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Just watched Kevin Love play big in a close game against one of the top front court tandems in the NBA.... Was once said he only plays big against scrub comp so...
It's quiet as shit up in here.Just watched Kevin Love play big in a close game against one of the top front court tandems in the NBA.... Was once said he only plays big against scrub comp so...
But what I like is how JR Smith makes the extra pass. It happened on one of Love's threes. I've seen him do it before. Trying to get Love the ball where AND when he likes it. Love needed a game like this.
LeBron James Passes Scottie Pippen for Most Assists by a Forward in NBA History
Add another to the ever-growing list of records and accomplishments for LeBron James. With a second-quarter assist in Tuesday night's game against the Detroit Pistons, James passed Scottie Pippen for the most dimes by a forward in NBA history.
James' assist came on a three-point shot by Kevin Love. The four-time MVP entered Tuesday four assists shy of passing the Chicago Bulls legend, who tallied 6,135 assists in 17 NBA seasons. While it took Pippen 1,178 regular-season games to hit his mark, James managed to pass him in his 890th contest.
Regarded as perhaps the greatest passing forward in league history, James is in the midst of a milestone campaign. He has already passed legends Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson on the all-time scoring list, the latest achievement coming in Sunday's win over the New York Knicks.
"It's very, very humbling, and it's an honor to just be named with some of the greats that I watched growing up," James told reporters. "And now to know that I passed Allen Iverson on the all-time scoring list, for someone that's not much of a scorer—as you guys have deemed me—it is pretty cool."
Pippen and James have a historical relationship in that many people compared the latter to the former in his rise to superstardom. Pippen at his peak was very comparable to James, filling up the stat sheet in a variety of ways offensively while locking down an opponent's best player on the other end. In 2011, Pippen even generated some controversy by insinuating LeBron could unseat former teammate Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time.
"Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to play the game. But I may go so far as to say Lebron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game because he is so potent offensively that not only can he score at will, but he keeps everybody involved," Pippen said, per CSN Chicago.
Pippen has since softened his stance, but his comments are indicative of the mutual adulation the two have for one another. James was even derided back in 2010 when some accused James of going to Miami to be the Scottie to Dwyane Wade's Michael.
Years later after a return to Cleveland, few would ever make such a claim now. But as James continues climbing the scoring ladder and obliterates all assists records at his position, there may come a time when Pippen's 2011 assertion isn't that crazy.
Add another to the ever-growing list of records and accomplishments for LeBron James. With a second-quarter assist in Tuesday night's game against the Detroit Pistons, James passed Scottie Pippen for the most dimes by a forward in NBA history.
James' assist came on a three-point shot by Kevin Love. The four-time MVP entered Tuesday four assists shy of passing the Chicago Bulls legend, who tallied 6,135 assists in 17 NBA seasons. While it took Pippen 1,178 regular-season games to hit his mark, James managed to pass him in his 890th contest.
Regarded as perhaps the greatest passing forward in league history, James is in the midst of a milestone campaign. He has already passed legends Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson on the all-time scoring list, the latest achievement coming in Sunday's win over the New York Knicks.
"It's very, very humbling, and it's an honor to just be named with some of the greats that I watched growing up," James told reporters. "And now to know that I passed Allen Iverson on the all-time scoring list, for someone that's not much of a scorer—as you guys have deemed me—it is pretty cool."
Pippen and James have a historical relationship in that many people compared the latter to the former in his rise to superstardom. Pippen at his peak was very comparable to James, filling up the stat sheet in a variety of ways offensively while locking down an opponent's best player on the other end. In 2011, Pippen even generated some controversy by insinuating LeBron could unseat former teammate Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time.
"Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to play the game. But I may go so far as to say Lebron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game because he is so potent offensively that not only can he score at will, but he keeps everybody involved," Pippen said, per CSN Chicago.
Pippen has since softened his stance, but his comments are indicative of the mutual adulation the two have for one another. James was even derided back in 2010 when some accused James of going to Miami to be the Scottie to Dwyane Wade's Michael.
Years later after a return to Cleveland, few would ever make such a claim now. But as James continues climbing the scoring ladder and obliterates all assists records at his position, there may come a time when Pippen's 2011 assertion isn't that crazy.
Breaking on BSPN, D Rose to undergo meniscus surgery...
It's quiet as shit up in here.
