Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 at 9:00 am  |  130 responses

LeBron James Working Out With Hakeem Olajuwon


by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Kobe Bryant did it. So did Dwight Howard (twice, in fact.)

It’s now LeBron James’ turn to benefit from the tutelage of the NBA’s postgame Yoda.

James, long maligned for seemingly not working hard enough to develop a deadly postgame (despite obvious physical advantages over, well, everyone), has enlisted Hakeem Olajuwon to help change things.

From the AP:

“Right now I’ve just been focusing on being a better player, working on my game every single day,” James said. “Like I said, the Dallas Mavericks were a great team and they deserved to win that championship. And I’ll just use that as motivation coming into this season.”

He’s also trying to deliver on his vow to be even better whenever the Heat resume play, saying he’s been in Houston at times this offseason to learn post play from one of the game’s all-time greats, former Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon.

“I look at what he was able to do throughout his career,” James said. “Unbelievable talent. Multiple champion. Just to see how he was able to dominate in the low post, for me as an individual, I just try to look at some of the things I feel I need to get better at and hit home at it. Our team becomes better if I continue to get better and that’s what it’s about.”

For about eight years now, fans and media have wondered why LeBron didn’t look more comfortable posting guys up, and instead focused on bull-rushing to the hoop or the long outside jumper.

It’s encouraging to learn that even the player many consider to be the best in the League, sees room for improvement in his game.

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  • PlanetAsia14

    @ The Seed: Exactly what I was thinking…

  • seriousblack

    *comments

  • robb

    That being said I think it’s wrong to put all the responsibility on himself. Sure he has to get better, execute better at crunch time, etc, but the rest of the Heat (besides Wade and Bosh) need to embrace their roles. Three guys can’t win, a whole team must do the job, just like Dallas just did. The role players, the bench, everybody. Saying “If I get better, the team gets better” it’s brave and all but it takes more than that. Making it too easy on everybody is not so good, you make your teammates lazy, you make your teammates witnesses and that won’t get you rings.

  • http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ec61f8a82f/kobe-bryant-on-the-nba-lockout?rel=by_user nbk

    Phantom I was bumpin Triumph like 2 days ago haha

  • http://cnbc.com Da_Real_JTaylor

    The seed your ignorant

  • AQWORD

    The Seed . haha . Don’t choke on a mouth full of yourself :-)

  • AQWORD

    Brevon Kite ? who dat ? Seed ?

  • http://www.kb24.com The Seed

    All I stated was Kobe started working with Hakeem first, then some cats want to act like I made that up. Also Kobe has studied MJ, but everyone has yall. I was not trying to turn this into a Kobe vs. Bron debate. Lebron choked this year and I was happy, so I am cool at Lebron trying to get better. But honestly Lebron needs to work on his post game, and his yes men camp should have had him do this a long time ago. Bron needs to get this point guard crap out of his mind and go into physical beast post up mode.

  • http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ec61f8a82f/kobe-bryant-on-the-nba-lockout?rel=by_user nbk

    FACT: LeBron James was significantly more effective in the post this season then Kobe Bryant. (Post moves mean nothing if you can’t use them effectively)

  • bike

    The best player in the league is going to get even better. If LBJ adds a serious post-game dimension to his skill set, he has a shot at GOAT.

  • MLK4Life

    LeBron will never be GOAT if his mindset stays where it is now. He can have all the skills in the world but if he doesn’t want to do anything in the fourth quarter, it won’t matter. D-Wade had to try to motivate him at times. I don’t remember ever seeing anyone nudge MJ to get him to be more aggressive. Let’s keep things in the proper perspective.

  • seriousblack

    No, you said everybody is copying Kobe. He wasn’t the first to work on his post game. And A lot of dudes study MJ, but no one but Kobe has literally tried to be him. It’s not like he just studied MJ’s game. He jacked his walk and his mannerisms. You’re always bringing Kobe up in Lebron discussions, and you always say baseless nonsense to prove your point.

