100 replies to this topic

[jon abbey]

Wow, he is seriously out of his mind. Check out this followup to the Cleveland comments:

http://sports.yahoo...._gilbert_021712

[CJM]

There's a fair amount of unnamed sources and loose language in there ("league sources", "Those who know Heat president Pat Riley believe" etc.). There's also a fair amount of speculation on James' psychology, some of it coming from sources and some from Wojnarowski, who, solid a writer as he is, has been on an anti-James jihad since The Decision.

But if there's fire to this smoke... man. It's not only an egregiously stupid thing to do, considering he's under contract for at least two and a half more years, it's borderline pathological.

Edited by CJM, 17 February 2012 - 09:13 PM.

[Royal Reader]

It would be a fairly smart thing to do, if and when he gets a ring in Miami and cares about his legacy. It's the dumbest thing in the world to say.

[Raftery]

LeBron demands his food be precut before being brought to table at restaurants...

http://sports.yahoo....-154107736.html

[Nick Kaufman]

There's a fair amount of unnamed sources and loose language in there ("league sources", "Those who know Heat president Pat Riley believe" etc.). There's also a fair amount of speculation on James' psychology, some of it coming from sources and some from Wojnarowski, who, solid a writer as he is, has been on an anti-James jihad since The Decision.

But if there's fire to this smoke... man. It's not only an egregiously stupid thing to do, considering he's under contract for at least two and a half more years, it's borderline pathological.

Let me translate this to you: Those who know Pat Riley is Pat Riley. Sources near Gilbert is Gilbert.

[Three10toLeft]

If the Heat don't win a championship this year because of another disappearing act by Lebron, this could get kinda ugly.

One could only hope, at least.

[kazuneko]

But if there's fire to this smoke... man. It's not only an egregiously stupid thing to do..

If this is true you'd have to think that if Riley is interested in a Howard trade he might not feel so bad about offering Lebron...
Not that its gonna happen, but the argument could be made that Howard is a better fit with that roster than Lebron..

[JakeRae]

If this is true you'd have to think that if Riley is interested in a Howard trade he might not feel so bad about offering Lebron...
Not that its gonna happen, but the argument could be made that Howard is a better fit with that roster than Lebron..

I'd offer Dwayne Wade for Howard in a heartbeat. I would not trade Lebron.

[collings94]

I'd offer Dwayne Wade for Howard in a heartbeat. I would not trade Lebron.

I think the big thing is that Lebron would bring the most back if he was traded. Plus, Wade has proven that he can win a championship with a lesser-talented team.

[TheGazelle]

I think the big thing is that Lebron would bring the most back if he was traded. Plus, Wade has proven that he can win a championship with a lesser-talented team.

As compared to what, though? The Cleveland teams LeBron played on? That Heat team - a still-revelant Shaq, Walker, Posey, Payton, etc., blows the doors off of those teams.

http://www.basketbal...s/MIA/2006.html

[collings94]

As compared to what, though? The Cleveland teams LeBron played on? That Heat team - a still-revelant Shaq, Walker, Posey, Payton, etc., blows the doors off of those teams.

http://www.basketbal...s/MIA/2006.html

Ok, I hate to reiterate this, but let's just say that Dwayne Wade has put a team on his back and won a championship, Lebron hasn't.

[ifmanis5]

After a historically superior statistical regular season, this guy is coming up small in the playoffs again.
Does he have ANY kind of 'gimme the damn ball' mentality at all? Does he even understand the damage this is doing to his legacy?

Edited by ifmanis5, 18 May 2012 - 02:41 PM.

[Mystic Merlin]

He understands it about as well as he understands how poorly flopping reflects on him.

[Grin&MartyBarret]

Statistically, he's performed about as well during the playoffs as he did in the regular season.

After last night (and the missed layup in game 2), you'd think people would be more critical of Wade.

[collings94]

Statistically, he's performed about as well during the playoffs as he did in the regular season.

After last night (and the missed layup in game 2), you'd think people would be more critical of Wade.

Last night was a bad night for Lebron, even if Wade's shitstorm overshadowed it. With Bosh out and Wade laying bricks, you'd like to see a player of his caliber step up and take the game over, but je finished with just 22 and 7.

