2011-12 Version of Miami Heat’s LeBron James Is Most Complete We’ve Ever Seen
So it’s 10 games into the shortened 2011-12 NBA season and the Miami Heat are sitting pretty with an 8-2 overall record, which is tied for the best record in the NBA.
The major reason for the Miami Heat‘s impressive start has been the play of LeBron James, who is currently averaging 29.7 points, 7.6 assists, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. If that isn’t impressive enough, LeBron has produced at that level while shooting 59.5 percent, which ranks fourth in the NBA.
So what does James’ production and the fact that he has led the Heat to the best record in the NBA tell us about the two-time NBA MVP? It tells us that this is the most complete version of LeBron James that we have ever seen.
When you compare LeBron’s 2011-12 production through his first nine games (not including the Hawks game which he sat out) to every other year of his career, the statistics look like this (with highest production per category underlined):
2003-04: 16.2 ppg, 6.2 apg, 6.0 rpg, 41.0%
2004-05: 24.3 ppg, 5.6 apg, 8.2 rpg, 49.0%
2005-06: 26.6 ppg, 3.8 apg, 5.1 rpg, 49.8%
2006-07: 29.5 ppg, 6.4 apg, 7.5 rpg, 53.4%
2007-08: 28.0 ppg, 7.8 apg, 7.5 rpg, 46.1%
2008-09: 28.8 ppg, 7.3 apg, 7.4 rpg, 48.2%
2009-10: 30.1 ppg, 7.4 apg, 7.3 rpg, 50.7%
2010-11: 22.2 ppg, 8.6 apg, 6.0 rpg, 44.4%
2011-12: 29.6 ppg, 7.6 apg, 8.0 rpg, 59.5%
As you can tell by looking at those statistics, LeBron James is no stranger to averaging 28-plus points, 7.3-plus assists and 7.3-plus rebounds per game.
The one thing that separates his production so far this season than any of his past eight seasons is his immensely improved shooting percentage of 59.5, as compared to the next highest through nine games, which is 53.4.
One of the most impressive aspects of James’ overall production so far is that while he has produced at a similar level at other times in his career, this time he has done so with other NBA stars on the roster.
I know you could argue that having All-Star talent on the court with James should increase his production, but I would argue that having that caliber of talent aside him should decrease his production because of the touches he theoretically should lose.
If you think LeBron’s production is a result of having Wade and Bosh on the court with him, just look at the level of production he’s achieved without Wade on the court. In two games without Wade, LeBron has accounted for an average of 32.5 points, 11.0 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game, with an overall field goal percentage of 60.9.
Impressive isn’t it?
LeBron is even more complete of a player when Wade isn’t on the court. Sure, that’s based on only two games, against the Nets and the Pacers, but it is still impressive nonetheless.
When you stop and look at LeBron’s statistical production over the past nine seasons, there is one other glaring difference between this year and the other eight, and that is the amount of three-point attempts through the first nine game.
Throughout his first nine games of the 2011-12 season, LeBron has shot a whopping three three-point shots, as compared to the following years; 2010-11 (29), 2009-10 (40), 2008-09 (30), 2007-08 (29), 2006-07 (37), 2005-06 (34), 2004-2005 (30), 2003-2004 (24).
LeBron traded his three-point shot for a new and improved post game, which is not only benefiting the Miami Heat, it is also benefiting him by making him a more complete version of himself.
While the lessons we’ve learned about LeBron James so far this season are based on only a few games, I think his production speaks for itself, proving that the 2011-12 version of LeBron James is the most complete version we have ever seen.
If LeBron’s 2011-12 production is a sign of things to come for the next few years, then the Miami Heat are going to be in for quite a wild and championship-filled ride.
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Kentucky Basketball: Wildcats Will Need Complete Focus to Escape Louisville
Kentucky has bounced back from a season-altering loss to Indiana. Their game against Lamar proved that one of the best teams in the nation can too easily lose focus.
I am not about to call the beatdown Kentucky served to Lamar a close shave, because it wasn’t. The Wildcats once again proved they are back to form following an mammoth upset loss to Indiana just a couple weeks ago.
Since that time, Kentucky has barreled through lesser opponents, intent on demolishing the opposition rather than seeing them shock the world once again.
