noah
This picture sums up everything I'm feeling right now.

Dwyane Wade's dunk fail: In the early stages of the game, Marv Albert, Reggie Miller and Steve Kerr went on about how unhappy Wade was about his lousy shooting in Game 3, and how he did extra shooting, great players work hard, yada, yada, yada. That conversation led brilliantly into this:


Derrick Rose saw that missed dunk and raised three nasty ones:


Unfortunately, if you subtract those jams, Rose went 5-for-24. More on that below.

The Chicago Bulls: Things started out so well for the Bulls. They raced out to a 19-8 lead with 4:22 left in the first quarter...then bad things happened.

Very bad things.

Very bad offensive things.

The shivering terror actually started exactly at the 4:22 mark when Ronnie Brewer clanked the free throw half of an "And 1" opportunity.

Keith Bogans went on to brick three-pointers on Chicago's next two possessions. Why would Bogans ever shoot threes on back-to-back possessions, you ask? Because the Heat left him wide open, of course.

Rose followed Bogans' bricks with a three-point clunker of his own.

Then Carlos Boozer went 0-for-2 from the line and shanked an open 19-footer in consecutive scoreless possessions.

Then Bogans missed another three.

Then Rose committed a turnover on Chicago's final possession of the quarter.

That's right. After taking that 19-8 lead, the Bulls didn't score again during the first quarter despite having several open shots. That 12-minute sequence ended 19-16. I really believe that four-minute drought cost the Bulls the game. They had a very real chance to take complete control and didn't do it. That's just one of many things that will haunt them about this particular loss.

So many wasted opportunities. The Bulls bobbled the ball away 22 times for 26 points going the other way. That combined with their 38-22 disadvantage in free throw attempts offset their 26 fast break points and the staggering 44-24 advantage in points in the paint. Chicago also played tough defense, forcing King Crab (11-for-26) and Pookie (5-for-16) into off nights. Bosh was 6-for-12, but five of his six made field goals were from 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 feet. The Bulls forced him to shoot contested jumpers...he just made 'em.

The Bulls didn't make 'em. In all, they went 16-for-57 on jumpers (28 percent) and only 6-for-24 on threes (25 percent). Sometimes they were open. Sometimes they weren't. It didn't seem to matter either way.

Chicago's Bench Mob: LeBron (35 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals) was seemingly the consensus Player of the Game, but his plus-minus score was -1. Dwyane Wade's was -10. But check out the borderline absurd plus-minus stats of Miami's reserves: Mike Miller (+36 in 26 minutes), Udonis Haslem (+25 in 34 minutes) and Mario Chalmers (+10 in 21 minutes).

Chicago's reserves? Borderline absurd in the other direction: Taj Gibson (-21 in 10 minutes), Ronnie Brewer (-12 in 21 minutes), C.J. Watson (-12 in seven minutes), Kyle Korver (0 in 16 minutes) and Omer Asik (0 in two minutes).

The Bench Mob was supposed to be the Bulls' biggest advantage against the top-heavy, bottom-weak Heat. Unfortunately, they were thoroughly outplayed by their Miami counterparts last night. Particularly Miller, who grabbed 9 big rebounds and scored 9 points in the fourth quarter, drilling two key jumpers and even driving into the jaws of Chicago's defense for a layup that tied the game at 80-80 with 3:15 left.

Speaking of which...

Kyle Korver: With his tattoos and wacky hair, Miller looks like Korver's Bizarro World counterpart, and his return to basketball life casts a harsh light on Kyle's fade into oblivion. As Jeff Fogle of Hoopdata points out: "Tonight's 2 of 6 brings him to 25 of 77 from the floor over the last 12 games, with eight rebounds in 172 minutes."

Here's the thing: I don't begrudge Korver any shot. That said, I don't think Chicago's offensive sets are getting him clean looks at the basket. Too many of his shots are contested and forced.

On that subject...

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau: There's no question that the man can coach the absolute living hell out of a defense. But, at times, the offense looks like it's still running sets out of Vinny Del Negro's playbook. Especially in critical situations. In Chicago's last two possessions of regulation, Thibs put Rose on an island against LeBron. The result: A 6'2" guard forcing two contested 18-footers over a 6'9" athletic freak.

Not good shots.

From my living room, I was screaming for the Bulls to run an offensive set -- any set -- rather than bailing out and using an iso.

