it doesn't mean every other athlete doesn't want and strive for it. Is he cocky for coming out and saying that at such an early stage of his career?...yes. Has he more than exceeded unreal amounts of pressure and expectations and created that "global brand" he hoped for...yes. I don't even like him that much, I just respect the way he has lived up to the hype and done so with unselfish play.

As for the top athlete comment...totally depends on your definition of athlete. It's an impossible debate without a strict criteria for what you consider an athlete.

[fundonny]

You can be the dominant athlete in your sport, which LeBron is right now probably the top or top 2. But the best athletes in the world have, as far back as I can remember, been considered olympic decathletes. I don't think I could argue against that. But I'm sure some of you can. = )

[sillywilly]

basketball players aren't in the top 50 for best atheletes?? Thats a silly statement... tiger wouldn't make the top 250 athletes in the world, that I'm sure about but basketball players? They are super strong, fast and can jump. Yes, decathletes are IMO the best athletes in the world but to so basketball players aren't in the top 50 is silly

[Hacker]

Don't even get me started on baseball......not nearly enough action for me. Loved playing it just can't watch it. I liked basketball before it morphed into a dunking competition - guys who can really shoot the rock are getting to be few and far between

Hacker, have you ever watch baseball.... ½ inning might take 30 minutes and no runs are scored...

[Big Johnny69]

I'm not so sure I'd consider decathletes the best athletes in the world. Now before I explain my rational I'd just like to make one thing clear, all athletes that perform in their discipline are in a way, specialists. So to try and compare one athlete from one sport to another is difficult, but I'll do my best to explain my reasoning.

For the most part, the events the decathletes participate in are of short nature (100m, long jump, discus (hammer, javelin or whatever it is they do) with the exception of the endurance run they do and it's actually done over a couple of days. Whereas professional basketball, football and hockey players compete in events that take many hours to complete. Simply stating decathletes are the best in the world because they compete in 10 different events isn't much of an argument to go on. Yes, all are in top physical shape, but some of these sports are much more demanding than others. So to actually decide on which athletes should be considered the top athletes in the world, I don't think you'd ever come to an unanimous decision.

If you are going to base your argument on physical exertion, then you'd have to consider the cyclists of the Tour de France as some of the best athletes in the world.


But back on topic, the finals should be exciting even though I watch next to no basketball.

[fundonny]

basketball players aren't in the top 50 for best atheletes?? Thats a silly statement... tiger wouldn't make the top 250 athletes in the world, that I'm sure about but basketball players? They are super strong, fast and can jump. Yes, decathletes are IMO the best athletes in the world but to so basketball players aren't in the top 50 is silly

You're Silly! The best players play 20 to 30 minutes a night, 3 or 4 nights a week. And they don't go full tilt for that 20 minutes, not even close. They are fantastic at their sport, but I wouldn't compare them even remotely to the athletic ability of tennis players who play 2 to 3 hour matches 3 or 4 times a week. I might start a new thread to rank athletes, 'cause basketball players probably aren't top 5 (with regards to the sport as a whole).