Actually think it was a pretty poor play by him. He isn't going to win too many games on a step back fade away three. Should've been attacking the rim.
On February 13 2014 15:29 AgentW wrote: Would it just be cleaner to give LeBron an MVP title belt and just take it from him when someone finally takes it from him?
It would be, but that would be against the body of history. So fans in 100 years would be like "Why does Lebron have 10 MVPs when no one else has 5?"
There is a history of people being "robbed" and its hard to even argue this would be a robbing.
On February 13 2014 19:06 RowdierBob wrote: That was pretty arsey from Lebron, even by his standards.
Actually think it was a pretty poor play by him. He isn't going to win too many games on a step back fade away three. Should've been attacking the rim. But I guess it's only the result that matters!
I think it's a good move by lebron. Iggy expects he will drive so lebron has ton of space to shoot a wide open step back three
I mean if Lebron won it again I wouldn't have a problem with it, though I can also see KD winning it considering how he has gone without the 2nd best player on their team for the majority of the season. Lebron is just that good, and the dropoff after LBJ and KD is so big right now in the league.
Some random thoughts on this though: Does this mean LBJ has plateaued as a player? As a 29 year old (in his physical prime) we could say that he probably will not keep improving from here on out as he has the previous seasons of his career. While Durant (younger), is still improving from season to season and will keep getting better for a few more years maybe. I do think this would be fair to say.
We could also say that LBJ, with his superior experience, has now found a way to "coast" through the season without trying as hard as before. This allows him to conserve energy for the playoffs, when it counts. Hence why he hasn't been that impressive this season. I do also think this would be fair to say. But it does also mean that he realizes he has to conserve energy, a sign that he is getting older as a player.
On February 13 2014 15:29 AgentW wrote: Would it just be cleaner to give LeBron an MVP title belt and just take it from him when someone finally takes it from him?
It would be, but that would be against the body of history. So fans in 100 years would be like "Why does Lebron have 10 MVPs when no one else has 5?"
There is a history of people being "robbed" and its hard to even argue this would be a robbing.
I was (hopefully obviously) joking. What I'm amazed with is that he's scoring the third most points of anyone in the league, while playing all-NBA level defense, which is why he's ahead of Durant in all discussion, IMO. Durant is still an indifferent defender to me.
No, I agree, hes the best, he is the MVP. But, if we agree on that, we should go and rip the MVP out of Rose's closet and give it to LBJ, give Steve Nash's MVPs to Kobe and Duncan, Give Jordan at least 2 more (probably 4), and probably amend several others to give them to Kareem and Wilt, but I'm not really up on those years enough to know.
It was a horrible shot, but if he makes it you can't really say anything. Just like those possessions where Harden literally dribbles in place for 16s, then takes a contested three in the defender's face and happens to make it.
I can't imagine LBJ winning the MVP over Durant this year. Durant is leading his team to #1 seed in the West without Westbrook while the Heat are coasting at #2 in the shit conference. LeBron was the favorite when he was shooting an absurd 60/50/70, but his efficiency has gone down and KD's has gone up and now they are about even in TS%. Durant is just doing better than LeBron statistically and his team is performing better. Giving it to LBJ would be stealing it from Durant.
I understand that the prevailing viewpoint is that Durant is running away with the MVP because he's killing it without Westbrook (who I don't particularly care for, but that's not really relevant), but isn't LeBron performing at a high level with an in and out of the lineup Wade and an increasing three point shooting Bosh?
Examining the literal definition of the award (which usually gets ignored) is likely a toss up, with Durant probably winning due to Westbrook's absence, but if I asked any of you who you would want to win the title based on this season's performance, who would you take? I'm curious to see what everyone says.
On February 14 2014 06:12 AgentW wrote: I understand that the prevailing viewpoint is that Durant is running away with the MVP because he's killing it without Westbrook (who I don't particularly care for, but that's not really relevant), but isn't LeBron performing at a high level with an in and out of the lineup Wade and an increasing three point shooting Bosh?
Examining the literal definition of the award (which usually gets ignored) is likely a toss up, with Durant probably winning due to Westbrook's absence, but if I asked any of you who you would want to win the title based on this season's performance, who would you take? I'm curious to see what everyone says.
