Image by Kris Kros
Here are summaries of the first ten hard-hitting paragraphs from “LeBron James Takes It Over The Top” by Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times:
1. LeBron James might just be the best player in the N.B.A.
2. He leads the N.B.A. in scoring because he’s so darn big and strong.
3. I mean it; James is really, really big. He’s also super fast.
4. James repels defenders like Bruce Lee in a room of belligerent toddlers.
5. He is like Karl Malone except way better.
6. “LeBron is like Karl Malone except way better,” says his coach.
7. “In some ways James is not as awesome as Karl Malone, but in other ways he is more awesome,” says a detractor.
8. “If he doesn’t keep that ridiculous power in check, someone could get hurt,” he continues.
9. Opponents can try to challenge James, but it is a fool’s errand.
10. “LeBron James is huge and fast and the best thing you can do is stay out of his way,” says Vince Carter.
What are some other little-known facts about LeBron James?
UPDATE: Guess this is front-page material now, complete with its own (intentionally?) ironic mini-title.
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- Top Ten NBA Players and Top Five NBA Teams
- Awesome
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- In Defense of Chicago, Forbes’ 3rd Most Miserable City
- I Miss Michael Vick A.K.A Ron Mexico
Reminds me of the Onion article, LeBron James Struggles To Name One Cavalier Aside From Himself.
If you prefer your heroes a bit more unsung, and your basketball analysis a lot more data-centric, the Times ran an interesting article about why Shane Battier may be the most under-appreciated player in the game. The gist of it is that if you really dig into the data, Battier can actually make Kobe Bryant make the Lakers worse when he scores 35 points on 45 shots, while Battier makes all his teammates better while scoring 0 points.
These were some very prescient editors:
“Early on, Hoop Scoop magazine named Shane Battier the fourth-best seventh grader in the United States.”
That is actually a great article. Not many areas left untouched by data mining these days.
I believe LeBron James is the unstoppable driving force, but he is a sketchy defender and a poor jump shooter with limitied range. I feel that Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is the greatest scoring threat of all time. Bryant has averaged over 31 ppg since his starting center was injured. the man put 81 points on the Toronto Raptors. Kobe is also a lock for defensive 1st team honors every year. and he shoots well all over the court and has feats of heat that are astounding.
and personally i think mrjellyfish is on Shane Battier’s payroll. or maybe he just has a crush.
Much smaller Dwyane Wade led the league this year in scoring. just thought somebody should correct #2.