Sportsbybrooks.com found this intriguing post from a site called emptythebench.com. It analyzes the occasions when LeBron James is whistled for a foul (he complains just about every time, too). It comes up with some pretty amazing statistics to show that James' fouls are off-the-charts rare. The conclusion: "The numbers all come out so ridiculous, it’s undeniable that either a) we’re witnessing a defensive talent more capable than Bill Russell, or b) the NBA/referees are blatantly protecting him. That first one was meant to be a joke, by the way." Well worth a read.
My thoughts?
James is a pretty dadgum good player.
Deal with it, America.
Another amazing stat about LeBron has been his durability. He has played in 96.3% of the Cav's games since entering the NBA, missing just 20 games over 6 1/2 seasons. A number of those 20 games are ones that he was rested at the end of the season.
Compare that to some other players:
Kobe Bryant: 92.0% – 994/1080
Dwyane Wade: 80.8% – 434/537
Carmelo Anthony: 89.9% – 483/537
Jordan, like Kobe, was also at 92% (not counting his retirement/suspension). 86 of 93 games missed by Jordan were due to two injuries…a broken foot in his second season and a knee injury during his second comeback with Washington.
Michael Jordan: 92.0% – 1072/1198
Did you see Sasha Pavlovic's performance against the Cavs last night. 0/5 from the field and 0/2 from the free throw line (including an air ball).
And what's going on with the comments??? Are Alan and I the only two remaining readers? Did everyone else already bolt for fanhouse?
Hey Brian,
He is durable, but at some point you wonder if it will begin to take a toll on him.
As for the fouls committed by LBJ column, that was a rehash. Apparently that blogger can't come up with his own ideas.
HEY guys had to work today ..posting late the real Questions is why does Pat have to leave today to get to INDY? Is the ABJ low on funds and our Fast Typing Guinness drinking Folk Legend having to take an Amish buggy?????? OK as Alan would say cute the crap Pat and tell us the best place to throw one back in INDY..A full report will suffice ……
RK, I figured the reason Pat had not posted for a few days until today was because he was on a Greyhound coming back from Miami.
It was either steal the greyhound from the dog track and saddle up, or stuff himself in the back of a Volkswagen with Windhorst and Finnan like a circus clown. Needless to say, the odor from the dog was less offensive.
I can see this writer tried to word it carefully, but claiming that the idea that LeBron might be a "defensive talent more capable than Bill Russell" is ridiculous is a little off, I think. Talent wise, LeBron may be more capable–surely he's quicker, can probably jump higher, is almost as tall and probably can jump higher than Russell ever could. I'm sure he gets star treatment–even guys like Reggie Miller and Karl Malone got away with kicking folks every time they shot the ball or drove the lane–but LeBron also avoids fouls through sheer athleticism. I've never seen a player block so many layups from behind without fouling.
so how does he get back to MIAMI for the Stuper Bowel ……and why does he goes so long with no grog or blog then hammers us with 4 posts Pat are ya gettin gun shy ??? Have not seen the haters lurking for a while maybe they all have to clean up their moms basement ( ie: their bedroom) before she gives them back the computer ……….GO CAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do Windy and Joe REALLY smell that bad ive never met them …..Now Stephanie Schaffer on FOX8 cannot possibly smell bad that lady is WAY to HOT WE need a pic of her up here but i cant find one …..
http://community.fox8.com/_P1070373JPG/photo/4647553/92757.html
The author obviously hasn't spent much time watching LeBron play. If he did, he would see with his own eyes why he doesn't get called very often. As pointed out by many of the comments following the blog, he is mostly a careful defender. Look at his play on Dwayne Wade at the end of the Miami game. Using the clock, LeBron played just enough D to force Wade to take a low percentage long range shot, but gave him enough space to get it off cleanly. There was no chance of him fouling Wade. He plays most of his defense that way. It gives allows him to be aggressive when needed without having to worry about foul trouble. Whether that's his doing or the coach's, it's smart basketball.
As a Cavs fan, I don't want to hear any crying about favored treatment. The refs protected Jordan so much it was impossible to make a good defensive play on him. It cost the Cavs repeatedly. It's our turn, and frankly, I don't think LeBron is getting them on the offensive end.
RK, Stefani is HOT! But alan doesn't like her because he thinks she has had some enhancements done. Maybe he would prefer Wilma Smith. She hasn't had any cosmetic surgery (wink, wink).
I remember seeing Stefani jumped out of Slider's birthday cake at a Tribe game and thinking…THAT'S what I want for my birthday!