[Grin&MartyBarret]

Last night was a bad night for Lebron, even if Wade's shitstorm overshadowed it. With Bosh out and Wade laying bricks, you'd like to see a player of his caliber step up and take the game over, but je finished with just 22 and 7.

He's also been asked to play the 4, guard David West, and play far more minutes than his average. On the series he's averaging 28 and 10. He won game 1 for them with 32, 15, and 5 assists. In game two he was dominant, but because Wade missed a layup he should have made, LeBron was criticized. Meanwhile Wade has played like shit all series, run over Collison, complained about how much Indiana celebrated, stopped playing defense, showed up his coach in the middle of a game in which he was putting up his worst playoff line ever and. . .

LeBron gets criticized for not stepping up the way he should have.

[wutang112878]

He has the ability to step up his game, I just dont know where it has gone. I will never forget the Detroit series, his 4th year in the league and he was just 22 at the time. Cleveland was down 0-2 and the next 3 games he virtually won by himself and he was really was imposing his will on the game. When I saw that I thought he was going to become top 5 of all time special, but in the past few years I have never seen him kick it into that mode again.

[ifmanis5]

He's also been asked to play the 4, guard David West, and play far more minutes than his average.

Okay, but Magic Johnson played CENTER for Bird's sake and was awesome. If you saw it, you'll not forget it. LeBron is well short of that territory.
How many key free throws will he miss? How many 4th qtrs will he stand around waiting for the ball (while looking like he hopes it doesn't come to him)? He doesn't act like a leader, despite all the hype of his 'being changed into more of a leader' this year. Can you imagine Jordan meekly standing in a corner while the game is decided? The stats are fairly hollow at this point.

[wutang112878]

He's also been asked to play the 4, guard David West, and play far more minutes than his average.

Lebron is maybe slightly short for the 4, but probably stronger and faster than most 4s in the league. ESPN has Lebron listed at 6' 8" 250lbs, and West at 6' 9" 240 lbs, while he might not be used to guarding 4s physically this should not be a physical problem for him. Meanwhile, in the playoffs there arent any back to backs, he hasnt played more than ~43 minutes and he is one of the most physically gifted players in the league. Elite players in the prime of their career, that have elite physical gifts should be able to play additional minutes if they want to be considered elite players.

and. . .

LeBron gets criticized for not stepping up the way he should have.

I think Lebron gets criticized so much because he has so many physical gifts. Wade is fast and strong but also somewhat short, but he has already carried a team to a title, whereas Lebron hasnt done the 'get on my back boys' thing yet. Fair or unfair, thats where all this criticism for Lebron comes from, oh that and the 'take my talents' and 'not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4' ridiculousness. So some of this he has really brought upon himself.

[Grin&MartyBarret]

Okay, but Magic Johnson played CENTER for Bird's sake and was awesome. If you saw it, you'll not forget it. LeBron is well short of that territory.
How many key free throws will he miss? How many 4th qtrs will he stand around waiting for the ball (while looking like he hopes it doesn't come to him)? He doesn't act like a leader, despite all the hype of his 'being changed into more of a leader' this year. Can you imagine Jordan meekly standing in a corner while the game is decided? The stats are fairly hollow at this point.

I don't know. I mean, it's very clear to me at least that he effects the game in more ways than anybody else on the floor, and that he's been dominant defensively when he's played on West. Personally, I think he deserves a pass for last night. Wade played terribly on both ends and stopped going to the rim, which effects the floor spacing significantly, and on top of that, Indiana played a great defensive game.

I think this story was written before the events took place. No matter how things went down, if the Heat lost, LeBron was going to take the blame. But objectively, it's really hard for me to watch those three games and see LeBron as being at fault. In last year's finals? Sure. But I think he's played well this series and it's the players around him, Chalmers aside, who haven't stepped up to match his level.

[Grin&MartyBarret]

Lebron is maybe slightly short for the 4, but probably stronger and faster than most 4s in the league. ESPN has Lebron listed at 6' 8" 250lbs, and West at 6' 9" 240 lbs, while he might not be used to guarding 4s physically this should not be a physical problem for him. Meanwhile, in the playoffs there arent any back to backs, he hasnt played more than ~43 minutes and he is one of the most physically gifted players in the league. Elite players in the prime of their career, that have elite physical gifts should be able to play additional minutes if they want to be considered elite players.

