upnorthtrips:

fly in any weather

Bosh got a ring…YA HEARD?!?

LeBron: 40 points, 18 boards, 9 asst., 2 blocks, & 2 steals

D-Wade: 30 points, 9 rebounds, 6 dimes, two blocks, & one steal

From 6:39 left in the 2nd quarter, through to 5:51 left in the game, the HEAT dynamic duo accounted for all of Miami’s field goals.

After that high flying act was complete, Indiana’s coach, Frank Vogel, stated, “We’ll come up with a game plan. We have the talent to combat this.”.

Coach, with all due respect, no you don’t. IMO, the only way the HEAT fail to make it to the Finals, where OKC or the Spurs do have the talent, will be if Miami beat themselves. That could still happen, of course, but if the Pacers coach had what is needed to stop the James/Wade tandem, he never should have allowed those two to take over & win Game 4 the way they did.

That may prove to be a fatal mistake.

(Photo by Jeyhoun Allebaugh/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBA OFFSEASON EXCLUSIVE: While in Miami this week, I came across Eddy Curry at South Beach hotspot, Prime 112, as he celebrated his verbal agreement to join the Miami HEAT.

I can’t be certain, but I think he’s actually lost a solid 50-60 pounds since his days with the Knicks.

The Finals

Doc Funk is back! You guys should all follow him on Tumblr.

gotemcoach:

At this rate, Riles will be coaching by January…

Got That Coach

gotemcoach:

The Miami Huh?

What happened, guys?  The first step on the road to Miami’s presumed 10 Championships is a stumble.

When they talk about chemistry problems for Miami, the problem’s not selfishness.  The problem’s somebody knowing when it’s time to take over, and stepping up to do it.  It’s having, knowing and accepting your role. 

It was as though Wade, Bron and Alfred were all saying, “I’m not selfish.  Watch this.  I’ll pass it every time,” and in the process they all sacrificed their own rhythm.  It’s apparent this team has some work to do.

Not surprising LeBron played his best (and consequently the Heat made their run) when he was the alpha dog, on court with Zydrunas and a bunch of spare parts.  LeBron knows how to play that way. 

It’s the first game, so we can’t jump to conclusions, but D.Wade would have had an easier time getting into the flow of the game if he was allowed to dominate the ball the way he has for the past 7 seasons.

Got ‘Em Coach

gotemcoach:

2010-2011 Player Profile: LeBron James

The hate we’ve heaped on LeBron James casts a long shadow.  LeBron James is ready to step out into the light.  I’ll explain.

Let’s go back.  May 13th.  Game 6.  Cleveland Cavaliers v. Boston Celtics.  On that fateful night, two important things happened:

1.) When that buzzer rang, a domino fell, setting off a chain reaction that will affect the NBA for at least the next decade.

2.) I realized LeBron James is Shaquille O’Neal.

Lets compare…

HISTORY 

For their first 7 seasons, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal failed to reach the lofty expectations NBA fans, and society at large, had for them.

Each player made one Finals in their first 7 years, only to be decimated by their opponent (LeBron swept by Spurs in ‘07.  Shaq swept by Rockets in ‘95).  Each player then followed up their aforementioned Finals beating with crushing Conference Finals losses (LeBron lost to Orlando in ‘09 ECF and Boston in ‘10 ECF.  Shaq swept by the Bulls in ‘96 ECF and the Jazz ‘98 WCF)

PERSONALITY

Each player was extremely popular with young fans, and the life of the party on their own team.  LeBron took team pictures and danced every chance he got.  Shaq did that Omega Psi Phi fraternity thing, and put his teammates in his music videos.  Outstanding.

For seven seasons, both were criticized for not taking their careers seriously.  LeBron lost, refused to shake hands with Orlando, then showed up a couple days later wearing his own MVP shirt (because, really, it’s all about those MVPs).  Shaq got beat, and put Superman logos on everything he owned, including a custom made conversion van/sub-woofer on wheels. 

LeBron wants to be the global icon.  Shaq had TWiSM (The World is Mine).

