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[panthapanda]

LeBron ain't mentally weak. He's the only one that really performs. I would say is that he just isn't the leader he needs to be when his teams are performing like he wants them. Instead he just pouts and shows bad body language. Like a spoiled child.

And it doesn't help that it looks like he's the only one that looks like they care out on the floor. It looks like his team tunes him out when he tries to be a leader.

 

[Gigglepoo]

What kind of job do you think the Cavs front office would've done had Lebron been hands off though? I guess keeping Wiggins is the obvious one and perhaps not firing Blatt..

They wouldn't have resigning Thompson or given two first-round picks for Mozgov, either. I assume they would have still shipped out Waiters for Shump and J.R. Smith, but I don't know if they would have resigned J.R. in the offseason.

LeBron pushed the Cavs into win-now territory which is ironic because that mindset is what killed the Cavs during his first go round with the team. You'd think he would have learned. And, yes, they made these choices but it's hard not to bow to the king when he's signing one-year contracts and making everyone terrified that he'll bolt again.

He makes like $80 million a year from playing now basketball. I don't think he cares as much about the Finals record as people think. Remember "you guys have to wake up to your shitty lives and I'll be LeBron James"? You don't get to where he is in life without supreme confidence. Some internet clowning and memes isn't going to change that.

LeBron has never been as focused as Kobe but I always assumed they both wanted to be known as the best player ever. Who knows? I don't think you leave teams twice for greener pastures if you're not chasing rings, though.

 

[Tom Penny]

lol Someone that has lead teams to 6 straight Finals is mentally weak? How in the fuck do you come to that conclusion? Because his teams are losing to better teams?

What does getting to 6 Finals against vastly inferior talents have to do with mental toughness? Granted it was hard for the Heat. 3 top 20 players 1 being the best player in the World going against an Eastern conference that had no team with more than 1 top 20 player on the entire roster. Impressive !!!

 

[Iadien]

What does getting to 6 Finals against vastly inferior talents have to do with mental toughness? Granted it was hard for the Heat. 3 top 20 players 1 being the best player in the World going against an Eastern conference that had no team with more than 1 top 20 player on the entire roster. Impressive !!!

Lebron was fucking AWFUL in the first Finals with the Heat. People were questioning his mental toughness. Yet, he came back the next year and played VERY well, and they won. 3 different coaches, and still 6 straight Finals. You don't think mental toughness has anything to do with that? Please. Been hyped up as the next best thing since high school. etc.

 

[LegendofDragoonLives]

He makes like $80 million a year from playing now basketball. I don't think he cares as much about the Finals record as people think. Remember "you guys have to wake up to your shitty lives and I'll be LeBron James"? You don't get to where he is in life without supreme confidence. Some internet clowning and memes isn't going to change that.

lol are you serious? Give me a break. Jerry West said he contemplated quitting basketball when he lost finals. The shit you read smh, did you play a sport competitively before?

I wouldn't put Lebron as mentally weak, but I do see him as a shitty leader who thinks he's a good one. He also doesn't seem to have that killer instinct that players Jordan, Kobe and Curry have. The type that enjoy stepping on your neck on the court when you're down, so you're as demoralized as humanly possible. To come out in the 4th and really step it up and change course.

 

[The 18th Letter]

lol are you serious? Give me a break. Jerry West said he contemplated quitting basketball when he lost finals. The shit you read smh, did you play a sport competitively before?

Not everyone takes losses hard.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

lol are you serious? Give me a break. Jerry West said he contemplated quitting basketball when he lost finals. The shit you read smh, did you play a sport competitively before?

I wouldn't put Lebron as mentally weak, but I do see him as a shitty leader who thinks he's a good one. He also doesn't seem to have that killer instinct that players Jordan, Kobe and Curry have. The type that enjoy stepping on your neck on the court when you're down, so you're as demoralized as humanly possible. To come out in the 4th and really step it up and change course.

Of course he cares about winning or losing, what I mean is that I don't think he cares about the public perception of things like his Finals record. As a competitor I'm sure it eats him up to not win a championship, I just don't think it bothers him that people make jokes on Twitter about his Finals record or meme pics. Keep in mind dude is probably super insulated by his close friends and family who are their to constantly reinforce to him how amazing he is.