If you think all was sunshine and smiles after the recent win, you would be sorely mistaken. Head coach John Calipari is not about to allow his stars to rest on their talented laurels. He told reporters the following: Via Courier-Journal
“There are things that went on in the game that just aggravated me. This team should be playing better than we’re playing. We either cure this or we’re going to start taking ‘L’s.”
That may seem a tad salty considering his team won the game by a score of 86-64, but Calipari knows better. He understands that New Year’s Eve brings a huge test in Louisville.
Rick Pitino‘s squad will not go as quietly as Lamar, especially if Kentucky is going to give up 17 turnovers and act aloof during parts of the game.
Louisville is coming off a disappointing loss against Georgetown and will no doubt be hungry for a win that will keep them in the upper echelon of the national rankings.
Kentucky needs to hit the boards more and play with a great deal more intensity. It is so easy to sit back and let the game come to you when you are as talented as this team is. But that won’t cut it for the whole season, and Calipari knows that.
Kentucky can continue to move in the right direction against Louisville, but they will need a concerted effort to accomplish that.
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Complete NBA Predictions and Projections for All Christmas Day Games
Finally after months of waiting, the NBA season is upon us.
At one point, the season looked like it wasn’t going to happen, and now, Christmas Day promises to be a fantastic Sunday for the basketball fan across the country.
With five marquee match ups on the slate, here’s a guide of complete predictions and projections for opening day in the NBA.
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Kentucky vs. Indiana: Complete Game Preview with Broadcast Details
Undefeated Indiana (8-0) will host No. 1 Kentucky (8-0) on Saturday. Not only is everything on the line for both undefeated teams, but Indiana and Kentucky have a historic rivalry that is amplified by the fact that one team will leave with their first loss of the season.
It’s going to be a red-out in Assembly Hall on Saturday and it’s going to be loud.
Here’s a complete preview of Saturday’s showdown in Bloomington.
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Xavier/Cincinnati brawl beyond a “complete embarrassment”
A great rivalry lost its way and its meaning. The ending was bad enough, you give serious wonder to whether the game should continue.
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BYU Men’s Basketball: Freshmen Lead Cougars to Complete Game
BYU is gaining momentum.
Traditionally BYU has fallen into the unenviable position of a middling team that beats up on colleges nobody has ever heard of, but losing to anybody with any modicum of national clout.
That’s why this win over Oregon was such a good one.
Besides the fact that nobody in the Pac-12 will schedule a home-and-home with BYU and that Brett Kingma was supposed to play basketball in Provo instead of Eugene, this was a good win just for the sake of beating someone known.
Oregon is not a good team. But they are recognized and that goes a long way.
BYU has undergone a shift this year from the players everybody expected to lead the team, to those who have actually done so.
Did Anson Winder come off the court against Oregon? I’ve only ever seen Jimmer play that much.
Wasn’t Brandon Davies supposed to be the anchor underneath the basket? Who is this Nate Austen guy and how did he haul his 6’11″ frame so nimbly so as to be involved on EVERY play? And what is he doing shooting (and making) three pointers?
Very strange indeed. Yet effective, as BYU stomped Oregon 79-65 on Saturday night on Anson Winder’s endurance and ball security and Nate Austin’s paradoxical athletic ubiquity.
Charles Abouo was slightly off, as was Brandon Davies, but that’s OK because BYU has guys like Stephen Rogers who can hop off the bench and quickly score a bunch.
Everybody is excited for the looming eligibility of Matt Carlino. What can he possibly add to what we saw today? It is going to nice to have someone to spell Anson Winder for a bit I suppose.
BYU is known for their high-flying offense but the Ducks were on the receiving end of a spectacular defensive effort by the Cougars
If BYU can continue to put together multilateral performances such as this one, they are going to make some serious noise, and soon.
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Boston Celtics Run as a Contender over as NBA Lockout Looks Complete
At this point, it seems as though the NBA season is going to be a complete air ball. While NBA fans from every market are disappointed, confused, and seriously contemplating joining the Occupy movement, I think that Boston Celtics fans have a reason to be particularly disappointed.
This is the end of the Celtics as we’ve come to know them.
