Thursday, October 28th, 2010 at 10:00 am  |  117 responses

LeBron James Developing a Post Game

by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Imagine being the most dominant and unstoppable force of nature in the game, with 2 MVPs in the bag (with more surely to come), and yet your game still needs some work.

Welcome to the wonderful world of LeBron James.

We’ve seen flashes of it in the Miami Heat’s two first games this year, but LeBron says the development of his postgame is increasingly becoming a priority.

And that, friends, is terribly bad news for defenses around the NBA.

The Palm Beach Post reports:

This season, though, he says he’s “keying” on something else: His low-post repertoire. “I’ve spent a lot of time, but not enough time, on that,” James said.

Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said it would be “awful” for the rest of the league if James develops that part of his game. He coached Michael Jordan during Jordan’s first three seasons, and then during Jordan’s final two seasons. As a young player, Jordan didn’t set up on the block much. “When he went to Washington, he was one of the best low-post players in the game,” Collins said. At age 40.

Watching LBJ set up on the block this early in the season, you can tell that it’s something he hasn’t quite mastered yet.

The fact that he’s willing to work hard on it isn’t just cause for concern for opponents. Once James has that essential (and deadly) part of his game down pat, it’ll be enough to make foes consider waving the white flag.

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags: ,

← Older Comments
  • http://facebook.com/tronjohnson Chief

    :et’s talk when he has a post game. Anyone can say they’re working on it. Amare needs to learn D but we aren’t talking about that.

  • The Philosopher

    My Brethren:
    It is only 2 games in. The King and his Men will be fine.
    Anyways, Eboy is white??
    As far as The King’s post game, one or more persons suggested that it is a good thing that The King is venturing down there.
    I agree. Once he is totally comfortable down there (and, he will become totally comfortable) there will be nothing anyone can do with him. (not that anyone can, now)
    It is funny. The King still does not fully know how to play the Game. However, he is still the best IN the Game.
    Once/IF he fully learns the Game, he will be a top 5 all time talent.
    Co-sign Allenp on his D. Wade in the post comments.

  • http://twitter.com/nbatalkandkicks Eduardo

    He needs to develop his post game because once developed he’ll be better at it than what Chris Bosh has been for his entire career. No offense to Bosh I just think LeBron has more potential. Athletic, strong, and quicker than what Bosh is, even though Bosh is taller.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    I’m not arguing he shouldn’t develop a post game, I just don’t think it should be his first priority.

  • robb

    lol what post game??? the headline should be “Lebron starting to think it would be a good idea to develop a post game”

  • Michael

    co sign robb, dude has no post game right now and ill be suprised if he does anytime in the next three years. It would be good for the heat if he did have one right now.

  • kudos

    - Sometimes when people grow too tall they become more goofy and awkward. Which is why lebron will never look smooth when he’s shooting or dribbling. Dude is just one goofy as$ kid. This also accounts for him never being more than a volume shooter. Forget the post-game, he needs someone to teach him not to charge so much. –

  • jay

    Eboy kobe been had a post ame he just didnt use it as ,much…he got all the wrinkles out with hakeem but he been postin mimicking u know who

  • jay

    That’s a fact, this guy is so raw and no technical approach in some aspects….he does have a feel for the game..not as a closer but in all just playing the game all around. He’s won nothing so even if he does develope a respectable post game he still wont be the best ever, the nerve of this guy……Im not a hater he is an amazing speciman and he has hell of talent but believe u me he will slow down around 28-30 because of the pounding he takes and all the monster dunks of his youth with return to haunt his knees…..

  • rikson

    Get fu*k out here with that race-factor… Thats the BIGGEST bs i have ever heard! Its just a sport thing! No fan likes it when the best player leaves to play somewhere else! Especially when your team was close to a ring with that player… And even more so, when hes going to a team that will most likely build a dynasty with him! Thats it! No deeper meaning..! What, nothing else? – Yes – nothing else… Oh and LBJ is a basketball player, and “just” a basketball player… I doubt that he is very intelligent or even knows a lot about the people he claims to be racists! So follow your “king” when its about hoops, but use your own brain when it comes to anything else…

  • http://www.twitter.com/HurstySYD Hursty

    What Myles said in his first comment.

  • The Philosopher

    Still on your mind too?
    I am legit.

  • rikson

    Americans are always complaining about racism, but that wasnt the first time it was used as an excuse! Tbh its a vital part of your economy and industry as well! Just take a look at US-comedy… There are a ton of people who make a lot of money with racism! Over time it has become a part of your culture, so you wont get rid of it as you dont want to!!! Thats why you are always talking about racism… Even when it comes to stuff that has nothing to do with it!
    I am lugas. Destroyer of the illusions…

  • bashmo

    hm…well miami has to have SOME sort of force on the block. Bosh is not really a backto the basket player, so having james post up with his size and strength is bad news for many teams. If he can developed a drop step, up and under, fake and up and under, fade away j in the post, shimmy shakes, and such, he can become a serious offensive threat. One of his only offensive weaknesses is his post game. He really does want to improve.

  • Lz – Cphfinest3

    So Eboy’s real name is Clifford? That was a golden nugget of information. I now picture Cliff Clavin from Cheers, postman’s outfit and all angrily typing away from his bachlors pad. Thank you Myles. To stay on the subject; LeBron need a post-ups game just like Howard needs one; to be a better player. Can he do without it and still be a dominant factor, yes. But so can Howard. He needs it to be a better player simple as that. Another thing, there is no doubting that Kobe has all the post-moves down. But when has he ever been dominating from the post. He has the moves allright, but it is not like it is his bread and butter or anything. Against the Celtics against a smaller and older Ray or a smaller Tony Allen, he would very rarely go in the post. Kobe bread and butter is pull-ups, I reckon he has all the post moves in the book, but really dominant in the post he is not. Michael was a whole other story, he would live on the block even against bigger players (Drexler in ´92, R. Dumas in ´93, B. Russel against the Jazz just to name a few) it is no secret that Mike had superior strength to Kobe that might have been the reason. But the notion that Kobe dominates in the post is completely exaggerated. He is a great post-player yes, but he really rarely uses it – not hating at all, but go watch the film and you will see.

  • billaras kats

    I didn’t read all the comments but eboy is right. The GOAT had a brilliant inside game but the first time I saw him dominate and killing everybody with his post game was during the 93 finals with the suns. Age 30 if I’m not mistaken

  • Jagster

    Billy Q.

    You said it man!

    I don’t know why that’s so hard to see.

    Lebron is too big and heavy to be bringing the ball up the court, running fast breaks and trying to drive from up top to the hoop consistently.

    It will be much easier and less taxing for him to post up and have a mid range game.

    He’ll be 26 at the end of the year and he already got his knees heavily iced after practices now.

    He needs to be more efficient in his scoring. And with Dwayne Wade their. It shouldn’t be a problem for him.

← Older Comments
Advertisement