Now that the formality of being a champion is out of the way, lets talk shop. Lets talk about what Lebron James can show us this year and lets try to not put it in the context of what MJ showed us, MJ is in his own category- one of the greats but unique in the imprint he made on us all-even Lebron. Without fail Lebron let us know yesterday that he isn't satisfied, and just exactly what does he mean by that?. Short bus thinkers think in micro, you know the obvious shit like winning another Championship (that's real perceptive of you) to make up for the two he failed to get but I'm thinking macro. Lebron James just learned to be an "assassin", MJ came into the league a killer, which is why he KO'd everybody who stepped to him once he got rolling. But Lebron, like Magic has a larger court vision and though he wants to repeat (first time since Kobe&Shaqs Lakers) i think he's focused on an additional target-one that even MJ didn't dare consider.."The Big O". For those of you who don't read nor import legends into your NBA 2K13 Rosters that would be Oscar Robertson. A man can only be judged based on how he performed against the competition put in front of him, and those who are truly great really respect the history of their profession. Lebron isn't the kind of guy to shrug off what Oscar Robertson did in 1962 because hes' a historian, and historians know one day some clown will say "Lebron?, man he couldn't have played today!". Legacy is important because once it goes in stone anybody that wants to challenge does so at there own intellectual peril. Statistically Lebron just came off of the most mind blowing playoff performance EVER, so much so that if he did it another two times I'd have no problem putting him over MJ because he did everything but sell popcorn. The most illuminating realization for James during last years play-offs was not just the killer instinct..I think he also found the formula for averaging a TRIPLE DOUBLE. You know, that statistical feat immortalized in Ice Cubes "Today was a Good Day"? there once was a time when it was more than a rap lyric, it was Oscar Robertson's 1962 season averages. Robertson averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game and that season was also the same year Wilt Chamberlain dropped 100 points on the Knicks- 62' was basketballs equivalent to baseballs 1941. During the finals last year Lebron averaged 28 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists against a team that many favored to beat his Miami Heat. Lets examine the series ( vs. Indiana) that i believe he came to the realization that he's more than just the best player on the floor, but that he can record a triple double at will. In a span of six games Lebron pulled down high double figure rebounds (+12) 3 times and + 7 assists in three of the contests. Now remember, this was during a period when he was being genuinely threatened and his legacy as a basketball player was at a pivotal crossroads. He went out and made the Indiana Pacers look like little brothers in the driveway, something you would have to be capable of doing routinely over an 82 game schedule. The Celtics series was even more illustrative because the last three games he brought down 13,15 and 12 rebounds to close the series. Game 6 was a legendary performance (45 points,15 boards,5 assists, no smiles), but statistically he can put up gaudy numbers at least twice a week especially with soft spots in the schedule. Some believe its the four MVP club Lebron is motivated in joining this year but i believe that room is too crowded for a guy who lives in VIP rooms all over South Beach. The "Triple Double Lounge" is way in the back, so far that it's in black and white, so far back that Magic Johnson gets childlike when discussing the Big O. Oscar Robertson was the most fundamentally precise baller that ever lived, no flash, he just put you where you could not defend him and beat you down with the fact that he was 6'5 206 lbs. at a time when guards were all built like Allan Iverson. During the play-offs Lebron learned that "bully ball" wins, he's now reconciled with being the big guy who can do what he wants to do out there. More post ups, deeper position will increase shooting %, assists, and put back rebounds that i believe will put him at 23.9 points, 10.0 rebounds and 10.0 assists on 49% shooting from the field. It's possible, and its something you'll have to respect as the greatest regular season of All Time considering this just may be the most loaded NBA we've ever seen. Expect the "Big O" to be a curmudgeon and damned near Mercury Morris like as Lebron approaches the feat, but don't blame him- he's stood alone on that Holy Grail for years, its something he never considered anyone else doing and it's become his trademark....until now.
No comments:
Post a Comment