But what I like is how JR Smith makes the extra pass. It happened on one of Love's threes. I've seen him do it before. Trying to get Love the ball where AND when he likes it. Love needed a game like this.
Werd! All of a sudden cat got Niccas tongues!
Great attempt at a deflection homie... Would work against some GED Dudes... I see you though... K Love what 26 and 9 !?!?! On the road against Drummond and Monroe. Gave a LOT of big mouth jokers his white ass to kiss!
Cats got a war room when it comes to this Love shit. Now it's about Bron breaking an assist record?!!?!Great attempt at a deflection homie... Would work against some GED Dudes... I see you though... K Love what 26 and 9 !?!?! On the road against Drummond and Monroe. Gave a LOT of big mouth jokers his white ass to kiss!
No shit. Who didn't see that coming?Overrated? Cats bias like comic fans. If Kevin Love is the most overrated power forward in the Marvel universe, the most overrated power forward in the DC universe is about to check out of the hospital.
Fuck the assists, Lebron is sitting there like this after going 20-2 in the last 22 games......
Because his plan is coming together....
Perkins picked Cavs for LeBron
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Newly-acquired Kendrick Perkins suited up for the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first time on Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons.
But before he slipped on his new No. 3 uniform the center explained how his decision where to continue his career came down to either joining his former coach, Doc Rivers, and the Los Angeles Clippers, or joining his former AAU teammate, LeBron James.
"It was extremely hard," said Perkins who finalized his contract with Cleveland earlier in the day after agreeing to a buyout from the Utah Jazz on Monday. "(Rivers) was real honest with me, he told me, 'I think your best two situations right now is either us or Cleveland.' So I was like, Doc? Or I have a chance to go play with The King. Doc? The King? Uh, I choose The King."
James and Perkins teamed up in high school for the Oakland (Calif.) Soldiers AAU squad before having several postseason battles in the pros.
"He just said, 'Let's make this happen. Been a long time coming,'" Perkins said, summing up James' pitch to come to Cleveland. "He's right. I've been wanting to be on the same team with him for awhile."
Knowing the interest around the league for the 12-year veteran's services, who won a championship with Rivers and the Boston Celtics back in 2008, Cavs coach David Blatt was pleased his team landed the big man.
"They all understand what he brings to the table and because it was his decision to come to us that's a good feeling," Blatt said.
Count Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy among those impressed by the 6-10, 270-pound Perkins' abilities.
"I've always had great respect for Kendrick," said Van Gundy. "He adds a real toughness. He's one of the toughest big guys in the league. Very physical. He's a great, great low-post defender and he's one of the best screeners in the league. I mean, he'll lay you out on screens so a guy like J.R. Smith coming off screens will love having Kendrick Perkins around. And obviously what he does for them, he gives them really good, quality depth up front. Timofey Mozgov and Tristan Thompson have been playing really well and this gives them another guy."
Perkins played two minutes in the 102-93 win over the Pistons, cracking the rotation after Mozgov picked up three first-half fouls. He finished with two points, two fouls and a turnover.
"I just was being encouraging," Perkins said of the role he played in his debut. "I really didn't expect to get in for the two minutes that I did. That caught me by surprise. But I'm just happy to be here, man. So I'm just going to keep working, learning the system and whenever my time it is to be called I'm going to be ready to play and just be a great teammate."
Blatt was quick to add that Perkins isn't just a back-up behind Mozgov, Thompson and Kevin Love in case one of the three gets injured.
"I don't want to call Perk an insurance policy," Blatt said. "He's a guy that can really contribute. If you look at our team one of the areas that you would address if you were thinking, 'OK how can we get a little better at this stage of the year,' that's one of the things you would put your finger on is the fact that we could use one more player with size and experience that can give us physicality and great defense and presence."
Perkins agreed to a $434,547 deal with the Cavs, which will include a salary-cap number of $274,573, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
While Perkins admitted that James factored into his thought process, he had also been monitoring how the Cavs were playing as a team and was encouraged by the group he would be joining.
"I looked at Cleveland and said, 'Man they play great basketball,'" Perkins said. "I wasn't just looking at the offensive end; I was looking at the little things. Passing up good shots for great shots, on the defensive end you see guys helping the helper, see guys being at the nail, guys coming out (to help on) pick-and-roll (coverage), guys bumping early. Communication was there. I said, 'Man, that team is on a mission.' You can tell they're playing agenda-free basketball, trying to get the win and get better. I just wanted to be part of it."