But, again, we should have seen that coming. The Bulls have been "cheating" all season, devolving into "give Rose the ball and get out of the way" mode every time the going gets tough. Credit Derrick for repeatedly coming through, which was probably a major factor in his winning the MVP. But then you also have to credit the Heat for repeatedly throwing new looks at him in this series. This time, they turned to LeBron down the stretch, something they hadn't really done yet in this series.

It worked.

Given time, Rose has figured out pretty much every defense that's been thrown at him. He didn't have time -- or, really, the energy -- to figure this one out. I'm not sure how much input Pat Riley is giving Erik Spoelstra at this point, but Riley did the same thing when he was coaching the Lakers in the 1980s. He was always throwing new defensive wrinkles at Larry Bird, trying to get Bird out of his comfort zone. Riley went with waves of defenders (first Michael Cooper, then James Worthy, then Mychal Thompson, and so on) and waves of doubles coming from a variety of directions. The Heat have been employing similar tactics against Rose.

And is has worked.

Derrick Rose: The Miami defense really put him in a box, didn't it?

For instance:


And:


About a month ago, I wrote that talent usually wins out in the NBA playoffs, and that Miami's Big Three would probably trump Chicago's Big One.

It was a bitter prediction that's coming true right before my eyes.

People are going to look cross-eyed at Rose for his shooting (8-for-27) and his turnovers (7), and rightly so. I'm sure some fans are contacting a repo man about taking back Derrick's MVP award. I'm also sure LeBron knows exactly how that feels. The previous two seasons, his Cavaliers compiled the league's best record while he won back-to-back MVP awards, and then those squads got soundly bounced by more talented teams.

In point of fact, last season, the Celtics wiped both Wade's Heat and LeBron's Cavs off the playoff map. Which, we have been led to believe, is what convinced them to join forces in Miami.

Rose missed a free throw with 1:09 left in regulation that, considering neither team scored again until the overtime session, might very well have won the game. Then there were the two missed jumpers over LeBron. I'm sure those three misses will haunt him. So will the unforced turnover he committed with 1:05 left in OT and the Bulls down only 93-89.

He gave his all. He came up short. Like I said, LeBron knows all about that.

Chicago's mental lapses: Said Joakim Noah: "Sometimes effort isn't enough. You got to do more than that. We had mental lapses. We can't turn the ball over against this team at all because they get on the break and they're really tough to stop in that situation.

"I feel like every game is a little bit like that. Even the games that are eight, 10 points. If you're watching closely, all these games are so close. They're played at one or two possessions, so a few of these turnovers, I missed a few easy baskets around the rim. Those are things I'll think about all night probably."

Turnovers?

The Bulls committed 22 in all. The Heat scored 26 points off of them.

Mental lapses?

Like when Luol Deng threw the ball away on an inbounds pass with 1:36 left in overtime and the Bulls down only 93-89? Or, on Chicago's next possession after LeBron missed a 21-footer, when Derrick Rose drove into the paint and simply lost his handle on the ball?

Those particular miscues were part mental lapse and part fatigue. The Bulls were absolutely out of gas at that point. At least by the looks of it. I've watched enough basketball and played enough pickup ball to recognize the effects of fatigue. On the road, against the wall, with guys closing in on 50 minutes of PT, facing a killer defense energized by its home crowd and the opportunity to put the series in a submission hold, the Bulls succumbed.

In overtime, talent won out, and Miami's three stars were overpowering.

Bosh scored the first four points of OT on two free throws and an icy cold jumper from 20 feet. The Bulls got an unlikely three-bomb from Brewer, but Wade responded by drilling a 19-footer right before the shot clock expired. Carlos Boozer muscled his way into a foul at the other end but missed the second freebie. On the other end, LeBron drove in for a layup. The Bulls called time and that led to Deng's botched inbound pass, then LeBron's missed jumper, then Derrick's turnover, then a layup by Wade.

On the other end, Wade blocked a shot attempt by Deng. Lu got it back and Wade fouled him, after which Deng hit both free throws to pull the Bulls to within four points. James hit another mid-range jumper to push the lead back to six points. Rose drove madly the other way and had his layup attempt swatted by Wade. In the ensuing scramble for the ball, the Heat simply outfought the Bulls. Wade then iced things with a couple free throws.