While it’s hard for many to remember, before 2007 and the formulation of the Big Three, the Celtics had squandered miserable season after miserable season away under the watchful eye of the Garden’s championship banners. Paul Pierce offered some relief (God Bless him for sticking around), but mostly we tuned in to watch Antoine Walker jack up countless threes.
In 2007, Danny Ainge teamed up with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to change all that. Rajon Rondo also joined the mix. A Championship banner suddenly landed in the rafters, and expectations have been high ever since.
I’ve said all along that this group is too good to have only won a single championship together, as they missed out on their second by blowing a 13-point lead to the Lakers in the 4th quarter of the 2009-2010 NBA Finals.
This year, I’ll argue, could have been the year.
Trust me, I’m fully aware that I just lost half of the audience reading this article, but hear me out. I’m fully aware that basketball is an young man’s game. I’m also aware that Kevin Garnett is 36. Ray Allen is 35. Paul Pierce is 34.
I know that the Celtics were overmatched by the Miami Heat‘s athleticism in the playoffs last year, but only one team in the league was not. And with the real possibility of a 41-game season this year, I must admit I was licking my chops.
Sure, the Celtics are an older team. There’s no doubt that they had some injuries last year and looked a bit tired down the stretch. But when the Big Three are rested, these boys can play with anyone. Case in point: How they’ve started the past three seasons, only to fade as fatigue sets in during the grind of the second half. In 2008-09 the Celtics started 27-2, in 2009-10 it was 23-5. Last year they were 41-14, leading the Eastern conference before losing 12 of their last 27.
So what’s my point?
The Celtic’s have long been the best half-season team in the NBA. Couple that with the two key ingredients that lead to NBA championships—experience and defense—and I see a championship team.
There is no team in the league that can match the experience of the Celtics, who would need little or no time to acclimate to playing together this season. Likewise, the Celtics were the best defensive team in basketball last year.
While Rajon Rondo is dead in his prime, most would agree that both Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have shown little decline in their ability. Kevin Garnett, on the other hand, has gotten a ton of flack. There’s no doubt that Garnett has lost some explosiveness, but he’s still an exceptional player. His shooting percentage is at an all-time high, his post moves are better than ever, and he’s still one of the best defenders in the league. While the highlight real Garnett is a thing of the past, he’s still a key piece.
If the Celtics had any success signing a center to play alongside the Big Four, a half season would have played directly into their hands. Would that have resulted in banner No. 18 hanging in the Garden’s rafters? We’ll now never know, which is unfortunate. And for Celtics fans, it’s a tough way to see the Big Three’s run come to an end.
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Complete College Basketball Preview Part 3: The Big Ten
Moving on now to our third conference, it is time to preview what the Big Ten has to offer this season.
The clear front-runners of the group are the Ohio State Buckeyes who will look to be national championship contenders once again. Joining them amongst the top teams include Wisconsin, Michigan State, Michigan and Indiana.
How many NCAA tournament teams can this conference produce this season? With three of my Final Four already selected, will the fourth team come out of the Big Ten?
Let’s look inside the conference and find out.
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Complete 2011-2012 College Basketball Preview Part 2: The Big East
As we move on to part two of the complete College Basketball preview, we take a look at the Big East.
Last year the Big East sent an unprecedented 10 teams to the big dance. Although the majority of the conference struggled in the tournament, the nation’s deepest league did see the Connecticut Huskies crowned as national champions.
But with Kemba Walker gone, is UConn still the favorite? Let’s take a look at how this 16-team conference looks heading into this season.
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Complete College Basketball Preview Part 1: ACC
With the NBA season looking like it will lose many games, and possibly not happen at all, fans will be taking to the collegiate level for their basketball fix more then usual.
Thankfully, this year promises to be a great one with impact players and great teams set to go at it all around the country.
I will be previewing all the major conferences around the country, complete with full predictions for the season as well as a special NCAA Tournament article to top it off.
The culmination is the College Basketball season, which is under a month away.
To start, we will look at the ACC.
With Syracuse and Pittsburgh arriving in the near future, traditional powers North Carolina and Duke may have some serious competition for class of the league.
However, for this year, those two seem to still flaunt the most talented rosters. But what other teams will be challenging for a conference title?
Let’s preview what the ACC has to offer this season.
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