 

[Tom Penny]

Of course he cares about winning or losing, what I mean is that I don't think he cares about the public perception of things like his Finals record. As a competitor I'm sure it eats him up to not win a championship, I just don't think it bothers him that people make jokes on Twitter about his Finals record or meme pics. Keep in mind dude is probably super insulated by his close friends and family who are their to constantly reinforce to him how amazing he is.

James was also asked if he's frustrated or disappointed with the Cavaliers' performance.

"Neither. I'm not disappointed in our guys or frustrated.

Losing eats at him...

 

[Gigglepoo]

Four more days...

 

[Gully State]

I don't think Lebron is mentally weak. Rather than talk about his mental makeup, the tangible thing that Lebron lacks is an efficient go to move. Something he can actually count on and is confident in when the game is close, like a midrange Fadeaway or a turnaround jumper off the post. right now, Lebron just exerts way too much energy to get his points with his bull like drives to the hoop.

 

[Gigglepoo]

I don't think Lebron is mentally weak. Rather than talk about his mental makeup, the tangible thing that Lebron lacks is an efficient go to move. Something he can actually count on and is confident in when the game is close, like a midrange Fadeaway or a turnaround jumper off the post. right now, Lebron just exerts way too much energy to get his points with his bull like drives to the hoop.

His go-to move is shooting his teammates a passive-aggressive glare when they screw up.

 

[TTG]

Over/under 50 points combined from Curry and Thompson tomorrow? I say over. Continuing with the trajectory of convalescence in game 1, active rehab and recovery in game 2, they get back to their normal selves in game 3. Keep in mind they had to go 70+ in game 6 against OKC.

If they do go over 50, I say it's about 75/25 that they go up 3-0.

 

[Souless_PJ]

Lebron is mentally weak. He doesn't have the heart of a champion. Tired of people making excuses for him not winning rings. The only reason he's ever in the finals is the East is weak. Then he falls apart. Then the excuses come out - he doesn't have any help etc.

 

[Tom Penny]

Lebron was fucking AWFUL in the first Finals with the Heat. People were questioning his mental toughness. Yet, he came back the next year and played VERY well, and they won. 3 different coaches, and still 6 straight Finals. You don't think mental toughness has anything to do with that? Please. Been hyped up as the next best thing since high school. etc.

Beating teams you are the overwhelming favorite to beat to get to Finals= mentally tough. Picking your teammates and coaches ( getting one fired ) thus having a bunch of coaches = mentally tough.

 

[TTG]

Lebron is mentally weak. He doesn't have the heart of a champion. Tired of people making excuses for him not winning rings. The only reason he's ever in the finals is the East is weak. Then he falls apart. Then the excuses come out - he doesn't have any help etc.

What is this, first take? Crawl back from whatever hole you came from.

 

[Gigglepoo]

Beating teams you are the overwhelming favorite to beat to get to Finals= mentally tough. Picking your teammates and coaches ( getting one fired ) thus having a bunch of coaches = mentally tough.

We can agree he got Mike Brown fired, too, right? And maybe Paul Silas? I don't remember that far back anymore. He probably didn't care for Brendan Malone, either.

 

[The 18th Letter]

Over/under 50 points combined from Curry and Thompson tomorrow? I say over. Continuing with the trajectory of convalescence in game 1, active rehab and recovery in game 2, they get back to their normal selves in game 3. Keep in mind they had to go 70+ in game 6 against OKC.

If they do go over 50, I say it's about 75/25 that they go up 3-0.

What does OKC have to do with this series?

 

[RedAssedApe]

Four more days...

lol like a kid just trying to get through the last week of school before summer vacation

 

[this_guy]

Over/under 50 points combined from Curry and Thompson tomorrow? I say over. Continuing with the trajectory of convalescence in game 1, active rehab and recovery in game 2, they get back to their normal selves in game 3. Keep in mind they had to go 70+ in game 6 against OKC.

If they do go over 50, I say it's about 75/25 that they go up 3-0.

I see them breaking out. Typically role players do well at home in the playoffs but the superstars have to be superstars on the road. At least that's the case in a competitive series but this series hasn't been competitive.

