I find it interesting that in the week prior to these two meeting up they've both acheived feats that haven't been done in decades. Kobe became the first person since Wilt in 1964 to score 45 points in four consecutive games. Lebron recently became the first player to get at least 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists in seven consecutive games since Oscar Robertson did it in 1966. Should be an interesting matchup tonight.
I didn't realize that LeBron stat. Wow, I think that's even more impressive than Kobe's streak of 45 point games.
The numbers go even further get this: LeBron James is currently averaging 30.8 points on .501 shooting, 6.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Michael Jordan (89-90 and 88-89) is the only other player in NBA history to have ever averaged those numbers or better for an entire season. Kobe bryant is averaging 34.3 ppg, the most any player has averged since you guessed it, Michael Jordan in the 86-87 season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Johnnybrasco:</div><div class="quote_post">The numbers go even further get this: LeBron James is currently averaging 30.8 points on .501 shooting, 6.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Michael Jordan (89-90 and 88-89) is the only other player in NBA history to have ever averaged those numbers or better for an entire season. Kobe bryant is averaging 34.3 ppg, the most any player has averged since you guessed it, Michael Jordan in the 86-87 season.</div> And Jordan accomplished it an an era where the game was much faster paced (more opportunities for scoring, rebounds, and assists) and where average fg% was much higher. Pretty amazing.
I'm always amazed how easy the game comes for LeBron James. He's only 21, and has become one of the best players in the league. If Damon Jones can shoot a higher clip the rest of the way, I think LeBron can get his assist total back to 7 per game. Without Hughes tonight, I'm curious to see if the Cavs put James on Kobe. Againt Houston, LeBron had to matchup with TMac and got exploited on defense. If he guards Kobe tonight, he's going to get carved up again on defense. Right now LeBron is more inclined to be a weakside defender, shooting the passing lanes for steals and not going man on man with a high scoring opponent. The key for the Lakers tonight though is not the LeBron v. Kobe matchup. It's the rebounding and defense. They have to keep Gooden and James off the offensive glass and not allow Ilgauskas to get easy second chance opportunities when LeBron penetrates. Last night the Blazers killed the Lakers on the inside and it opened up the looks for their guards. The Lakers can allow LeBron to be a scorer tonight, but don't let anyone else get hot. When LeBron is forced to take a lot of shots and carry the scoring load all by himself, the Cavs usually lose. They are more deadly when LeBron is getting his teammates involved and making teams pay for double teaming him. I'm looking forward to this game tonight. Go Lakers!
These two guys are just nasty. Lebron is becoming an elite player, and one of the best to ever play. Bron will get the W tonight, but Kobe will be the high scorer.
i love watchin lebron play, he always finds a way to get to 50% shooting and get like 6 and1s and a crazy dunk, a few fade aways
I'm also keeping an eye on the A.I vs. Kobe battle for the scoring title, they're both putting up over 30 points a night.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting virve119:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe is going to go off tonight. Whoever guards him, Lebron and Jones are both terrible defenders.</div> LeBron isn't a "terrible" defender. He's merely average.
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation...g?event_id=1969 You guys should all take this poll on ESPN, it has various questions involving the two. Apparently more people would want to play on Lebron's team in a pick up game.