Perkins' five seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder came to a close when he was traded to the Jazz at the trade deadline in a three-team deal that sent guard Reggie Jackson to Detroit and Enes Kanter, Steve Novak, Kyle Singler and D.J. Augustin to the Thunder.
"We developed a family over there," Perkins said. "When I first came in to OKC, Kevin (Durant) and Russ (Russell Westbrook) was young guys and even Serge (Ibaka). I just wanted to pass on some of the things I'd learned coming from Boston. I think I did that. Those guys grew up and I think they're ready to lead, Russ especially. So I did my job. We had some great years there, a lot of battles. And OKC will always be my family."
James is certainly pleased that Perkins is now a part of the Cavs' family instead of out of it.
"I've been a competitor against him and he's a guy that you hate if you play against him and it's a guy that you love if he's your teammate," James said. "I know a lot of teams don't like me, but that's fine," Perkins said when informed about James' love/hate comment. "I'm a good guy if I'm on your team. Other than that, that's fine. I feel like if another team don't like me, then I done my job for the night."
One of those players who didn't particularly like Perkins was Mozgov, who got tangled up with him on several occasions in the Cavs' 108-98 win over Oklahoma City on Jan. 25.
Mozgov greeted Perkins' in the locker room in Detroit before the game with a handshake and a hug. Perkins shrugged off their last meeting, saying, "Wasn't nothing but a little elbow." Mozgov added: "Now he's my teammate, so we will stand up for each other like everybody in the room. ... Of course, he's going to help us. No question."
Plus, it's not like Mozgov was the only player Perkins has gotten physical with in the past.
"I would say with Perk, it has gotten chippy on a few occasions, not just with Timo or anyone else," Blatt said. "He's a physical presence and force and he stands up for his team."
Perkins is the seventh member of the heralded 2003 NBA Draft class to team up with James, joining Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Sasha Pavlovic, Jason Kapono, Maurice Williams and James Jones.
"We had a great class in that draft and we all understand how important it is to live up to our expectations or even try to exceed it, being a part of that draft," James said. "We want to go down as one of the greatest NBA drafts ever. So it's pretty cool to be able to team up with guys that have been in your draft and I've been blessed enough to team up with quite a few."
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Newly-acquired Kendrick Perkins suited up for the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first time on Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons.
But before he slipped on his new No. 3 uniform the center explained how his decision where to continue his career came down to either joining his former coach, Doc Rivers, and the Los Angeles Clippers, or joining his former AAU teammate, LeBron James.
"It was extremely hard," said Perkins who finalized his contract with Cleveland earlier in the day after agreeing to a buyout from the Utah Jazz on Monday. "(Rivers) was real honest with me, he told me, 'I think your best two situations right now is either us or Cleveland.' So I was like, Doc? Or I have a chance to go play with The King. Doc? The King? Uh, I choose The King."
James and Perkins teamed up in high school for the Oakland (Calif.) Soldiers AAU squad before having several postseason battles in the pros.
"He just said, 'Let's make this happen. Been a long time coming,'" Perkins said, summing up James' pitch to come to Cleveland. "He's right. I've been wanting to be on the same team with him for awhile."
Knowing the interest around the league for the 12-year veteran's services, who won a championship with Rivers and the Boston Celtics back in 2008, Cavs coach David Blatt was pleased his team landed the big man.
"They all understand what he brings to the table and because it was his decision to come to us that's a good feeling," Blatt said.
Count Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy among those impressed by the 6-10, 270-pound Perkins' abilities.
"I've always had great respect for Kendrick," said Van Gundy. "He adds a real toughness. He's one of the toughest big guys in the league. Very physical. He's a great, great low-post defender and he's one of the best screeners in the league. I mean, he'll lay you out on screens so a guy like J.R. Smith coming off screens will love having Kendrick Perkins around. And obviously what he does for them, he gives them really good, quality depth up front. Timofey Mozgov and Tristan Thompson have been playing really well and this gives them another guy."
Perkins played two minutes in the 102-93 win over the Pistons, cracking the rotation after Mozgov picked up three first-half fouls. He finished with two points, two fouls and a turnover.