We can talk free throws and fast breaks and turnovers and bench play and whatever else. But in those final few minutes, the talent and will of Miami's three stars was too much. Just too much.

The Bulls still have pieces on the board. But last night's loss felt like checkmate.

Miami's flopstravaganza: With 10:18 left in the fourth quarter and the Bulls leading 69-68, LeBron James drew an offensive foul on Luol Deng courtesy of an egregious flop. Seriously, LeBron -- possibly the most powerful physical specimen in the league (or second to Dwight Howard) -- dropped like he got face-punched by Ivan Drago. He did the same thing in Game 3. The most annoying part was after his obviously exaggerated fall, he grinned like an idiot and nodded vigorously to his teammates while wagging his tongue.

Really? The mighty LeBron needs to flop?

With 4:39 left and the Bulls leading 77-74, Chris Bosh flopped his way to this flagrant foul:


Shame on you, Steve Kerr, for applauding and supporting Bosh's theatrics. Still, I can see why it was called a flagrant. My issue with it is that something very similar happened between Boozer and Udonis Haslem earlier in the game, only Boozer calmly stood up to Haslem's thuggary and -- of course -- wasn't given the flagrant. So I guess maybe Kerr was right. Maybe Boozer should have taken a dive.

The Boshtrich's flop initiated a huge swing. He hit both free throws and, when the Heat got possession back afterward, Mike Miller drilled a jumper to put Miami up a point. Fans and, supposedly, players talk up the importance of toughness, but once again bravely flopping in the face of physical contact continues to give teams a significant advantage.

Update! Officiating: Great players don't need extra steps to hit clutch shots...but it sure does help, doesn't it?


Chris' Playoff Lacktion Report: Omer Asik fouled twice in 113 seconds for a +2 and a 2:0 Voskuhl. (Lacktion negated due to injury, as noted by Dan B.)

Labels: , ,

42 Comments:
Blogger Doug H. said...
I'll wager it wasn't lost on Rose that he was left on an island and James and Wade weren't.

Or that it was lost on Dwight Howard. Or Chris Paul. Or maybe even Kevin Durant at this point. Hell, Blake Griffin too.

The Association really is fucked, isn't it?

Blogger Cortez said...
"In Chicago's last two possessions of regulation, Thibs put Rose on an island against LeBron. The result: A 6'2" guard forcing two contested 18-footers over a 6'9" athletic freak."

That exactly what should have happened only the shot should've been a hard drive to the basket and a strong finish or a dish to the help defenders guy instead of a step back jumpshot after dribbling for what seems like an eternity. I assume Rose was fatigued though. Plus, afterall, Boozer is his #2 threat.

Pshaw!

David Thorpe (and others) constantly writes about going into defenders in front of you with overhanded layups instead of practically inviting blocks with this underhanded scoop nonsense. Rose brought those two blocks on himself. Great defense? Not really just defense on a bad offensive tactic.

Overall, the Heat look just as shitty as the Bulls.

Anonymous kazam92 said...
I still think you could find a pickup baller to do what Mike Bibby is paid to do and get better results. He's become Miami's Keith Bogans

Blogger Wormboy said...
Matt, glad to hear you were screaming at your TV like I was. Run plays! Run back screens! Pick and rolls! ANYTHING! I was screaming. Fer Fuck's sake, your season is on the line, and Rose is doing an Iso against LeBron on a night where Rose can't buy a jump shot. And then Again. I wanted to wet my pants. Yes, the BUlls sucked at various points. The Heat D forced them into it, or they screwed up otherwise. Likewise good Bulls D forced the Heat into poor play. But fer crisakes run a higher percentage play than Rose vs LeBron from 30 feet out. Contrary to popular opinion, LeBron is not a killer man defender (though his help blocks are by far the best in the league). But he's fast enough to keep Rose in front of him, he's FAR taller, and he's a physical freak of nature. What kind of brain dead dumbass runs that play at the end of regulation? TWICE?!?!?!?

This games was the Bulls' to win, and they blew it. No excuse, they're out, and it cost them a trip to the Finals. No way in hell the Bulls win three straight against Miami.


So for both the Bulls and the Zombies, we bid them adieu and ask them to mature more before making another run. Neither is going to win three straight against veteran clubs who know how to close out series.

