LeBron James 2011 Playoff Breakdown

LeBron has been impressive on both ends of the floor throughout the playoffs. His ability to not only dominate and score on offense, but also to swallow the other team’s best player night in and night out has turned a lot of heads.

He can hurt you in so many ways , not only as a primary scorer, but a player that can suck in defenders and make plays for others. That is one of the traits that sets LeBron above most is his vision and ability to make plays for others. He is one of the more unique basketball players that I have ever witnessed with his ability to handle the ball, his athletic ability, make plays for others, and defend.

One part of his game that I’ve noticed has improved is his ability to make shots. Early in his career that part of his game hindered him the most. Defenders could play off of him because of his inconsistent shooting. Now that he is making shots it forces defenders to try to get as him in rotations and it opens up his ability to drive. On screen and roll coverages he is now forcing defenders to fight over the screen which open up his ability to get in to the lane and make plays.

The one thing I haven’t seen him do on a regular basis is get the ball in the paint on post ups from the block, mid post, and elbow area. With his ability to pass and make plays for others by sucking in defenders posting up would be a great option. It would also enable Miami to have both post players near the paint to have great offensive rebounding position. It seems like every time he gets the ball down there that he can get a good shot or spot cutters. Miami can also space out Bosh and Haslem and increase the amount of space the help side defenders got to rotate to him opening up other teammates.

Miami is such a tough team to match up against on both sides of the floor. The thing that has to improve from them is their shot selection. Dwyane Wade and LeBron are so talented physically that they can make tough shots with defenders draped all over them. The problem is taking tough shots on a consistent basis in the flow of the game decreases your team’s efficiency and opens up transition opportunities for your opponent. If they can space the floor out force the defense to suck in and make a play to the open player that will stretch out Dallas’s defense and enables them to make easier plays. At the encd of shot/game clock no question sometimes calls for taking tough shots, but to be able to simplify your game to take higher percentage shots puts your team in better position to win. He has so many physical talents at his disposal that he’s one of the best isolation players in the league. His size and length enables him to get his shot off over almost any defender. He can handle the ball as well as take contact from his strong muscular frame. He ability to use his footwork to get separation from his defender is getting better as well. What he needs do is continue to play off of double teams and fins open teammates. That will continue to improve in time.

Players are compared to others every day. I think it is something that happens in basketball a lot to try to put players in different categories. I’ve heard a lot of people compare LeBron to Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson and that is all people’s opinion. I think he’s trying to carve his own personality out as a player. It’s very hard to compare players from different eras. I think LeBron certainly can be one of the best players ever to play in the NBA if he never wins a ring or if he wins ten. He has too much talent not to be in discussions. I respect players that dominate on both ends. I think when evaluating how good a player is that is a determining factor. That’s why it is so easy to like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant because they not only lead their teams to multiple championships but also could dominate the game on both ends of the floor.

LeBron is continuing to get better as a basketball player. It is tough to get with new players and flow with them quickly. He is learning not only how to dominate games consistently but also how to play off of others. With his ability to play multiple positions and make an impact on both ends of the floor , Miami will continue to make strides in the post season.