  • http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ec61f8a82f/kobe-bryant-on-the-nba-lockout?rel=by_user nbk

    Proper perspective would be remembering what he did in the 4th quarter of every other playoff series before Dallas. Its like all of you are a goldfish, who only remembers what happened most recently. LeBron is still ahead of the current GOAT in terms of career accomplishments at the same age. Everyone should keep that in mind before they come to these ridiculous conclusions. At 26 Michael Jordan was too interested in scoring to ever win a championship. Everyone that didn’t own Jordan’s that lived outside of Chicago felt that way, and now they are all hypocrites.

  • http://Slamonline.com Datkid

    This makes me so happy

  • MLK4Life

    If he’s going to be the GOAT, he has to do it every series. That’s the proper perspective. No conversation about GOAT with LeBron or anyone else until they do it when it means the most…The Finals. Every time. Jordan did. Wade even did.

  • http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ec61f8a82f/kobe-bryant-on-the-nba-lockout?rel=by_user nbk

    Jordan didn’t win everytime. Just because he scored heeps of points doesn’t mean he always played great. gross. The magnificence of Jordan’s career is so overrated by some people. And completely underrated by Kobe fans, who will quickly jump on the other side when LeBron is involved. LeBron probably won’t be the GOAT, lik 90% likelyhood that he doesn’t get there. But as for at the age of 26 he is infront of Michael Jordan, a bad series in the finals or not.

  • http://Slamonline.com Datkid

    Cosign nbk.. And shut up mlk4life Lebron can still be the G.O.A.T.

  • MLK4Life

    Jordan won in every Finals appearance and was the leading dog in each Finals series. How quickly people forget.
    @Datkid
    Kid is the proper name for you. LeBron will never be the GOAT. Why? He could win 2 or 3 championships and he’d still have two Finals series losses on his record.

  • zenBuhda

    Err how come you never see him face up from the post. He only attacks from 25 feet away. And facing up is what made Dream great you dummies.

  • shomilocdee

    MJ was gunnin 4 the scorin title ‘cuz he knew he could do it by himself.I think he also knew he had no shot at a title with the pre Pippen-Grant-Jackson Bulls.but I think he always wanted 2 win.so he won everything he could win by himself.

  • BAWSE

    How is a post game going to handle heart? He disappears in the 4th quarter EVERY game in the championship. 2.2 avg going into the elimination game in the finals. Lebrons game really needs a jumper more than a post game. Smart opponents clog the paint on the Lebron and Wade show. Neither can shoot but at least Wade doesnt shy away from a close game. Lebron needs to see the Wizard for heart and not Hakeem for some useless post moves that wont count once the 4th quarter hits.

  • BAWSE

    People want Lebron to be more than what he is. Only person that has touched a ball that is worthy of Mike debates resides in LA and his name ryhmes with TOBE!!!

  • http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ec61f8a82f/kobe-bryant-on-the-nba-lockout?rel=by_user nbk

    Michael Jordan has more season then LeBron James losing in the conference finals, first round and second round. Infact LeBron has never lost in the 1st round. So that whole never lost in the finals stuff is irrelevant. Every great players loses before they win, where they lose OBVIOUSLY doesn’t matter.

  • shomilocdee

    LBJ amazes me with his court vision.he’s also a physical freak.that would be an understatement 2 say he’s a great ballplayer.but 2 me he’s ugly 2 watch.Jordan was beauty personified.besides, Wade is Miami’s Jordan.if LBJ didn’t want 2 be Pippen he could have signed elsewhere.

  • MLK4Life

    How is losing in the Finals irrelevant? lol. That’s why you play the game. To win championships. MJ was 6 for 6 in the Finals. LeBron’s going on his 9th season. So let’s see what the Heat do whenever the NBA returns. Or you LeBron apologists and defenders will have to come up with more excuses for him.

  • http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ec61f8a82f/kobe-bryant-on-the-nba-lockout?rel=by_user nbk

    Michael Jordan at 26 years old, No Finals Appearances, 1 MVP, 1 DPOY. Those are his most notable accomplishments at 26.

    _____________________________________________________________

    LeBron James at 26 years old, 2 Finals Appearances, 2 MVP’s. Those are his most notable accomplishments at 26. I’d give more credit to someone for atleast getting to the finals and winning that extra MVP then to someone who loses to the same team (Detroit) everytime they make it passed the first round and only has 1 MVP. So still, losing in the finals is irrelevant, if not a more significant of an accomplishment at the same age.