I think Lebron gets criticized so much because he has so many physical gifts. Wade is fast and strong but also somewhat short, but he has already carried a team to a title, whereas Lebron hasnt done the 'get on my back boys' thing yet. Fair or unfair, thats where all this criticism for Lebron comes from, oh that and the 'take my talents' and 'not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4' ridiculousness. So some of this he has really brought upon himself.

I know that LeBron has the physical tools to guard David West, but it's still not where he's played defensively in his career, and he's stepped in and done so very, very well. He deserves credit for that and it should be taken into account when considering how he's played this series. He also deserves credit for the minutes he's played. Personally, I think your argument, which is basically "he's too good to get credit for those things" is sort of ridiculous.

And yeah, of course he brought this upon himself. But I think in that statement alone there's an implication that the "this" he brought upon himself is that his play on the court will not be judged objectively.

[wutang112878]

I don't know. I mean, it's very clear to me at least that he effects the game in more ways than anybody else on the floor, and that he's been dominant defensively when he's played on West.

I really think the critique for Lebron comes from the fact that with his gifts and ability he can and probably should dominate almost any game if he puts his mind to it. Kobe doesnt get criticized a lot for his play or effort because its very clear that he gives 100% every time he steps on the court and tries to provide as much production as he possibly can, I say this and I completely hate the guy. I dont think a lot of people feel the same way about Lebron.

[wutang112878]

I know that LeBron has the physical tools to guard David West, but it's still not where he's played defensively in his career, and he's stepped in and done so very, very well. He deserves credit for that and it should be taken into account when considering how he's played this series.

If you agree that physically its not that much of a challenge or draining on him to guard a 4, then what does that have to do with his offensive output? If we were talking about a 35 year old who might get worn out, ok sure, but for 27 year old built like a middle-linebacker who is faster than most PGs, while it might be odd for him it also consistently provides a mis-match for his team offensively so technically things should be a little easier for them/him on offense.

He also deserves credit for the minutes he's played. Personally, I think your argument, which is basically "he's too good to get credit for those things" is sort of ridiculous.

Now maybe I dont remember it, but I dont think after playing center Magic said something about how 'draining' it was to play out of position. I dont think you ever heard Jordan talk about being tired, or sick when he had the flu. There are guys that just go out there and do what their team needs them to do because they are just that competitive. I dont think Lebron is in this category unfortunately, and thats why I criticize. I dont think he is utilizing all his talents, elite guys like Magic, Jordan, Kobe, Bird all did, and thats why I criticize.

And yeah, of course he brought this upon himself. But I think in that statement alone there's an implication that the "this" he brought upon himself is that his play on the court will not be judged objectively.

To be fair, yeah I personally have a sliding scale for player evaluation. I hold Avery Bradley to different production standards than say Rondo or KG. And the guys that really have elite talent I hold to a completely different standard. But if you are going to have a press conference before you have even won a single title, and claim that you are going to win 4+, yeah any criticism that comes you really brought onto yourself sorry.

[Grin&MartyBarret]

If you agree that physically its not that much of a challenge or draining on him to guard a 4, then what does that have to do with his offensive output? If we were talking about a 35 year old who might get worn out, ok sure, but for 27 year old built like a middle-linebacker who is faster than most PGs, while it might be odd for him it also consistently provides a mis-match for his team offensively so technically things should be a little easier for them/him on offense.

Now maybe I dont remember it, but I dont think after playing center Magic said something about how 'draining' it was to play out of position. I dont think you ever heard Jordan talk about being tired, or sick when he had the flu. There are guys that just go out there and do what their team needs them to do because they are just that competitive. I dont think Lebron is in this category unfortunately, and thats why I criticize. I dont think he is utilizing all his talents, elite guys like Magic, Jordan, Kobe, Bird all did, and thats why I criticize.


To be fair, yeah I personally have a sliding scale for player evaluation. I hold Avery Bradley to different production standards than say Rondo or KG. And the guys that really have elite talent I hold to a completely different standard. But if you are going to have a press conference before you have even won a single title, and claim that you are going to win 4+, yeah any criticism that comes you really brought onto yourself sorry.

I never said anything about it effecting his offensive output. I just happen to think that he deserves credit for seamlessly stepping in to fill his injured teammate's role on the defensive end of the floor. If I missed something, and this conversation has been limited to his offensive output, I apologize. I was responding specifically to the idea that he's "come up small in the playoffs" and I think that's an unfair statement for several reasons, his defense on David West being one of them.