"I just was being encouraging," Perkins said of the role he played in his debut. "I really didn't expect to get in for the two minutes that I did. That caught me by surprise. But I'm just happy to be here, man. So I'm just going to keep working, learning the system and whenever my time it is to be called I'm going to be ready to play and just be a great teammate."
Blatt was quick to add that Perkins isn't just a back-up behind Mozgov, Thompson and Kevin Love in case one of the three gets injured.
"I don't want to call Perk an insurance policy," Blatt said. "He's a guy that can really contribute. If you look at our team one of the areas that you would address if you were thinking, 'OK how can we get a little better at this stage of the year,' that's one of the things you would put your finger on is the fact that we could use one more player with size and experience that can give us physicality and great defense and presence."
Perkins agreed to a $434,547 deal with the Cavs, which will include a salary-cap number of $274,573, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
While Perkins admitted that James factored into his thought process, he had also been monitoring how the Cavs were playing as a team and was encouraged by the group he would be joining.
"I looked at Cleveland and said, 'Man they play great basketball,'" Perkins said. "I wasn't just looking at the offensive end; I was looking at the little things. Passing up good shots for great shots, on the defensive end you see guys helping the helper, see guys being at the nail, guys coming out (to help on) pick-and-roll (coverage), guys bumping early. Communication was there. I said, 'Man, that team is on a mission.' You can tell they're playing agenda-free basketball, trying to get the win and get better. I just wanted to be part of it."
Perkins' five seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder came to a close when he was traded to the Jazz at the trade deadline in a three-team deal that sent guard Reggie Jackson to Detroit and Enes Kanter, Steve Novak, Kyle Singler and D.J. Augustin to the Thunder.
"We developed a family over there," Perkins said. "When I first came in to OKC, Kevin (Durant) and Russ (Russell Westbrook) was young guys and even Serge (Ibaka). I just wanted to pass on some of the things I'd learned coming from Boston. I think I did that. Those guys grew up and I think they're ready to lead, Russ especially. So I did my job. We had some great years there, a lot of battles. And OKC will always be my family."
James is certainly pleased that Perkins is now a part of the Cavs' family instead of out of it.
"I've been a competitor against him and he's a guy that you hate if you play against him and it's a guy that you love if he's your teammate," James said. "I know a lot of teams don't like me, but that's fine," Perkins said when informed about James' love/hate comment. "I'm a good guy if I'm on your team. Other than that, that's fine. I feel like if another team don't like me, then I done my job for the night."
One of those players who didn't particularly like Perkins was Mozgov, who got tangled up with him on several occasions in the Cavs' 108-98 win over Oklahoma City on Jan. 25.
Mozgov greeted Perkins' in the locker room in Detroit before the game with a handshake and a hug. Perkins shrugged off their last meeting, saying, "Wasn't nothing but a little elbow." Mozgov added: "Now he's my teammate, so we will stand up for each other like everybody in the room. ... Of course, he's going to help us. No question."
Plus, it's not like Mozgov was the only player Perkins has gotten physical with in the past.
"I would say with Perk, it has gotten chippy on a few occasions, not just with Timo or anyone else," Blatt said. "He's a physical presence and force and he stands up for his team."
Perkins is the seventh member of the heralded 2003 NBA Draft class to team up with James, joining Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Sasha Pavlovic, Jason Kapono, Maurice Williams and James Jones.
"We had a great class in that draft and we all understand how important it is to live up to our expectations or even try to exceed it, being a part of that draft," James said. "We want to go down as one of the greatest NBA drafts ever. So it's pretty cool to be able to team up with guys that have been in your draft and I've been blessed enough to team up with quite a few."
Cats got a war room when it comes to this Love shit. Now it's about Bron breaking an assist record?!!?!
Overrated? Cats bias like comic fans. If Kevin Love is the most overrated power forward in the Marvel universe, the most overrated power forward in the DC universe is about to check out of the hospital.
Fuck the assists, Lebron is sitting there like this after going 20-2 in the last 22 games......
Because his plan is coming together....
For all that talk and Rose out of the picture you niggas better win the chip this year no excuses.. Seems like you planning your parade
I don't want to hear shit... No rationalizations or nothing lol
Love hits 8 3-pointers, Cavaliers beat Pistons 102-93
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Kevin Love tied a career-best with eight 3-pointers for 24 points and LeBron James added 19 points and 11 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied in the second half to beat the Detroit Pistons 102-93 on Tuesday night.