 

[rambis]

Lebron was fucking AWFUL in the first Finals with the Heat. People were questioning his mental toughness. Yet, he came back the next year and played VERY well, and they won. 3 different coaches, and still 6 straight Finals. You don't think mental toughness has anything to do with that? Please. Been hyped up as the next best thing since high school. etc.

People cherrypick the fuck of these arguments. He has definitely choked in his career and IMO he's subpar these Finals even though he's been playing this was while they were sweeping teams too. But its pretty fucking disingenuous to act like that's how he's been all the time.

Single handledly beating the Pistons in the ECF. Carrying a struggling Heat team to the Finals in tough series against Indiana and Boston. Willing his team back in that historic Game 6 of the spurs and crushing them in Game 7. You could argue he was the best players in both of the last 2 Finals.


Shit is just contextless narrative really.

Considering we've been hearing about internal strife in Cleveland, Miami, and now Cleveland again, can we conclude that LeBron is the problem? And that he's a lousy teammate when the chips are down? I'd love to hear a counter to this as we've seen his teams continually bicker whenever things are going poorly, no matter which team he's playing for.

Internal strife in his first go around was Delonte supposedly getting with his mother.

I really don't remember much talk of strife in Miami, other than his supposed management team and the FO and think that your claim is mostly bullshit considering they are plotting to reunite. Also everyone bowed down in Miami when he returned as a Cav so yeah Im calling bullshit.

And this Cleveland team now has always needed a kick in the ass, specifically Kyrie who would regularly turnin 2-3 assist games as the main ball handler.

This seems more like confirmation bias than anything but I'm sure you'll tell me its not.

 

[rambis]

I don't think Lebron is mentally weak. Rather than talk about his mental makeup, the tangible thing that Lebron lacks is an efficient go to move. Something he can actually count on and is confident in when the game is close, like a midrange Fadeaway or a turnaround jumper off the post. right now, Lebron just exerts way too much energy to get his points with his bull like drives to the hoop.

He needs to just get his jumper back really. That has severely choked his offense away. I mean a pull up in Kawhis face is what he iced Game 7 of the Finals with. I mean that was about as clutch as you can get without hitting a buzzer beater.

Its not too long ago he could give you games like this.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmd_vOWQWx4

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gjz2g4_Qd7A

 

[Gigglepoo]

I really don't remember much talk of strife in Miami, other than his supposed management team and the FO and think that your claim is mostly bullshit considering they are plotting to reunite. Also everyone bowed down in Miami when he returned as a Cav so yeah Im calling bullshit.

A quick google search turned up this article about LeBron and Coach Spo. If you honestly don't remember all the strike in Miami then you clearly weren't paying attention. I can't help you remember.

 

[Fjordson]

He needs to just get his jumper back really. That has severely choked his offense away. I mean a pull up in Kawhis face is what he iced Game 7 of the Finals with. I mean that was about as clutch as you can get without hitting a buzzer beater.

Its not too long ago he could give you games like this.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmd_vOWQWx4

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gjz2g4_Qd7A

Man it's crazy how much better his jumper was.

He needs it back asap with his speed and stamina fading. Bully ball simply doesn't work in the long run against teams with any sort of size and length.

 

[rambis]

A quick google search turned up this article about LeBron and Coach Spo. If you honestly don't remember all the strike in Miami then you clearly weren't paying attention. I can't help you remember.

Lmao what the hell does Spo count for? Even Wade and Chalmers would clown him. What about the players? You know the ones that actually have to work together? Nobody cares about the prop coach.

 

[Dion Blaster]

Lebron isn't mentally weak, he isn't in his prime anymore though. And his team doesn't have enough defense to keep up with one of the greatest teams in history.

 

[Gigglepoo]

Lmao what the hell does Spo count for? Even Wade and Chalmers would clown him. What about the players? You know the ones that actually have to work together? Nobody cares about the prop coach.

And here's one of his tweets directed at Love. But I'm sure you'll find a way to dismiss that, too. Fandom can really blind a person.

 

[rambis]

And here's one of his tweets directed at Love. But I'm sure you'll find a way to dismiss that, too. Fandom can really blind a person.

Ehh Love needed to get his mind right. As did Kyrie. I really don't like the bitchy passive agressive tweets but im sure there was plenty of actual discussion between those two that we'll never know about. Sometimes its just called being a leader. When MJ was punching Kerr in the face was he the problem then with their chemistry?

