Monday, May 3, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Zone Blocking Scheme 101
Zone blocking is one of the most discussed - yet least understood - strategies in football today. There are nearly as many different opinions on zone blocking as there are people who have heard of zone blocking, and most of the debate comes from people who couldn't tell you the first thing about how a zone block differs from a man block. So with Tennessee adopting a "100% Zone" blocking scheme, I felt it was a good time to go through some of the basic concepts of zone blocking so that we can have a more intelligent conversation on it. Here, I'll use a standard play - the stretch sweep with inside zone blocking - to illustrate how zone blocking works. It's one of the simplest situations to illustrate as well as one of the most devastatingly effective runs available to a team willing to commit to it.
Overview
If anybody ever asks you what zone blocking is, the shortest possible answer you can give is that the linemen block zones rather than block defenders. (If the asker is particularly annoying, you can always say that in a matter-of-fact, how-could-you-not-already-know-that tone. Very effective.) Digging a little deeper, what this really means is that the linemen are looking for specific areas of the field to block; if a defender happens to be there, they block the defender in such a way as to control the spot. If a defender isn't there, they continue toward that spot, offering double-team assistance only if it's convenient. Once they control a zone, if they're not fully engaged, the linemen can then look to the "second level" for somebody in the defensive backfield to block (on run plays).
The reason teams came up with zone blocking is rather simple: big, hulking offensive linemen who are agile enough to keep up with defensive shifts are hard to come by. In the NFL, the problem is quite simply that there are not enough quality big linemen for every team to assemble a dominant offensive line. Instead of competing against 31 other teams for a scarce resource, some teams sought to find ways to use smaller, quicker linemen effectively. Because of the acknowledged weight disadvantage these linemen would face, the goal was to scheme away from the straight-up shoving contests and find ways to maximize leverage on the opponent.
As we step through the following diagrams, keep these principles in mind.
The ideal linemen for zone blocking are:
Quick, even at the cost of size.
Disciplined, even if the assignment seems pointless.
Consistent, not giving visual cues to the defender as to their initial intention.
Smart, able to keep up with defensive shifts before the snap.
The ideal running backs for zone blocking rushes are:
Disciplined, willing to do their job and not improvise.
Decisive.
Crisp runners - not necessarily fast, but they must have sharp cuts.
Committed, willing to blast toward a gap that doesn't exist - yet.
Decisive. No, really. A backfield dancer is absolutely doomed.
Those characteristics in runners and linemen are relatively cheap to come by in the NFL draft. For years, Denver was the only team that was fully committed to a zone blocking scheme; during those years, their best linemen and runners were routinely found on the second day of the draft. Just as routinely, Denver was cranking out a different 1,000-yard rusher every year, subsequently selling them off to other teams for capital to be spent later. Meanwhile, the rest of the NFL was tripping over themselves to get the top-rated players at these positions. (Recently, the significant increase in the number of zone blocking teams has changed the market, and Denver spent a #12 pick on an offensive lineman last year.)
The point is that you don't have to have the superstars to run an effective system. While that always helps, zone blocking was an advent created to atone for talent shortfalls. So let's see the zone blocking principles."
Great post about Jason Campbell from Extremeskins.com...all credit goes to Oldskool here.
I know how troublesome stats are to some of the haters, but these are things that will be taken into account by the front office before making a decision on the draft, free agency or the Quarterback position.
OFFENSIVE LINE PRODUCTION:
Quote:
Redskins were 29th in protecting the QB from being sacked, allowing 46 sacks.
Redskins were 28th in protecting the QB from hits, allowing 94.
Redskins OL was 27th in the league, producing 1,508 yards on the ground.
RUNNING BACK PRODUCTION
Quote:
Redskins rushing attack was ranked 29th in the league, averaging 3.9 yards per carry.
Redskins rushing attack was 26th in the league, averaging 16.6 points per game.
Redskins rushing attack was 26th in the league, totaling 266 points on the ground.
Redskins rushing attack was 27th in the league, with 391 attempts.
Redskins rushing attack was 27th in the league, with 24.4 attempts per game.
Redskins rushing attack was 27th in the league, with 94.2 yards per game.
Redskins rushing attack was tied 25th in the league, with 8 rushing TD's.
Redskins rushing attack was 30th in the league with 72 1st downs via the rush.
Redskins rushing attack was 32nd in the league with 18.4% completion percentage via the rush.
Redskins rushing attack was tied 29th in the league with 6 rushes of 20+ yards or more.
Redskins rushing attack was tied 21th in the league with 1 rush of 40+ yards or more.