And we get the contemplate the avalanche of karma represented by a Heat-Mavs Finals. :)

Blogger AnacondaHL said...
This 2006 rematch is completely hilarious, and I can't decide whether I want to see Angry Mark Cuban or Dirk with a ring. Or another 2-0 lead. Or more officiating questionable-ness.

Blogger Wormboy said...
Oh, and a re-interpretation of an old classic

"Brave Sir Boshin dived again!
Bravely dived again, again!

When playoff fouls reared their ugly head
He bravely acted like he was abed
Bravely bravely bravely he
did bravely cross his legs and pee
Bravely bravely brave, Sir Boshin!

At 1:02
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZwuTo7zKM8

Anonymous Anonymous said...
I don't think officiating played a role in the outcome (questionable calls both ways, including an offensive foul on Lebron at the end of regulation), but I believe one key sequence deserves a WOTN: the loose ball foul call on Korver on Chalmers as both players ran into the backcourt. If I remember correctly, Crawford originally appeared to blow his whistle and indicate a foul on Miami, but play for some reason continued as Chicago dribbled the ball into the frontcourt. Then after five seconds Salvatore came out blowing his whistle and indicating a foul on Korver. It was a bad call to be sure-Chalmers flopped-but astonishingly late.

Anyways I look forward to Mark Cuban attempting homicide on a referee at halftime during the finals.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Sorry bawful, but I gotta call you out on the flopping complaints. The Boozer foul was a legit flagrant, he jumped up and shoved Bosh in the face without going for the ball. Maybe he should've learned how to play defense instead of resorting to that.

As for King Crabs flop, well that was blatant but it's no different from Brewer's flop when they called a charge on LeBron the play before Rose missed the potential game winning shot. Besides, I hate it when people jump into their defenders to try to draw fouls, that's what Deng did and he got burned for it.

Blogger Solieyu said...
I can't believe Buss is hiring Mike Brown over promoting Brian Shaw. That's a ridiculous move. If any team in need of a new coach has a brain, they'll figure out that they can do a lot worse than the man who has been learning at Phil Jackson's knee for the past six years.

Speaking of coaches, I'm continually impressed by how well Spoelstra has adjusted to knock the Bulls out of their rhythm. Should be interesting to see how the Heat defense handles the Mavs. I imagine Dirk will be seeing a lot of different defenders and traps. Mavs are a jump shooting team, but if Wade's D takes out Terry and Bosh, Anthony, and James can corral Dirk, then the Mavs may be in trouble.

I don't see Kidd or Barrea causing much trouble for a team that has rattled Derrick Rose to this extent.

Blogger snafu said...
There should be a basketball play called "The Mike Bibby". Here's what it entails:

Bring the ball up the court and immediately pick up your dribble once you get to the top of the three point line. Proceed to pass the ball to anyone else and and drift aimlessly around the 3-point line for the rest of the offensive possession.

Anonymous Drew said...
Neither of the flops were as bad as James Harden the night before.

Anonymous kazam92 said...
Anon - He admitted it was a flagrant but Bosh did sell it a bit was the point.

Blogger Dooj said...
No mention of Mike Brown as potential Lakers coach?

Blogger TransINSANO said...
If any team in need of a new coach has a brain, they'll figure out that they can do a lot worse than the man who has been learning at Phil Jackson's knee for the past six years.

You mean like Kurt Rambis? He might be available soon.

Anonymous Batmanu said...
Yeah, the Bulls' offense is turrible. Both the Thunder and Bulls both need some good offensive coordinators for next season so they can run [better] plays. I don't know if it's common knowledge or not, but running a play is generally less tiring (for the star/scorer) than an isolation. And of course, more efficient.

And yeah, Rose had to be worn out.

Blogger chris said...
"He gave his all. He came up short. Like I said, LeBron knows all about that."

Not really, because King Crab quit on Cleveland and chose not to give his all in that infamous second-round series. D-Rose hasn't quit on his team yet.

Anonymous kazam92 said...
Chris, perhaps he was referring to the prior Boston series where he dropped 45 and Pierce 40 in that game 7.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Bosh did not "sell that flagrant". There's a video of a giraffe getting headbutted on youtube. That giraffe and Bosh fell in the exact same manner. Look it up if you don't believe me. His giraffe type body was shoved with a forearm by a gorilla. All of you Heat haters need to learn to accept responsibility. If you got hate in your heart, let it out...

