NBA Finals Thread
- Thread starter Devizier
- Start date
Another thing is that some folks are acting like it was physically impossible to play in the AT&T Center tonight. I know NBA players are coddled, with first class everything, but how many gyms in America are air conditioned? I, like many of you, have plenty of memories of playing basketball in a high school gym on a 90+ degree day. Chris Bosh said that it reminded him of playing in high school. I honestly don't think the heat in the arena had that big of an impact on the game, but because LeBron got a cramp (which he has a history of getting) people are going to get all out of sorts talking about how the AC cost Miami the game.
What we learned tonight is the Spurs can beat the Heat when Lebron isn't on the floor. It was a great gameplan for one night. Not sure it'll work going forward.
Man, I hate LBJ as much as the next guy, but ESPN is not covering themselves in glory.
On the radio they spend 2 minutes explaining why the story should NOT be about how this affects LBJ's legacy, and then introduce Isaiah Thomas to talk about when he played through an injury. Stop saying everyone should not blame LBJ and then keep talking about it.
On the radio they spend 2 minutes explaining why the story should NOT be about how this affects LBJ's legacy, and then introduce Isaiah Thomas to talk about when he played through an injury. Stop saying everyone should not blame LBJ and then keep talking about it.
the peverly thing again? good god.
http://deadspin.com/hockey-fans-using-rich-peverley-to-shit-on-lebron-james-1542223654
http://deadspin.com/hockey-fans-using-rich-peverley-to-shit-on-lebron-james-1542223654
BigSoxFan said:
And those people are idiots. LeBron plays at an incredibly high energy level all season long, both ends of the floor, season after season. He does this in part because otherwise his team loses (like Durant had to do when Westbrook was out). He was easily the best player on the floor last night when he was in the game, guarding everyone from Parker to Duncan successfully, and the circumstances that made him cramp were unprecedented, bush league and absurd. Durant has hit a wall in the last two playoffs in large part because of how hard he goes all season too, but somehow he continues to remain bulletproof. Those two have basically played an extra season over the last four seasons, playing five seasons while every other player in the league has played four.
Most minutes played in NBA since 2010-11 season, including playoffs. (as of April 17):
Rank Player Minutes
1 LeBron James 14,033
2 Kevin Durant 13,868
3 Chris Bosh 11,811
4 Mike Conley 11,607
5 Monta Ellis 11,597
I'm no big fan of James, and it is curious that he seems to cramp so often, but I'll say this - anyone who's calling him a pussy has never had muscle cramps like that.
I have, and I have never been in so much pain, before or since. Forget playing basketball - I couldn't walk.
I have, and I have never been in so much pain, before or since. Forget playing basketball - I couldn't walk.
"There is no athlete on the planet who could've played through those cramps," Isiah Thomas told Yahoo Sports. "Michael Jordan absolutely couldn't have played through those cramps. I absolutely couldn't have played through those cramps. As an athlete, there's nothing you could do."
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/isiah-thomas--assist-to-lebron---michael-jordan-couldn-t-have-played-with-those-cramps-071514640.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/isiah-thomas--assist-to-lebron---michael-jordan-couldn-t-have-played-with-those-cramps-071514640.html
I think it's obvious that his cramps were at a level where there was no toughing it out. The valid questions are about his conditioning. Obviously the guy plays more minutes than anyone and has a huge responsibility on the floor, so it makes sense that he'd be feeling it more than anyone. Still, he was clearly affected in a way that no one else was. Since I hate him, I'm going to go ahead and say he's in shitty shape and it's his fault and hahaha.
This can't be repeated enough. A calf muscle contraction like that feels literally like a bullet being shot through your leg. By this time it is much too late to hydrate. I'm surprised so read so many uneducated responses on this not only here but everywhere this morning.OilCanShotTupac said:
The Spurs were what, 14/16 from the field in the 4th and 6/6 on their 3's. LBJ missed what amounts to 1/2 of the 4th quarter, and his absence is the sole reason the Spurs shot an other-worldy 80%?? Not buying it. Is he a game changer - sure, but the ruthless efficiency of the Spurs offense in the 4th had as much if not more to do with their victory than anything else.
LBJ has a history of cramping - that is on him (poor hydration prior to and during the game) and the support staff (medical and coaching). You can hang a bag of normal saline or lactated ringer's solution with a pressure pump on it and pour it in to him by IV infusion in a matter of minutes. Given the conditions, there is no reason that a well prepared medical staff couldn't have really tanked him up during half time to try to prevent what ultimately transpired.
LBJ has a history of cramping - that is on him (poor hydration prior to and during the game) and the support staff (medical and coaching). You can hang a bag of normal saline or lactated ringer's solution with a pressure pump on it and pour it in to him by IV infusion in a matter of minutes. Given the conditions, there is no reason that a well prepared medical staff couldn't have really tanked him up during half time to try to prevent what ultimately transpired.
HomeRunBaker said:
Cramps are impossible to play through, but the conversation here seems to be focused on why LBJ wasn't managed better and why he didn't manage himself better to prevent them, given the conditions and his history of dealing with the problem.
You don't think the training staff and LeBron himself do their best to prepare his body? Sometimes no amount of hydration or stretching or whatever us enough. Shit happens.
jon abbey said:
Yes, exactly. I assume the Heat coaching staff recognized this at some point, right? All I'm suggesting is that maybe they should have planned on resting and hydrating him a bit more than usual. I don't know what they did in terms of hydration, but 41 minutes in those conditions is really pushing it. Chalmers' foul trouble didn't help, obviously, but a guy like Battier, who played 14 minutes, could have been in there for a few minutes to give LBJ a spell.
luckiestman said:
The farther you are from the basket, the more you need to jump forward for proper mechanics.
You may have answered your own question. The medical staff WASN'T well prepared for these conditions because it was not known until right around tip off that there would be no AC in a June game in San Antonio.CPT Neuron said:
Having said that it is the training staff responsible for ensuring LeBron and every player remain hydrated. The player is focusing on the game and only the game......that is why teams employ large training staffs. (glad you pointed out medical staff in your post)
So how do you explain his cramps in 2012 or 2013 in the finals? The problem with your argument is that it wasn't just last night... This has happened to him at least twice before.... Game 1 of last years finals in fact!jon abbey said:
It's not just about a non working AC... There is something LeBron isn't doing right prior to the finals for this to keep happening.
Chances are, he just has high levelsof sodium in his sweat and that makes him more likely to cramp up.lars10 said:
This is looking more like a misconception, with research uncovering more of a neuromuscular link to exercise-associated muscle cramps, as well as other studies showing that people with different ion concentrations in their sweat have similar changes in serum levels of the same ions. Obviously Gatorade would love for people to keep thinking the former, though.Grin&MartyBarret said:
People are debating the cause of his unique, repeated cramps yet ignoring this post. I wasn't going to say anything because I have incredible bias against Lebron, but certain PEDs are known to cause severe cramping.86spike said:
HomeRunBaker said:
I don't know why you say the medical staff wasn't prepared - LBJ got IV fluids after the game and was getting electrolytes during halftime so they would seem to have the necessary supplies.
I'm surprised they didn't make him take off the compression stuff and whatever else he may wear under his uniform though. That kind of stuff clearly makes it hotter and if it wicking away sweat, you are losing what ordinarily cools you too.