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That's a 39 year old Jordan making prime Shawn Marion, considered a fine defender, look silly. The ability to create space for a jumpshot, come off screens,fadeaway from the defense on the baseline to avoid doubles, it's the total package of offensive versatility that made Jordan so tough a cover. Jordan's driving and perimeter shooting were both lethal enough where you had to respect both; with Lebron in this finals, the Spurs are effectively daring him to shoot knowing that his jumpshot can't carry him if you're able to take away the drive.
How would Jordan respond to a defense packing it in? Make jump shots?
Those Bulls teams also had excellent spacing due to the Triangle. The other players weren't just sitting on the three point line. They were positioned to catch and shoot closer mid range shots as well. Still they were far enough to penalize defenders who wanted to double. If a defender left his man to go double Jordan he really needed to be sure about it.
Miami often has their shooters positioned too far from LeBron. There are times he catches on one elbow and makes a pass across the lane to the opposite corner. Or the flip happens. He catches it there and has a teammate only 7 feet away making it easy for the Spurs to shade him with a second defender.
That's a 39 year old Jordan making prime Shawn Marion, considered a fine defender, look silly. The ability to create space for a jumpshot, come off screens,fadeaway from the defense on the baseline to avoid doubles, it's the total package of offensive versatility that made Jordan so tough a cover. Jordan's driving and perimeter shooting were both lethal enough where you had to respect both; with Lebron in this finals, the Spurs are effectively daring him to shoot knowing that his jumpshot can't carry him if you're able to take away the drive.
Thanks for posting that - plus the other vids.
In the second half, you can see the quick, decisive moves with the ball that Jordan did after receiving a pass. Sometimes it was a shot - sometimes a drive and dish.
What does LBJ do? Is he as quick with his decision making after receiving a pass, or does he catch and stand around and size up the defense (which allows the defense to get into position)? I may watch a bit of the NBA TV rerun to see...
FYI - After looking that Phx/Was game up - Jordan 41pts, 4reb, 7ast - 17/30 shooting, 7/9 FT (more free throws in one game than LBJ in the whole series) - oh, and NO three point attempts.
In the second half, you can see the quick, decisive moves with the ball that Jordan did after receiving a pass. Sometimes it was a shot - sometimes a drive and dish.
What does LBJ do? Is he as quick with his decision making after receiving a pass, or does he catch and stand around and size up the defense (which allows the defense to get into position)? I may watch a bit of the NBA TV rerun to see...
I'd say Jordan was generally quicker in his decisions, and better able to read the defense and adjust accordingly and manufacture a shot. I call Jordan a 'quick-strike' player, sizes up the defense quickly and makes his move. This makes the defense react to him, as opposed to him reacting to it.
Lebron is a great player but he still has a somewhat limited offensive repertoire, which teams like the Spurs expose.
EDIT: Another thing I've come to really appreciate about Jordan's offensive game, was the simplicity of it( as elegant and spectacular as it is). After spending the past decade watching today's guards dribble, dribble, dribble, it's refreshing to see Jordan catch the ball, do a quick shoulder fake, or fake one way and go the other...BAM explosive first step, two dribbles to the rim, score. Very little wasted movements...
That's a 39 year old Jordan making prime Shawn Marion, considered a fine defender, look silly. The ability to create space for a jumpshot, come off screens,fadeaway from the defense on the baseline to avoid doubles, it's the total package of offensive versatility that made Jordan so tough a cover. Jordan's driving and perimeter shooting were both lethal enough where you had to respect both; with Lebron in this finals, the Spurs are effectively daring him to shoot knowing that his jumpshot can't carry him if you're able to take away the drive.
That's true, but another factor is teammates (other than Mike Miller) aren't making shots so they're not respecting Wade or even Bosh's shots either, which is really limiting Lebron's ability to post up or drive because there's no spacing. Every time Lebron (or Chalmers or Wade for that matter) drives to the rim Duncan is waiting for him along with 2 other guys. When Miller was in the game and hitting shots it made things a little easier for Lebron because the Spurs have to respect Miller's shot. Spacing is everything in the NBA. If the Spurs didn't have great 3-point shooters Duncan would have a lot more trouble inside because he wouldn't have any room to operate.
Lebron definitely could definitely benefit from improving his mid-range jumper, but I'm not sure it will ever happen. People like to think that things like shooting are all practice and acquired skill, but the truth is a lot of that you're either born with or you aren't. Some guys are natural shooters and others aren't. Lebron isn't a natural shooter and part of that I think is his size and strength. I think that's why from 30 feet he's one of the best shooters in the league but from 15 feet he's below average for wing players. When you're big and strong it requires a lower percentage of your strength to get the ball on the rim, so when you're using a smaller percentage of your strength the margin of error is smaller. If you're lean like Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant and put a little extra on your shot it's not as big of a difference and so your margin of error is greater. Kevin Durant couldn't even bench press 185 lbs one time at the combine and he's possibly the best all-around shooter in the league. Stephen Curry, Reggie Miller, Tony Parker are all lean guys too. There have been exceptions like David Wesley, but for the most part the best shooters tend to be fairly lean.
I do think Lebron can improve a couple things on his shot though. He has always been a little off balance when he shoots and never fully squares up. If he squared up better, jumped more vertically, and had a slightly higher release point and more arc I think it would help.
Last edited by EugeneOnegin; 06-12-2013 at 02:11 PM..
That's true, but another factor is teammates (other than Mike Miller) aren't making shots so they're not respecting Wade or even Bosh's shots either, which is really limiting Lebron's ability to post up or drive because there's no spacing. Every time Lebron (or Chalmers or Wade for that matter) drives to the rim Duncan is waiting for him along with 2 other guys. When Miller was in the game and hitting shots it made things a little easier for Lebron because the Spurs have to respect Miller's shot. Spacing is everything in the NBA. If the Spurs didn't have great 3-point shooters Duncan would have a lot more trouble inside because he wouldn't have any room to operate.
Agree, and something I touched upon earlier ( I think it was here, I've been posting on a few forums today lol) that his teammates inability to consistently make shots makes it much worse for Lebron, though you said it here in greater detail. But as I said, as long as he's not a 'serious' threat to just kill you from outside, he really plays into San Antonio's defensive scheme. Its success is predicated on Lebron making his jumpshots( or rather, not making them). If his shot is on that day, well it's time for plan B.
How would Jordan respond to a defense packing it in? Make jump shots?
He would pull out the Jedi Mind Control trick and walk between rain drops to the basket. Once he finished his slam dunk, he woud turn time back on and everybody would cheer.
He would pull out the Jedi Mind Control trick and walk between rain drops to the basket. Once he finished his slam dunk, he woud turn time back on and everybody would cheer.
mind=blown.....
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