tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post2303912839226748981..comments2023-12-11T06:36:57.237-05:00Comments on Random Thoughts: LeBron's HandshakeBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210862608619471273noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post-28796035956109022112009-06-04T19:03:22.350-04:002009-06-04T19:03:22.350-04:00Totally, I think we forget how young LeBron actual...Totally, I think we forget how young LeBron actually is.<br /><br />Not every player is a stand around and shoot guy. Mo and West did well with the ball in their hands. When LeBron dominates the ball so much, they're less effective.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17210862608619471273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post-39128193646573595592009-06-04T14:46:04.106-04:002009-06-04T14:46:04.106-04:00I agree it was the equivalent of LeBron storming u...I agree it was the equivalent of LeBron storming up to his room and slamming the door. <br /><br />For all the strides he's made in his six NBA seasons (really, how much more can a guy grow during his late teens and early 20s?) this series proved that LeBron is still maturing. He's not totally there yet.<br /><br />The post-series pout is the most visible example, but I also wonder about the standing and dribbling for large chunks of the fourth quarter in the first five games. Mike Brown didn't help matters with his minimalist offensive coaching, but the fact that LeBron's teammates were left standing around is as much on LBJ as anyone.<br /><br />LeBron doesn't yet seem to totally understand that a leader doesn't always lug his team around on his back, compensating for their shortcomings, making everything all better. A leader needs to demand more from his teammates. If Mo's shots aren't falling, then he dang well better be busting his hump on D and at least trying to penetrate and get to the line on offense. Get in Z's ear, Andy's ear. Maybe they're athletically overmatched by Howard, but they can at least not get caught napping while Howard sneaks back door and flushes an alley-oop (That happened WAY too much in this series, BTW). <br /><br />It's great to be buddy-buddy with your 'mates. The Cavs had special chemistry this year, no doubt. But when the shit really hits the fan in the playoffs, sometimes you need to go MJ on your team when they're getting outhustled and out-executed, like the Cavs were for much of the series.<br /><br />I still question if LeBron might still be a little too immature to know when and how to lay down the law with his team. Maybe it wouldn't have won this series, but it's still a missing ingredient from LBJ's vast arsenal, IMO.Eriknoreply@blogger.com