Michael Jordan praises James ahead of NBA finals
June 7th, 2007
His Airness is paying tribute to the kid called King James.
Michael Jordan praised 22-year-old LeBron James for leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory over the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals. The Cavaliers advanced to the finals for the first time in their 37-year history.”What just transpired was something I felt was needed for the league, was needed for Cleveland, was needed for LeBron,” Jordan said in Monday editions of the Chicago Tribune.
James dominated Game 5 against Detroit, scoring Cleveland’s final 25 points in the win. The Cavaliers became just the third team to overcome an 0-2 deficit to win the conference finals.
Jordan, who won six NBA championships during his 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls, said the next challenge for James is to achieve consistency.
“Making ‘The Leap’ is where you do it every single night,” Jordan said. “It’s expected of you, and you do it. … Not one game, not two games. It’s consistent. Every defense comes in and they focus on you and you still impact the game. I think he’s shown signs of that.”
James took a “big step” forward in the series against Detroit, but the NBA finals against the San Antonio Spurs will provide another huge test, Jordan said.
“This next series is going to say, ‘How far do you want to take it?”‘ said Jordan, speaking from Elkhart Lake, Wis., where his motorcycle team was participating in a racing event.
James was thrilled to learn of Jordan’s approval.
“It’s great,” the Cavaliers star said after practice on Monday. “Anytime you get praise from the guy who basically laid down all the stones for you to get here. I grew up idolizing his game and how he played the game of basketball. It was definitely great to hear.”
June 7th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Michael Jordon, Warren Buffett and half the world want to hang and praise LeBron.
It’s going to be an amazing NBA Championship and next couple of years for him.
June 9th, 2007 at 6:18 am
Don’t be hard on Lebron because the Spurs were able to shut him down in the 1st game. Take a look at the score. The Cav’s kept the Spurs well under 100 points and the Cavs were within 10 points of the Spurs when the game ended. A good fight took place evident by their scores. The Spurs didn’t run over the Cavs. The rest of the Cavs’ first and second bench need to earn their money and help out as TEAM PLAYERS. Stop all their i.e. childish acts that get then benched so they can’t play and contribute. The rest of the 1st string needs to earn their money.
It’s just like when Michael Jordan played in his hey-day, he usually never got the supporting help from his teammates who were paid good money to be NBA professional. In Jordan’s day it was Grant and Pippin too busy grinding their teeth in envy of him, jealous because they didn’t get the Press they felt they were entitled to - too busy biting Michael in the back to help out. Jordan always had to carry them on his back to win. What happened to Grant - he left the Bulls, he couldn’t stand it anymore, and slinked off into oblivion. Jordan gave Migraine headache-gettin Pippin-in a clutch his chance to lead the team out from under Michael’s shadow - Michael retired - briefly. Scottie couldn’t do what he thought he could - he couldn’t lead that team to a play-off and it was his team alone then. He got so-o-o many migranes - he was SO glad to see Michael come back into the game and take that load off him. Grant should have stuck around longer too. He would have had another NBA ring, more money and some good press. Yeah, Michael would have always got more of it than them. He deserved it - he earned it - he was HUMBLE, willing to sacrifice himself and his pocketbook for THE TEAM.
But give LeBron some time. One bit of advice for LeBron: Be HUMBLE like Michael always. Stop taking those scowling mug shots - it makes you look ugly and like some street thug. You don’t want or need to promote that kind of image. You got GAME!
C8herub
June 12th, 2007 at 11:11 am
dear, king please get u a win in your at home all u got to do
tell your team stop setting up picks cause the spurs always
double team u and score 30 points every game alright pimp
be easy & stay serious dog get u a ring