Jordan got a ton of hate until he started winning so many titles and it was hard to say anything bad about him anymore, everyone loves to try to poke holes in the Chosen One when they feel they've been anointed prematurely. I don't totally get not being in constant awe that we are blessed to see someone with such unique talents as LBJ (Did he guard all five positions tonight at different times? He was definitely the defensive 5 at times, and he took Teague down the stretch.), but again, it was the same way with Jordan for a big chunk of his career.
That outburst where he didn't go back on defense tonight was pretty extreme, and I don't remember other NBA superstars cramping in huge games like he has twice now, but I'm also not sure anyone has put out a physical effort in an OT playoff game like that before. He had so little help in so many ways for most of the game, and while admittedly ATL was down two key starters with a third hobbled, it was still an insanely impressive effort. They said on one of the recap shows that he had a chance at 20 rebounds over the course of the game, and he got 18 of those. I mean, wow.
That outburst where he didn't go back on defense tonight was pretty extreme, and I don't remember other NBA superstars cramping in huge games like he has twice now, but I'm also not sure anyone has put out a physical effort in an OT playoff game like that before. He had so little help in so many ways for most of the game, and while admittedly ATL was down two key starters with a third hobbled, it was still an insanely impressive effort. They said on one of the recap shows that he had a chance at 20 rebounds over the course of the game, and he got 18 of those. I mean, wow.