Josh Tucker has a great breakdown of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James’ mid-range shooting percentages at Respect Kobe. Tucker gives credit where credit is due when it comes to LeBron’s improved defense (it will be a travesty if James is left off the All-NBA defensive team this season) and free-throw shooting. But Tucker takes issue with those who believe that LeBron has improved his shooting touch.
To give a person credit for something that they have not actually achieved is, in fact, a disservice to that person — it devalues what they have actually achieved, and renders our professed respect for them insincere. Unfortunately, this is what we have tended to do with LeBron James. Knowing that he is the future, and seeing his vast potential, which we know he has the work ethic to fulfill, we get ahead of ourselves, giving him credit for things he has not yet accomplished. It is not fair to those, like Kobe Bryant, who have put in the effort and achieved those things. It is not fair to those, like Dwyane Wade, who don’t get the same special treatment based on as-yet-unrealized potential. And most of all, it is not fair to LeBron James, who deserves to be given respect for what he has accomplished, not for some unrealistic, airbrushed perception of who we want him to be. This, quite simply, is what I strive to do: To give credit where it is due, at all times, but to expect that a person should earn his reputation, not have it handed to him. Only then will it be of any value. What am I referring to? Let me give you one of the most glaring examples. Throughout his career, one oft-mentioned criticism of LeBron is his jumpshot — or lack thereof. In recent years, it has been the tendency of those who itch to see his vast potential immediately fulfilled to prematurely declare this problem solved.
Check out Josh’s blog here.
Tucker’s argument is one that I’ve made on more than one occasion. LeBron James is the clear-cut MVP at this point. He’s become a true two-way player, but his jumpshot is still a work in progress. James can get to the basket at will versus 90% of the NBA. But there are two or three teams that are capable of making him a jumpshooter. When that happens — LeBron will have to connect from outside to lead the Cavaliers to the promised land.
December 7th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
LeBron game 6 vs. celtics: 32 points on 23 shots
LeBron game 6 vs. celtics: 45 points on 29 shots
Kobe game 5 vs. celtics: 25 points on 21 shots
Kobe game 6 vs. celtics: 22 points on 22 shots
Who made whom a jump shooter? How did it turn out?
Hoff, LeBron’s mid-range game has vastly improved this year. He has become money from the left baseline on fadeaways – his little sweet spot, and we are actually watching him catch-and-shoot instead of always shooting off the dribble. I will say this, when he’s moving forware, there is like 5% chance he makes the shot from beyond 6 feet. He has to be going up or slightly fading or else he always bricks it long.
Look, if you guys are waiting for LeBron james to master every single facet of the game of basketball before being impressed, then you are never going to be satisfied. Look, the knock on him was “he’s not clutch” – now he’s THE MOST clutch player in the NBA – objectively. The next knock was – oh he dribbles too much. Well, he doesn’t now that the Cavs have a point guard – he played that way out of necessity, not habit. The next knock was his free throw shooting – well he’s almost at 80% this year – better than Dwade. He doesn’t play any defense – actually he has played solid D for 3 years now, but he makes so many ridiculous highlight plays on D you can not possibly ignore it any more. The Cavs are 1st in the NBA in PER differential at the SF and PF spots simply because that is where Lebron plays, and that is where LeBron, Ben, and Andy defend.
Look, I just don’t understand why we are talking about this. I am kinda frustrated – going around the net and everyone is talking about the Lakers and Celtics. Um, the Cavs are ANNIHILATING everyone they play and their starters aren’t even playing the 4th quarter. LeBron is statistically having the best season in NBA history post Wilt-era (when they didn’t keep track of many of the stats they do today). i mean he’s a freaking point higher in PER right now than Jordan was in his best statistical season. I seriously think he is the best defender in the league right now and the Cavs are beating teams by historical margins.
And no mention of this anywhere – just Peter Vecesy’s post about how we should end the season now and give the trophy to the Celtics – who squeeked out an OT win against the pacers tonight – uh yeah the cavs were through with the Pacers midway through the 2nd quarter last week.
Hoff, can if I write a piece about the cavs dominating will you put it up?
December 8th, 2008 at 9:31 am
This wasn’t meant to be a comparison of Kobe and LeBron’s shooting percentages against the Celtics.
Both guys struggled against the C’s. Although Kobe shot five percentage points better than LeBron. Cleveland took the Celtics to 7 games, but that was a result of Cleveland’s defense, not LeBron’s offense. Had LeBron hit from the outside, the Cavs probably would have advanced to the Finals.
I don’t think anyone has argued that LeBron has to start hitting mid-range jumpers before they’ll be “impressed.” I’ve always been impressed by LeBron, but I want more because I know he’s capable of more. I’m more than willing to give credit where credit is due, but I still see a very big weakness in his game. A weakness that will probably be exploited come playoff time.
Cleveland is playing great basketball right now. Shoot me an email with your blog idea and we can go from there.