Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic have Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers right where they want them — down 3–1 in the series. Only a Hail Mary shot from Lebron allowed the Cavs to win even one game.
Although James was fabulous in a losing battle, the message is the same one lived over and over by other superstars without much in the way of support players: one man, no matter how talented, can’t carry the whole team to a championship.
Just ask Kobe.
Going back a ways, it was the same thing with the best basketball player that ever lived: Michael Jordan. Until he got support from some very talented players, Jordan and the Bulls were good, very good — they just weren’t champions.
No single player can score most of his teams points and still play defense against all five players on the other team. It’s just impossible.
Even my all time favorite player, Larry Bird, needed help from Mchale, Parish, D.J. and company before winning any championships.
And what about Mo Williams, who guaranteed the Cavaliers would win Game 4 and the series? He scored 18 points, none after the third quarter. In other words, when it counted, he was a non-factor.
Mo apparently still needs to learn the lesson even grade school kids shooting hoops in the neighborhood know: if you can’t put up, you should shut up.
Nice. Your thoughts are right on the money. After all these years, there's still no "i" in "team". ;]
Posted by: Brandon Merhout | May 27, 2009 at 01:40 PM
He has help, that's why they won 66 games. It's that his help hasn't stepped up.
They need to start hitting jumpers and return to regular season form. This team ran through the NBA relatively easy when Mo, D West and Company were able to hit from the outside.
Posted by: Universe | May 27, 2009 at 05:10 PM