ol lebron sure took the pussy way out that's for sure.

Just keep in mind that when Kobe was in a similar position as LeBron with no complimentary All Star (teams that didn't include either Shaq or Pau) the Lakers finished 34-48 (no playoffs), 45-37 (lost in first round) and 42-40 (lost in the first round).

And go back and watch Game 6 of the 2008 Finals and tell me Kobe didn't give up.

Like you said, Kobe has had some terrible playoff performances, but he has also had A. Shaq or Pau B. Phil Jackson (only the greatest NBA coach ever) and C. The Lakers front office and that is why, along with his will to win, he has five rings.

"In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight: I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA Championship before the self-titled former 'king' wins one." - Dan Gilbert

dalen you dont even watch sports cmon

oh i watch from time to time, but don't generally follow. seeing that this shit is all over every channel down here, i thought it was a fitting post.

plus, Bosh looks like he's vogueing, Wade & James look like they're picking out the booty in the audience (this is Miami...lots n lots of booty).

strangely, i met one of the massage therapists for the Heat this past weekend in Orlando at a trade show. dude was all stoked. i'll post up a pic from his booth soon.

that reminds me i could use a massage

I don't understand how they are already all the bookies' odds on favourites to win it all next year.

They don't even have a starting five.

If you think you're winning a championship with Joel Anthony in the middle, and Mario Chalmers running the show, you are sadly mistaken...

I, personally, hope it all goes down in flames. Heat flames

I agree. But, it sure is good for Miami, the city. I'm short on knowing basketball well but the 3 don't make a whole.

Chris Bosh is the Human Jizz Mop in this equation.

Unless there are some MAJOR roster additions yet to come, I predict a second round exit.

Lebron and Wade are both TERRIBLE off the ball. I just don't see how this works. This isn't the Olympics.

Opponents have an entire season to expose your weaknesses in a seven game playoff series.

Lebron is crazy for not taking the Chicago option. Not only does he get to be the man, he gets to play on a better team, in a bigger market.

I think they'll be able to put enough together this year to at least make it to the Eastern Finals...it's not like there are a lot of impediments out there.

The subsequent years (after the Lockout) will be where they potentially make their mark: Kobe and the Celtics Big 3 will all be winding it down leaving the Magic and possibly the Thundersonics as their only real competition to reel off 3 or 4 in a row.

This is a local sports radio guy. Pretty funny.

You throw that out like its all about Shaq or Pau. Kobe needed some complimentary pieces for sure but look at how terrible those supporting casts were in those years you listed and also some of the other stuff that was going on including injuries.

2004-5: 34-48 (no playoffs): Kobe and L.O. both out for about 20% of the season with injuries. Brian Grant the second highest paid player on the team was basically worthless at that point and just an expiring contract to make the shaq deal work. Chucky Atkins was starting point guard and minutes played leader. Rudy Tomjanovich quit early in the season due to health issues.

2005-6: 45-37 (lost in first round): A mix of Kwame Brown, Chris Mihm and Brian Cook getting the starting minutes at PF/C. Smush Parker starting point guard, third on the team in minutes played and points scored.

2006-7: 42-40 (lost in the first round): Kwame Brown at starting center which is bad enough but he also missed half the season due to injuries, L.O. missed 1/3 of the year due to injuries, Smush Parker was not only the point guard but he was second on the team in minutes played and points scored.

Would you really expect any of those teams to be good? LeBron has had a much better supporting cast than any of those teams.

You'd think the heat would be able to afford female massage therapists.

Amirite?

I'd say they had comparable supporting casts in the middle of the decade. I mean, Kobe at least had Lamar Odom and Caron Butler those years...the second best player on the team LeBron led to the finals? Larry Hughes. Lamar was at least good for a 15-10 every year.

Ilguakas was still pretty good for the Cavs in those middle of the decade cavs teams. Even Drew Gooden was supplying low teens in scoring and ten rebounds. Larry Hughes was never the 2nd best player on the Cavs. Caron Butler was only a laker for one year before they shipped him off for Kwame Brown.

Who is better, Lebron or Kobe? Let's ask MJ:

hell, even a sworn laker hater like me knows kobe's better - no comparison

yeah, jordan is a great judge of talent. re: kwame brown.

Magic: playing with Jordan, Bird not an option "That's not what we were about"

Yeah, it must have been tough to go to war with chumps like Kareem Abdul Jabar every night. Go open a movie theater, you fucking dummy.

I know, the whole thing is so dumb. Of course Jordan couldn't imagine teaming up with anyone, no one liked him and he was never smart enough to structure his contract to work FOR him. Of course Magic wanted to beat Larry, but if they both didn't have hall-of-famers on either side of them on the floor, they'd be talking to Bernard King about teaming up in Oakland or something.

What's worse is guys like Charles Barkley (who demanded and got a trade out of Philly because they couldn't surround him with better players) and Chris Webber (who was a good player who always managed to come up small in big spots) questioning LeBron's intentions, heart etc. I realize that both guys are in the business of talking and controversy sells, but seriously, pipe the fuck down already. Y'all have the exact same amount of rings as LeBron and for that matter, me.