 

[Fjordson]

I never really like guessing about people's mental "strength" or lack thereof, because there's no way to actually know that about someone. With Lebron I think he's simply run into difficult competition in the Spurs and Warriors, through no fault of his own.

Spurs have had one of the all-time great franchise runs the last 15 years with multiple hall of famers plus one of the best coaches ever and this year he could be playing the best team ever with the two greatest shooters in NBA history

The only finals where I think you could say something weird was possibly going on was against Dallas in 2011.

 

[bchamba]

ESPN Stats & Info
ESPN Stats & Info – Verified account ‏@ESPNStatsInfo

Warriors: switched on 43% of pick-and-rolls faced in #NBAFinals, something DET, ATL & TOR did 19% of the time against Cavs in 1st 3 rounds
1:31 PM - 7 Jun 2016
56 RETWEETS68 LIKES

I don't trust stats and info. What is fats and info reporting ?

 

[rambis]

Man it's crazy how much better his jumper was.

He needs it back asap with his speed and stamina fading. Bully ball simply doesn't work in the long run against teams with any sort of size and length.

He's completely lost confidence and his body just isnt as loose or spry as it used to be. He may be done.

I never really like guessing about people's mental "strength" or lack thereof, because there's no way to actually know that about someone. With Lebron I think he's simply run into difficult competition in the Spurs and Warriors, through no fault of his own.

Spurs have had one of the all-time great franchise runs the last 15 years with multiple hall of famers plus one of the best coaches ever and this year he could be playing the best team ever with the two greatest shooters in NBA history

The only finals where I think you could say something weird was possibly going on was against Dallas in 2011.

Yeah but this is sports. The problem with this mindset is that you actaully have to think more than just two numbers in a win/loss column. For whatever reason this is too hard for some or they just can't be bothered.

 

[CassidyIzABeast]

https://twitter.com/theshoegawd/status/740344899703214082

whoooaaa

 

[DietRob]

lol are you serious? Give me a break. Jerry West said he contemplated quitting basketball when he lost finals. The shit you read smh, did you play a sport competitively before?

I wouldn't put Lebron as mentally weak, but I do see him as a shitty leader who thinks he's a good one. He also doesn't seem to have that killer instinct that players Jordan, Kobe and Curry have. The type that enjoy stepping on your neck on the court when you're down, so you're as demoralized as humanly possible. To come out in the 4th and really step it up and change course.

Ok, I'll give you Jordan and Kobe for that killer instinct for sure. But Curry a killer instinct you have to be joking right? The guy that has all but disappeared in the finals last year, this years WCF and so far again in this years finals. HAHAHA..

 

[Dr.Acula]

I remember this amazing Pat Riley press conference where he talked about how hard winning is, and how you "need guts" and you don't take "the first door and run."

https://youtu.be/Q8RHJIrfiSE

He knew he had Bosh and Wade, and this whole speech was him saying "WTF LeBron? How can you leave this?"

 

[Fjordson]

Ok, I'll give you Jordan and Kobe for that killer instinct for sure. But Curry a killer instinct you have to be joking right? The guy that has all but disappeared in the finals last year, this years WCF and so far again in this years finals. HAHAHA..

Wat. Curry was fucking incredible last series and is top 10 all-time in post season PPG.

http://nyloncalculus.com/2016/05/30/the-nbas-best-closers/

Wat. W. A. T. Factually one of the best clutch players in the game.

Edit: sheeeit I almost forgot he has the record for most points in a single overtime in NBA history.

 

[Gigglepoo]

Ehh Love needed to get his mind right. As did Kyrie. I really don't like the bitchy passive agressive tweets but im sure there was plenty of actual discussion between those two that we'll never know about. Sometimes its just called being a leader. When MJ was punching Kerr in the face was he the problem then with their chemistry?

So I guess we agree? Cool!

 

[Tom Penny]

Yeah but this is sports. The problem with this mindset is that you actaully have to think more than just two numbers in a win/loss column. For whatever reason this is too hard for some or they just can't be bothered.

