The LeBron James Saga

by Brandon "BKP" Plowden

LeBron James entered the NBA with a wealth of expectations back in 2003. He was deemed as the next prodigy and face of the league with even a hint at becoming the next Micheal Jordan. We all know that there will never be another MJ but there have been players that have come close to his resemblance such as Kobe Bryant, Eddie Jones, Vince Carter, Dwayne Wade, and of course Lebron himself. Although many will tell you there are no two players that are the same, few will argue that the aforementioned names above almost came close. LeBron’s skillset can be compared more to that of a combination of Magic Johnson and Oscar Robinson, but his style of play is something that the league has never seen before.

Since his inception in 2003 he has lived up to the hype by winning numerous awards. He won the 2003-2004 rookie of the year award, All-NBA and All-Star participant since since his rookie year, back to back MVP awards, 2 olympic medals of bronze and gold, and even a lone finals appearance in 2007 where he gave way to the Spurs to sweep the Cavs 4-0. However, even with all of the accomplishments in such a short time he still has not been able to eclipse the mark of obtaining an NBA championship. Why has he not been able to accomplish this goal? Many would say that he doesn’t possess the vocal and mental leadership qualities needed to carry a team, or that he doesn’t have the ability to take over a game in crunch time. In my opinion, I believe it may be a combination of the two with a few extra additives such as a lack of leadership at the coaching ranks and the non-existence of a #2 option. Lets take a look at the teams that LeBron has played on:

2003-2004; Record 35-47 (Rookie Year) Starters only

-Lebron, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Ricky Davis, Carlos Boozer, Jeff McInnis

2004-2005; Record 42-40

-Lebron, Big Z, Drew Gooden, Jeff McInnis, Ira Newble

2005-2006; Record 50-32

-Lebron, Big Z, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Eric Snow

*2006-2007; Record 50-32

-Lebron, Big Z, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Eric Snow (this is the finals team that was dominated by Tim Duncan and the Spurs on all levels)

2007-2008; Record 45-37

-Lebron, Big Z, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Damon Jones

2008-2009; Record 66-16

Lebron, Big Z, Anderson Varejoa, Delonte West, Mo Williams

2009-2010; record 61-21

Lebron, Shaquille O’Neal, Anderson Varejoa, Anthony Parker, Mo Williams

Now that we have a preview of the former role players that LeBron has played with lets identify one or more players that you can make a ligitimate case for as a reliable option at number 2. (*cricket sounds*) time passes (*jeopardy music playing*). Ok time is up, who were you able to identify? No one you say? How could that be? Well they went to the finals in 2007 so how is there not a #2 option? They had the best regular season record in 2008 and again in 2009, how could that be? Well my friend I will attempt to answer for you.

Judging from the rosters above it appears that LeBron was on the court manhandling the league and every opponent he faced which in turn caused an intimdation factor. He led his team in points, assists, and rebounds at times and was the most feared defender in the game so when you have a player on your team of that maginitude you cannot help but feel that you’re going to win each time your team steps on the floor, hence the reason for the astonishing team records. There is not another player above that you can make an argument for to say that he was able to pick up the load on any given night that Lebron was rusty. No team has ever won a NBA championship with one player ever! MJ had Pippen as a reliable sidekick, Duncan and Robinson, Hamilton and Billups, Magic and Kareem, Magic and Worthy, Bird and McHale, Isaiah Thomas and Dumars, Olajuwon and Horry, Pierce and Garnett/Allen, Shaq and Kobe/Horry, Kobe and Gasol, and Russell and Havlicek. All of those duos have been able to accomplish a goal together. LeBron has not had the luxury of that experience just yet, but at the tender age of 25 he is bound to link up with that #2 option that will eventually become the force of the league.

Now as for the other point I mentioned in regard to the lack of leadership at the coaching position and Mike Brown. In my opinion he is not the caliber of coach that would able to lead a championship contender to the end. Sure he led his team to the best regular season record but as it relates to the playoffs this is a time when major adjustments need to be made. Adjustments need to be recognized during the NBA trade deadline, during the allstar break, all the way up to the time the playoff bell rings when players and coaches lay it all on the line. Mike Brown is not an “x’s and o’s” type of coach which was clearly evident during the 2008-2009 playoff match against the Orlando Magic. I remember seeing the Cavs call a timeout and the assistant coaches drawing up plays for the team in crunch time, while Mike Brown observed as if he was an assistant. Who does that? Not a grade A caliber coach I’ll tell u that. Also do you think Brown would ever be able to coach in a major basketball market as the head coach of the NY Knicks, Dallas, LA Lakers, Chicago, or Orlando? No! The GM’s of that market are smart enough to recognize that he is only a scapegoat type of coach or someone who’s good but nowhere near the potential of becoming great. I can also blame the downfall of Cleveland on their GM and talent scouts. They have had a poor judgement of talent and remind me of those sports nerds who think they know talent or know how the game goes but never stepped foot on a basketball court.

I’m done with this analysis of the Cavs because their moves have been ridiculously horrible and the city can place the blame on the manaagement because its evident. However a good friend of mine made a point when he said that if you praise the leader of a team in the glory moments then you must place high scrutiny and blame on him during the low times as well. However Im only giving a “partial blame” to LeBron and the rest to management and unreliable role players. So until the front office recognizes the same things I did above LeBron will never live up to the nickname of “King James” or more imporrtantly will never win a ring. Will he stay in Cleveland for them to make these changes? That’s another debate.

~Signature BKP signing off