The Number 23
There has been a lot of chatter on columns and blogs recently about LeBron's play this season.
To sum it up, the general consensus agrees the "chosen one" is coasting through the year excerting somewhere between 50 and 60 percent effort.
Many theories have arisen regarding this disturbing trend, but mostly, I believe it is a combination of several factors.
Has LeBron really had a chance to breathe since he was selected by the Cavs as the number one overall pick in the draft? Between commercials, television appearances, awards shows, cameos, Hollywood parties, USA basketball committments and oh by the way; playing an 82-game NBA schedule every season, it has really been non-stop four straight years.
Its enough to wear down even a 22-year old.
But I believe it is more than fatigue. I don't believe LeBron possesses the same drive to win that players such as Michael Jordan or Larry Bird had. Not even close actually.
Don't get me wrong, LeBron wants to win, I just question whether he is willing to do the types of things the aforementioned were to get there.
Can you ever imagine LeBron showing up at Quicken Loans Arena 6 hours before the game to jog through the empty stands as Bird did? How about shooting thousands of jumpers after practice after his teammates have long since gone home?
To LeBron, not unlike countless other spectacular talents of this generation, players like Vince Carter or Tracy McGrady, an NBA championship isn't necessarily the ultimate prize anymore.
Sure, Dwyane Wade has a nice championship ring, but LeBron has millions more dollars coming in from endorsement deals. LeBron is a higher profile draw with the Hollywood types. LeBron is more likely to be seen hanging out with rappers like Jay-Z.
To many of the young NBA superstars, LeBron has already won. So why spend countless hours trying to make champions out of people like Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall?
Its true I do not have access to the Cavalier practice facility, nor visual evidence that LeBron is not focused when it comes to basketball, but would a focused player be shooting an abysmal 68 % from the free throw line?
Is it acceptable for one of the top five players in the league to only rank seventh on his team in foul shots? How about 127th in the league, percentage points behind sharpshooting New Jersey Nets backup center, Mikki Moore.
The combination of sloppy play with a almost-obvious lack of urgency displayed by LeBron most of the season has carried over to the rest of the team. Now, the team that won 50 games last season could easily miss out on home court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. And this in a season with no major injuries or any other obstacles.
Is it all LeBron's fault?
No.
It also appears coach Mike Brown is in WAY over his head.
But one thing remains true, when he cares, LeBron is still capable of doing some amazing things on the court and carrying the team on his shoulders, as evidenced by last seasons playoff victory over the Wizards.
Time will tell is LeBron is merely saving himself for a stronger postseason run this year, or simply has nothing left in the tank.
To sum it up, the general consensus agrees the "chosen one" is coasting through the year excerting somewhere between 50 and 60 percent effort.
Many theories have arisen regarding this disturbing trend, but mostly, I believe it is a combination of several factors.
Has LeBron really had a chance to breathe since he was selected by the Cavs as the number one overall pick in the draft? Between commercials, television appearances, awards shows, cameos, Hollywood parties, USA basketball committments and oh by the way; playing an 82-game NBA schedule every season, it has really been non-stop four straight years.
Its enough to wear down even a 22-year old.
But I believe it is more than fatigue. I don't believe LeBron possesses the same drive to win that players such as Michael Jordan or Larry Bird had. Not even close actually.
Don't get me wrong, LeBron wants to win, I just question whether he is willing to do the types of things the aforementioned were to get there.
Can you ever imagine LeBron showing up at Quicken Loans Arena 6 hours before the game to jog through the empty stands as Bird did? How about shooting thousands of jumpers after practice after his teammates have long since gone home?
To LeBron, not unlike countless other spectacular talents of this generation, players like Vince Carter or Tracy McGrady, an NBA championship isn't necessarily the ultimate prize anymore.
Sure, Dwyane Wade has a nice championship ring, but LeBron has millions more dollars coming in from endorsement deals. LeBron is a higher profile draw with the Hollywood types. LeBron is more likely to be seen hanging out with rappers like Jay-Z.
To many of the young NBA superstars, LeBron has already won. So why spend countless hours trying to make champions out of people like Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall?
Its true I do not have access to the Cavalier practice facility, nor visual evidence that LeBron is not focused when it comes to basketball, but would a focused player be shooting an abysmal 68 % from the free throw line?
Is it acceptable for one of the top five players in the league to only rank seventh on his team in foul shots? How about 127th in the league, percentage points behind sharpshooting New Jersey Nets backup center, Mikki Moore.
The combination of sloppy play with a almost-obvious lack of urgency displayed by LeBron most of the season has carried over to the rest of the team. Now, the team that won 50 games last season could easily miss out on home court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. And this in a season with no major injuries or any other obstacles.
Is it all LeBron's fault?
No.
It also appears coach Mike Brown is in WAY over his head.
But one thing remains true, when he cares, LeBron is still capable of doing some amazing things on the court and carrying the team on his shoulders, as evidenced by last seasons playoff victory over the Wizards.
Time will tell is LeBron is merely saving himself for a stronger postseason run this year, or simply has nothing left in the tank.
posted by Jon Sladek at 8:42 PM
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