MLB
Chipper_jones_dbfc
Two hitting coaches a real hit with Jones
Mlb_nldsst_louis_e4c9
Holliday, Cards ready to fill void left by Pujols
Tampa_bay_rays_e6b7
Longoria expects to healthy for spring training
Arizona_diamondbacks_vs_b771
Ryan Ludwick says Petco Park screwed up his swing
Picimg_mlb_apr_12_9bea
Rangers could be done dealing for time being

Lebron James = Michael Jordan circa 1989

Found May 27, 2009 on BlackSportsOnline:
PLAYERS: Michael Jordan,  LeBron James,  Joe Smith
TEAMS: Detroit Pistons,  Cleveland Cavaliers

One of the first sports books I ever read was "The Jordan Rules" by Stan Smith. One of the main features of the book was a philosophy by Detroit Pistons head coach Chuck Daly (RIP) on the best way to defend Michael Jordan.
The interesting thing was Daly knew you couldn't totally stop Jordan, but the plan was to force him to play 1 on 5 and to beat his brains in for the entire series.

Fast forward to 2009 and you are Lebron James. You have your "Scottie Pippen" Mo Williams not even playing to a Craig Hodges level (what was up with Mo almost crying after the game, dude is weird). Your big men are either statues (Big Z) or offensively challenged (Side Show Bob). You have a forward that is 100 years old (Joe Smith) and another one that is Wally Freakin Szerbiak for goodness sake. It is truly amazing (do not play that Kanye West song again!!!) that Lebron has kept this series with the Magic as close as it is.
.

Original Story: http://blacksportsonline.com/index/20...
7 Comments:
  • IM LIKE MIKE LAAAAAAARRRRRYYYY
    by MONSTER   May 27, 2009   Reply   Options  
  • I think the entire Cavs team lost some confidence and they aren't playing how they are capable. Orlando's defense isn't getting the credit it deserves either. They are intense, flying around, and playing hard.
    by jaymz77   May 27, 2009   Reply   Options   +1 Likes
  • It's not Lebron. He's playing the same as he did when they lost 2 -1 to Orlando in the regular series. Overall across the team they don't matchup well. You know this series is over because they've resorted to getting that sorry sideshow bob lookalike anderson varejao to foul Howard all game to try to provoke him to get another technical. That's your strategy?? Hang it up boys. See you next year. But Z is the missing link. Unless they can consistently get Z going, they're going to lose.
    by Somemo32   May 29, 2009   Reply   Options  
  • Its obvious the Cavs are going to lose the series. Lebron juat can not do it all by himself. Plus, the way Orlando is shooting the 3, and who down low is going to stop Dwight Howard. Obviously, Big Z shows he is afraid by posted up under the basket and being forced to foul him. As Lebron grows more and more, I believe we will be seeing plenty championships for Lebron somewhere else besides Cleveland.
    by trueaglesfan34   May 28, 2009   Reply   Options   +1 Likes
  • Cleveland could have had a chance on the paint D if they had a prime Olajuan (sp) or prime Motumbo.)
    by Shark151   May 28, 2009   Reply   Options  
  • They need to draft a dominant big man with post defense and some scoring ability if they want to contend to beat the Magic, or the Celtics next year. Imagine if the Celtics would have Garnett this postseason healthy, the Celtics would have repeated again.
    by trueaglesfan34   May 28, 2009   Reply   Options  
Yardbarker aggregates the latest sports news, rumors and gossip from around the web. We use proprietary algorithms to automatically categorize stories and associate photos with articles. If you feel an article was miscategorized, please email tagging@yardbarker.com.
THE BACKYARD
AROUND THE WEB
RELATED ARTICLES

NBA: LeBron vs. The Turkish Michael Jordan

Via Sheridan  |  May 26, 2009
Friday night LeBron James moved a chapter closer to basketball immortality with a game-winning three-pointer that rocked Cleveland, shocked Orlando and evened the series at 1-1. With one second remaining on the NBA Game 2 Eastern Conference Finals timepiece, James waged hand-to-hand combat versus the Turkish Michael Jordan, Hedo Turkoglu, and managed to briefly get free for a three...

