LeBron's dominance and two draft kids with two different styles

I think it was the eyes. Or the facial expression. Or the body language.

Whatever, what LeBron James showed last night was true and utter greatness; calm, cool, collected, brilliant.

It is just what we want, and need, from the best of the best, a methodical, complete, surgical dominance at the time it was needed most and it’s why James is the most physically-gifted basketball player ever and why we grow a tad frustrated that we don’t see it more often because you watch and you think he could do it whenever he truly wanted, he’s that good.

Yes, shots he sometimes misses went in and that got him rolling and that allowed the night to become so memorable but that 45-point performance might be – given the stage and the circumstances and what was at stake – the best individual basketball game perhaps I’ve ever seen.

And he did so calmly, so coolly, just like I want it. No chest-thumping, no histrionics, no primal screams.

He knew what was at stake, took a game and strangled it. He went about his business in a businesslike manner, brilliantly. It was, I’d suggest, out of the norm. He has had his moments of outward emotion like all athletes do and it makes it look like he’s working tremendously hard. Last night he was so great but it looked, well, it looked easy. There was an economy to it that was amazing to me. It truly was something to see.

James is one of the most polarizing athletes of our time; he inspires awe with this athletic ability and scorn for his Decision. There is a brutish part of his game that I’m not hugely in favour of, I like nuance rather than power but there is – never has and never will be – any denying of his prodigious talent.

Last night, though, we saw a surgical side to him, a calm, that was something to behold.

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Hey, TFC people.

Riddle me this?

When are they going to fire the guy who keeps hiring the guys they have to almost immediately fire?

(In case you missed it, Our Man Dan – second hardest-working man in showblz – has the details here)

Really. Doesn’t someone at the top have to be held responsible for the fact that franchise has now had seven coaches in seven years?

I know it’s at the top of the MLSE poobah food chain where these decisions are made but at some time, aren’t the decision-makers responsible?

Just wondering.

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I’ve been in the States, particularly Boston and along the eastern seaboard about a zillion times over the years, and I think this Dunkin’ Donuts coffee I’m having about 5:30 this morning might be the first I’ve ever had from that omnipresent chain.

And I can dutifully report that it’s nice there’s a 24-hour one a few steps from my hotel but this coffee is gawdawful.

Weak, watered down, tasteless.

Hope Starbucks next door opens at 6 a.m.

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Okay, you know I don’t know an awful lot about these draft kids I’m here seeing – this is a journey of discovery in a lot of ways – because I don’t pay any attention to college basketball in the winter.

(Over-coached, too many timeouts, every offence is a three-man weave for about six minutes before someone takes a three; it’s mind-numbing).

Anyway, it’s information gathering and a getting-to-know-them trip (first up was this piece on Andrew Nicholson) and I’m trying to figure out which guys on the Raptors list I should be speaking to.

Two of them – and I have it on very good authority they are at least on a list of possibilities – are Weber State guard Damian Lillard and Connecticut guard Jeremy Lamb.

An aside: There is no definitive list of possibilities for Toronto at No. 8, it is expanding and contracting almost daily, there is much work to do, they are barely closer to finalizing anything than they were a week ago; they don’t know who’ll be there, aren’t sure who they like best and all the speculation you’re reading is just that, rampant speculation.

Now, I’m not sure how much you can learn about kids in the group interview sessions we have but I will tell you this, I’m far more impressed with Lillard than I am Lamb and here’s why:

This is a time of keepaway in some ways, lots players – on advice of self-serving agents who don’t want their clients exposed – don’t like to play against anyone; they want to show their individual skills but games, sometimes even three-on-three, are verboten. Flaws are exposed, draft slots suffer, money is lost and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

So I’m talking to Lillard and he said he much prefers the group dynamic because it allows him to show what he’s got and when it’s pointed out to him that some of the other guys in the room shy away from that, he says this:

“I’m from Oakland. Gary Payton was that kind of person, really competitive. Jason Kidd, Brian Shaw. I feel I have to bring that same thing to the table as an Oakland point guard. I wand to compete and I feel I still have to prove myself playing against higher lever guys and I’m happy to have the opportunity.”

