Comments on: Preview and Chat: The Cleveland Cavs http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/01/19/preview-and-chat-the-cleveland-cavs/ A Lakers Blog. Thoughts, reflections, and the odd rant on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA (even the Clippers). Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:02:42 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: David Whang http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/01/19/preview-and-chat-the-cleveland-cavs/comment-page-5/#comment-591679 David Whang Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:37:15 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1487#comment-591679 one word: WOW you are a truly great writer and i TOTALLy 100% agree with you. i have always defended kobe but still kept it realistic -- i just couldn't put it into words what i observed -- you just did. the lebron kobe debate always struck a nerve with me -- i had to admit that lebron was a better overall player but that he just didn't have "it" it here is some factor that only jordan and kobe and maybe jerry west and larry bird has ever had in my opinion ayways -- man great article -- much better than anything on espn -- that is saying a lot too as i go on espn pretty much every 2 hours keep up the good work one word: WOW

you are a truly great writer and i TOTALLy 100% agree with you.
i have always defended kobe but still kept it realistic — i just couldn’t put it into words what i observed — you just did.

the lebron kobe debate always struck a nerve with me — i had to admit that lebron was a better overall player but that he just didn’t have “it”

it here is some factor that only jordan and kobe and maybe jerry west and larry bird has ever had in my opinion

ayways — man great article — much better than anything on espn — that is saying a lot too as i go on espn pretty much every 2 hours

keep up the good work

]]> By: Lewis http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/01/19/preview-and-chat-the-cleveland-cavs/comment-page-5/#comment-591648 Lewis Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:28:21 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1487#comment-591648 Lebron says he look up to Kobe that should end the debate of who Is better Lebron thinks Kobe is the best player In the NBA http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/dave_mcmenamin/01/20/nba_story.lakers.cavs20090119/index.html Lebron says he look up to Kobe that should end the debate of who Is better Lebron thinks Kobe is the best player In the NBA http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/dave_mcmenamin/01/20/nba_story.lakers.cavs20090119/index.html

]]> By: Topher http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/01/19/preview-and-chat-the-cleveland-cavs/comment-page-5/#comment-591621 Topher Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:15:25 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1487#comment-591621 This game was a microcosm of the KB24 vs LBJ debate. First Kobe had a better all-around game. While Kobe scored less he shot a higher FG%, although neither shot great. Kobe had way more assist 12-4 LBJ had a few more rebounds 9-6 Both had 1 block, LBJ had more steals 4-1 but also more TOs 6-5 Bottom line both these players are amazing and quite close. But the edge has to go to Kobe. He guarded LBJ all game and played amazing D, forcing LBJ to shoot outside shots (which he is very weak at) Kobe IS A BETTER DEFENDER!! Even though LBJ had more steals, Kobe showed he was the better defender, so who ever ranked LBJ as #4 for defensive player of the year GET REAL. Kobe has been and does deserve to be again 1st team all defensive. Kobe is a far better ON THE BALL defender, while LBJ is slightly better as a team defender. The main thing, besides shooting and defense, that makes KB24 better right now, is his mental toughness. Only MJ had the tenacity that Kobe shows, that is why they won the game. Watch the 4th Q if you do not believe me. Kobe's tenacity, playing even hurt, and rebounding by the bigs. I did not hear or see any of the sports announcers say anything about Kobe denying LBJ the ball, that was huge to the game and the W, give credit where credit is due people! Granted it was only one game, but it shows Kobe is still the BEST PLAYER IN THE NBA!! Yes Lebron's PER is off the charts, but numbers are not everything, that is why The BIg O is not the greatest of all time. Kobe is playing amazing ball, he has answered every challenge: selfish, good teammate, pass more, whatever. This game was a microcosm of the KB24 vs LBJ debate.

First Kobe had a better all-around game.
While Kobe scored less he shot a higher FG%, although neither shot great.

Kobe had way more assist 12-4
LBJ had a few more rebounds 9-6
Both had 1 block, LBJ had more steals 4-1 but also more TOs 6-5

Bottom line both these players are amazing and quite close.
But the edge has to go to Kobe.

