Waxing Rhapsodic About 274-pound LeBron, Briefly
NBA, NFL, Video December 18th. 2008, 1:45pm
Watched LeBron decimate the 76ers last week. The ESPN’s Ric Bucher said that the Cavs’ forward checked in at 6-foot-9, 274-pounds. Just a guess, but there’s never been an NBA player to possess this unique blend of size and speed. When LeBron was a 240-pound rookie, the comparisons to Magic (6-9, 250) were apt. But now that James has added 34 pounds and lost none of the speed … uh …
… at 274 pounds, LeBron weights more than the following NFL players: DeMarcus Ware, Joey Porter, John Abraham and James Harrison. These four men play linebacker or defensive end, and currently are your NFL sack leaders, respectively. LeBron has five or more inches in height on all of these men. Staggering?
And if there’s any doubt about his speed, take a gander at this video from last night’s rout of the T-Wolves. At the 1:15 mark, watch James dust everyone in the open floor for the flush.
We were one of those guys who didn’t fully appreciate Air Jordan (our favorite non-game winning jumpshot in NBA history is at the 2:15 mark) back when he was dominating in the 90s (Magic Johnson fan here). In hindsight, we can now see that Jordan was the best player in the history of the NBA. We won’t make the same mistake this time with James.
69 Responses to “Waxing Rhapsodic About 274-pound LeBron, Briefly”
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December 18th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
He should breed with Candice Parker.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
How many basketball posts are we going to have today?
December 18th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
he’s a large american.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I know some people get sick of the LeBronfest that occasionally happens, but he really is playing at a different level this year, its an absolute joy to watch. He will not, no way, no how, let this team lose a 7 game series, book it.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
TBL, how long did it take you to find a Lebron break away where he didn’t actually travel?
December 18th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Lebron eats babys. He is a monster.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
it’s the NBA…there’s no such thing as travelling.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
i love that court. its different
December 18th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Uh-Oh. It happened again.
http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/8958496/MMA-fighter,-wife-found-shot-to-death-in-condo?MSNHPHMA
December 18th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
But Kobe is more aesthetically pleasing.
Assuming you find shittiers ballers aesthetically pleasing.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Needs more Kobe.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Lebron takes that freedom to another level.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Never heard of him
/jimmy
December 18th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
agree 100%
you thought he was impressive against Detroit two years ago? i can’t wait for this year.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
D-Wade laughs at the Lebron travel talk.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
This is pretty aesthetically pleasing.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
He’s always lead a sweet fast break.
/that’s what happens when you don’t play defense
December 18th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
no…allen iverson takes it to a different level. LBJ is no different than vince carter or kobe in this regard.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Wait, they don’t enforce traveling in the NBA? Next you’re going to tell me that they don’t enforce carrying either.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
He is one of the most impressive athletic specimens I think I’ve ever seen. His combination of agility, speed, skill, and pure power is truly astounding. He is a freak of nature.
That being said, I find it hard to believe that he is 274, but I could be wrong.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
clown…check this out.
please let me know what cavs games you’ve been watching. he’s a lock for the all-D team this year.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Ha!
December 18th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
yup. lebron’s quicker with the ball, IMO, than kobe or vince in their prime
December 18th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Here’s the thing. If they’re not going to call it, why the fuck does anyone care?
Greg Maddux didn’t mind getting the ball 8 inches off the plate called a strike.
If they start calling it across the league, he’d adjust and still PWN.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
spence, is he really trying to use the Minnesota game to justify Lebron being a defensive stopper?
December 18th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I only saw Saturday’s game against the Hawks.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Maybe Bucher is dyslexic and lebron weighed in at 247
December 18th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Wait a minute. Isn’t this the day of Celtics glory? This post couldn’t wait until tomorrow? Or maybe Saturday at midnight? Fine, I’ll at least admit that Bron is better than Kobe.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
he’s using that as an example. the cavs defense as a whole is ridiculous and lebron is given the latitude to roam and has been all over the place on that side of the ball all year.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
@spence – one of the funniest moments in my adult life was at a Tennessee basketball game with my normally level-headed wife when she screamed at the ref “they would have called that a travel in the NBA!!”
December 18th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
One other point that probably needs to be mentioned.
