NBA Loud - by Arnold

All Stars Cleveland Cavaliers - NBA Loud

LeBron James is More Clutch than, Kobe? You Better Believe It!

January 31st 2008 12:25

LeBron James game winning shot against the Portland Trail Blazers.

LeBron James beating the Trail Blazers today with this game basket. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Er, remember the time back in the day when the clutch abilities of LeBron James was constantly questioned, including this space? Well, if you haven’t checked into the NBA lately, things have most definitely changed towards the direction of the King.

LeBron leads the league in average points scored in the fourth quarter, with the Cleveland Cavaliers being the best come-from-behind team in the league. Yes, there are a number of inappropriate jokes we could have made in the previous sentence – but we’re too classy for the gutter.

In today’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers for instance, the Cavs were constantly on the back-foot and looked to be in danger of dropping a game against a very good opponent.

Then the unthinkable happened. James got riled by a Portland fan and then got postal on his opponents, scoring 17 final quarter points, which was two more then the entire Blazer squad. The cherry on top: Hitting the game winning lay-up, whilst making it looking like a stroll through the park. Most impressive of all, Bron-Bron made Brandon Roy look second rate when he was locking him down in the fourth.

Generally speaking, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is seen to be the most deadly player with the game on the line, but again, James put paid to that general belief when their teams met last weekend.

Want some hardcore facts to back up our questioning of Kobe’s lack of clutch-ness? During the Cavs 98-95 win, King James dropped 14 in the fourth, with six in the final minute-and-a-half. Not only that, he was going against Bryant, with the Bean looking like the deer in the headlights when the game was to be won. Oh, yeah, in contrast, Kobe missed six of his seven attempts in the quarter where legends are made.

The final play from the Lakers had Bryant handling the ball needing a three – he ended up passing it to Luke Walton, who gave it back to the Bean, and the shot was always going to be weak.

James spent the offseason improving his jumper, and it killed the Blazers in the fourth quarter today when he hit three consecutive 3-point baskets. Not only that, LeBron spends so much time going to the free-throw line, and was shaky last season down the stretch – now, he is money due to his offseason work.

Kobe might still be the most deadly assassin in the league, but there is a new King of clutch.

Today’s video is of one of the best individual performances last season in the playoffs, obviously featuring, LeBron.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Stanley - Category: All Stars, Cleveland Cavaliers, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James

Email this Post to a Friend

Michael Jordan Makes An On-Court 'Comeback'. LeBron James Parties with Jay-Z.

January 3rd 2008 11:12

LeBron James, Jay-Z and Beyonce celebrate LeBron's 23rd birthday.

Shades are needed to look at this picture because of all the star power on display. (Image from stereohyped.com)

So, how does arguably the most famous current basketball player on the planet celebrate his 23rd birthday? Well, if your name is LeBron James, you’d celebrate at the new 40/40 club of arguably the most famous hip-hop artist in the world, Jay-Z. In a star studded affair, the King had a basketball bash fit for the air apparent. Ah, the joys of celebrity hobnobbing.

Now, that we have covered the more vapid aspects of basketball, how about some on-court news? The New Jersey Nets are currently in a deep funk and it’s not the type of funk associated with Dr. J. More directly, the Nets just plain suck. Call in Tony Soprano to throw his metaphoric weight around because his home team is swimming with the fishes.

Jersey fans are naturally getting restless and are demanding any type of action to alleviate the pain for the Nets. The Jersey faithful want a miracle that bought in Vince Carter, or the lopsided trade that had Jason Kidd wearing their colours.

Kidd, the brightest star for the Nets, has regularly been touted as potential trade bait with the latest murmurings suggesting that Allen Iverson’s name had been thrown into the mix. A league source that has been privy to the discussions dropped the bombshell.

However, New Jersey apparently weren’t interested in that trade scenario.

Rod Thorn, the president of the Nets wants a star calibre player in return for Kidd, and desires a big man that could play with the star point guard. Pau Gasol had been in the Nets crosshairs but the Memphis Grizzlies aren’t interested in veterans.

We’ll finish today’s posting with the biggest news of all – Michael Jordan has made a basketball comeback with the Charlotte Bobcats – of sorts. His Airness who holds a front office position with the Cats joined in a practice scrimmage recently, with his players acting like star struck kids rather than multi-millionaire, professional ballers.

Players were giddy with joy that they got to play with, or against, MJ with Jason Richardson saying that it was such a pleasure to stop the man: “I will take that for a long time, blocking the shot of one of the greatest players ever…” (Olivieri, PA Sports Ticker, 2008)

The Cats used Jordan’s presence as inspiration with Nazr Mohammed basically summing up the general consensus of all Charlotte players. “You're talking about the greatest player to touch a basketball…So, it's always great to get a chance to see the things he does and the way he approaches the game.” (Olivieri, PA Sports Ticker, 2008)

Sadly, for the Cats His Airness can’t suit up for them on a regular basis.

Today’s video is of the top 10 facial dunks of 2007. Enjoy.