He guarded LBJ all game and played amazing D, forcing LBJ to shoot outside shots (which he is very weak at)

Kobe IS A BETTER DEFENDER!! Even though LBJ had more steals, Kobe showed he was the better defender, so who ever ranked LBJ as #4 for defensive player of the year GET REAL. Kobe has been and does deserve to be again 1st team all defensive.
Kobe is a far better ON THE BALL defender, while LBJ is slightly better as a team defender.

The main thing, besides shooting and defense, that makes KB24 better right now, is his mental toughness.
Only MJ had the tenacity that Kobe shows, that is why they won the game.
Watch the 4th Q if you do not believe me.

Kobe’s tenacity, playing even hurt, and rebounding by the bigs.

I did not hear or see any of the sports announcers say anything about Kobe denying LBJ the ball, that was huge to the game and the W, give credit where credit is due people!

Granted it was only one game, but it shows Kobe is still the BEST PLAYER IN THE NBA!! Yes Lebron’s PER is off the charts, but numbers are not everything, that is why The BIg O is not the greatest of all time.
Kobe is playing amazing ball, he has answered every challenge: selfish, good teammate, pass more, whatever.

]]> By: Brog388 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/01/19/preview-and-chat-the-cleveland-cavs/comment-page-5/#comment-591605 Brog388 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:09:10 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1487#comment-591605 Interestingly when ever two elite players go head to head in any sport, the discussion of supporting cast comes to the front line. This thinking process came play this past Monday in the NBA, when the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Cleavland Cavaliers. The obvious two stars coming into battle in this game were Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. As the game prgressed the supporting cast behind Lebron James and Kobe Bryant became more evident. In this matchup between the two superstars, it appeared that Kobe the better supporting cast, among the two. This may have been due to reasoning that the supporting cast behind kibe were making more of their shots, or were playing better defensively during the game, and the supporting cast behind Lebron was doing the opposite. When asked who has the better supporting cast behind them, the award goes to Lebron James. Although Kobe's supporting cast performed better in this direct match up between the two, Lebron has the better supporting cast when both teams are fully healthy. The Lakers have solid backcourt with regards to depth, but when you look into their front court, you see gaps of discrepancy, where you have great depth at the SF, and somewhat at the PF, but almost no depth at the C position other than maybe Chris Mihm, who maybe will contribute numbers, to earn him his paycheck. Lebron supporting cast does not look as deep or as good as Kobe supporting cast on paper, but for the system that the Cavaliers run it is very adequate. Lebron has players around him which can make shots when passed the passed the ball, which is usually the situation, when Lebron drvies to bucket, and dishes it to an open teammate as he is doubled or even triple teamed. Supporting cast is not only about depth, but also consistency, and this year thus far, has demonstrated that the supporting cast has been that. In closing, with the idea that Lebron James has the better supporting cast between him and Kobe, it gives even further reason to elevate Kobe Bryant above Lebron James in the category of importance to his team, and overall ability and skill. I look forward to the next match up between the two, when the next game takes place in Cleveland on February 8th. Interestingly when ever two elite players go head to head in any sport, the discussion of supporting cast comes to the front line. This thinking process came play this past Monday in the NBA, when the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Cleavland Cavaliers. The obvious two stars coming into battle in this game were Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. As the game prgressed the supporting cast behind Lebron James and Kobe Bryant became more evident. In this matchup between the two superstars, it appeared that Kobe the better supporting cast, among the two. This may have been due to reasoning that the supporting cast behind kibe were making more of their shots, or were playing better defensively during the game, and the supporting cast behind Lebron was doing the opposite. When asked who has the better supporting cast behind them, the award goes to Lebron James. Although Kobe’s supporting cast performed better in this direct match up between the two, Lebron has the better supporting cast when both teams are fully healthy. The Lakers have solid backcourt with regards to depth, but when you look into their front court, you see gaps of discrepancy, where you have great depth at the SF, and somewhat at the PF, but almost no depth at the C position other than maybe Chris Mihm, who maybe will contribute numbers, to earn him his paycheck. Lebron supporting cast does not look as deep or as good as Kobe supporting cast on paper, but for the system that the Cavaliers run it is very adequate. Lebron has players around him which can make shots when passed the passed the ball, which is usually the situation, when Lebron drvies to bucket, and dishes it to an open teammate as he is doubled or even triple teamed. Supporting cast is not only about depth, but also consistency, and this year thus far, has demonstrated that the supporting cast has been that. In closing, with the idea that Lebron James has the better supporting cast between him and Kobe, it gives even further reason to elevate Kobe Bryant above Lebron James in the category of importance to his team, and overall ability and skill. I look forward to the next match up between the two, when the next game takes place in Cleveland on February 8th.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/01/19/preview-and-chat-the-cleveland-cavs/comment-page-5/#comment-591591 Andrew Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:10:23 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1487#comment-591591 Read it a little late, but what a great post. I'm specifically talking about the Kobe vs. Lebron section. I can't really remember anyone putting the comparison in words like that and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I think you're absolutely right--Lebron is just such a force of nature that he really has no ceiling. I do not dislike Lebron and enjoy watching what he does on the court. But, to me, he will never capture my interest like Kobe. The way he plays the game night-in and night-out is something I don't think we'll see again. Maybe I guess. His ability to create offense is just unmatched. Granted, if I was 6-9 250 I'd get to the paint as much as I could...but the fan in me loves to watch Kobe go to work...to get in that "Kobe zone" that we've seen him in so many times before. It's been a rollarcoaster of a ride thus far and I can't see what comes next. Read it a little late, but what a great post. I’m specifically talking about the Kobe vs. Lebron section. I can’t really remember anyone putting the comparison in words like that and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I think you’re absolutely right–Lebron is just such a force of nature that he really has no ceiling. I do not dislike Lebron and enjoy watching what he does on the court. But, to me, he will never capture my interest like Kobe. The way he plays the game night-in and night-out is something I don’t think we’ll see again. Maybe I guess. His ability to create offense is just unmatched. Granted, if I was 6-9 250 I’d get to the paint as much as I could…but the fan in me loves to watch Kobe go to work…to get in that “Kobe zone” that we’ve seen him in so many times before. It’s been a rollarcoaster of a ride thus far and I can’t see what comes next.

