In a recent ESPN SportsCenter interview, LeBron James labeled himself a “pass first” player when discussing being on the brink of the NBA’s all-time scoring record currently held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Though the 38-year-old is certainly an elite passer, currently sitting at sixth all-time in assists, the internet was not buying that narrative.
“The scoring record was never ever even thought of in my head because I’ve always been a pass-first guy. I’ve always loved seeing the success of my teammates,” the Los Angeles Lakers superstar told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Friday (Jan. 6).
“When I say I’m not a scorer, I say it in a sense of, it’s never been the part of my game that defines me,” he said. “… But there’s an argument to it. When you look at how long this record has stood and the great Kareem, being able to accomplish something like that […] But it won’t be for me to discuss because I’ve never felt that way.”
Though fans were excited about the rare, exclusive interview from the four-time NBA Champion, they were quick to call “cap” on his statement.
“LeBron James gotta stop this lie that he’s a ‘pass first’ player,” one user said. “He’s not and never has been. Being a great passer and having great court vision does not make one ‘pass first.’ Jason Kidd is pass first. Rajon Rondo is pass first. LeBron is not. And that ain’t a diss at all.”
“The ‘pass first’ thing is laughable,” expressed another user. “He’s got the second most shot attempts, and shot misses, in NBA history. He’s averaged more field goal attempts per game (19.7) than guys like Kobe, Bird, Durant, and Kareem.”
Another Twitter user decided to crunch the numbers and compare King James to other elite scorers in the NBA today. They determined that the 20-year veteran’s field goal attempts per game (19.7) exceeds that of Kevin Durant (18.7) and Steph Curry (17.7).
Evidently, the way Lebron James sees himself doesn’t match the statistics or how people view his game overall. Elsewhere in the interview, the father of three discussed the possibility of playing with his son, Bronny James.
“I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny […] Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him,” he said. “I don’t mean like [guarding one another all game] — because he’s a point guard and I’m a, at this point now I’m playing center or whatever the team needs from me, but I would love to do the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. thing. That would be ideal for sure.”
Armon Sadler
https://www.vibe.com/news/sports/lebron-james-pass-first-label-twitter-reacts-1234725510/
By: Armon Sadler
Title: LeBron James Calls Himself A “Pass First” Player, Twitter Reacts
Sourced From: www.vibe.com/news/sports/lebron-james-pass-first-label-twitter-reacts-1234725510/
Published Date: 01-09-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NBA star is the best scorer right now?
The answer to this question is subjective, as different players have different styles of play that make them unique and successful. Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry are all popular choices for NBA's most dominant scorer.
Kevin Durant's not just a great shooting player, but he is also an offensive force! With two NBA Championships and 2 Finals MVPs under his belt and a regular season MVP title, this player has some serious game.
What is the NBA salary limit?
The NBA salary cap limits the total salary each team can earn. The league determines the salary limit each year. It is designed to ensure parity between teams by preventing teams from signing multiple high-priced players and creating an unfair advantage. In order to make trades or sign free agents, teams must remain below the cap. They may exceed it if they make certain exceptions like signing Bird rights players or offering players a contract that includes a portion of their salary being counted against the cap, and the rest paid out as bonuses. The league salary cap is an integral part and helps to maintain a balanced team roster.
Who holds record for most NBA career playoff wins?
LeBron James is the leader of the pack, with an impressive record of 174 wins in NBA Playoffs history, and 266 games played. It's not surprising that he is today's most desired basketball player.
What is the NBA Draft?
The NBA Draft is an annual tournament in which eligible players are selected by teams. Each team gets one pick each round. The NBA Draft takes place every June. The order of the draft is determined by the teams' records from the previous season, with the worst team getting the first pick and the best team getting the last pick. Teams can choose college or international players between the ages of 19 and 19. This event is crucial for teams because it allows them to find new talent and expand their rosters. It's also a great way for players to make the jump from international or college leagues into the NBA.
What is the greatest NBA team?
That is a hotly debated topic that has been discussed for decades. The "showtime Lakers of 1980-1989" dominated the league for nearly a decade, winning five championships led by Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. During this period, superstars like James Worthy, Byron Scott and Kurt Rambis were part of the Lakers' roster.