Love fell just one short of teammate J.R. Smith's record of nine 3-pointers against Detroit. Love missed both his two-point attempts.
James nearly had an odd triple-double, turning the ball over nine times, one short of his career high. Kyrie Irving added 18 points for Cleveland, which has won 17 of its last 19 games.
Reggie Jackson had 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in his second game with Detroit, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 21.
Tayshaun Prince started at small forward in his first game as a Piston since he was traded to Memphis in January 2013. He was acquired in a trade with Boston.
Detroit's backcourt was the difference in the first half, as Caldwell-Pope and Jackson outscored Irving and Smith 28-10. James and Love were in double figures for Cleveland, but the Pistons led 62-53 at the break.
Cleveland's defense stepped up in the third, holding the Pistons to 12 points on 22 percent shooting. That enabled them to take a 77-73 lead into the fourth, and Iman Shumpert increased the margin to seven with an early 3-pointer.
After that, James started going to the basket on nearly every possession against Detroit's reserves, and Cleveland moved the lead to 11 midway through the period. The Cavaliers outscored Detroit 36-16 in the first 18 minutes of the second half.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: In the second quarter, James broke Scottie Pippen's NBA record for career assists by a forward. He tied Pippen's record of 6,135 by finding Timofey Mozgov for an alley-oop dunk, then broke it when he found Love for an open 3-pointer.
Pistons: After trading four players for Prince and Jackson, the Pistons have signed Quincy Miller to a 10-day contract and picked up Shawne Williams off waivers. Miller was in uniform Tuesday, but didn't play, while Williams was inactive. . Prince hit his 500th 3-pointer for Detroit in the first half, joining Joe Dumars, Chauncey Billups, Lindsay Hunter and Rasheed Wallace as the only Piston to reach that mark.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Host Golden State on Thursday.
Pistons: Host New York on Friday.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Kevin Love tied a career-best with eight 3-pointers for 24 points and LeBron James added 19 points and 11 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied in the second half to beat the Detroit Pistons 102-93 on Tuesday night.
Love fell just one short of teammate J.R. Smith's record of nine 3-pointers against Detroit. Love missed both his two-point attempts.
James nearly had an odd triple-double, turning the ball over nine times, one short of his career high. Kyrie Irving added 18 points for Cleveland, which has won 17 of its last 19 games.
Reggie Jackson had 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in his second game with Detroit, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 21.
Tayshaun Prince started at small forward in his first game as a Piston since he was traded to Memphis in January 2013. He was acquired in a trade with Boston.
Detroit's backcourt was the difference in the first half, as Caldwell-Pope and Jackson outscored Irving and Smith 28-10. James and Love were in double figures for Cleveland, but the Pistons led 62-53 at the break.
Cleveland's defense stepped up in the third, holding the Pistons to 12 points on 22 percent shooting. That enabled them to take a 77-73 lead into the fourth, and Iman Shumpert increased the margin to seven with an early 3-pointer.
After that, James started going to the basket on nearly every possession against Detroit's reserves, and Cleveland moved the lead to 11 midway through the period. The Cavaliers outscored Detroit 36-16 in the first 18 minutes of the second half.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: In the second quarter, James broke Scottie Pippen's NBA record for career assists by a forward. He tied Pippen's record of 6,135 by finding Timofey Mozgov for an alley-oop dunk, then broke it when he found Love for an open 3-pointer.
Pistons: After trading four players for Prince and Jackson, the Pistons have signed Quincy Miller to a 10-day contract and picked up Shawne Williams off waivers. Miller was in uniform Tuesday, but didn't play, while Williams was inactive. . Prince hit his 500th 3-pointer for Detroit in the first half, joining Joe Dumars, Chauncey Billups, Lindsay Hunter and Rasheed Wallace as the only Piston to reach that mark.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Host Golden State on Thursday.
Pistons: Host New York on Friday.
Fuck the assists, Lebron is sitting there like this after going 20-2 in the last 22 games......
Because his plan is coming together....
He still waiting on Ray's word...that's there final piece, but if Ray decides to retire they could still add another vet that was brought out...
Cats got a war room when it comes to this Love shit. Now it's about Bron breaking an assist record?!!?!
Overrated? Cats bias like comic fans. If Kevin Love is the most overrated power forward in the Marvel universe, the most overrated power forward in the DC universe is about to check out of the hospital.