Who’s Craig Ehlo? Lebron James Writes New Chapter In Cavs History

Via Not Qualified To Comment  |  May 26, 2009
If you didn’t catch it last night, Lebron made a ridiculous game-winner over Hedo’s outstretched arms with the clock expiring to catapult the Cavs to a 96-95 win.  For us Bulls fans, nothing will ever top Jordan’s shot on Ehlo (besides his shot on Russell and other MJ exploits, but that is besides the point), [...]

Game 5 Preview: Can Lebron Score Less and Win More?

Via OnlineSportsFanatic  |  May 28, 2009
I’m pretty sure the Cavaliers will be welcomed with a loud roar by the fans at Quicken Loans Arena tonight. The Cleveland fans know that a win tonight could spark the Cavs just enough to help them come from 3-1 down to win the Eastern Conference Finals. The electricity in the arena could be enough to get Cleveland through tonight, but it won’t be enough to get them through...

Kobe vs. Lebron is about to Become Dan vs Dave 2.0 in Marketing Fail

Via Koo's Corner  |  May 27, 2009
Leading up to the 1992 Olympic games, Reebok pumped millions of dollars into an advertising campaign many of us will still remember. Dan vs. Dave, featured 2 Decathletes who were viewed as the two favorites to win the gold medal. Why they chose Decathletes blows my mind, but at least they avoided Harding vs Kerrigan. Fast forward 17 years later and look what we have brewing. This...

Video ~ Homage to Whites in the NBA

Via Bob's Blitz  |  May 28, 2009
Thanks to Tirico for following Traina's tweets so closely we found this video that points out that Michael Jordan was only good because of white players. I'm caucasian. It's the reason. Michael... The full story can be read on http://www.bobsblitz.com

Nice Shot

Via Hail Mary Jane  |  May 26, 2009
LeBron James last second Buzzer Beater vs Magic LeBron James is getting pretty good. Not that that's news to any of you but things like this would even make Michael Jordan say "Damn, that was a nice shot." This will go down as one of the greatest shots in NBA history will be on [...]

LOTD: Video of LeBron James Legitimizing Jordan Comparisons With Game-Winning 3 to Beat Magic in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals

Via Midwest Sports Fans  |  May 26, 2009
Though sportwriters and bloggers around the country will try, there are few words worthy of encapsulating the greatness and meaning of the game-winning 3-pointer made by LeBron James last night to beat the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Watch the video, courtesy of Black Sports Online, and see why - for the first time - this writer truly looked at LeBron...

MAGIC WIN DESPITE ONE OF THE MOST HORRENDOUS CALLS IN NBA HISTORY

Via The World of Isaac  |  May 27, 2009
So basically, if you're Lebron James, you can just do the following...Drive to the basket, step on someone's foot, and do a soccer style dive to get the refs to call a foul...Shameful, just shameful

10 Evenly Matched NBA One on One Games From Different Eras That I’d Love to Watch

Via Uncoached Archived  |  May 26, 2009
It’s as good a topic as any in the NBA.  And with the finals around the corner the critics always like to use comparisons.  “The Next Michael Jordan,” or “The modern day Magic Johnson.”  It’s always fun to come up with scenarios and match ups that would be entertaining in the NBA. Whether it’s a team [...]

Staying Alive! Cavaliers Top Magic 112-102; Trail 3-2 In Series

Via Slam Dunk Central  |  May 28, 2009
It was white knuckle time at the start of the fourth quarter at the Q Arena in Cleveland Thursday night. The Cleveland Cavaliers were fighting for their NBA Playoff lives; trailing in the series 3-1 and in the game to the Orlando Magic 79-78. They had led by 22 points in the first quarter only to once again have blown the lead as they had numerous times previously in this series...

There is No Such Thing as 'Clutch Free Throws'

Via Sportz Assassin  |  May 27, 2009
I get into a little debate today at work. I told this guy that LeBron James came up lame during last night's game. King James turned the ball over 7 times during the fourth quarter and overtime including some very costly mistakes in the extra period.He countered with "how could you say that after he hit those huge free throws with 0.5 seconds remaining?" Are you serious...

Stars To Take On Bethpage Black

Via oobgolf  |  May 27, 2009
Justin Timberlake, Michael Jordan and Ben Roethlisberger will join one lucky guy, Phoenix policeman Larry Giebelhausen to play Bethpage Black a week before the US Open.

Does The “Cleveland Curse” Actually Exist?

Via Slam Dunk Central  |  May 27, 2009
I have always considered myself a very logical person. I do believe that dinosaurs once walked the earth and I also have no doubts that man has walked on the moon. Up until Tuesday night I also believed that there was no such thing as a curse or a jinx. By the time the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic in game four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals had ended however...