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    @nbk you have to put in consideration that the NBA was a much tougher league back when MJ played, he was getting battered by the Detroit Bad Boys. Sure, Lebron had issues with the modern-day Celtics but that doesn’t compare to playing against a team of all-out a**holes and losing three times. You could only imagine how much he despised losing to them.

  • shomilocdee

    don’t count James out.his career is not finished yet.look at Dirk:his killer “instinct” didn’t exist earlier in his career.he became a killer becuz he got his heart broken a few times.maybe Lebron will become a killer.maybe he’ll deserve his nickname.we’re all fueling him by doubtin him.

  • seriousblack

    Lebron came into the league as a teen so of course he has more seasons under his belt, but in an age to age comparison he comes out looking better as an individual player. If losing in the finals is relevant then so are the rest of the playoff loses. MJ lost in the playoffs more than Lebron. I’m not arguing that Bron is better, but for people to prematurely cut him out of the GOAT debate before his career is over is asinine. All because he lost in the finals? Kobe lost in the finals just as many times as Bron and dudes are still on his sack. All of his chips before age 27 were with Shaq so technically he didn’t win as ‘the man’ until he was in his 30s. MLK4life needs to stop being a hater like the Seed. I’m not even an LBJ fan.

  • http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ec61f8a82f/kobe-bryant-on-the-nba-lockout?rel=by_user nbk

    I know my dood. I’m just saying that losing in the finals is no more of a failure then losing in any other round. I am not saying LeBron will ever catch or eclipse MJ. Not at all, just that people that focus on irrelevant stuff like his loses in the final. Or when people focus on one piece of evidence to support their ignorant argument (4th quarters against Dallas) while completely ignoring all other evidence that completely contradicts that opinion (4th quarter every other playoff series of his career, except Dallas, 2 games against Orlando, and Boston in ’10) The evidence that he is one of the best 4th quarter players in the league, even in the playoffs is overwhelming, but still ignored. And that’s where I have my problem

  • MLK4Life

    Look at how many years he’s been in the league. At 9 years in the league, MJ had 3 Championships. At this point, LeBron has 2 MVP awards and 2 losses in the Finals. At the same point in their careers, MJ is up 3-0. As hard as you try, you won’t be successful at arguing that LeBron has any chance of being close to MJ and what he did in his career. The fact that you keep saying losing in the Finals is irrelevant is hilarious. So LeBron can keep losing in the Finals for the foreseeable future and you’d still be saying that it doesn’t matter? Ridiculous. I’ll also point out that four out of the five times MJ was MVP, his team went on to win a championship.

  • http://www.kb24.com The Seed

    @nbk I cosign some of your statements.
    But Lebron at age 26 is not better than MJ or Kobe in my mind. Lebron has alot of time to improve. Wade was the best player on the Heat this year, even NBA anaylst stated this. Do I need to get proof. Lebron cannot be GOAT,being a free agent MVP, joining two All Stars during his prime. Poor Lebron he can’t win to lose, at least he is backing and taking up for Tebow now.

  • MLK4Life

    Also, the idea that someone is a hater just because they point out facts about a player is comical. I enjoy watching LeBron play. But the idea that it gets out of control when people compare him to MJ as if he has a chance of being in the GOAT conversation. Kobe isn’t even in the conversation so how can LeBron be? Newsflash, pointing out facts is not hating. Smarten up kids.

  • http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ec61f8a82f/kobe-bryant-on-the-nba-lockout?rel=by_user nbk

    You can’t read can you? I don’t care how many years they have been in the league, that to me doesn’t matter. They were both playing basketball at 19, 20, 21 – NBA or Not they were still getting experience. Age is all that matters to me. and at 26 LeBron has accomplished more. Put it anyway you like, but compare them at the same age, or else it isn’t worth talking about. MJ from 27 – 34 only lost 1 playoff series. LeBron turns 27 in december, and plays on the most talented team in the league. There is no reason to write him off. If he was in Cleveland still, then you could, cuz no way he could get the personnel to even compete with Jordan historically.