And yep, LeBron James complained. Here's the thing though: I don't care. You do, clearly and that's fine--I get that he's obnoxious. But I really don't care. And while that may be part of your criteria for judging his success as a basketball player during these playoffs, it isn't something I take into account. And in my opinion, based on what he does on the court, I don't know how somebody can say he's come up small in the playoffs. You can definitely say that he's hurting his legacy by whining about playing out of position and how taxing it is. You can say that Magic, Bird, and Jimmy Chitwood never would have done that. And it's perfectly reasonable to say that once they had their little not one, not two, not three celebration that he earned any criticism that comes their way. But in doing so, you're acknowledging that you're no longer an objective observer to what he does on the floor. And I think those things color people's perception of his play far more than they realize.

[ifmanis5]

Kobe laughing at LeBron for being a giant puss in the ASG still makes me chuckle.

[Zomp]

40, 18 and 9 today. Wow.

[bankshot1]

Rondoesque!

great game by Leroy

[oumbi]

a loathsome human being, but a great basketball player.

now the series shifts in favor of miami i think. it is a best of three series with two games in miami. further, wade and lebron, inspite of their overall general dickheadocity, may be focused enough to carry the heat past the pacers.

[teezy]

Apparently LeBron was reading the Hunger Games before today's game.

http://deadspin.com/...he-hunger-games

[Mugthis]

Haralabos Voulgaris
LeBron's performance today was the single most complete game I have ever seen a player have (in about 15 years). Pure performance art.

Edited by Mugthis, 20 May 2012 - 09:40 PM.

[Grin&MartyBarret]

Only the second time in the history of the postseason that a player has had 40 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists. The other player to do so was Elgin Baylor.

[collings94]

Huge, Huge, Huge game from Lebron. Deliverd when the chips where down and gave his team the superhuman performance they needed to win. Needs to do that more often.

[Grin&MartyBarret]

And, statistically, based on the Hollinger metric GameScore that was the 7th best playoff game of LeBron's career.

That's a ridiculous thing to think about given this is a guy who is criticized roundly for not being able to step up in big situations. A lot of that criticism is warranted, as he completely disappeared in the finals last year and had a terrible game 6 against the Celtics in 2010, but he's had some huge games in the playoffs.

[BigSoxFan]

And, statistically, based on the Hollinger metric GameScore that was the 7th best playoff game of LeBron's career.

That's a ridiculous thing to think about given this is a guy who is criticized roundly for not being able to step up in big situations. A lot of that criticism is warranted, as he completely disappeared in the finals last year and had a terrible game 6 against the Celtics in 2010, but he's had some huge games in the playoffs.

He definitely has. In 2007, he single-handedly took down a pretty solid Pistons team in a series that Cleveland had no business winning. And that's why it's a pretty remarkable accomplishment that, 5 years later, the perception of LeBron is that he's a "choker". Obviously, "the Decision" had something to do with this because now everybody is just ready to pounce on him. This suggests to me that the mental part of the game is weighing him down. Yesterday, he just went out and played the way he's capable of.

[Ed Hillel]

Don't leave out his game 7 performance against Boston in 2008. If Pierce doesn't demonstrate his greatness the same night, there are no titles in the Big 3 era.

To this point, I see his career as remarkably similar to where ARod's was before 2009. People forget how good ARod was in the playoffs before he was a Yankee.

Edited by Ed Hillel, 21 May 2012 - 11:38 AM.

[TheoShmeo]

Don't leave out his game 7 performance against Boston in 2008. If Pierce doesn't demonstrate his greatness the same night, there are no titles in the Big 3 era.

To this point, I see his career as remarkably similar to where ARod's was before 2009. People forget how good ARod was in the playoffs before he was a Yankee.

It's hard for me to get too excited about a great performance in a loss when the guy LeBron was dueling with out-played him, particularly when it counted most.

And the "should, coulda, woulda" game is weird science. If the Cs hadn't gagged in the 4th quarter of game 7 in 2010, there are two titles in the Big 3 era.

No doubt that LeBron, that bastid, was great yesterday. That said, with Bosh out and the dearth of talent around LeBron and Wade, he better be great or the Heat have no shot.