Durant b/c of Bestbrook's absence. I was actually surprised when I just looked that his WS/48 is higher than LBJ's this year, but it is. Both teams would be about Chicago-level this year though, IMO without their respective stars.
You can certainly make a compelling arguement for Lebron, but that's a far cry from saying he is having it "stolen" by giving it to Durant. A nice collection of Durant highlights from this year:
On February 14 2014 06:12 AgentW wrote: I understand that the prevailing viewpoint is that Durant is running away with the MVP because he's killing it without Westbrook (who I don't particularly care for, but that's not really relevant), but isn't LeBron performing at a high level with an in and out of the lineup Wade and an increasing three point shooting Bosh?
Examining the literal definition of the award (which usually gets ignored) is likely a toss up, with Durant probably winning due to Westbrook's absence, but if I asked any of you who you would want to win the title based on this season's performance, who would you take? I'm curious to see what everyone says.
no.
durant still wins and is the best player this year.
On February 14 2014 06:12 AgentW wrote: I understand that the prevailing viewpoint is that Durant is running away with the MVP because he's killing it without Westbrook (who I don't particularly care for, but that's not really relevant), but isn't LeBron performing at a high level with an in and out of the lineup Wade and an increasing three point shooting Bosh?
Examining the literal definition of the award (which usually gets ignored) is likely a toss up, with Durant probably winning due to Westbrook's absence, but if I asked any of you who you would want to win the title based on this season's performance, who would you take? I'm curious to see what everyone says.
Durant b/c of Bestbrook's absence. I was actually surprised when I just looked that his WS/48 is higher than LBJ's this year, but it is. Both teams would be about Chicago-level this year though, IMO without their respective stars.
Is this in response to winning the MVP or the title question?
EDIT: Also, why do people just ignore defense? Because it's difficult to quanitfy? LeBron is clearly a better defender, and it's not close.
On February 14 2014 06:12 AgentW wrote: I understand that the prevailing viewpoint is that Durant is running away with the MVP because he's killing it without Westbrook (who I don't particularly care for, but that's not really relevant), but isn't LeBron performing at a high level with an in and out of the lineup Wade and an increasing three point shooting Bosh?
Examining the literal definition of the award (which usually gets ignored) is likely a toss up, with Durant probably winning due to Westbrook's absence, but if I asked any of you who you would want to win the title based on this season's performance, who would you take? I'm curious to see what everyone says.
Durant b/c of Bestbrook's absence. I was actually surprised when I just looked that his WS/48 is higher than LBJ's this year, but it is. Both teams would be about Chicago-level this year though, IMO without their respective stars.
Is this in response to winning the MVP or the title question?
EDIT: Also, why do people just ignore defense? Because it's difficult to quanitfy? LeBron is clearly a better defender, and it's not close.
MVP I thought. Im not ignoring defense, and actually my answer was going to be LeBron until I actually looked at minutes etc. Durant is playing better than I even expected.
edit, as for title, I would still pick Miami, because why not? I think no team really would be above 30, 40% chance to win the title this year, but Id still give them the highest %. I think the worst case for Miami would be for the Bulls to get the 3 Seed, because even though they are terrible, I wouldn't want to play what would likely be a 5 game series with the Bulls back-to-back with a 7 game series with the Pacers.
On February 14 2014 06:12 AgentW wrote: I understand that the prevailing viewpoint is that Durant is running away with the MVP because he's killing it without Westbrook (who I don't particularly care for, but that's not really relevant), but isn't LeBron performing at a high level with an in and out of the lineup Wade and an increasing three point shooting Bosh?
Examining the literal definition of the award (which usually gets ignored) is likely a toss up, with Durant probably winning due to Westbrook's absence, but if I asked any of you who you would want to win the title based on this season's performance, who would you take? I'm curious to see what everyone says.
Durant b/c of Bestbrook's absence. I was actually surprised when I just looked that his WS/48 is higher than LBJ's this year, but it is. Both teams would be about Chicago-level this year though, IMO without their respective stars.
Is this in response to winning the MVP or the title question?