JASON CAMPBELL/QUARTERBACK STATISTICS
Quote:
Campbell was 12th in total comp (327)
Campbell was 10th in the league in comp% (64.5%)
Campbell was 20th in attempts per game (31.7)
Campbell was 14th in yards (3,618)
Campbell was 15th in average (7.1)
Campbell was 16th in yards/game (226.1)
Campbell was 18th in TD (20)
Campbell was T9th in INT's (15)
Campbell was T11th in 1st downs (186)
Campbell was 11th in 1st down % (36.7)
Campbell was T 5th with a pass play of 84 yards.
Campbell was 17th with 40 pass plays of 20+ yards.
Campbell was 17th with 8 pass plays of 40+ yards.
Campbell was 15th in the league with a 86.4 QB rating.
CONCLUSION:
Campbell played behind the on average statistically 28th worst OL this year.
Campbell had no run support, playing with on average the 27th best rushing game in the league.
In spite of these negatives, he still had career numbers in Attempts, Completions, Comp%, Attempts/game, yards, avg, yards/game and TD's
The only conclusion that can be logically made is that Campbell was not the problem in 2009. The lack of a running attack and complete lack of protection from the Offensive Line were hindrances to success this year, not the play of the QB.
OFFENSIVE LINE PRODUCTION:
Quote:
Redskins were 29th in protecting the QB from being sacked, allowing 46 sacks.
Redskins were 28th in protecting the QB from hits, allowing 94.
Redskins OL was 27th in the league, producing 1,508 yards on the ground.
RUNNING BACK PRODUCTION
Quote:
Redskins rushing attack was ranked 29th in the league, averaging 3.9 yards per carry.
Redskins rushing attack was 26th in the league, averaging 16.6 points per game.
Redskins rushing attack was 26th in the league, totaling 266 points on the ground.
Redskins rushing attack was 27th in the league, with 391 attempts.
Redskins rushing attack was 27th in the league, with 24.4 attempts per game.
Redskins rushing attack was 27th in the league, with 94.2 yards per game.
Redskins rushing attack was tied 25th in the league, with 8 rushing TD's.
Redskins rushing attack was 30th in the league with 72 1st downs via the rush.
Redskins rushing attack was 32nd in the league with 18.4% completion percentage via the rush.
Redskins rushing attack was tied 29th in the league with 6 rushes of 20+ yards or more.
Redskins rushing attack was tied 21th in the league with 1 rush of 40+ yards or more.
JASON CAMPBELL/QUARTERBACK STATISTICS
Quote:
Campbell was 12th in total comp (327)
Campbell was 10th in the league in comp% (64.5%)
Campbell was 20th in attempts per game (31.7)
Campbell was 14th in yards (3,618)
Campbell was 15th in average (7.1)
Campbell was 16th in yards/game (226.1)
Campbell was 18th in TD (20)
Campbell was T9th in INT's (15)
Campbell was T11th in 1st downs (186)
Campbell was 11th in 1st down % (36.7)
Campbell was T 5th with a pass play of 84 yards.
Campbell was 17th with 40 pass plays of 20+ yards.
Campbell was 17th with 8 pass plays of 40+ yards.
Campbell was 15th in the league with a 86.4 QB rating.
CONCLUSION:
Campbell played behind the on average statistically 28th worst OL this year.
Campbell had no run support, playing with on average the 27th best rushing game in the league.
In spite of these negatives, he still had career numbers in Attempts, Completions, Comp%, Attempts/game, yards, avg, yards/game and TD's
The only conclusion that can be logically made is that Campbell was not the problem in 2009. The lack of a running attack and complete lack of protection from the Offensive Line were hindrances to success this year, not the play of the QB.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Bill Polian Needs to shut his mouth
For this past decade, Bill Polian has been the one of the best GMs in the NFL. He has consistently built a contender in Indianapolis and has reloaded the weapons for one Peyton Manning in order for him to be successful. This recruitment of talent lead the Colts to have the most wins in the regular season ever in a decade over the 49ers in the 90s and 80sand the Dallas Cowboys in the 70s. Of those three previous teams, only the 49ers of the 90s had only one title. Now you can add the ’00 Colts. The Colts are 1-1 in Superbowls this past decade but for the amount of expectations, 1-1 is a little disappointing. The Colts have been outplayed by the Patriots, Steelers, and Chargers in playoff situations. Many of those games have been in the RCA Dome or Lucas Oil Stadium. The main reason for having these expectations is because of their All Pro QB Peyton Manning, who had been widely considered before Superbowl XLIV as being The Greatest of All Time. So when you lose the Superbowl to a franchise in the New Orleans Saints that not only is in its first Superbowl but has the 25th ranked defense, it was considered that Peyton Manning would lay waste to the Saints in route to is 2nd Lombardi Trophy. Obviously, that didn’t happen as Manning threw a game clinching Pick 6 to CB Tracy Porter to make the score 31-17 with 3 minutes left in the game. On his final drive Pierre Garcon saved Manning the embarrassment of throwing a second interception in the endzone by drawing a PI call on himself. Clearly Manning didn’t have his best game in SB44 but Bill Polian seems to believe that the Offensive line and special teams are the biggest reasons why the Colts lost the Superbowl. If Bill Polian truly believes this, he really needs to reassess what actually transpired in the game.