[Zomp]

Pierce shot better in that game, but saying Pierce outplayed him is a little much. When you compare the starting 5s in that series, its a wonder the Cavs lasted 7. Solely because of Lebron.

[johnmd20]

To this point, I see his career as remarkably similar to where ARod's was before 2009. People forget how good ARod was in the playoffs before he was a Yankee.

ARod was great with Seattle in the postseason and against the Twins in '04 but after that 2004 collapse you might have heard about , he was pretty horrendous for 5 years, until 2009.

[DukeSox]

which is why he said "before he was a yankee"

[collings94]

It's hard for me to get too excited about a great performance in a loss when the guy LeBron was dueling with out-played him, particularly when it counted most.

And the "should, coulda, woulda" game is weird science. If the Cs hadn't gagged in the 4th quarter of game 7 in 2010, there are two titles in the Big 3 era.

No doubt that LeBron, that bastid, was great yesterday. That said, with Bosh out and the dearth of talent around LeBron and Wade, he better be great or the Heat have no shot.

That's what I'm saying, with Bosh out and nobody else besides Wade, Lebron HAS to play like this because there is such a need for offense that Lebron is going to have the oppurtunity to shoot and score as much as he can. It is kind of like Gerald Henderson and the Bobcats. On a good team, Henderson would be a part time player at best, but since Charlotte is terrible, the need for offense is so great that Gerald freaking Henderson can average 15 a game.

[CreightonGubanich]

That's what I'm saying, with Bosh out and nobody else besides Wade, Lebron HAS to play like this because there is such a need for offense that Lebron is going to have the oppurtunity to shoot and score as much as he can. It is kind of like Gerald Henderson and the Bobcats. On a good team, Henderson would be a part time player at best, but since Charlotte is terrible, the need for offense is so great that Gerald freaking Henderson can average 15 a game.

I don't think it's anything like that at all.

That was a transcendent game the other night by LeBron. He's already his team's best scorer, passer and perimeter defender, now he's being asked to be an interior post defender, shot blocker and rebounder as well. And he went out and did exactly what everyone was bitching that he never does - put his team on his back and carry them to a win.

LeBron's the best player in the NBA, the best player of his generation, and it's not even close. I don't mean to minimize the criticism of some his playoff/fourth quarter failings, because there's some legitimate issues there, and in my opinion it's those that keep him from the MJ conversation. But damned if he isn't the most under-appreciated superstar that I can remember.

[Zomp]

I don't think it's anything like that at all.

That was a transcendent game the other night by LeBron. He's already his team's best scorer, passer and perimeter defender, now he's being asked to be an interior post defender, shot blocker and rebounder as well. And he went out and did exactly what everyone was bitching that he never does - put his team on his back and carry them to a win.

LeBron's the best player in the NBA, the best player of his generation, and it's not even close. I don't mean to minimize the criticism of some his playoff/fourth quarter failings, because there's some legitimate issues there, and in my opinion it's those that keep him from the MJ conversation. But damned if he isn't the most under-appreciated superstar that I can remember.

I agree with this 100%. Well said.

I don't even think he's a bad dude. A little immature? Yes. Has bad advisers? Definitely. But even that, he didn't hire a professional to manage him, he hired his best friend from high school. He joined the Heat to play with two of his friends. By all accounts he is a great teammate. I think he's just a guy who loves having fun with the people he loves. He gets slated for not having a killer instinct, for not getting on teammates when they don't perform. I think he'd rather just put his arm around them and tell them its alright, do better next time.

[collings94]

I agree with this 100%. Well said.

I don't even think he's a bad dude. A little immature? Yes. Has bad advisers? Definitely. But even that, he didn't hire a professional to manage him, he hired his best friend from high school. He joined the Heat to play with two of his friends. By all accounts he is a great teammate. I think he's just a guy who loves having fun with the people he loves. He gets slated for not having a killer instinct, for not getting on teammates when they don't perform. I think he'd rather just put his arm around them and tell them its alright, do better next time.

Diffrence between Kobe and Lebron. Kobe is ready to challenge Gasol, like he did before Game 7 against Denver (which Gasol responded by having a huge game). Depending on how you define "good teammate", Kobe would actually be considerd a better teamate because he gets the most out of his teamates by challenging them.