From 200 to 2004, the Los Angeles Lakers, later called the Shaw and Kobe Lakers became a force to reckon with. They were held by Shaquille Bryant's dynamic duo, Kobe Bryant and Kobe O'Neal, both Hall of Famer. They won three championships consecutively from 2000 through 2002.
The 1990s Chicago Bulls were also a dominant force, winning six championships as a team under Phil Jackson, their legendary head coach, and being led by Michael Jordan who is widely considered to be the greatest player ever. The Chico Bulls (1995-1996) are one of the most famous teams in NBA History. They won three consecutive NBA championships and had a record 72 wins. The Bulls' 72-10 regular-season record was broken by Golden State Warriors in 2015-16.
The Boston Celtics of 1965 are probably the most well-known dynasty of NBA basketball history. They won eight consecutive NBA championships and 11 titles during 13 years of Red Auerbach, Hall of Fame coach. The Celtics, led by legend players such as Sam Jones and Bob Cousy, John Havlicek and John Cousy, created a winning culture that is unmatched for decades.
The San Antonio Spurs are also a top contender for the best NBA dynasty. From 1999 to 2007, the Spurs won 4 championships, and had one of league's greatest runs. Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker, Manu and Manu Ginobili, all future Hall of Famers, helped improve the team's basketball style, emphasizing a team first mentality that led to their success.
With four NBA championships over the past decade, the Golden State Warriors are one the most successful teams ever. Steve Kerr and superstar players Stephen Curry (Kevin Durant), Klay Thompson (head coach) lead them. The Warriors play an exciting brand of basketball that has thrilled fans worldwide and are also in the conversation for the greatest NBA dynasty of all time.
The task of choosing the greatest NBA dynasty is not an easy one. Each team had its unique group of players and coaches that made them successful, but some stood out more than others due to their dominance. It would be hard to argue for the greatest NBA dynasty without the Bulls Bulls Bulls Celtics Spurs Warriors and Celtics.
Who is the best free throw shooter of all time?
The answer to that question is widely debated among basketball fans, but most agree that the best free-throw shooter of all time is Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. With an amazing 402.
Karl Malone currently holds the record for most free throws made in a career, with 9,787 successful shots. With 13,188 attempts, Karl Malone also holds the record for most free throws attempted. This has resulted to a 74.20% success percentage.
What is a trade exemption in NBA?
In the NBA, there is a trade exception that allows players to be traded away. This exception allows teams acquire players whose salary is higher than what they traded away. This exception is allowed by teams for multiple seasons. It doesn't count against their salary cap and luxury tax threshold. Trade exceptions are a valuable way for teams to adjust their rosters without having to shed salaries or change their roster composition during the season if they need to adjust. This allows for teams to compete and avoid situations in which some teams may have an unfair advantage because of their financial situation.
It helps to keep the league financially sound and allows teams to move around without worrying about whether they can afford to do so. Trade exceptions in the NBA are an integral part of roster construction. They can help teams compete to win championships.
Statistics
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- An estimated 800 million viewers watched the [105]2017–18 season. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20 percent of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
bleacherreport.com
- Which NBA Teams Will Participate in the Victor Wembanyama-Tankathon?
- Latest NBA Intel: Sources Say Zach LaVine Will Sign with Chicago Bulls
sbnation.com
sports.yahoo.com
- Yahoo Mail, Weather, Search & Videos
- Game 1 of NBA Finals sees lowest viewership in recorded ratings history
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
How To
How can you prepare for a NBA game experience?
To be ready for an NBA experience, you need to make sure that you have the right ticket. Tickets can be purchased through the team's website, or an online third-party seller. Plan ahead and be familiar with the arena policies so you aren't caught off guard. To beat the rush and warm up, arrive early to the arena. If you wish, purchase team merchandise such as a shirt and hat. Make sure to bring your camera, binoculars and a tripod to capture the action on the court. Consider other entertainment options during halftimes, such a concert or special event if you don’t want to miss any of it. Enjoy the game.
