LeBron James | 2ndtakeonthebackpage

Oct 21 2012

MLB

The Psyche of A-Rod

Alex Rodriguez as taken much of the blame for the Yankees being swept, and he is partially to be blame, but why? Alex Rodriguez is in my opinion one of the weakest superstars in sports history. A-Rod’s problem is that he is too self-aware, much like how LeBron James was at the beginning of his career. A-Rod’s problem is that he is uncomfortable in his own skin, he’s a sensitive guy that can’t handle too much spotlight on him. He loves the glitz and glamour but he doesn’t want the responsibility that comes with it. A-Rod has a few good years left in him where he can contribute to a team, but in order for him to that he has to remember how good he can be. He has to go back to basic and fall in love baseball and not with himself. He’s not done yet, but if he continues to be self-absorbed and keeps refusing to accept the responsibility of his talents and gifts Alex will run the risk of damaging his legacy. If he doesn’t remind people of how great he can be, people will remember him as one of the most overpaid athletes of all time. My advice to A-Rod, don’t listen to the noise!

Tagged Alex Rodriguez, LeBron James, New York Yankees, Self-asbsorbed

Oct 21 2012

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Basketball, NBA Aside

Lebron James won’t be a Free Agent until 2014, but the speculation has already started as where he will end up. With an aging Dwyane Wade and Miami’s future in Lebron’s hands, where will LeBron go next If he decides to leave Miami? Some might describe LeBron as a ring chaser ever since he joined up with Wade and Bosh, but in today’s league, how many rings you get will determine your legacy. So could you blame him? He wants to be considered as one of the greattes to ever play.

So where does Chris Paul come in this conversation? LeBron James and Chris Paul are the best of friends, I would argue that he’s even more close to Paul than he is to Wade. And outside of Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul is one the most competitive players in the NBA, he wants to win BAD! If the situation is right and they can make it happen, LeBron James WILL pair up with Chris Paul to add rings on his resume. Obviously, the pair would have to have great role players along with them but don’t be surprised if you see these two as teammates within the next to years! Where will go? So which team will be able to afford the two superstars? Only time will tell!!!

LeBron James and Chris Paul: The Next Dynamic Duo?!

Tagged Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Miami Heat

Jun 25 2012

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Basketball, NBA

Will LeBron James go down as one of the top 10 to ever play?

One of 8 players in NBA history to ever win 3 MVP’s, one of 8 players in NBA history to score at least 2,000 points in seven straight seasons, one of 4 players in NBA history to average 20 points 5 rebounds and 5 assists in their rookie season. One of two players in NBA history to average 21 points 6 assists and 6 rebounds for six consecutive season, only behind Oscar Robertson, and finally the youngest player in NBA history to score 30 points in a game at 18 years and 334 days, and this list isn’t even exhaustive! Love him or hate him LeBron James at the age of 27 has already cemented his legacy as one of the all time greats. After finally capturing his much deserved NBA title LeBron has left no room for his critics to say that he can’t be mentioned in the same breath as Micheal Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, or Kobe Bryant. Granted its only one ring, but LeBron put the Miami Heat on his back, with a injured Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh during the season and postseason, and inconsistent bench, many thought that even if LeBron won a ring it wouldn’t be as significant because he’d be playing along two other great players. That argument was completely debunked by LeBron’s play this season, it was clear that it was LeBron’s team and it was even more clear that if it wasn’t for LeBron Miami wouldn’t have won the title this year. James made up for Dwyane inconsistent play at times and Bosh’s absence during the season. He covered many of Miami’s flaws. At 6-8 250 plus, the NBA has never seen a player like LeBron. Is he Jordan? No. Is heMagic? No. In my opinion he’s a mixture of both! He’s one of the best, if not the best passer the game has ever seen (with the exception of Magic), especially for a man his size. His chase down blocks, defensive prowess, rebounding, and ability to finish at the rim, is a combination of skills the league has never seen in one player before. James is only going to get better, his play in the paint has greatly improved, his jump shot is much better, and he even developed a nice push shot/ teardrop to his game. With these added dynamics to his game LeBron James will be more unstoppable next season. James is a unique player, the player of the decade and a player that more than deserves to be considered one of the top ten players to ever play. His ring only validates what we already knew, there will never be another player like James and to me that’s worthy enough to put him in the 10 to ever play.

*stats provided by NBA.com, ESPN.com, Newobserver.com, and Wikiapedia

Tagged LeBron James, Miami Heat

Jun 24 2012

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Basketball, NBA

Chris Bosh is not cool- you know what that’s ok.