Kobe (and Michigan) sucks.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
No question. It’s not even close. That combined with his power and body control is really just something to behold.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
very nice.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
So his teammates are great defenders and thus bron bron doesn’t have to guard his man…and this means he merits all-d team honors? I’m confused.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Maybe Bucher is dyslexic and lebron weighed in at 472
/king kong bundy’d
December 18th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Seriously, all hating aside – LeBron has really taking his stat game to a whole nother level after being under the tutelage of Kobe all summer.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
That’s the Nickp I know.
Lebron > Kobe
CP3 > all
December 18th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Team D honors are ridiculously stupid. The coaches couldn’t give two shits about who they vote for.
That said, as far as perimeter defenders go, when the game on the line, there are very few defenders you’d rather have than Lebron (and Kobe and Bruce Bowen aren’t one of them).
December 18th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
sigh…first off, please put your absurdly obvious anti-ohio bias aside for like 10 minutes.
he doesn’t just guard his man, he’s everywhere. watch a game and you’d see this right off the bat. there’s more to defense than on-the-ball D. shawn marion was an amazing on-the-ball defender but the suns sucked ass on that end. lebron is impacting both sides of the ball to a ridiculous level…he’s had almost as many huge blocks that end up 5 rows deep as he has breakaway dunks.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
learned from kobe all summer
lol
or, he got angry that everyone in beijing cheered when kobe ate a french fry and he felt slighted. hence all the NYC garbage, hence the improved game.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
@spencer- wasnt Icon all state in football at St Vincents?
December 18th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Well if you’re going to learn “Gettin Yours”, best to learn from the master. Word is LeBron didn’t have time to learn “Throw Teammates Under Bus When You Lose” and “Rapin White Chicks.”
December 18th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
He only played football his freshman year, I believe. But as I recall, he was indeed All-State.
I know I’m not spencer, but I’m pretty sure I’m right.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
irish…yea, he was one of the top football recruits but chose bball instead.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
not being spencer automatically increases your chances of being right.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
WTF does that have to do with running shoes?
December 18th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
he played until he was a junior.
what was that, treestand?
December 18th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
It also increases your chances of being respected, getting laid, and having a pro football team that doesn’t suck.
/i kid, i kid
December 18th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Well played, Tampa. Well played, indeed.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
there is a lot of truth to that, coop.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
False. On the second part, that is. And blocking a shot “five rows deep” doesn’t make you all-d worthy.
And why would I have anything against Ohio (except their consistent ability to produce nothing worth caring about)?
December 18th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
general observation, compliment, or burn?
December 18th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
See, I knew I wasn’t right. I didn’t know whether he only played one year, or didn’t play one year. Obviously, it was the latter.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
so the suns, during their mid-2000’s prime were a good defensive team?
again…watch lebron on defense and i think you’ll be surprised.
all 3.
December 18th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
There is a wide chasm between “sucks ass” and “good.”
Seen it. He is an effective defender but nowhere near a top 6 defensive forward.
December 18th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Blocking a shot toward a teammate > Blocking a shot five rows deep
/Book of Bill Russell, Tim Duncan Edition
December 18th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
hey spence, have you ever sat in “Loudville” at the Cavs arena?
December 18th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I have, phat.
Not a great view.
December 18th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
really Nick? Damn.
Worth $35 to watch Bron vs CP3?
December 18th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Loudville = nose bleeds
December 18th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
ira’s newblehood was good, a lot better than ‘yells angels thats for sure
December 18th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Is that the best available? Upper deck in the middle isn’t bad at all (also $35), but behind the rims sucks.
December 18th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Maybe my tix aren’t Loudville then… I’m pretty sure the seats are between the half court and the rim. I figured they couldn’t be that bad there.
December 18th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
use this phat…cavs seat viewer
December 18th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
My seats are in 208, and they’re fine.
I watched a playoff game from 201 once, and it sucked.
December 18th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I’m 224, I just looked it up. Nick, you gonna be at the Hornets game? You have seasons?
@mmonast: thanks for that, I didn’t know they had that.
December 18th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I bought an 11 game pack to make sure I’d have playoff priority. Pretty sure I have the Hornets. I have the Friday-Sat-Sun games.
December 18th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Nice. I’m not even into hoops that much but I’d like to see Lebron and CP3.
I’ve only been to one NBA game, in Toronto a few years back, it was surprisingly rowdy.
Hows the atmosphere in Cleveland?
December 18th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
i’d love to see LeBron at defensive end in the NFL. i really think that at his size, he could be an LT-like terror.