I have never doubted LeBron James as being the toughest player to guard in the NBA. Not even for a second. This is why!
29.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, & 8.0 assists - The man doesn't need to take 30 shots a game to tear apart your defense. He is geting 8 assists per game with teamates that can barely catch without getting hit in the chest. Additionally, he is shooting almost .38% from behind the arc (an improvement carried over since his dominating summer play). The guy leads the league in scoring while manages to grab 8 boards and spit out 8 dimes on a nightly basis. Sickening isn't it?
Utah's coach, Jerry Sloan said: "That man is the toughest to guard, he does whatever it is he wants and we always have to throw 3 to 4 guys at him."
However, it isn't even his offensive game that drives me nuts. He is also averaging 1.8 steals and 1.7 blocks. Not only that, it appears nearly impossible to take him on in a one on one unless you are Carmelo Anthony or Kobe Bryant (but he can easily do the same to them, if not worse). In his first two seasons, you could easily see defenders taking it to LeBron. Last season, he showed us that he took a long stride with his lateral movement and rarely did he let people take it to him. This season however, he is playing some amazing help defense, blocking shots from behind in EVERY game in addition to his impeccable ability to steal the ball.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, LeBron James made it a personal goal to be on the All-NBA Defensive First Team. How does he find the time for this???
Cavaliers' coach, Mike Brown said: "LeBron wants to make a name for himself on that end of the floor because he knows defense wins championships. He leads by example and that can become contagious. LeBron's trying to definitely step up and get it done for us on defense."
One example was when he made a clutch defensive play (half block half steal) against the dominating former Cavaliers, Carlos Boozer, with 12 seconds left to seal the win. Watch video.
"I call those winning plays," said Brown, about James' blocked shots during fast breaks. "More importantly, he's busting his butt to catch people from behind to block those shots. Running people down on fast breaks, catching up and blocking their shot is a momentum changer. It's a winning play at a crucial time."
"Hopefully, we'll start to recognize he's a pretty good defender," Brown said. "As far as making the All- Defensive Team, he's not that far but my opinion doesn't count."
Watch videos of his block party against the Warriors!
Going at this rate, not only will he make the All-Defensive Team, he might even win the defensive player of the year award. And with that on his resume, the LeBron haters can finally stop giving themselves excuses for not recognizing him as the best player in the game today.
29.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, & 8.0 assists - The man doesn't need to take 30 shots a game to tear apart your defense. He is geting 8 assists per game with teamates that can barely catch without getting hit in the chest. Additionally, he is shooting almost .38% from behind the arc (an improvement carried over since his dominating summer play). The guy leads the league in scoring while manages to grab 8 boards and spit out 8 dimes on a nightly basis. Sickening isn't it?
Utah's coach, Jerry Sloan said: "That man is the toughest to guard, he does whatever it is he wants and we always have to throw 3 to 4 guys at him."
However, it isn't even his offensive game that drives me nuts. He is also averaging 1.8 steals and 1.7 blocks. Not only that, it appears nearly impossible to take him on in a one on one unless you are Carmelo Anthony or Kobe Bryant (but he can easily do the same to them, if not worse). In his first two seasons, you could easily see defenders taking it to LeBron. Last season, he showed us that he took a long stride with his lateral movement and rarely did he let people take it to him. This season however, he is playing some amazing help defense, blocking shots from behind in EVERY game in addition to his impeccable ability to steal the ball.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, LeBron James made it a personal goal to be on the All-NBA Defensive First Team. How does he find the time for this???
Cavaliers' coach, Mike Brown said: "LeBron wants to make a name for himself on that end of the floor because he knows defense wins championships. He leads by example and that can become contagious. LeBron's trying to definitely step up and get it done for us on defense."
One example was when he made a clutch defensive play (half block half steal) against the dominating former Cavaliers, Carlos Boozer, with 12 seconds left to seal the win. Watch video.
"I call those winning plays," said Brown, about James' blocked shots during fast breaks. "More importantly, he's busting his butt to catch people from behind to block those shots. Running people down on fast breaks, catching up and blocking their shot is a momentum changer. It's a winning play at a crucial time."
"Hopefully, we'll start to recognize he's a pretty good defender," Brown said. "As far as making the All- Defensive Team, he's not that far but my opinion doesn't count."
Watch videos of his block party against the Warriors!
Going at this rate, not only will he make the All-Defensive Team, he might even win the defensive player of the year award. And with that on his resume, the LeBron haters can finally stop giving themselves excuses for not recognizing him as the best player in the game today.
2 comments:
This guy is truly a freak of nature. All I can say is MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP
Thank you, im glad people are starting to give LeBron recognition for his much improved defense.
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