I previous wrote an article where I delved into why I didn’t like Chris Bosh http://2ndtakeonthebackpage.com/tag/chris-bosh/, reading back on that article I may have been a little harsh. Bosh played big in the playoffs especially The Finals where he averaged around 14pts, 9 rebs, and 1blk per game all this coming off a serious abdominal injury. Any time Bosh needed to step up big in these playoffs he did whether it was knocking down those huge threes in-game 7 of the conference finals vs. Boston or hitting the glass when it mattered the most in The Finals vs. Thunder. So I can’t hate on Chris Bosh’s game, and truth be told I can’t hate on Bosh off the court he’s really not a bad guy he just NOT A COOL GUY & THAT’S OK. If you saw Bosh’s celebration after the game in the locker room, you can see what I’m talking about it. He just a bit awkward in his movements he just can’t pull of the Champaign celebration like LeBron and Wade. The thing with Bosh is that he doesn’t carry around the same cool cachet that LeBron and Wade do, and to lumped into with Wade and LeBron you are constantly reminded that Bosh doesn’t belong. He’s a good guy but not a cool guy. I’m going to officially lay off of Bosh because he has enough internet haters and I have chosen not to be one of them. So congratulations Mr. Bosh I’m genuinely happy for you and your family.

Tagged Celebration, Champaign, Chris Bosh, cool cachet, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, NBA Championship, not cool

Jun 21 2012

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Basketball, NBA

LeBron James will officially be crowned King tonight!

LeBron James is the most scrutinized player in the NBA, perhaps in the whole the sports world; a fact that has prevented him from closing out series in his previous years. However, LeBron James is Locked in this season, he has been playing his best basketball and whether you love him or hate him he’s proven this season that he’s not scared of being on the big stage. Tonight will be the ultimate test! Will we see LeBron shrink up, or will he show up and win his ring? I believe he will show up and finally win his much deserved ring! James has taken measures to block out all the noise of twitter, and ESPN. He’s just focused on playing the game and winning, and is less concerned about what people are talking about and his game has shown that he’s focused only on basketball. The numbers that he’s put up have been simply unbelievable. We’ll see tonight if LeBron shines in the biggest game of his life, my bet is that he will!!!!

Tagged LeBron James, Miami Heat

Jun 07 2012

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Basketball, NBA

Does Coach Spo have to go? What’s wrong with the Miami Heat?!

The Miami Heat were the prohibited favorites to win the title this year! Especially with injuries that have plagued the league all season, most notably Derrick Rose tearing his ACL, the table was set for the Heat to cruise through the Eastern Conference Finals. However, with a lost to Boston on Tuesday night the and lets night forget the big public blow out Wade and Spoelstra had in Indiana, the Heat seem to crumbling. All fingers have been pointing to Coach Spo, but all the blame shouldn’t be put on him; he’s doing what he can to Coach two of the league best and arguably most egotistical pair of superstars in the game. Even though Spoelstra is young, the Heat’s two superstar need to respect him. Keep in mind Wade and Spoelstra had a great relationship prior to LeBron James coming there, and it seems like instead of Dwyane Wade stepping up to back the coach he’s too concerned with trying to be LeBron James best buddy, and in my opinion herein lies the problem. Spoelstra is tired of Wade trying to be LeBron James best friend, and Dwyane Wade finds it hard to separate his friendship with James and be a leader to his team, after all he is the one with championship ring! Part of blame should go Pat Riley, I’m just speculating but I don’t think that Riley has called a meeting between James, Wade, and Spoelstra to help smooth out the tension going on between these three people. If Riley would back up Spoelstra Wade and James would be more likely to follow. So who is to blame? In my humble opinion I would say everybody in the organization! Everyone from Pat Riley, to Wade, and Coach Spoelstra who still is trying to figure out his line up. Will Spoestra be there next year? Probably not, but it not because he is a bad coach, it is because he simply isn’t the right guy to coach two superstars in his young career.