]]> By: Josh http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/01/19/preview-and-chat-the-cleveland-cavs/comment-page-5/#comment-591589 Josh Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:02:28 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1487#comment-591589 How do you measure "clutch"? I believe that Kobe has an unmeasurable presence at the end of the games. It isn't always FG% when it counts or last second shots. Its motivating teammates, help defense, or getting in someones head defensively. Kobe is a winner, and winners make other ordinary players, extra ordinary when it counts. I think LBJ has these qualities, but doesn't yet have them at Kobe's level. Clutch isn't measurable, you just know it when you see it. How do you measure “clutch”? I believe that Kobe has an unmeasurable presence at the end of the games. It isn’t always FG% when it counts or last second shots. Its motivating teammates, help defense, or getting in someones head defensively. Kobe is a winner, and winners make other ordinary players, extra ordinary when it counts. I think LBJ has these qualities, but doesn’t yet have them at Kobe’s level. Clutch isn’t measurable, you just know it when you see it.

]]> By: PeanutButterSpread http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/01/19/preview-and-chat-the-cleveland-cavs/comment-page-5/#comment-591581 PeanutButterSpread Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:04:02 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1487#comment-591581 In my eyes, Kobe is still the best player on the planet. He's still clutch when it matters and while he isn't physically blessed like Lebron is, Kobe's jumpshooting will always be better than Lebron's. There isn't a player out there that has more practiced moves than Kobe. I think the best case was in the Olympics, when Kobe's sheer experience and skill level carried Team USA in the final minutes when Spain was closing in. Lebron is a phenomenal athlete, but Kobe's still got the overall package of an elite basketball player. In my eyes, Kobe is still the best player on the planet. He’s still clutch when it matters and while he isn’t physically blessed like Lebron is, Kobe’s jumpshooting will always be better than Lebron’s. There isn’t a player out there that has more practiced moves than Kobe.