In the next session we get to speak to Lamb and it comes up that not only isn’t he going to compete at any level here, he’s not even going to do the skills drills. He might do some agility today but that’s likely it.

Why?

“Not sure, it’s my first time going through it. I was just told I don’t need to do that, (I) need to get ready for the interviews and things like that. I’m not sure on it.”

Now, there are other guys here who won’t go through the gamut of drills and who won’t take part in every session. I read somewhere that Thomas Robinson, a top 10 pick most likely, isn’t going to do anything and I’m sure there are others as well.

But if I’m a GM, I’m troubled by guys who don’t do it all.

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Mail?

Click. Write. Send. There are some boring bits during a day here waiting to talk to people, I need something to do.

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Hey, I’m watching TV a lot of yesterday and this morning and there’s all kinds of chatter about Euro2012 and a whole bunch of people who are a whole lot smarter than I are picking Netherlands!

Maybe I’m not so dumb after all.

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Comments

[Tim]

The best individual basketball game you've perhaps ever seen? Wow that's high praise, given the amount of basketball you've seen. The funny thing about this situation, though, is that I thought the reason Lebron went to Miami was so that he didn't have to play out of his mind as an individual to beat the Celtics. He's still not really part of a strong team, I guess, emphasis on the word "team."

That said, I've found my opinion of the Heat has softened this year, now that they've had to go through some adversity. I think their struggles have tempered any feelings of entitlement.

Blogger's note: For what he did with what was at stake, where he did it and how he did it, it was pretty darn impressive

[Peter]

Are those smart people also Dutch people? :)

[511]

LeBron. Wow.

[David in Oakville]

Very good description of James' performance last night Doug. It is amazing to watch him when he seemingly can hit a shot from anywhere on the floor under any sort of coverage. In fact, his performance was so sublime I fell asleep twice! Hope we get to see a nail biter on Saturday night.. and I am not talking about the pucks.
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I have heard that wearing orange is often a sign of emotional instability. GO ORANGE! (Wouldn't mind if Portugal won either just so we could see tears of joy from Ronaldo this time.. and several people at work here)

[O.J.]

Hey Doug,

I have seen Lamb play a few times and I have concern about his strength, ability to penetrate and one dimensional style shooting game and intensity at the next level. Lillard from all the interviews I've seen and when i've watched him play seems to have the right intensity that's sorely needed on the Raps. If somehow we find a way to get Lillard, do you think Jose is trade bait? Is there any scenario where we would could still get Gay if we kept our draft pick?

Blogger's note: No, don't know

[Greg]

Hi Doug,

Fourth paragraph of the draft kids section - I think you were missing the word authority?

Two of them – and I have it on very good "authority" they are at least on a list of possibilities – are Weber State guard Damian Lillard and Connecticut guard Jeremy Lamb.

Hope this helps,

[g.t.]

I would not draft a rookie who does not do skills workout and who shy away from head to head competition. Maybe it is not their fault as they are taking the advice of their agent, but it is just the first sign that they are surrounding themselves with managers who care more about the $$ than how they can help a team. Players like this are likely going to be problems in their early years and will probably skip town as soon as they can because of some 'Canada isn't exposing them enough' nonsense.

[Raptors fan]

Alex Kennedy and SI are both reporting that Dion Waiters (who is quickly moving up the draft board) has cancelled all other work-outs. Usually when this happens, it means the player has been given a promise. The rumour is the team giving the promise is a top ten selection team – The Blazers, the Raps and the Suns to be the rumoured teams. The Blazers have since adamantly deny they have made a promise to anyone, The Sun’s are drafting 13th and the Raps wouldn’t deny or confirm the rumour. So is Dion Waiters going to be the guy @ the 8th spot!? Doug, have you herd anything this morning that could put some light on this??

Blogger's note: I haven't; and believe little of what you read this time of year.

[Gerrit]

Who participates in the draft combine is all in the agents.