Tagged Coach Spoelstra, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Miami Heat

May 14 2012

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Basketball, NBA

Chris Bosh out Indefinitely: The Injury Bug Hits the Heat Hard

Chris Bosh gets ragged on for being the perpetual third wheel of the Miami Big Three, but everyone knows that he is the vitally important in Miami winning a championship. While Bosh isn’t a post player he often creates a mismatch for the opposing big man on the offensive end. Miami is very thin behind the big three, and now with Bosh being out indefinitely it puts their championship aspirations in real jeopardy. The Miami Heat will have no problem taking care of the Pacers, but they will have a tough series against Boston if it plays out that way. If they do make it to the Finals and face the Thunder or the Spurs with out Bosh the Heat will definitely not win the title this year. I don’t root for the Heat ~~no one wants to see Boston and San Antonio~~, but I hate that injuries are determining the playoffs this year. This is LeBron time now to will his team to win, if LeBron pulls this off this maybe the greatest accomplishment of his NBA career.

Tagged Big Three, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, playoffs, Spurs, Third Wheel, Thunder

Apr 20 2012

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Basketball, NBA

Bulls need to Buck UP!!!!!!

Lets just get this out-of-the-way I am a huge Bulls fan, I lived through and celebrated 6 championships of Bulls in the 90s. So now that Bulls after years of torture post Micheal Jordan-finally have a chance to return our Championship glory. But yesterday after seeing the Bulls get punked by the soft Miami Heat. I know Derrick Rose was not playing yesterday and Miami was out for revenge, but when Dwayne Wade body checked Rip Hamilton the Bulls did not make sure Wade paid for when he drove to the hole the next time. Then when LeBron James gave a hard screen to John Lucas III, the Bulls didn’t respond on the court they basically gave Miami the game. Then the James Jones flagrant 2 against Noah. The Bulls have got to Buck up!!!!! The time is now!!!!! The Bulls are 7-6 in their last 13 games, and with a terrible lost to Washington at home, and then struggling against Detroit, the Bulls have to get together now or never. Miami is on their usual front running hot-streak- the Bulls have got be tougher. They have to get mad and angry!!!!! It scares me as a Bulls fans that Bulls are not playing their best basketball right before the playoffs. I hope the Bulls get out of this terrible funk that their in and start playing much better. I’d hate to see Bulls face a disappointing playoffs again.

Tagged Buck up, Bulls, Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Dwayne Wade, John Lucas III, LeBron James, Miami, playoffs

Mar 27 2012

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Basketball, NBA

My thoughts on Trayvon Martin: and How the Miami Heat Picture is Offensive

Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman

The Trayvon Martin case has captured the nation. The case has rightfully so brought up issues such as racial profiling and police protection for and of minorities. In recent days a clearer picture of Trayvon Martin has emerged. Martin’s parents confirmed reports that Trayvon was suspended for having a baggie with marijuana residue. There have also been news reports that Trayvon may have once at school had a screwdriver that resembled a burglary tool. And many people are using these incidents to say that Trayvon was a thug and therefore neighborhood watchmen George Zimmerman was right to pursue him when he was walking down a quiet cul de sac in Stanford, Fl.

However, George Zimmerman did not know any of that when he called the police on February 26-All Star Sunday. All Zimmerman knew about Trayvon was that he was black, with a hoodie, and looked suspicious. After the police told Zimmerman to not follow Trayvon he continued to pursue and told the dispatcher “they always get away.” After Trayvon realizes that Zimmerman is following him a scuffle ensues and Trayvon Martin ends up dead.

The police investigation that followed stated that George Zimmerman said that Trayvon threw the first punch and then he just reacted and that’s the reason why Trayvon was ended up dead on grassy plain of a cul de sac. The Stanford, Fl police believed him based on the Stand Your Ground Law. Because Trayvon is dead we do not know his side of the story. We do know that he was on the phone with his girlfriend but the police did not decide to talk to her about Trayvon side. The police along with Zimmerman figure just another young black man was dead and it didn’t matter.

The Miami Heat Picture:

On March 23, 2012 LeBron James tweeted a picture of the Miami Heat team wearing hoodies in solidarity for Trayvon Martin. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade often and rightfully so get a lot of flack for teaming up to be a super team. But James and Wade stood up for a cause and applaud them for taking a stand and OFFENDING THE NOTION THAT TRAYVON MARTIN’S LIFE DID NOT MATTER. James and Wade know growing up in Akron and Chicago that being black and male is a dangerous combination. And even though they have reached heights that some only dream of –they are firmly aware that they are black males. They understand that they too can be the victims of racial profiling. James and Wade offended that notion that black athletes only care about their money, and they are simply pawns for their team and the companies they endorse. I just want to be the one of many who applauds Dwayne Wade and LeBron James and all the Miami Heat for offending the very stereotype that made Trayvon suspicious and that cost Trayvon his life.

*Please leave your thoughts, comments, and your reactions.