I finally watched a good chunk of a Cavs game. I’m starting to realize how special Lebron James actually is. Even I, with my pathetic understanding of basketball, can see that this guy is pretty unique. A lot of it is just physical. Look at this photograph:
The perspective is a bit off because Shaq is about 10 feet behind Lebron, but they are pretty close in height. Shaq is 7′1″ while Lebron is 6′8″. The amazing thing is he’s listed as a point guard, which has to make him one of the tallest out there. (we’re debating whether he really plays point or 2 guard, but he definitely takes the point role for stretches in games). This kid is only 19 and yet he physically looks like the other guys out there. As he fills out and gets into the full pro training regimen, I wonder where he’ll end up. Shaq still has a hundred pounds on him, though. 
February 6th, 2004 at 11:12 am
I watched part of that game, and it wasn’t so much his physique that got me, more it was that he’s mentally able to play with the “big boys”. Gary Payton is probably one of, if not the best at his position defensivelly, and James went at him as if he were some of the same high school kids he played against just 6 months ago. Lebron James is a truly special talent, and unlike atheletes in other sports, he should be celebrated. He was truly ready to come to the NBA and didn’t need even five minutes in college to be able to play at this level. His maturation will come quicker because for as good as he is, he recognizes that there are people better and being recognized for as good as he is takes time. I hate to say it, but some NBA pros could take a lesson from this kid (did you hear that, you punk, Iverson!), because he is someone who should be talked about every time we talk about what’s right with the NBA (which isn’t a conversation people have often.)
Just a thought.
February 6th, 2004 at 1:26 pm
I totally agree with you. The physique thing was more just that I didn’t realize how tall he actually was. 6′8″ is huge. He’s been a very well spoken young player. His response to his All-Star snub (and let’s be honest, it was a snub) was smart and savvy. Good for him.
As we have learned with Kobe, though, he’s still young enough to get off course. Kobe was also pretty well spoken and said all the right things when he came out. Success has made him obnoxious, let alone his current legal issues.