Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 at 8:44 am  |  48 responses

LeResponding to criticism

He likes to be challenged

By Sam Rubenstein

We have Game Notes from last night posted already courtesy of B.J. Reyes. Boobie! Boobie! But also LEBRON. There is no way to prove this of course unless he admits it, but I believe that he needed to go through what happened in games 1 and 2, and he had to take the beating from fans and media. He thrives on responding to challenges. This NBA season, there were none. He was content to just cruise all the way to the #2 seed in a weak conference. He never had to be the real LeBron this season. With his team down 2-0, LeBron has done everything you could ever hope for as a response to the haters/doubters. Now it’s a tie series and it almost feels like its his due rite of passage to overcome the superior team and carry Cleveland to the Finals.

The poor play of Chauncey Billups in this series has been shocking to say the least. Is it possible that his clutchocity has been drained and seeped up by LeBron? Did LeBron make an incision in Chauncey’s head and remove his brains to extract his powers? (Yes I took it there!) It sure looks like it.

As I said, B.J. Reyes wrote his Game Notes and I put them up nice and early. SEGUE! Speaking of people named Reyes, the Mets game went to extra innings last night, and Jose Reyes manufactured the tying run with a walk, drawing a balk, advancing to third on a groundout, and then scored it with two outs on another balk. That I have never seen before. If they ever test Jose Reyes for amphetamines… yeah that would be a problem. Either that or the guy eats way too much sugar. Such is the life of the most electrifying and exciting player in baseball. I haven’t talked much about the Mets this year, because really what’s there to say? They play in the NL, and not to be too cocky or overconfident, but no other team in that league even deserves to be on the same field with the Metropolitans. The National League is officially ON SMASH. Even with all of the injuries and old guys and Delgado’s latest death slump. Lang is keeping a close eye on those Wild Card standings for the Braves, like it matters.

Oh, one mistake. Delgado is not in a death slump anymore. He hit the walk off game ender against our old buddy Armando and was in full celebration before he even left the batter’s box. Come on National League, give them a challenge. Keep them sharp this year.

The amusing NBA story from yesterday is the Jerry Buss DUI. He is 74 years old with a 23 year old female friend in the car. Wonderful. The life of an old kajillionaire is better than most senior citizens. Also, there is the latest ongoing Kobe saga. Sigh… What came first, the L.A. or the drama? Couldn’t he at least have waited until the week off between the conference finals and The Finals?

Finally, on a personal note… today is the day of my mom’s retirement party. After working hard for more than 45 years, and dealing with the three headed freakshow that is my father, my brother, and myself, she gets to relax. Congratulations Mom!

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  • Ryan Jones Posted: May.30 at 8:45 am
    Hey, Sammy.

  • Shotcaller Posted: May.30 at 8:55 am
    Is LeBron seizing his rite of passage? Or, could it be that anytime the Pistons get ahead, or are making a run to catch up, the refs try to keep Cleveland in it with some of the most absurd calls we’ve ever “witnessed”?
    Why wouldn’t the NBA want their new “King” in the Finals? Why wouldn’t they want the Pistons to be dethroned in the Eastern Conference, and get a whole new fanbase excited? I can’t think of any good reason.
    LeBron is phenomenal, but the refs have had a helping hand in every game of this series. I’m sick of it.

  • K22C Posted: May.30 at 8:59 am
    Howdy Ryan.

  • Ryan Jones Posted: May.30 at 8:59 am
    Shotcaller, you know they played two games in Detroit before they played these two games in Cleveland, right? Because your reference to the refs “helping” LeBron in “every game of this series” implies you did not in fact know that.

  • H to the izzo Posted: May.30 at 9:13 am
    Ryan stop hating on haters you hater

  • K22C Posted: May.30 at 9:13 am
    -@Shotcaller- I think you need to lay off the Shots, if you know what I mean.Refs called for Detroit in Detroit, and Cavs got the calls in the Q. Game 2 Bron didn’t get the call that would have put the Cavs up in clutch time

  • Ryan Jones Posted: May.30 at 9:14 am
    I can’t find your server, izzo.

  • Steve O Posted: May.30 at 9:21 am
    The bigger helping hand easily went to Detroit in Game 2. If Rip gets whistled for that hack job and LeBron sticks those FT’s its 3-1 CLE and LeBron could taste the finals.

  • H to the izzo Posted: May.30 at 9:31 am
    Well Ryan I don’t feel the need to link to a site that I’m already on.Did I do it on purpose?.No.Does it make me feel big?,Yes On LeBron he’s on a lose-lose situation,if he pulls of a Jordanesque finals run to become the MVP,people will say the league would have had on it somehow,if just gets past a few rounds people will be saying that he’s not living up to his billing.LeBron has the potential to make a lot of haters very happy in years to come even more so than Kobe

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: May.30 at 9:37 am
    If LeBron wins a Finals MVP before Kobe, Kobe’s head might very well explode.