Fuck the assists, Lebron is sitting there like this after going 20-2 in the last 22 games......
Because his plan is coming together....
It was all yucks and giggles two months ago, now Niggas reaching for shit! Desperate as fuck to keep bullshit rhetoric going. With how all those early season Heat prediction keep blowing up in his fucking face, if the Cavs and Love keep going like this, Dudes gonna relegated to posting in SOL and cooking threads or some shit!
great game, LeBron being LeBron, but it's a damn shame how quiet this thread is all of a damn sudden!
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great game, LeBron being LeBron, but it's a damn shame how quiet this grant is all of a damn sudden!
Lebron is the shogun ...but the Cavs have improved defensively
great game, LeBron being LeBron, but it's a damn shame how quiet this grant is all of a damn sudden!
Lebron is the shogun ...but the Cavs have improved defensively
Windhorst: MVP is on LeBron's mind | ChatNBA.com
LeBron James has given the quote so often that it has become almost mindless: He doesn't focus on individual accolades because they come only with team success.
Versions of it have piled up over the seasons, often stemming from the annual moments when James is asked about the MVP award. It's one of those tricky statements that can be defined as accurate but not true.
James does care about team success first, but he also cares deeply about individual awards. That includes right now and the developing MVP race. He has been privately wondering why he's not more involved in the national conversation on the matter, considering his play in the past quarter of the season.
While much of his attention has been on the Cavs' dramatic turnaround -- 17 wins in 19 games -- the four-time Podoloff Trophy winner has been considering what his chances at a fifth might be. James has either won the MVP or finished in the top three of the voting in each of the past six years, yet sportsbooks currently have him as an underdog.
There are a few reasons why James' case is weaker this season than in years past and why he's generally viewed as currently being on the outside. But for him to really get into the race -- which James surely wants, whether he articulates it publicly or not -- an opportunity is coming the next few days.
The Cavs host the Golden State Warriors and MVP candidate Stephen Curry on Thursday -- James was out with injury when the teams played last month -- and on Sunday they visit the Houston Rockets and candidate James Harden. If James is going to change the conversation, this is his chance.
The reality at this point in James' career is that he doesn't so much compete with his peers but with himself. Whether it is fair or not, when evaluating James, he is competing against his past MVP seasons. And this season, by that measurement, he does not rate as well.
By the cold numbers, James is having a "down" statistical season -- 25.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game while shooting 49 percent, with a 25.4 PER. Rather impressive, but all told, this is probably James' lowest across-the-board output since his rookie season. His shooting numbers are the lowest they have been in six seasons, and he is committing a career-high 4.3 turnovers per game, second-worst in the league behind DeMarcus Cousins.
Those previous seasons -- at one point James led the NBA in PER for six straight years -- technically don't mean anything when it comes to this season's MVP race. But the voters aren't computers who can be instructed to ignore that or the idea of seeing a fresh face take the trophy, factors James must battle.
The natural defense for James' case is that some of the numbers are weighed down by what was a less-than-standard first two months of the season, when he was battling some injuries. Those numbers, however, still count.
Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesThe upcoming stretch of games will give LeBron James more chances to prove his point.
It can be argued that since Jan. 13, when he returned from what turned out to be a valuable midseason sabbatical, he has been one of the best players in the league. The Cavs certainly have been the league's best team the past six weeks, and James, looking totally energized, has been the biggest part of that.
However, he is actually shooting slightly worse during the past six weeks than he was before the injuries; both his overall and true shooting percentages are down during the 20 games since he returned. He is also averaging more turnovers per game (a full 5.0) during the Cavs' hot streak, a product of playing so much point guard but also because he has been downright sloppy all season.
So even as the Cavs' starting lineup has far and away been the most dominant group in the league in the past 20 games, during which James owns a league-leading plus-253 in plus/minus, he is only sixth in PER in that stretch. That puts him behind the performances of MVP competitors like Curry, Harden, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis over the same period.
In the past 25 seasons, the winner of the MVP has been on teams that have averaged 61 wins. James is a part of that trend; in the three full seasons in which he won the MVP, his teams averaged 64 wins. He also won the award in the lockout season in 2011-12, when the Heat went 46-20. Quite often it is an award to the team as much as the individual, and the Cavs, who started the season 19-20 before going on their run, may have trouble helping him in this regard.