EDIT: Also, why do people just ignore defense? Because it's difficult to quanitfy? LeBron is clearly a better defender, and it's not close.
MVP I thought. Im not ignoring defense, and actually my answer was going to be LeBron until I actually looked at minutes etc. Durant is playing better than I even expected.
edit, as for title, I would still pick Miami, because why not? I think no team really would be above 30, 40% chance to win the title this year, but Id still give them the highest %. I think the worst case for Miami would be for the Bulls to get the 3 Seed, because even though they are terrible, I wouldn't want to play what would likely be a 5 game series with the Bulls back-to-back with a 7 game series with the Pacers.
I need to start wording my questions better, sorry for the confusion. This is what I meant initially:
If you wanted to win a title this year, which player would you select first?
On February 14 2014 06:12 AgentW wrote: I understand that the prevailing viewpoint is that Durant is running away with the MVP because he's killing it without Westbrook (who I don't particularly care for, but that's not really relevant), but isn't LeBron performing at a high level with an in and out of the lineup Wade and an increasing three point shooting Bosh?
Examining the literal definition of the award (which usually gets ignored) is likely a toss up, with Durant probably winning due to Westbrook's absence, but if I asked any of you who you would want to win the title based on this season's performance, who would you take? I'm curious to see what everyone says.
Durant b/c of Bestbrook's absence. I was actually surprised when I just looked that his WS/48 is higher than LBJ's this year, but it is. Both teams would be about Chicago-level this year though, IMO without their respective stars.
Is this in response to winning the MVP or the title question?
EDIT: Also, why do people just ignore defense? Because it's difficult to quanitfy? LeBron is clearly a better defender, and it's not close.
MVP I thought. Im not ignoring defense, and actually my answer was going to be LeBron until I actually looked at minutes etc. Durant is playing better than I even expected.
edit, as for title, I would still pick Miami, because why not? I think no team really would be above 30, 40% chance to win the title this year, but Id still give them the highest %. I think the worst case for Miami would be for the Bulls to get the 3 Seed, because even though they are terrible, I wouldn't want to play what would likely be a 5 game series with the Bulls back-to-back with a 7 game series with the Pacers.
I need to start wording my questions better, sorry for the confusion. This is what I meant initially:
If you wanted to win a title this year, which player would you select first?
as of now. KD gets it and lebron second. no one close at third (PG offense completely dropped off this month).
but with 30 games to go, lebron can easily reclaim it, especially with westbrook back after ASW
ooops. sorry. misread your question. i would probably still take lebron to build around THIS year.
On February 14 2014 06:12 AgentW wrote: I understand that the prevailing viewpoint is that Durant is running away with the MVP because he's killing it without Westbrook (who I don't particularly care for, but that's not really relevant), but isn't LeBron performing at a high level with an in and out of the lineup Wade and an increasing three point shooting Bosh?
Examining the literal definition of the award (which usually gets ignored) is likely a toss up, with Durant probably winning due to Westbrook's absence, but if I asked any of you who you would want to win the title based on this season's performance, who would you take? I'm curious to see what everyone says.
Durant b/c of Bestbrook's absence. I was actually surprised when I just looked that his WS/48 is higher than LBJ's this year, but it is. Both teams would be about Chicago-level this year though, IMO without their respective stars.
Is this in response to winning the MVP or the title question?
EDIT: Also, why do people just ignore defense? Because it's difficult to quanitfy? LeBron is clearly a better defender, and it's not close.
MVP I thought. Im not ignoring defense, and actually my answer was going to be LeBron until I actually looked at minutes etc. Durant is playing better than I even expected.
edit, as for title, I would still pick Miami, because why not? I think no team really would be above 30, 40% chance to win the title this year, but Id still give them the highest %. I think the worst case for Miami would be for the Bulls to get the 3 Seed, because even though they are terrible, I wouldn't want to play what would likely be a 5 game series with the Bulls back-to-back with a 7 game series with the Pacers.
I need to start wording my questions better, sorry for the confusion. This is what I meant initially:
If you wanted to win a title this year, which player would you select first?
LBJ because its incredibly easy to build a contender around a healthy Lebron.