Harry Potter's Top 10 NBA Players

May 27, 2009
honorable mentions:dirk nowitzkijoe johnsonyao mingderon williams

Magic Get Over Time Victory Over Cavaliers 116-114; Lead Series 3-1

Via Slam Dunk Central  |  May 26, 2009
The Orlando Magic are now one game away from the NBA Finals as they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals in over time Tuesday night 116-114. The victory gives the Magic a 3-1 lead with game five on Thursday. The Cavaliers came back from a 6 point deficit in the fourth quarter to send the contest to overtime. However “Superman“  aka...
THE MLB HOT 40
1
AJ Burnett
Pirates Should Trade For Burnett
2
David Ortiz
Your Morning Dump...where the Sox sit down at the arbitration table with Ortiz.
3
Prince Fielder
Cecil Fielder publicly calls out his son Prince Fielder
4
Roy Oswalt
The Roy Oswalt Situation
5
Jose Canseco
Jose Canseco signs with Mexican team
6
Mike Napoli
Texas Rangers Sign Mike Napoli to One-Year, $9.4 Million Deal
7
Albert Pujols
2011 World Series Wrapup, Look Ahead to Post-Pujols Cardinals
8
Jon Garland
Indians, Garland agree to contract
9
Josh Hamilton
Rangers don't expect Josh Hamilton to report the spring training late
10
Brian Cashman
Brian Cashman Stocks Up on Yankees Perfume for Valentine's Day
11
Bryce Harper
This Bryce Harper Bowman Platinum Bat Plate card will fetch a pretty penny
12
Derek Holland
Would you look at Derek Holland!
13
Jeremy Guthrie
New Rockies pitcher Jeremy Guthrie taking questions for “Fan Mail”
14
Miguel Cabrera
Cabrera reportedly slimming down
15
Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun Drug Case Close To A Ruling?
16
Stephen Drew
Will Drew be ready opening day? Nobody knows
17
Asdrubal Cabrera
Cleveland Indians Sign SS Asdrubal Cabrera for One Year, $4.55 Million
18
Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw's Two Years 19 Million Is Simply A Band-Aid
19
Brian Wilson
The Giants Don’t Need Brian Wilson
20
Adam Wainwright
Adam Wainwright Player Projection No. 60
21
Lucas Duda
What Will We See Out Of Lucas Duda in 2012
22
Ozzie Guillen
Ozzie Guillen is Trying to Downplay Yoenis Cespedes To Other Organizations
23
Matt Holliday
Super Bowl a real Holliday for Cards star
24
Chipper Jones
Two hitting coaches a real hit with Jones
25
Jesus Montero
Trade Finalized between Mariners and Yankees for Pineda and Montero
26
Cole Hamels
MLB Rumors: Phillies President Says Extending Hamels Contract Isn’t Difficult
27
Nelson Cruz
Report: Rangers, Cruz working on new deal
28
Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick says Petco Park screwed up his swing
29
Tim Lincecum
San Francisco Giants Can Do Without Tim Lincecum
30
Ike Davis
New York Mets Could Have Something Special In Ike Davis
31
Zack Greinke
Player Profile #48: Zack Greinke | SP | MIL
32
Sandy Alderson
Was It a Good Idea for Sandy Alderson to Join Twitter?
33
Russell Branyan
New York Yankees May Have Found A DH In Russell Branyan
34
Jason Bay
Jason Bay Sees 30-Homer Seasons Ahead, Scout Disagrees
35
Gerrit Cole
36
Theo Epstein
Your Morning Dump... Where the Epstein drama is nearing its end
37
Evan Longoria
Longoria expects to healthy for spring training
38
Derek Jeter
Ageless Jeter first in camp — again — lending his guidance as he preps for stellar 2012
39
Casey Kotchman
Casey Kotchman!
40
Paul Konerko
Player Profile #50: Paul Konerko | 1B | CHW
Today's Best Stuff
For Bloggers

Join the Yardbarker Network (YBN) for more promotion, traffic, and money.
Company Info
Help
What is Yardbarker?

Yardbarker is the largest network of sports blogs and pro athlete blogs on the web. This site is the hub of the Yardbarker Network, where our editors and algorithms curate the best sports content from our network and beyond.