  • Shotcaller Posted: May.30 at 9:44 am
    Piston haters (Steve O, K22C, Ryan Jones) You mean that Rip hack in game 2 where LeBron beasted his way into Rip and initiated all of the contact? How about everytime he drives and clears space with his off arm? How about the phantom travel calls in all of these games? Oh yeah, I’ve been watching every game and paying attention, and torturing myself with countless replays on the Tivo. The Pistons played well enough to overcome the piss-poor reffing in games 1 and 2, but not 3 and 4…and that’s the only difference here.

  • Decs Posted: May.30 at 9:45 am
    congrats Mrs Rubenstein

  • deestarbuckz Posted: May.30 at 9:45 am
    Why is it that people speak on calls or no-calls at home or on the road like it’s something new and different? The crowd and sleeping in your own bed are not the only advantages of being at home. Beyond that, why not just show some love for my Cavs and ‘Bron ‘Bron coming up big when he needed to. 2-2 is much more appealing than 3-1 heading back to the ‘D! Watch out for flying Roscoe jerseys! GO CAVS!

  • Ryan Jones Posted: May.30 at 10:04 am
    Shotcaller, I think what I mean, and what I’m guessing Steve O and K22C mean, as well as the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING THIS SERIES WITHOUT A BLINDERS-WEARING BIAS mean, is that home teams get calls, especially in the playoffs. This is not news. There were a number of seemingly obvious calls that the Cavs didn’t get in the first two games, especially in Game 1, and then the obvious contact from Rip on the final play of Game 2 — say what you want about LeBron initiating body contact, but he didn’t initiate Rip’s arms slapping his. Just the same, there have definitely been some calls in the past two games that almost definitely would’ve gone Detroit’s way if they’d been at home. Overall, I’d argue that it’s been pretty balanced thus far, and I’d further argue that your otherwise admirable fan bias won’t let you see that. Would the League love to see LeBron in the finals? No doubt. But if they were really pulling the strings like that, they would’ve called that foul on Rip at the end of Game 2. Beyond that, David Stern can’t count do anything to “fix” LeBron hitting those fall-away threes and clutch late-game free throws that, in addition to all those home calls, had a little something to do with the the Cavs winning Games 3 & 4. So please, continue to be that hardcore Pistons fan, but don’t come on here pretending that you’re at all objective about this. Because when you say that some pro-Cavs officiating conspiracy is “the only difference” between wins and losses in this series, you’re case for objectivity is non-existent.
    That’s what I meant.

  • Joel O's Posted: May.30 at 10:06 am
    Haha, Lebron is Sylar? Man. Unbelievable, Sam. That had me choking on my coffee.

  • FLUD Posted: May.30 at 10:10 am
    Farmer Jones reaps in the harvest!!

  • Shotcaller Posted: May.30 at 10:13 am
    Ryan, Point Taken. I will add this though…I have actually been asking myself as I watch and re-watch these plays…Am I being objective? I have been watching, playing, or coaching basketball for 30 years, and I know the game well. And, while I am a die-hard Pistons fan, I am not wearing blinders. I still know a good call and a bad call when I see one. Even a good no-call. I am not trying to take away from what LeBron has done, his play has been clutch, and the Cavs have won games because of what he has done…but he has had a helping hand along the way. That’s all I’m saying. (And there is no way the refs, could have made that final call in game 2 at Detroit, and ended the game on that. The no-call was the right call.) I respect your thoughts too. I’m done with this topic now.

  • Eoin Posted: May.30 at 10:20 am
    I love it when Ryan goes crazy on some people.Provided it’s not me.Ever.Congratulations Mrs. Rubenstein.May your retirement be as fun-filled as Jerry Buss’.Heh heh.I’m just intrigued to see if LeBron can get to the Finals and break DWade’s record from last year of most free throw attempts.I’m not even sure if it’d be a negative thing if he did, I’d just find the posts on the games notes on here from San Antone fans amusing if it happened…

  • Cub Buenning Posted: May.30 at 10:43 am
    Sam, aren’t you afraid of the Rockies’ 7-game winning streak? I know that Ben and his Dodgers are shaky atop the West. There was my one and only baseball take!

  • Ryan Jones Posted: May.30 at 10:56 am
    I’m not mad, Shotcaller. I’ve been that fan, so I can relate.
    Also, Eoin: F*ck you.

  • Jake Appleman Posted: May.30 at 11:01 am
    So who will have a more relaxing summer: the Mets or Sam’s mom? Seriously, Sam, you really should think long and hard about this one. And yes, everything you wrote about the Mets is true. The NL is on SMASH.

  • Sesa Posted: May.30 at 11:31 am
    Let’s see what happen when LeBron couldn’t get to the freethrow line in Detroit.
    BTW, any of you ever noticed that when LeBron was able to score then Tayshaun Prince was able to score too? Especially game 3 and 4.

  • Allenp Posted: May.30 at 11:39 am
    I think Shotcaller is biased, but that’s just me. At least he’s not as bad as Suns fans. Yeah, I said it.

  • Ryan Jones Posted: May.30 at 11:58 am
    izzo, you have wonderful timing, as I could not be making this up:
    http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/kentucky_dmv_introduces

  • Ryan Jones Posted: May.30 at 11:59 am
    Whoa — time warp!