[LeftyTG]

Diffrence between Kobe and Lebron. Kobe is ready to challenge Gasol, like he did before Game 7 against Denver (which Gasol responded by having a huge game). Depending on how you define "good teammate", Kobe would actually be considerd a better teamate because he gets the most out of his teamates by challenging them.

does being a good teammate include pouting and refusing to shoot in the fourth quarter of a Game 7 (or, technically, shooting twice in the third quarter and once in the fourth)? Or does that get considered "challenging his teammates to perform"?

[BigSoxFan]

Diffrence between Kobe and Lebron. Kobe is ready to challenge Gasol, like he did before Game 7 against Denver (which Gasol responded by having a huge game). Depending on how you define "good teammate", Kobe would actually be considerd a better teamate because he gets the most out of his teamates by challenging them.

Kobe neglects his teammates and then whines about them after the fact when the Lakers lose. LeBron, on the other hand, gets the most out of his teammates during the game. There is no doubt in my mind that Gasol would average 20 ppg in his sleep with LeBron as a teammate. Kobe wants all of the acclaim but accepts none of the blame. He's the shittiest teammate there is.

[TheoShmeo]

I agree with this 100%. Well said.

I don't even think he's a bad dude. A little immature? Yes. Has bad advisers? Definitely. But even that, he didn't hire a professional to manage him, he hired his best friend from high school. He joined the Heat to play with two of his friends. By all accounts he is a great teammate. I think he's just a guy who loves having fun with the people he loves. He gets slated for not having a killer instinct, for not getting on teammates when they don't perform. I think he'd rather just put his arm around them and tell them its alright, do better next time.

I wonder if his Cavs teammates who were on the team during his last playoff series against the Celtics would agree. He appeared to be disengaged and listless from game 4 onward in that series. There were reports that he was upset that Delonte West was banging his mother and, if true, being distracted is obviously understandable. But I don't know if that's true and I do know that LeBron looked like a different player, even while he piled up some numbers.

I don't know if he's a bad dude or not, and I do agree that he's immature, but I also think his selfishness makes him incredibly tone deaf. Only a guy who thinks very little about others could have been so surprised by the reaction of the Cleveland fans to his poorly conceived and executed announcement, and would have not known without the need of advisers that the way to tell Cleveland that he was following his dreams and heart to Miami should have been a lot different. All he had to do was put himself in their shoes for ten seconds; not a complicated exercise. His recent comments about finishing his career in Cleveland were probably an attempt to mend fences and perhaps a reflection of what he actually thought, but I would imagine that both Miami and Cleveland fans were shaking their heads about that.

Again, that might all be down to immaturity, but at some point a man in his position stops getting a free pass for only thinking about himself.

And to be clear, I'm not talking about the actual decision to go to Miami.

Edited by TheoShmeo, 22 May 2012 - 05:33 AM.

[collings94]

Kobe neglects his teammates and then whines about them after the fact when the Lakers lose. LeBron, on the other hand, gets the most out of his teammates during the game. There is no doubt in my mind that Gasol would average 20 ppg in his sleep with LeBron as a teammate. Kobe wants all of the acclaim but accepts none of the blame. He's the shittiest teammate there is.

After Kobe called out Pau, Pau took more shots then he had all series and grabbed 17 boards. Challenging teammates can work.

[Caspir]

Diffrence between Kobe and Lebron. Kobe is ready to challenge Gasol, like he did before Game 7 against Denver (which Gasol responded by having a huge game). Depending on how you define "good teammate", Kobe would actually be considerd a better teamate because he gets the most out of his teamates by challenging them.

That's true. I mean, I'm sure Pau Gasol, a guy with a decade's long body of work proving his talent, played well in an NBA playoff game because Kobe Bryant gave him a stern talking to. Not only is Kobe an all time great, but now we find out, because of your powers of inference, a guy who can utilize telekinetic powers to make his own players better. He is a virtuoso!

Edited by Caspir, 22 May 2012 - 06:39 AM.

[collings94]

That's true. I mean, I'm sure Pau Gasol, a guy with a decade's long body of work proving his talent, played well in an NBA playoff game because Kobe Bryant gave him a stern talking to. Not only is Kobe an all time great, but now we find out, because of your powers of inference, a guy who can utilize telekinetic powers to make his own players better. He is a virtuoso!

Thats a little extreme.

[johnmd20]

Thats a little extreme.

Indeed. I would go so far as to say it was hyperbolic.