In bizarro world the Celtics didn't mentally crack Lebron to the point he quit in game 6 then super teamed it up with Wade and Co and predicted 6+ titles..People also forget he quit against Orlando the year before too and watched mental midget D12 go to the Finals instead of him.

 

[i3allistic]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGSpckuKxlz/

Lol

 

[GaimeGuy]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGSpckuKxlz/

Lol

some people are assholes

 

[neptunes]

I forgot how 'Bron used to be able to hit 3's, even contested ones

Now teams sag off him and dare him to make one.

Wtf happened?

 

[rambis]

In bizarro world the Celtics didn't mentally crack Lebron to the point he quit in game 6 then super teamed it up with Wade and Co and predicted 6+ titles..People also forget he quit against Orlando the year before too and watched mental midget D12 go to the Finals instead of him.

I've never said he hasn't failed, in fact I specifically mentioned that he's choked before. Maybe your reading comprehension exists in this bizarro world of yours.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGSpckuKxlz/

Lol

lol she's a dick but his reaction was worth it. He was not expecting that.

 

[h3ro]

I forgot how 'Bron used to be able to hit 3's, even contested ones

Now teams sag off him and dare him to make one.

Wtf happened?

age.

 

[TTG]

The only finals where I think you could say something weird was possibly going on was against Dallas in 2011.

Yep, that was the only one. That's why I really like what you called bully ball. Lebron fighting hard for position and getting to the rim is something I always welcome considering he refused to to it against Jason Kidd and Barrea in those finals. He is the best conventional power forward in the league when he wants to be at this point.

People questioning Lebron's mental toughness is always funny. You don't score the last 25 in game 5 against Detroit or put up 45 and 15 in an elimination game on the road in Boston or 37 in game 7 against the Spurs in the finals being mentally weak.

 

[neptunes]

age.

Are 3pt shots really that taxing on the body? (not being facetious)

Leg strength for lift and what else?

When Steph ages will he eventually slow down and become "human"?

 

[Tom Penny]

I've never said he hasn't failed, in fact I specifically mentioned that he's choked before. Maybe your reading comprehension exists in this bizarro world of yours.

He failed and quit on his team but it it takes a mentally tough bastard to join your competition instead of going through them. What's funny he also bailed on Wade and Bosh thinking he'd just plug and play Kyrie and Love but GM Lebron might have got that one wrong too...none of these things have to do with choking. They do have to with failing then quiting and trying to find the easiest path possible.

 

[TTG]

Are 3pt shots really that taxing on the body? (not being facetious)

Leg strength for lift and what else?

When Steph ages will he eventually slow down and become "human"?

No, it usually goes the other way. The more a superstar ages, the further from the rim he operates. See Jordan and Kobe. Something fucked up is going on with Lebron. Last year in the playoffs you could make the argument he had to take some shots with Love and Kyrie being out, but that's not a thing anymore.

 

[rambis]

Are 3pt shots really that taxing on the body? (not being facetious)

Leg strength for lift and what else?

When Steph ages will he eventually slow down and become "human"?

His body is alot stiffer these days. He's lost a lot of flexibility. That

He failed and quit on his team but it it takes a mentally tough bastard to join your competition instead of going through them.

If you'd show any sense of nuance or perspective you'd actually be a good troll.

 

[neptunes]

No, it usually goes the other way. The more a superstar ages, the further from the rim he operates. See Jordan and Kobe. Something fucked up is going on with Lebron. Last year in the playoffs you could make the argument he had to take some shots with Love and Kyrie being out, but that's not a thing anymore.

That's what I was thinking! Making a 3pt has to be easier on the body than the bulldozing he still does.

 

[The 18th Letter]

Wat. Curry was fucking incredible last series and is top 10 all-time in post season PPG.



http://nyloncalculus.com/2016/05/30... and 2.1 spg is a disappearing act in the WCF

 

[GaimeGuy]

I forgot how 'Bron used to be able to hit 3's, even contested ones

Now teams sag off him and dare him to make one.

Wtf happened?

When he went to miami, he basically switched to almost 100% relying on his athleticism and slashing ability to get to the rim. He picked up Wade's penchant for flopping and using his elbow and shoulder to push his defenders away, rather than creating separation through posting up and ballhandling.

He really regressed offensively if you ask me. Lost his jumper and completely abandoned the notion of having a well rounded game.