Guys like Lillard played against weaker players all season in a weak conference - in fact, his worst games were generally against the stronger teams. He needs to prove that he can dominate against higher competition. Lamb on the other hand, had some great games against high level competition and his agent seems to feel he has nothing to gain. I wouldn't go on what a guy says in an interview - it's probably been prepared for him already.

If I remember correctly, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose didn't participate in the draft combine either, and they turned out pretty good. These drills and 3 on 3 games don't really mean anything. If we're scouting based on those drills, than we have bigger problems.

[Raptors fan]

If Dion is the man:
Waiters was the sixth man of the year in the NCAA – he is known as a excellent shooter, thought to be the best shooter who score in bunches - in this draft. His numbers are not that strong when first glanced at BUT when compared to the number of minutes being played they’re great. …22 minutes per game – 13 pts/3 assists/2.3 steals while shooting a whopping 52% from the field. He is a 6’4 combo guard (ala Bayless and Barbosa all though LB is 6’3), he is very athletic, strong with the ability to creat his own shoot and has an eye to get his team involved, a little undersized for a SG but is also known for playing good defence, hence the 2.3 steals in just 22 mins of play. Casey has been saying this off-season the team needs a player to help spread the floor – a shooter he can count on off the bench. If the Raps have indeed promised this guy a draft @ 8, then its probably bye-bye Bayless! And no shot of Barbosa returning. OR, (playing GM here) they could sign Bayless to his option and trade or amnesty Calderon – this to help save money and sign Dragic (who Stephen Brotherson has reporter the Raps are high on) or my personal favourite Lou Williams. It’s clear though the two spots the Raps are trying to improve 1st with quality players are SF/PG along with a shooter off the bench.

Blogger's note: Yeah, think you might be a bit ahead of yourself but knock yourself out. And please, I imagine you're related to this Brotherson fellow but don't give him a lot of credit for piggybacking on the work of others. We get it, you have a crush, it's cool. But, really ..
And that's the end of it. Thanks

[Dave B]

"And he did so calmly, so coolly, just like I want it. No chest-thumping, no histrionics, no primal screams." I agree with you for the most part. However, I did see a couple of "stare-downs" at the crowd or the Boston bench, I am not sure which. I think this is what leads to a lot of the angst against the Heat. In the last game when Bosh scored, he let out one of those 30 second screams. Wade has become very arrogant and I think James had picked up some of this. One the other hand, Durant just quietly goes about his business, showing little emotion, but always competing. He seems to be an all around great guy. I hope he doesn't change this as he becomes older and more successful. Go OKC.

As for Dunkin Donuts coffee, I have to agree with you. The only thing worst is Burger King coffee. If I am driving in the States and want a quick good coffee, I stop at McDonald's. Their coffee is not too bad.

[jb]

Incredible performance for Lebron especially given the stage and the situation(must win game). I read the last person to have a 45-15-5 game was Wilt, 25 years ago. For the playoffs, Lebron is averaging 31-10-5 playing 42 mins while guarding 1 to 5 on the other team. For this series, he's guarded Pierce, Rondo and Garnett. I've never seen any player who has been ask to play the point guard and the finisher role while guarding the other team's best player. Yet he gets criticized for not taking the last shot b/c he made the right basketball play or he comes up short in the 4th quarter, maybe it's b/c he used all his energy carrying the team for 3 quarters. If you noticed when Spo gives him a rest in the in 4th quarter, he's fine. But for some reason he won't give Lebron a rest in the 4th quarter in this series. Spo has to trust his other players.

Also, it's a bit of a double standard - if Lebron played the way Wade has played in this series(complaining to refs and not running back on defense, showing up only in the second half of games) he would be crucified by the media day after day. Yet, Wade barely gets called out for his poor play.

[Anthony R]

Hi Doug,

I believe you in taking some of these speculations/reports as truth. Especially this time of year. Seeing as there is a supposed promise from Toronto floating around to Dion Waiters, my question is this. Has any team started a rumor where they had said they would pick a player only to peak another team's interest who are picking before them only to allow another player to fall down the draft and potentially land in their laps? If so, could you site an example from previous drafts?
Thanks for your time!