GAME

Shaq was/LeBron is considered roundly unstoppable.  Not just great, each player completely changed the complexion of the games they played in.  When Shaq was in the post, your defense crumbled.  When he had two feet in the paint, you were cooked.  If LeBron is isolated in a 1-4 set, the defense is in terror.  If he starts to drive, well, you’re best to foul him early.

Each even had a single chink in their offensive armor.  Shaq’s FT percentage.  Bron’s post game.  “If he just got that down, there’d be no way to stop him…”  Ever heard that before about either of these guys?

PHYSICALITY

Freaks.  Abnormal.  Beasts.  You pick.  They all apply.

Each used a combination of size, speed, power and finesse never before seen in this league. 

For crying out loud - why were any of us surprised James left Cleveland?  Shaq left Orlando for dead.

Now that we’ve established a borderline preposterous number of parallels between these two, it’s important, for our profiling purposes, to look at what happened in Shaq’s 8th season, so that we may prognosticate LeBron’s 2010-2011.

Uh oh.

Oh no.

Anybody remember ‘99-‘00 Shaquille O’Neal?  As a Laker fan, I remember him well.  The guy was an absolute monster truck.  It was the peak of his criticism.  Too many people told him he couldn’t do it, and Shaq started piling up the body bags.  Diesel lead the league in both shooting percentage, 57% from the field, and scoring, 29.7 per game.  He was second in rebounds with 13.6 per, third in blocks with 3 per, and threw in an average of 3.8 each game for good measure.  As far as I’m concerned, that Laker squad could beat any team in the history of basketball because Shaquille O’Neal was so utterly dominant.

Well, that’s what we’ll see from LeBron James this season.  I expect him to make us all shudder.  I expect monster truck.

The worst thing that happened to the NBA this offseason was not “The Decision.”  It’s that we made LeBron James care.  He would have spent the rest of his life wearing MVP t-shirts, choreographing pre-game rituals and assuming he was the best player in the league because his childhood friends/business associates told him so.

But no.  We had to hate him, and now he cares.  Good job, everybody.

Remember how you felt when LeBron smashed the Pistons, in arguably his greatest performance ever?  Well, that’s what we’re all bringing back.  I’m telling you, Lebron killing someone is not out of the question.  I’m talking about him dunking on somebody, and that person actually dying.

I hated LeBron’s “Decision,” in part because it was a world-class screw-up wrapped in a wretched PR nightmare, but mainly because LeBron quit trying to be the Greatest of All-Time.  Then it occurred to me, as I watched his training camp workouts, and early preseason…what if he didn’t?  We all assume LeBron’s numbers will take a hit from sharing the spotlight, costing him the “Greatest” title.  But what if they don’t?  What if his numbers go up?  What if he gets better?  If anybody can do it…

Whether you like it or not, LeBron is probably ahead of any other player, at this stage of his career.  He’s certainly the most physically gifted  I’ve ever seen.  Monster.  Truck.

So, here’s the gameplan everybody.  Follow my lead.

You’re the King, Lebron.  A real MVP.  Nothing to prove here…

Now go take shelter.

Got ‘Em Coach

gotemcoach:

Team Dillinger is so scary…

Every time I start to get nervous, I stop, and realize these cats are all socks and watches and belts.  I mean, look at these three.

Cream Cheese Soft.

Whoops.  Got ‘Em Coach.

gotemcoach:

Hey everybody,

I got invited to this sweet party.  It’s called the “Dawn of a Dynasty” party.  I don’t know what dynasty they’re celebrating, but it looks like it’s gonna be awesome. 

LeBron is hosting it.  He’s keeping a list of people that aren’t allowed in.  From the picture above, it looks like it’s being held in some sort of temple, but the photo below appears to have the party in some sort of gilded room.  Either way, I’m sure there’ll be crown-shaped cakes for everyone.

DJ Irie is gonna be there.  You guys know him… Plus, this dude pictured above with the mixed patterns and the corny sunglasses.  Also, these two cotton candy-soft dudes below with the bad suits. 

You know who else throws parties and has flyers like this?  Paris Hilton.  Ooh, and the kids from Jersey Shore.  LeBron’s just like them.

(brainworks/gotemcoach)