Blogger Basketbawful said...
Not really, because King Crab quit on Cleveland and chose not to give his all in that infamous second-round series. D-Rose hasn't quit on his team yet.

It sure looked like LeBron quit in last year's playoffs, that's true enough. But the previous year against the Magic, the year before that against the Celtics, the year before that against the Spurs...

...trying to do it on his own broke LeBron's will. He didn't want all the burden to be on him. And, with the way things are playing out, you can sort of see why.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
So then you being such a big believer in "team basketball", wouldn't you support LeBron's decision to join forces with Wade in Miami? LeBron has never asked anyone to compare him to Jordan. He's won the MVP, a gold medal in the Olympics and numerous popularity contest awards but he has no championship. Yet because he goes on tv and displays his monster ego to a national audience, he's a terrible person? He's been under the spotlight his entire life so who's to say that he knows how to live a humble life??? In his eyes, he sat there in his chair with a very modest plaid shirt on, not a flashy suit with over the top bling, and her delivered his message. The money raised from that show going back to his favorite charity. You guys make this guy out to be a monster but really he's a good person. His mom was a drug user and dealer, he came from nothing and yet he's never in the papers or headlines for breaking the law or even immoral acts like Wade has had issues with. Give the man a break and let him try to accomplish something that he has yet to do. He never asked to win anything by himself.

Anonymous Marylander said...
Omer Asik has a fractured fibula ESPN reports, season over.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=6587324

He was an important player off the bench more trouble for the Bulls.

Anonymous JJ said...
I've never liked Boozer and this series isn't changing my view. He gets his numbers if you give him enough minutes, but somehow it never seems to impact the team as positively as it should. Maybe because he sucks at D so much? It reminds me of Starbury in this sense.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Yeah, Lebron certainly didn't quit against Orlando and I don't think people would have cared so much that he quit against the Celtics if not for the callous way he handled free agency.

Blogger draftaraujo said...
It will be interesting to see what the officiating will be like in the finals, i mean its hard to talk to someone about the 2006 finals without officiating coming up and you know that it will be a major talking point if heat and mavs meet up again.
I also agree with most that not having home court in the finals is a bit of a advantage, if the Mavs can steal a game in Miami they have 3 strait home games after they leave Miami, and I believe Dallas road record is not far off from their home record this season

Blogger winnetou said...

Blogger TransINSANO said...
@Anon- LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!!!!

Yeah yeah, it's just sport hate in good fun. Oh, but you're right, LeBron's button up during his super-contrived ego orgy of destruction proves what a humble guy he is. Tell me, does his jock smell humble too from where you're at?

Actually, what it goes to show is that everything about The Decision, including The Shirt, made LeBron seem tasteless.

Anonymous Karc said...
Chris Broussard reporting that the deal is done brings a glimmer of hope to Laker fans, as he is usually full of it.

I get the feeling that Jim Buss hiring Mike Brown was more of an FU to Phil Jackson than anything else. Never liked him or Jerry West, and sleeping with his sister didn't help.

This is only the beginning. I sense widespread liquidations. Basically, if you like Phil or West and are not named Kobe Bryant, you're in deep trouble.

Anonymous Batmanu said...
I don't think you could be any worse off defensively at the 4 unless he morphs into Amar'''''''''''''''e Stoudamire.

I think the only reason he's not as bad as him is because he's wider. Lol

Blogger Basketbawful said...
Man. You know I'm in a shit mood when even news of Mike Brown getting hired by the Lakers doesn't cheer me up.

Okay. It cheered me up a little.

Blogger Michael Hsu said...
The bulls ironically need ben gordon back :(

Blogger Mr. Satan said...
Lol at Boozer's face after Derrick Roses' dunks on Joel Anthony. That mouth of his...it's very appalling. So between Boozer and Bosh, which one of them has the bigger open mouth, width and lengthwise?

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Mike Brown is a joke and he will be exposed in this new coaching position. UNLESS, they hire the likes of Dwight Howard or Chris Paul. @ TransINSANO, I'm not on his jock. Just trying to defend a man that gets harrassed wayyy too much. Jealously is the most sincere form of flattery so keep hatin but I'm just sick of it because the media treats him like Michael Vick or something. He's a good dude off the court and you guys are basically placing him in the same classification as Casey Anthony! Root against the Heat, that's fine but don't wish horrible things to this guy. He's just trying to win a championship.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Mike Brown to the Lakers. lololololol

Blogger chris said...
Basically, if you like Phil or West and are not named Kobe Bryant, you're in deep trouble.

