Wasn't all that Lebron-hype entering the 2006-07 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs just unbelievable? Everywhere you turned it was all about James rather than Tim Duncan and company, who had already been there, done that.
Sadly, the hype lasted longer than the actual series between the teams.
Surely, the Cleveland fans are now realizing how silly they looked wearing those black shirts that read "Witness" across the front, as the Spurs swept the Cavaliers in four straight games during the finals, which (thankfully) ended last week.
What I "witnessed" was a nervous, highly overrated young talent who failed to deliver down the stretch when it mattered the most.
Personally, I blame the media circus for why James had a sub-par performance in his first-ever NBA Finals. And James has literally been under the microscope since he was a freshman - in high school.
It's ridiculous how the press frequently refers to LeBron as "King James" or "The Chosen One."
King of what, exactly? King of trying to emulate arguably the greatest basketball player ever, Michael Jordan?
There is only thing that separates Jordan from all the rest, including James: the fourth quarter.
Jordan learned how to hit the clutch shots at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - just ask any one of the 1982 Georgetown Hoyas, since it was Jordan who hit the game-winning jump shot that inevitably changed his life forever. That specific shot gave him the courage to become invincible in his mind on the basketball court.
In comparison, James attempted to learn how to hit the big shots at St. Vincent - St. Mary High School in Akron - he just came up short, especially on the big stage.
What was supposed to be a thrilling and exciting series for James instead turned into one of the lowest-rated NBA Finals ever in a four-game sweep, deeming some critics to call him "LeBroom."
James was far from having the numbers His Airness posted in his first game of the finals, scoring 14 points, four assists and one steal compared to Jordan's 36 points, 12 assists and three steals. Although neither player won his first finals game, this certainly wasn't the series opener that James or NBA executives had wished for - period.
Arguably, the Cavs lost the series based on several factors (i.e. too young, not enough talent surrounding James). But in the end, it came down to James not being able to deliver in the fourth quarter, and as mentioned earlier that's what made Jordan so unique.
Combined, James had seven turnovers and visited the free-line just seven times in the fourth quarter of the series. He also had eight assists, which tells me that he didn't want the ball enough in the end.
Unlike James, Jordan was best-known throughout his career as being a clutch performer, especially during the fourth quarter with the game on the line. Jordan thrived, particularly during the playoffs, as he continuously demanded the ball as the seconds ticked down. (Air Jordan scored 5,987 points in the playoffs, which is the most in NBA history.)
Without question, James is an extremely talented basketball player with multiple tools. But I cringe whenever anyone bothers to waste their time trying to compare him to Jordan - it's simply not possible.
But in his first trip to the NBA Finals (four games), James averaged 22 points per game (36 percent), including 20 percent from 3-point range and 69 percent from the free-throw line. He also averaged nearly six turnovers per game (5.75).
In comparison, Jordan posted significantly better numbers during his first NBA Finals (five games), averaging 31.2 points per game (68 percent), including 50 percent from downtown and 85 percent from the free-throw line. He also averaged 3.6 turnovers per game.
One could argue that Jordan had Pippen, the biggest reason behind the six national titles, and until James finds a legitimate sidekick he will never win a ring. Others may argue that Jordan had the Zen Master - Phil Jackson, whereas James has Mike Brown - the second youngest coach in the NBA.
But at the end of the day, when it's all said and done, there will never be another Michael Jordan, no matter how badly the media tries to sell us on it; no amount of commercials, shoe endorsements and NBA analysts will ever change my mind.
James is one of my favorite theories why Commissioner David Stern decided to establish the NBA minimum-age rule last year. I'm convinced he enacted this rule because he knew his league hadn't been as great since Jordan left the court; he probably thought, after all, the next Jordan had indeed arrived in Lebron James, who could save the NBA.
Well, "King James" may have arrived alright - he's just not the heir to Jordan's court that everyone was looking, or even hoping, for.
Sadly, the hype lasted longer than the actual series between the teams.
Surely, the Cleveland fans are now realizing how silly they looked wearing those black shirts that read "Witness" across the front, as the Spurs swept the Cavaliers in four straight games during the finals, which (thankfully) ended last week.
What I "witnessed" was a nervous, highly overrated young talent who failed to deliver down the stretch when it mattered the most.
Personally, I blame the media circus for why James had a sub-par performance in his first-ever NBA Finals. And James has literally been under the microscope since he was a freshman - in high school.
It's ridiculous how the press frequently refers to LeBron as "King James" or "The Chosen One."
King of what, exactly? King of trying to emulate arguably the greatest basketball player ever, Michael Jordan?
There is only thing that separates Jordan from all the rest, including James: the fourth quarter.
Jordan learned how to hit the clutch shots at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - just ask any one of the 1982 Georgetown Hoyas, since it was Jordan who hit the game-winning jump shot that inevitably changed his life forever. That specific shot gave him the courage to become invincible in his mind on the basketball court.
In comparison, James attempted to learn how to hit the big shots at St. Vincent - St. Mary High School in Akron - he just came up short, especially on the big stage.
What was supposed to be a thrilling and exciting series for James instead turned into one of the lowest-rated NBA Finals ever in a four-game sweep, deeming some critics to call him "LeBroom."
James was far from having the numbers His Airness posted in his first game of the finals, scoring 14 points, four assists and one steal compared to Jordan's 36 points, 12 assists and three steals. Although neither player won his first finals game, this certainly wasn't the series opener that James or NBA executives had wished for - period.
Arguably, the Cavs lost the series based on several factors (i.e. too young, not enough talent surrounding James). But in the end, it came down to James not being able to deliver in the fourth quarter, and as mentioned earlier that's what made Jordan so unique.
Combined, James had seven turnovers and visited the free-line just seven times in the fourth quarter of the series. He also had eight assists, which tells me that he didn't want the ball enough in the end.
Unlike James, Jordan was best-known throughout his career as being a clutch performer, especially during the fourth quarter with the game on the line. Jordan thrived, particularly during the playoffs, as he continuously demanded the ball as the seconds ticked down. (Air Jordan scored 5,987 points in the playoffs, which is the most in NBA history.)
Without question, James is an extremely talented basketball player with multiple tools. But I cringe whenever anyone bothers to waste their time trying to compare him to Jordan - it's simply not possible.
But in his first trip to the NBA Finals (four games), James averaged 22 points per game (36 percent), including 20 percent from 3-point range and 69 percent from the free-throw line. He also averaged nearly six turnovers per game (5.75).
In comparison, Jordan posted significantly better numbers during his first NBA Finals (five games), averaging 31.2 points per game (68 percent), including 50 percent from downtown and 85 percent from the free-throw line. He also averaged 3.6 turnovers per game.
One could argue that Jordan had Pippen, the biggest reason behind the six national titles, and until James finds a legitimate sidekick he will never win a ring. Others may argue that Jordan had the Zen Master - Phil Jackson, whereas James has Mike Brown - the second youngest coach in the NBA.
But at the end of the day, when it's all said and done, there will never be another Michael Jordan, no matter how badly the media tries to sell us on it; no amount of commercials, shoe endorsements and NBA analysts will ever change my mind.
James is one of my favorite theories why Commissioner David Stern decided to establish the NBA minimum-age rule last year. I'm convinced he enacted this rule because he knew his league hadn't been as great since Jordan left the court; he probably thought, after all, the next Jordan had indeed arrived in Lebron James, who could save the NBA.
Well, "King James" may have arrived alright - he's just not the heir to Jordan's court that everyone was looking, or even hoping, for.
