LeBron vs. D-Wade
Before we get to the topic of this post, I wanted to issue a brief message to all the people out there drawing comparisons of Gonzaga University forward Adam Morrison to Larry Bird -- STOP!
I realize everything has to be sensationalized nowadays and every good young player in any sport has to be the next (insert name here). But has it been that long since Larry Legend retired? Are memories that short?
Larry Bird was and is one of the top five basketball players to ever live. Nothing about Adam Morrison gives me the feeling he is anywhere near that territory.
Just to reinforce my point, I have painstakingly created an exhaustive list off all the similarities I see between Morrison and Bird, listed in numerical order:
1. They are white
That about sums it up.
Now, on to more important issues. I was thinking about LeBron the other day, and suddenly I had a disturbing premonition. I ran it by my friend Ball, who is my source for all things NBA, and he was very intrigued.
I look at LeBron, and the path of his career and I look at Wade. Both players are extremely gifted physically. Both have the ability to score at will when they are "on." Both are clearly the brightest young stars in the league.
Once upon a time in the NBA two equally gifted stars came along that would change the game as we know it. Right around the time Bird and Magic were trading championships, two young studs, Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins burst onto the scene.
As their careers progressed, it became evident that though 'Nique would certainly capture some breathtaking highlights and post some gaudy numbers, Jordan would be the Alpha dog. Jordan would be the man with the rings. With both players retired, the championship ring count is Jordan - 6 Wilkins - 0.
Fast forward to present day, and the simlarities between Jordan/Wilkins and Wade/LeBron are stark. Unfortunately for us Cavalier fans, LeBron is not the guy that reminds me of Jordan.
Now before you toss your monitor out the window and set your couch on fire, take a look at the evidence.
LeBron and Dominique are both 6-8. LeBron plays at 240 pounds while Wilkins played at a slightly trimmer 230.
Jordan was 6-6, 216 and Wade is 6-5, 212.
Now look at a brief recap of Wilkins career. He came out of college early for the NBA draft (back before high schoolers went straight to the pros). His rookie season he averaged 17.5 points. His second year he scored 21.6 a game. He quickly turned a pathetic Hawks team into a contender, leading them to a franchise record four straight 50-win seasons. He solidified his reputation as a devastating scorer and posted a 29-point effort in the 1988 All-Star game.
Any of this sound familiar?
When you watch Dwyane Wade at the end of close games, there is just something different about how he approaches things and the way LeBron does. Clevelanders will make excuses about supporting casts and age difference, but the fact is Wade is similar to Jordan in the respect when the game is on the line he is simply money. It could be one on five out there in the final minute and Wade is going to find a way to score.
With LeBron, you get fadeaway 25 footers that barely catch the front of the rim. You get out of control drives that result in turnovers. You get him passing up decent shots to dish the ball to somebody like Eric Snow. His free throw shooting is downright appalling. According to 82games.com, LeBron is shooting 59 % (32-54)from the foul line in the last five minutes of games decided by five points or less. In the same stat, Wade is hitting 85 %(33-39) of his freebies. Basically, nothing LeBron does in at the end of close games resembles Michael Jordan.
And for all those who want to play the age card, didn't Michael Jordan drain a game-winning jumper as a 18-year old freshman at the NCAA finale for North Carolina?
You either have it or you don't. Jordan had it, Wilkins didn't. Wade has it, LeBron doesn't seem to.
Now before anybody overreacts, I am in no way saying LeBron is not a fantastic ballplayer and certain lock for the Hall of Fame barring major injury. What I am saying is when it is all said and done, Mr. Wade is more likely to be the guy wearing the hardware on his fingers than James.
I realize everything has to be sensationalized nowadays and every good young player in any sport has to be the next (insert name here). But has it been that long since Larry Legend retired? Are memories that short?
Larry Bird was and is one of the top five basketball players to ever live. Nothing about Adam Morrison gives me the feeling he is anywhere near that territory.
Just to reinforce my point, I have painstakingly created an exhaustive list off all the similarities I see between Morrison and Bird, listed in numerical order:
1. They are white
That about sums it up.
Now, on to more important issues. I was thinking about LeBron the other day, and suddenly I had a disturbing premonition. I ran it by my friend Ball, who is my source for all things NBA, and he was very intrigued.
I look at LeBron, and the path of his career and I look at Wade. Both players are extremely gifted physically. Both have the ability to score at will when they are "on." Both are clearly the brightest young stars in the league.
Once upon a time in the NBA two equally gifted stars came along that would change the game as we know it. Right around the time Bird and Magic were trading championships, two young studs, Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins burst onto the scene.
As their careers progressed, it became evident that though 'Nique would certainly capture some breathtaking highlights and post some gaudy numbers, Jordan would be the Alpha dog. Jordan would be the man with the rings. With both players retired, the championship ring count is Jordan - 6 Wilkins - 0.
Fast forward to present day, and the simlarities between Jordan/Wilkins and Wade/LeBron are stark. Unfortunately for us Cavalier fans, LeBron is not the guy that reminds me of Jordan.
Now before you toss your monitor out the window and set your couch on fire, take a look at the evidence.
LeBron and Dominique are both 6-8. LeBron plays at 240 pounds while Wilkins played at a slightly trimmer 230.
Jordan was 6-6, 216 and Wade is 6-5, 212.
Now look at a brief recap of Wilkins career. He came out of college early for the NBA draft (back before high schoolers went straight to the pros). His rookie season he averaged 17.5 points. His second year he scored 21.6 a game. He quickly turned a pathetic Hawks team into a contender, leading them to a franchise record four straight 50-win seasons. He solidified his reputation as a devastating scorer and posted a 29-point effort in the 1988 All-Star game.
Any of this sound familiar?
When you watch Dwyane Wade at the end of close games, there is just something different about how he approaches things and the way LeBron does. Clevelanders will make excuses about supporting casts and age difference, but the fact is Wade is similar to Jordan in the respect when the game is on the line he is simply money. It could be one on five out there in the final minute and Wade is going to find a way to score.
With LeBron, you get fadeaway 25 footers that barely catch the front of the rim. You get out of control drives that result in turnovers. You get him passing up decent shots to dish the ball to somebody like Eric Snow. His free throw shooting is downright appalling. According to 82games.com, LeBron is shooting 59 % (32-54)from the foul line in the last five minutes of games decided by five points or less. In the same stat, Wade is hitting 85 %(33-39) of his freebies. Basically, nothing LeBron does in at the end of close games resembles Michael Jordan.
And for all those who want to play the age card, didn't Michael Jordan drain a game-winning jumper as a 18-year old freshman at the NCAA finale for North Carolina?
You either have it or you don't. Jordan had it, Wilkins didn't. Wade has it, LeBron doesn't seem to.
Now before anybody overreacts, I am in no way saying LeBron is not a fantastic ballplayer and certain lock for the Hall of Fame barring major injury. What I am saying is when it is all said and done, Mr. Wade is more likely to be the guy wearing the hardware on his fingers than James.
posted by Jon Sladek at 8:23 PM
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