  • Shem

    @T-Money I do know that he writes with his left but on the court he is dominant with his right hand. Teams often force him left. Of course he generally makes the shot regardless but after watching him since he got in the L I think going left is a bit of a weakness for him

  • impartial5

    At the age of 26 he will still go down as one of the all-time greats. All great players have failed on the big stage and he is no different. A post game changes the dynamic, because it forces Dallas to double team, he is easier to guard on the perimeter.

  • bubblecat

    Chris Bosh should get lessons from the Dream.

  • http://bleacherreport.com/articles/791470-lebron-james-vs-dwyane-wade-who-is-the-better-player/page/8 nbk

    NOBODY stated Wade was better then James this year Seed. WTH are you talking about? Google everything about this season, go ahead. LeBron was by every measure better then Dwyane Wade at every point this season until the finals. ANd that is a Fact, you can check it. H*ll I did it for you, click my name. – You can also look at every advanced statistic, normal statistic, per minute statistic. On-Court v Off-Court statistics. THere is literally not a measure on planet earth that comes out with Dwyane Wade as a better basketball player (outside of a 6 game series at the end of the season). None

  • MLK4Life

    It’s obvious that how many years he’s been in the league doesn’t matter to you…but it’s more important than age. Are you seriously saying that playing in the NBA or not is the same experience? So streetball is the same as playing in the NBA? Doesn’t matter because they’re “still getting experience”? LeBron’s had more NBA experience than MJ did at 26, so that supports my argument even more. Compare them at year 9, that’s the most important thing. How mindless can you seriously be? You’re essentially saying that LeBron is a better player than MJ at 26 just because he has 2 MVPs. Enjoy your ignorance son. If he was still in Cleveland, that would actually be more of a reason to include him in the conversation because he wouldn’t be playing with a guy named Dwyane Wade who carried his team to a Championship 5 seasons ago and is the leader of the team. Get serious dude.

  • MLK4Life

    You talk about a 6 game series at the end of the season as if it’s just any series. You are saying that the Finals are just as important as the First Round. Come on son. Think. And exactly what is an Off-Court statistic????

  • http://slamonline.com AllBall

    There is no reason to write him off, but lets not assume that he will win 6 of the next 8 titles, countless mvps and finals mvps like mj did. The at the same age argument should be taken with a pinch of salt, different eras with different teams, jordan consistently lost to the pistons who were better than any team lebron has lost to in the play-offs, maybe with the exception of the 08 celtics.
    If mj played in this era he would be one and done, be in the league at a younger age. Comparing after 9 years in the league is just as relevant as comparing their age.

  • http://bleacherreport.com/articles/791470-lebron-james-vs-dwyane-wade-who-is-the-better-player/page/8 nbk

    A Basketball game is a basketball game. Whether it’s in the finals or the first round, if you lose your out. You don’t get a “good try” trophy for finishing worse then second. You don’t get a gun in the mail to kill yourself for losing in the finals. You go home after losing in both rounds. No difference, except by getting to the finals you’ve proven your more of a winner then the person that lost in the first round. Either way, LeBron looks better for getting further, no matter how you slice it. — ANd on-court/off-court statistics show how your whole team performs with you on the court compared to off of it. THe Heat were better with LeBron on the court then they were with Wade on the court. And they were worse with LeBron off the court, then they were with Wade off the court. Its so completely 100% obvious to anyone with intelligence who the better basketball player is, as long as your not driven by illogical thoughts like The Seed. Book it

  • http://www.kb24.com The Seed

    PTI guys stated Wade was the better player and leader for the Heat and Around the Horn, Skip Bayless, my satellite radio and many more. Lebron played well in spurts this year. Wade was the leader, He had to motivated Bron to step up. Also Kobe had better stats than Lebron at 26 and rings. After the first title with Shaq, Kobe held his own on the next two rings. Kobe should have been 3rd straight ring MVP. Lebron is overrated, his game is ugly to watch and he chokes and signed with All Stars, because he publicly stated he cannot handle the pressure of being the star. THAT IS NOT A GOAT. Lebron gets stats, but his mental make up is JACKED UP. MJ is rollilng in his grave stating Lebron is on his level. Just few years back, MJ stating Kobe is better overall. Lebron got to learn how to shoot, post up, get his mental back-like Chris Broussard said–he needs to go back to going to a Therapist for help. Lebron is a JOKE, not a GOAT!!!

