<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The start of the NBA playoffs brings mixed emotions. We can't really say the championship is on the line, because true contenders like the Pistons, Spurs and Mavericks won't be tested in the first round. We'll miss the league's worst teams, because no league combines misery and comedy like the NBA: this season, we had the Larry, Steph and Isiah Chronicles ... the Portland/Seattle "Who can leave the this wonderful corner of the country first? " contest ... Kevin Garnett's extremely lucrative prison term in Minnesota ... and, making a late but spirited entrance into the sweepstakes, here come Allen Iverson and Chris Webber, entering the 76ers' arena extremely late and with no spirit.But we can get excited anyway, especially if the alternative is, like, reading a book or something. And there is a reason to get excited about the start of the playoffs. LeBron James is already being mentioned as an MVP candidate ... and he's still only 21 years old. (Garrett W. Ellwood / Getty Images) LeBron James makes his postseason debut.What could happen?In his first playoff appearance, Magic Johnson led the Lakers to a championship ... as a rookie ... with a 42-point, 15-rebound, seven-assist title-clinching performance while playing out of position.In his first playoff appearance, Michael Jordan was actually quite mediocre by Michael Jordan standards. In other words, he was excellent: He averaged 29.3 points in a four-game series loss against Milwaukee. But the real "I'm here" moment came the next year, when Jordan scored a playoff-record 63 points in one game against the Boston Celtics, who were merely one of the finest teams ever.Why do Magic and Michael matter? Because James can be as good as either of them. Yes, either of them. I'll make my case quickly, before somebody comes barging through my door to smite me.James entered the NBA with more hype than any high school player ever ? and arguably more hype than any player, period. In three years, he has been better than anybody could have realistically expected ? yet, inexplicably, he is now underrated in some circles. A lot of people still don't understand how good he is ? not potentially, but right now. It is absurd for a 21-year-old to do what James is doing. For some perspective: James is only five months older than Chris Paul and a month younger than Andrew Bogut.He is the third-leading scorer in the NBA, an exceptional passer and a very good rebounder. His only real weaknesses are defense and free-throw shooting, but is there anybody who thinks those will be career-long weaknesses?With his coordination and scoring touch, James can easily become an 80-percent-plus free-throw shooter. And with his size, athleticism, and feel for the game, James can develop into an outstanding defender if he chooses. And the guess here is that he'll put in the effort to do just that.James is likely to finish in the top three in the MVP voting. The race is too close to call now, but the best guess is that James either wins the trophy or finishes second to Kobe Bryant. For comparison purposes: Jordan won his first MVP in his fourth season, when he was 25 (though admittedly, he had a Bird/Magic wall in front of him). Bryant, supposedly the Air heir, is six years older than LeBron ? and James is already on the same plane. Kobe is probably a better all-around player than LeBron right now (surely he is a better scorer), but he doesn't have LeBron's feel for the game ? and LeBron is more likely to improve his defense than Kobe is to connect with his teammates.The other knock on LeBron is that, until last month, he had never hit a game-winning shot in high school or the pros. But if you saw the end of James's epic duel with Wade a few weeks ago, you know that he makes plenty of down the-stretch plays to win games. The game-winning shots will come.LeBron is bigger than Kobe; bigger and a better shooter than Dwyane Wade; and as gifted athletically as either of them. These are fun arguments ? one would have to get really drunk to argue against any of these guys. They are all a joy to watch, all exceptional players. But arguments like LeBron vs. Kobe are a lot more entertaining than, say, Steve Blake vs. Chris Duhon. Long-term, I'll take LeBron in that fight. And the fight gets more interesting right about now.</div>Rosenberg is right. The real interest in the 1st round of the Playoffs is not Detroit or Dallas or the Spurs, it is whether or not Lebron will advance and also, how well he will play in the playoffs.
Lebron won't post 31 7 6 but he'll do good. He has a good mix of veteran players that will have to carry him. The series could go either way but I'm saying Cavs in 6. Wizards aren't that good of a team anyway. They're chemistry has started to click but I don't think they have enough talent.Hughes vs. Arenas should be interesting though.
I'm predicting that LeBron will not have a great playoffs. I'll look for him to struggle a little bit because its his first playoffs. Just like he used to struggle in clutch situations.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (anypoint @ Apr 21 2006, 05:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think Lebron will have a big series but his team will lose. Then everyone will blame Big Z and Co.</div>It always pisses me off when these so-called "analysts" (especially Greg Anthony) always claim LeBron doesn't have much help. Hello, have they even looked at the Cavs roster? He has much more help than Kobe does now, than Tracy McGrady had in Orlando, and Iverson had in Philly (back in the day).
There the article goes...comparing how Jordan did in his first game...eh...can't they just leave this kid alone and let him be LeBron instead of the second coming of whoever. He will do fine.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigMo763 @ Apr 21 2006, 06:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It always pisses me off when these so-called "analysts" (especially Greg Anthony) always claim LeBron doesn't have much help. Hello, have they even looked at the Cavs roster? He has much more help than Kobe does now, than Tracy McGrady had in Orlando, and Iverson had in Philly (back in the day).</div>T-Mac never got better than 8th place in a very weak East. Bron got his team a 50 win season and homecourt advantage. Their 2nd option was hurt 1/2 the year, too.IMO, Bron will do very well this post season, win in 5 to Wiz, then get swept by Pistons.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Apr 21 2006, 11:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>T-Mac never got better than 8th place in a very weak East. Bron got his team a 50 win season and homecourt advantage. Their 2nd option was hurt 1/2 the year, too.IMO, Bron will do very well this post season, win in 5 to Wiz, then get swept by Pistons.</div> Very good point.
His most reliable player this season was a guy who has no athleticism at all. Seriously, give Lebron props for what he has done with the Cavs this season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clutch_Melo_061 @ Apr 21 2006, 05:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I hope he goes insane so everone can leave him alone.35/7/7 would be nice.</div>With the Wizard's defense I expect those to be his numbers today.
He's doing really well today. He might get a triple double if he could grab more rebounds. He is just splitting the Wizards defense apart. He is sending great backdoor passes to guys like Gooden and Big Z. He's playing spectacular today.
I don't understand why anyone would doubt him.Believe it or not, there are some people out there who actually believe that he's just another All Star. Get it through your heads boys:This guy will be a top 5 player ever by the time he's 28If you actually doubt that statement, I want you to watch him play. There's just something special about him one immediately notices, that "it" factor. No one knows what "it" is, but he and DWade are the only players to have "it" in the league right now
Put a triple double in stone for Lebron's first playoff game. First of many to come.Great outing. The way he got his teammates involved was just spectacular, he would do those no look backdoor passes to his teammates. He just took control today. He went through the lanes with ease.This kid could damn well be the most skilled player ever to play the game of basketball.
As I said before, he will do very well in playoffs. As KMart said, he will be top 5 by the time he is 28. Right now, I feel he is JUST behind the best player in the NBA, Kobe Bryant (who is also something very special), and Kobe gets my nod mostly because of experience and more time to prove himself. Depending on how well he does in the playoffs and how well he can lead his team, I might put him over Kobe by the middle of May.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (anypoint @ Apr 23 2006, 10:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Ummmm, this was the Wizards...</div>Yea alot of players get 32, 11, and 11 against the Wizards in their first playoff game
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BCB @ Apr 21 2006, 11:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>There the article goes...comparing how Jordan did in his first game...eh...can't they just leave this kid alone and let him be LeBron instead of the second coming of whoever. He will do fine.</div> I told you.