Last season, James was second in MVP voting to Kevin Durant, when the Heat won 54 games and Durant's Thunder won 59. In the end, James conceded the award, not because he believed he was outplayed, but because of the standings.
"I think I played well enough to win [the MVP]," James said in May. "But I don't think our team played well enough to win it."
He is facing an equal challenge this season, as the Cavs have just the 10th-best record in the league. They have been on the rise but likely will not finish high enough to be a true asset to James' résumé.
No, if James is going to do it, then he will need a strong individual finish with some dominant efforts in high-profile games. There's time and opportunity. He's likely going to win the East's Player of the Month award for February, and the Cavs are embarking on a challenging stretch where they play 12 games in 21 days and face the Warriors, Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs.
It is a referendum on their recent streak, which was largely against a soft portion of their schedule, and a chance for James to build a case. He has plenty to focus on, as he must manage the Cavs' fight for playoff seeding, which some of Cleveland's stars and its coach have never dealt with before.
But don't think for a second the MVP isn't on his mind.
LeBron James has given the quote so often that it has become almost mindless: He doesn't focus on individual accolades because they come only with team success.
Versions of it have piled up over the seasons, often stemming from the annual moments when James is asked about the MVP award. It's one of those tricky statements that can be defined as accurate but not true.
James does care about team success first, but he also cares deeply about individual awards. That includes right now and the developing MVP race. He has been privately wondering why he's not more involved in the national conversation on the matter, considering his play in the past quarter of the season.
While much of his attention has been on the Cavs' dramatic turnaround -- 17 wins in 19 games -- the four-time Podoloff Trophy winner has been considering what his chances at a fifth might be. James has either won the MVP or finished in the top three of the voting in each of the past six years, yet sportsbooks currently have him as an underdog.
There are a few reasons why James' case is weaker this season than in years past and why he's generally viewed as currently being on the outside. But for him to really get into the race -- which James surely wants, whether he articulates it publicly or not -- an opportunity is coming the next few days.
The Cavs host the Golden State Warriors and MVP candidate Stephen Curry on Thursday -- James was out with injury when the teams played last month -- and on Sunday they visit the Houston Rockets and candidate James Harden. If James is going to change the conversation, this is his chance.
The reality at this point in James' career is that he doesn't so much compete with his peers but with himself. Whether it is fair or not, when evaluating James, he is competing against his past MVP seasons. And this season, by that measurement, he does not rate as well.
By the cold numbers, James is having a "down" statistical season -- 25.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game while shooting 49 percent, with a 25.4 PER. Rather impressive, but all told, this is probably James' lowest across-the-board output since his rookie season. His shooting numbers are the lowest they have been in six seasons, and he is committing a career-high 4.3 turnovers per game, second-worst in the league behind DeMarcus Cousins.
Those previous seasons -- at one point James led the NBA in PER for six straight years -- technically don't mean anything when it comes to this season's MVP race. But the voters aren't computers who can be instructed to ignore that or the idea of seeing a fresh face take the trophy, factors James must battle.
The natural defense for James' case is that some of the numbers are weighed down by what was a less-than-standard first two months of the season, when he was battling some injuries. Those numbers, however, still count.
Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesThe upcoming stretch of games will give LeBron James more chances to prove his point.
It can be argued that since Jan. 13, when he returned from what turned out to be a valuable midseason sabbatical, he has been one of the best players in the league. The Cavs certainly have been the league's best team the past six weeks, and James, looking totally energized, has been the biggest part of that.
However, he is actually shooting slightly worse during the past six weeks than he was before the injuries; both his overall and true shooting percentages are down during the 20 games since he returned. He is also averaging more turnovers per game (a full 5.0) during the Cavs' hot streak, a product of playing so much point guard but also because he has been downright sloppy all season.
So even as the Cavs' starting lineup has far and away been the most dominant group in the league in the past 20 games, during which James owns a league-leading plus-253 in plus/minus, he is only sixth in PER in that stretch. That puts him behind the performances of MVP competitors like Curry, Harden, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis over the same period.
In the past 25 seasons, the winner of the MVP has been on teams that have averaged 61 wins. James is a part of that trend; in the three full seasons in which he won the MVP, his teams averaged 64 wins. He also won the award in the lockout season in 2011-12, when the Heat went 46-20. Quite often it is an award to the team as much as the individual, and the Cavs, who started the season 19-20 before going on their run, may have trouble helping him in this regard.