Blogger's note: There is no promise, never was, never will be. Been debunked on the record by Bryan Colangelo. Can't cite specifics but it happens, of that I am 1,000 per cent certain

[Dave B]

Toronto fans take note of what classy fans do when their team is struggling:

"With Boston trailing the Heat by 20 points in the final minutes, the fans remaining in the half-full building rose to their feet and began a nonstop chant of “Let's Go, Celtics!”

“They understand the situation that is before us, and we understand it. And that was basically them sending us off, letting us know, `Hey, this is still alive. We need you guys to go down there and get a win for us,“’ Celtics guard Ray Allen said Thursday night after Miami won 98-79 to send the Eastern Conference finals to a Game 7.

“We all felt it on the bench,” Allen said. “It seemed like that 3 minutes lasted forever. It was special. I'll talk about that forever, just knowing being down 20 and these people are still standing up, cheering us on, because they know we just have to win one game.”"

“That was crazy. It was (expletive) crazy,” Garnett said. “I want to say to all the fans: `Thank you, guys.’ I've never in my life experienced anything like this in any sport, and I'm just truly blessed to be a Celtic and to be a part of the city of Boston. So, that's what's up to all the New Englanders around here, coming from your boy.”

[Angelo]

What a performance by Lebron! And the last 3 minutes of Celtic fan chanting shows the understanding fans there have of a legacy team in their final year of playing together, I hope I get to see Raps fans do this 1 time in a key loss, these Celtics players have earned the right to be chanted like this though.

[David in Oakville]

@ Dave B
There is a world of difference between being down by 20 because Lebron James is playing at the level he is capable of and being down by 20 because your team fails to make an effort on defense and plays offense like they never practice together.
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My experience of Toronto Fans is that they are always classy and respectful to those that are respectful of them. Not making an effort and allowing yourself to be blown out is disrespectful to your fans and is worthy of boos. If I paid for my ticket (and I always do) then I expect an effort and some sense of professional pride.. otherwise I might just boo.
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Angelo is right.. that Celtic team was more than worthy of the respect shown by their fans and I hope to have a Raps Team that is equally worthy. Under Dwane Casey's leadership I expect to see one soon.

[doug]

LeBron's game last night was a classic, but not the best ever, that's a little overboard....to me the real story was how poorly the Celts played, Pierce has been terrible this holes series he has basically made one big shot...some players lose their skillset rapidly, such as Iverson,Malone,Payton i think Pierce may be in that group...also don't anyone say it was the Heat defense that held the Celts down, they missed open looks all night long, were careless with the ball and were just disengaged...so no triple Crown winner again, a disappointment that he had to drop out...talk about plummeting ratings.....all this draft talk, who really cares, well obviously a lot do but to me I will be interested in this draft in 2-3 years...until no one has a clue and if they say they do, turn or walk away or click off the page...cheers..

[doug]

oops my bad "whole series"..rushed typing syndrome strikes again..have a good one

[jb]

Some idiot Celtics' fan threw a drink on Lebron on his way to the lockers. I wonder what Metta World Peace would have done in that situation...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_sjGX3GqnL0

[Bob Wesley]

Ithought the Black Mamba was the best,Lebron is the Man.Didn't sleep very good last night Heat Haters!

[gordo]

Wow what an intense game last night. Really impressed with the kid's defence last night....O, Im sorry, I was talking about the Jr National inter squad game and I just realized that not many people in this psuedo sports town gives a damn. Excuse me>

Blogger's note: Pretty unfair shot; and a tad cheap, too

[Brad B.]

Dear Doug,

As a TFC fan, it's disheartening seing how Tom Ansemi (anagram - "Tom Man Lies") slides through every boondogle he puts TFC through with absolutely no accountability. I'd love to see you at a TFC press conference to ask some tough questions, but I know that would hinder your Raptors access. It's scary to think that this man might be the future head honcho for MLSE.

That said, the fake Anselmi Twitter account (@TomAnselmiMLSE) has given me a chuckle or two. I mean, there's no way that could be the real guy... right?