As a Purple Paupers fan...


...YEAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOOH!

But I have to begrudgingly thank Jerry Buss for his incidental role in keeping the Kings in Sacramento. So, uh, yeah. Thanks, Jerry.

Now back to my regularly scheduled cheering, at least before the Heat bandwagon makes its presence known once more...

Anonymous kazam92 said...
What presence does the Heat have on this blog besides me :)

Blogger Wormboy said...
@ Anonymous: "You guys make this guy out to be a asshole but really he's a good person."

Fixed.

Here's a definition for you. Check = it out.

Straw man. A sham argument set up to be defeated.

Blogger David said...
I'm here Kazam. South-Florida Sun-sentinel Heat Bloggers represent!

Chicago really is a great team. I'm convinced that they'd win the championship if they played either Western conference team in the finals. Their defense is just ridiculous.

But right now Rose is learning for himself what LeBron spent 7 years figuring out - It's difficult to win when you have to do it mostly alone on offense.

Chicago has to find another player somewhere in Rose's stratosphere from an explosive-scoring standpoint to beat a team like Miami.

Anonymous bing said...
Anonymous said...
LeBron has never asked anyone to compare him to Jordan.

So what was the "Chosen 1" tattoo in reference of? Or wearing MJ's number?

LBJ is a beast on the court but he brings the shit stiring on himself.

Blogger Preveen said...
Hey, Card carrying Heat fan since 2004 here! From the other side of the world, no less! I have to get up at 5am to watch games they show here.

Blogger TransINSANO said...
Mike Brown is a joke and he will be exposed in this new coaching position.

Yeah, HE was the thing holding LeBron back.

I'm not on his jock. Just trying to defend a man that gets harrassed wayyy too much.

Good work standing up for the downtrodden, after this want to help me defend the Lakers? They're having a "rough" time. And what about those New York Yankees? Boy, they sure get a bad rap. NFL owners?

Jealously is the most sincere form of flattery so keep hatin but I'm just sick of it because the media treats him like Michael Vick or something.

It's not jealousy, otherwise it it'd be equal for all NBA superstars. Attitudes like that from stars and their fanboys sure are obnoxious though, and LeBron has entered that territory on several occasions so it's fair game. He also gets plenty of adulation, deservedly, so don't overstate his "plight."

He's a good dude off the court

You don't know what kind of dude he is, nor do I. Let's not pretend we do.

Root against the Heat, that's fine but don't wish horrible things to this guy. He's just trying to win a championship.

What horrible things? That he not win this year? Oh, the horror! And if the Heat do win, I'll be the first to say congratulations, you earned it... Dwyane Wade.

Coincidentally, in light of LeBron's most recent transgressions, Deadspin re-ran their debate on this very subject:
http://deadspin.com/5805486/revisiting-the-great-lebron-james-cocksucker-debate


@David - The Heat are up 3-1: that means it's time for Miami fans to REPRESENT! Fan up.

@Preveen - 2004? That currently puts you in like the 95th percentile.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
@ TransINSANO: I've got no problem with people rooting against LeBron. I do root against the Yankees, Celtics and Patriots. But I do have a problem with people wishing bad things on the man. If LeBron went down with a torn ACL you would get a massive erection and don't deny it... Also, he receives death threats constantly. And yes, I do know what he is like off the court. I work plenty of events with him on a weekly basis.

Blogger TransINSANO said...
I've got no problem with people rooting against LeBron.

Ok, that's what we were doing, thanks.

But I do have a problem with people wishing bad things on the man. If LeBron went down with a torn ACL you would get a massive erection and don't deny it...

No, that would be a sad thing. You're the one talking about LeBron injuries and erections, so enough with the straw man. We get it, you're a LeBron fan, you feel compelled to defend him, fine.

And yes, I do know what he is like off the court. I work plenty of events with him on a weekly basis.

Haha, I thought you might say something like that. I feel like I should compare LeBron to Hitler now just to keep up in the Internet point scoring. Say "bad luck" to LeBron for me.