  • H to the izzo Posted: May.30 at 11:59 am
    I think we’ll all agree that he’s not as bad as Kentucky fans

  • H to the izzo Posted: May.30 at 12:06 pm
    Please let this be the topic of your next post.I honestly don’t know how to reply to the that story.And Barbaro is still alive apparently

  • Bigi Posted: May.30 at 12:10 pm
    I’m just exited that the series is tied 2-2…I DON’T WANT PISTONS-SPURS FINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!Bitchin’ aside,let’s play BALL!!!And,Go Cleveland!

  • Sam Rubenstein Posted: May.30 at 12:38 pm
    Cub, the Rockies will probably fall apart once they trade Todd Helton to the Yankees for the whole farm system.
    seriously, Jose Reyes acts like a little leaguer on the bench. The Mets look like they’re having fun. Love it.

  • Ron Posted: May.30 at 12:40 pm
    David Stern needs Lebron to win this this series. If detroit wins, I could see Bowen or Horry taking a cheap shot to set the tone in game 1, followed by one or both getting decked by Sheed. The league can’t afford to have that happen, but when it does, Remember you heard it here first.

  • DP Posted: May.30 at 12:40 pm
    Pistons……………………..boring. Cavs…………………..kinda boring. but LeBron will lead them to victory and the Finals. They need good play from Gibson and Gooden every game though. play wit it.

  • Steve O Posted: May.30 at 12:54 pm
    Ryan already touched on this but, Stern and the NBA love to have LeBron in the Finals. Everyone can agree on that. Who wouldn’t? Business wise it would be tremedous boost. That being said, anyone who thinks that Stern or the NBA rigged calls for Bron Bron is crazy. If the NBA was into rigging things the Celts would have come down with the 1st pick in the lottery not the 5th.

  • Steve O Posted: May.30 at 1:04 pm
    my bad, would love

  • Ron Posted: May.30 at 1:07 pm
    Not to say the the series is being rigged for Bron, but They sure are praying very hard for a Cavs win. We all know, a la Michael Ray Richardson, the Jews have all the power in this world.

  • Nguni Posted: May.30 at 1:21 pm
    Detroit is gon’ take care of business at home and then come back to the Q. and quiet all cavs fans. The series is tied right now with Chauncy Billups still not having played a good game. How long can that last? He’s gon’ show up in the next two games and then the cavs are going home packing. Maybe next year, cavs fans, but Webber is gon’ have his first ring after they win game 7 in SA.

  • Nguni Posted: May.30 at 1:23 pm
    it’s hilarious sh*t on these comments…keep it up guys, stops me from falling asleep here at work.

  • Chris Posted: May.30 at 1:50 pm
    Dr. Buss was with a girl FIFTY-ONE years younger than him, that’s pimp

  • Dblizzy! Posted: May.30 at 2:06 pm
    Golddiggers don’t see age, just dollar signs. Did anyone catch Inside where they showed Sheed accidently hurl his jersey into some guys face, that sh*t was hilarious.

  • Dblizzy! Posted: May.30 at 2:09 pm
    I love youtube!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCfXaw-AaYk

  • Steve O Posted: May.30 at 2:54 pm
    Sheed’s jersey toss was his best shot of the night.

  • Ryan Jones Posted: May.30 at 3:09 pm
    Chris, Jerry Buss and Hugh Hefner are pretty much the exact same guy. I’ll never forget walking out of the loading dock after they beat either Philly or Jersey in the Finals and seeing like four or five 18-year-old blonde sluts sticking out the top of the sunroof in the white limo parked out back. They were waiting for Jerry. Like a David Lee Roth video come to life.

  • Co Co Posted: May.30 at 4:30 pm
    The league would like nothing more than for the Lebron’s to get to the Finals and get his ass tapped by Tim Duncan. It would make the Finals way more appealing to the “casual fans”. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cleveland won this series. Detroit’s offense is abysmal!

  • Ben Osborne Posted: May.30 at 4:41 pm
    Notice how Sam addressed Cub’s threat of the feeble Rockies but not my Dodgers? Sam, the NL Title may well run through Los Angeles the year–esp. if we could get a real HR hitter. I believe the Mets visit the Dodgers in two weeks…stay tuned.

  • Cub Buenning Posted: May.30 at 4:57 pm
    Ryan, that David Lee Roth analogy was beautiful.
    Do you think Dr. Buss can fit into some of David’s old stage pants?

  • Douce Posted: May.30 at 7:05 pm
    i hate bron

  • Chukaz Posted: May.31 at 2:00 am
    Bron has been good, but you guys are giving him way too much credit. Bron has not made a huge bucket yet. Like in games one and two, if Bron would have made the big play then I would give Bron more credit this last couple of games all his “clutch” baskets are with his team up, so I need to see him get it done with his team down needing those baskets not up.

  • Ryan Jones Posted: May.31 at 8:47 am
    And when he eventually does win a ring or three, Chukaz will need to see LeBron swim to the moon before he’s REALLY convinced.

  • hartadi Posted: May.31 at 12:49 pm
    I LUV IT when ryan is defending lebron from those haters….you save me a lot of comments for arguing with these haters :)

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