Last season, James was second in MVP voting to Kevin Durant, when the Heat won 54 games and Durant's Thunder won 59. In the end, James conceded the award, not because he believed he was outplayed, but because of the standings.
"I think I played well enough to win [the MVP]," James said in May. "But I don't think our team played well enough to win it."
He is facing an equal challenge this season, as the Cavs have just the 10th-best record in the league. They have been on the rise but likely will not finish high enough to be a true asset to James' résumé.
No, if James is going to do it, then he will need a strong individual finish with some dominant efforts in high-profile games. There's time and opportunity. He's likely going to win the East's Player of the Month award for February, and the Cavs are embarking on a challenging stretch where they play 12 games in 21 days and face the Warriors, Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs.
It is a referendum on their recent streak, which was largely against a soft portion of their schedule, and a chance for James to build a case. He has plenty to focus on, as he must manage the Cavs' fight for playoff seeding, which some of Cleveland's stars and its coach have never dealt with before.
But don't think for a second the MVP isn't on his mind.
please stop discussing basketball
Man looking at the Suns OKC game a few things come to mind...
1- Man no wonder why Curry, Harden and Westbrook has numbers the way they do, there are only about 4 real rim protectors in the NBA and they all play on OKC, Memphis, Clippers and the Houston.. So if Harden and Westbrook aren't playing each other or not playing Memphis or the Clippers they are free to pad the fuck out their stats.. Plus they are allowed to shoot till their arms get tired, they keep stressing Westbrooks 39 points but fail to mention the 37 attempts it took to get them all against a team with three guards and no center..
2- Thank god the Cavs got rid of Waiters, that boy has scrub dna all in his body..
1- Man no wonder why Curry, Harden and Westbrook has numbers the way they do, there are only about 4 real rim protectors in the NBA and they all play on OKC, Memphis, Clippers and the Houston.. So if Harden and Westbrook aren't playing each other or not playing Memphis or the Clippers they are free to pad the fuck out their stats.. Plus they are allowed to shoot till their arms get tired, they keep stressing Westbrooks 39 points but fail to mention the 37 attempts it took to get them all against a team with three guards and no center..
2- Thank god the Cavs got rid of Waiters, that boy has scrub dna all in his body..
I don't want to hear no Westbrook mvp either, how the fuck you going to miss a wide open game tying lay up and lose to the scrubby ass suns while shooting 12 of 38..
he stay on your mind huh?
another triple double in the books
and please don't talk about losing to scrubby ass teams after the cavs performance once lebron went out.
don't you even try it
Man looking at the Suns OKC game a few things come to mind...
1- Man no wonder why Curry, Harden and Westbrook has numbers the way they do, there are only about 4 real rim protectors in the NBA and they all play on OKC, Memphis, Clippers and the Houston.. So if Harden and Westbrook aren't playing each other or not playing Memphis or the Clippers they are free to pad the fuck out their stats.. Plus they are allowed to shoot till their arms get tired, they keep stressing Westbrooks 39 points but fail to mention the 37 attempts it took to get them all against a team with three guards and no center..
2- Thank god the Cavs got rid of Waiters, that boy has scrub dna all in his body..
you must've meant the west or something as far as rim protectors go.
but even with that you're wrong.
and the suns traded 2 of those guards update your nba 2k
He gets the most padded triple double ever, they have all these big men yet they are hoisting nothing but jump shots, sure he is going to get rebounds vs a team with no center and with all those outside bricks.. But if LeBron were to have similar numbers you can bet the bank that his team would win vs anybody by at least ten..he stay on your mind huh?
another triple double in the books
and please don't talk about losing to scrubby ass teams after the cavs performance once lebron went out.
don't you even try it
Westbrook numbers are never indicative of the final score and he never does that shit vs a good team.
I know that shit never works against a LeBron run team...
yup exactly
some off brand explanation to try and discredit the numbers
he shot horribly. missed a lot of layups including the one at the end
still dished out 11 assists and should have had about 15 or so
grabbed 14 boards
leads the nba in triple doubles
all padded stats when he does it
see ya later
Look its not rocket science, LeBron scores plus he makes his player better and wins, Westbrook scores makes his players worse in a loss....
you're the only person who compares every player REGARDLESS OF POSITION to Lebron James
that my friends is called an unhealthy obsession.
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