I think the best case was in the Olympics, when Kobe’s sheer experience and skill level carried Team USA in the final minutes when Spain was closing in.

Lebron is a phenomenal athlete, but Kobe’s still got the overall package of an elite basketball player.

]]> By: Darius http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/01/19/preview-and-chat-the-cleveland-cavs/comment-page-5/#comment-591571 Darius Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:19:56 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1487#comment-591571 wondahbap, Plus Big Z is a Pick and Pop guy and those are the guys that have given us the most trouble in P&R situations. So, just off that one play alone, you know that the Cavs were missing a crucial part of their offensive arsenal. Not to mention that Z is also a tremendous offensive rebounder and we have had a difficult time this season dominating our defensive glass. I'm not trying make a bunch of excuses for Cleveland, but when we've had some key players out, we know it impacts us negatively. So we must also give the Cavs that same consideration. wondahbap,
Plus Big Z is a Pick and Pop guy and those are the guys that have given us the most trouble in P&R situations. So, just off that one play alone, you know that the Cavs were missing a crucial part of their offensive arsenal. Not to mention that Z is also a tremendous offensive rebounder and we have had a difficult time this season dominating our defensive glass. I’m not trying make a bunch of excuses for Cleveland, but when we’ve had some key players out, we know it impacts us negatively. So we must also give the Cavs that same consideration.

]]> By: wondahbap http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/01/19/preview-and-chat-the-cleveland-cavs/comment-page-5/#comment-591569 wondahbap Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:11:22 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1487#comment-591569 Darius, You're right about that. That's what makes LBJ so good, because it's just so natural to gravitate towards him, and other players get so many open looks. Big Z makes it a different game, because you can let him have wide open looks , so he draws a big out. Darius,

You’re right about that. That’s what makes LBJ so good, because it’s just so natural to gravitate towards him, and other players get so many open looks.

Big Z makes it a different game, because you can let him have wide open looks , so he draws a big out.

]]> By: Darius http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/01/19/preview-and-chat-the-cleveland-cavs/comment-page-5/#comment-591564 Darius Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:54:27 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1487#comment-591564 wondahbap, Clogging the lane against Lebron is definitely the blueprint. It's the same strategy that the Spurs used in the Finals and it led to a sweep. However, it's a different game if the rest of Cavs start to make jumpers as helping on James then becomes a pick your poison proposition with both choices being deadly. Last night the Cavs really missed Big Z and West. They are two additional spacers that give Lebron the room he needs to drive or guys that will hit the jumper if he hits them with space to shoot. Last night Pavlovic and Varejao were good, but imagine if West gets some of Mo Williams minutes and Z is in there instead of Lorenzen Wright or Ben Wallace. Last night, all those guys had sub par efforts and that's where the Cavs were hurt. Anyways, it was a good game and I'm very happy we won. We showed that (again) we can pull away from very good teams by playing strong defense and by making shots inside and out. But, I've said this before, we don't need wins like this to uncover what we already know: we are a pretty good team. wondahbap,
Clogging the lane against Lebron is definitely the blueprint. It’s the same strategy that the Spurs used in the Finals and it led to a sweep. However, it’s a different game if the rest of Cavs start to make jumpers as helping on James then becomes a pick your poison proposition with both choices being deadly. Last night the Cavs really missed Big Z and West. They are two additional spacers that give Lebron the room he needs to drive or guys that will hit the jumper if he hits them with space to shoot. Last night Pavlovic and Varejao were good, but imagine if West gets some of Mo Williams minutes and Z is in there instead of Lorenzen Wright or Ben Wallace. Last night, all those guys had sub par efforts and that’s where the Cavs were hurt. Anyways, it was a good game and I’m very happy we won. We showed that (again) we can pull away from very good teams by playing strong defense and by making shots inside and out. But, I’ve said this before, we don’t need wins like this to uncover what we already know: we are a pretty good team.

]]>