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    I’m with MLK4Life on this one. This shouldn’t even be a debate, and i’m surprised it is. It’s not even close MJ 26 >>>>>>>> LeBron 26. Kobe 26 >>> LeBron 26. Magic 26 >>>> LeBron 26. Bird 26>>>>LeBron 26, Hakeem 26>>>>>LeBron 26, Shaq 26>>>>>Lebron 26, List goes on. It doesn’t even have to have MJ’s name in it. He has D-Wade on his team and still lost in the finals. LBJ would have to either become a killer post player, an elite PG to get into a GOAT debate. He’s neither and never will be either. And stop with the hate this, hate that. It’s not hate, it’s opinion. I watched allot of Heat games this year because I have always enjoyed watching D-Wade play and to an extent LeBron also. They are phenomenal talents, but D-Wade has far more basketball skills than LeBron and he has a killer mentallity. D-Wade>LeBron. They are virtually equal. Tell me this what is better about LeBron than D-Wade?? I’ll give you athleticism and durability. Thats it. Does D-Wade have a chance to be Goat? No, so does LBJ… NO. Not saying that if he all the sudden starts taking over in the finals and wins multiple championships with the Heat in dramatic fashion as the unquestionsed MAN that he can’t be the GOAT, but I don’t see this happening and I don’t see why some of you do.

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    @Seed Kobe did NOT have better stats than Lebron at 26 years old.

  • http://cnbc.com JTaylor21

    Yawn!!!! Seeing is believing. Until I see dude down there in the post on a consistent basis, I’m holding off on passing judgement.
    Too bad we won’t be able to see the improvements cats like KD, Rose, Westbrook, DHoward and Bron made of the summer because of the alley rat, David Stern and greedy a** owners.

  • bike

    For LeBron to surpass someone like Jordan, at least three things have to happen: 1) LeBron will have to win some rings. Although debatable, like it or not, the really great ones have at least two championships in their resume. 2) LeBron must develop the same level of competitive fire that Jordan had. MJ was insanely competitive—he truly wanted to win every single game in the regular season. LeBron has yet to show that and he may never will. 3) LeBron has got to show more clutch to his game which includes taking over when needed. He has done it in the past but not so much in past couple of years. He has the potential (underscore potential) and time to do all of these things.

  • TokyoSandblaster

    Can’t we just celebrate Kobe, LeBron, Wade, and Jordan rather than degrade and compare. As a fan of basketball, I enjoy seeing everybody in the league. Let each player develop, succeed, or fail.

  • http://bleacherreport.com/articles/791470-lebron-james-vs-dwyane-wade-who-is-the-better-player/page/8 nbk

    You can click my name, like I said. It highlights how LeBron is better, without using a bunch of stats that are too complicated for you too understand. Whatever if your arguing that Wade is better and that Kobe at 26 was better then I’m not interested in having this discussion. THere is not a measure on earth outside of your own (consistently fugged up) opinion that agrees with what you say. LeBron James at 26 has had 3 seasons where he was more productive and efficient then any season of Kobe Bryant’s whole career. Kobe’s best individual season came at 27. His best season with another great player was in 02-03 when he averaged 30, 6.9 and 5.9 on 45% shooting. That’s with Shaq so it could have been better (probably less efficient though) and he was 24. For COmparisons sake LeBron at 24 averaged 28 7 and 7 on 48% shooting. Cleveland went 66-16 that season with Mo Williams as the second best player on the team. LA went 52 and 30 with Kobe Bryant as their Second Best Player and lost in the WCS. While Cleveland lost in the Conference Finals. Just for comparisons sake.

  • LP

    i don’t know whats going on, it looks like some idiot is SLANDERING Rod Strickland…well, we can tell who just started watch bball in 2005…

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