Lets start with the Offensive line. This is an O-Line anchored by Jeff Saturday who Peyton Manning is very comfortable and familiar with for the past decade. Saturday and the rest of the unit in SB44 didn’t even allow a sack. To my memory, I only saw Manning get hit three or four times through 60 minutes. They also opened up rushing lanes to let Joseph Addai and Donald Brown to rush for 95 yards that game, most of those rushing yards came in the 1st half. A unit that doesn’t allow a sack and allows for the RBs to rush for 95 yds don’t deserve the majority of blame for a loss. Now onto the special teams. I understand Matt Stover missed a long field goal but it was hardly a chip shot for a kicker to convert. The onsides kick was a shock to everyone watching and playing. The Colts were lucky to even have an opportunity to recover that kick. Now once the Saints get the ball. It’s the defense’s responsibility to play good football and stop the Saint’s Offense which they couldn’t do for the entire second half. The Defense had a big reason as to why the Colts lost, the wide receivers had a hand in the loss, and so did Peyton Manning. Most importantly, the Saints were the reason why the Colts lost. 82% passing and 2 TDs by Drew Brees is the reason why the Colts lost. The Saints shined brighter on February 7th. They were the better team and Bill Polian needs to be quiet, take the loss like a man, and not whine about two units that had the least to do with the Colts losing. Be classy and prepare for next season Bill.
Lets start with the Offensive line. This is an O-Line anchored by Jeff Saturday who Peyton Manning is very comfortable and familiar with for the past decade. Saturday and the rest of the unit in SB44 didn’t even allow a sack. To my memory, I only saw Manning get hit three or four times through 60 minutes. They also opened up rushing lanes to let Joseph Addai and Donald Brown to rush for 95 yards that game, most of those rushing yards came in the 1st half. A unit that doesn’t allow a sack and allows for the RBs to rush for 95 yds don’t deserve the majority of blame for a loss. Now onto the special teams. I understand Matt Stover missed a long field goal but it was hardly a chip shot for a kicker to convert. The onsides kick was a shock to everyone watching and playing. The Colts were lucky to even have an opportunity to recover that kick. Now once the Saints get the ball. It’s the defense’s responsibility to play good football and stop the Saint’s Offense which they couldn’t do for the entire second half. The Defense had a big reason as to why the Colts lost, the wide receivers had a hand in the loss, and so did Peyton Manning. Most importantly, the Saints were the reason why the Colts lost. 82% passing and 2 TDs by Drew Brees is the reason why the Colts lost. The Saints shined brighter on February 7th. They were the better team and Bill Polian needs to be quiet, take the loss like a man, and not whine about two units that had the least to do with the Colts losing. Be classy and prepare for next season Bill.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Senior Bowl News
The senior bowl is venue for NCAA standouts at their respective schools to put their skills to the test against their peers and more importantly impress scouts at the next level. Through the last 3 days of practice and weigh ins, there has been plenty of buzz surrounding a hand full of players. One of those players is the all world Florida Gator Tim Tebow. He is arguably the best college player ever. His intangibles make Joe Montana jealous and he just wins. However, intangibles can only compliment good QB skills that can translate to success at the next level. I will give you the players who have caught my eye whether good or bad at this year’s Senior Bowl Practices so far.
CB Kyle Wilson- If this guy wasn’t a 1st round pick before the Senior Bowl Practices, he is definitely getting buzz now. He hailed from the Boise State program that put out All Pro NFL Tackle Ryan Clady a couple of years ago. Wilson will be playing on the North team. In every situation he has been placed in, he has performed well. He shut down receivers in press coverage, jumped routes well, has great hip flexibility, and has good ball skills. He is clearly the best cover corner that will be playing in this game.
QB Tim Tebow- How can Tebow not catch your eye. He looks like a linebacker playing QB. Plus everyone is talking about him anyway. His 1st day left plenty to be desired. He fumbled snaps from the center and looked uncomfortable. However, I think people are overreacting about his 1st practice. He hadn’t worked with the center he was taking snaps from ever, so he should get a pass for that. Since then, he has looked much better at the under center ball exchange. The big problem with him is his throwing motion starts at this thigh and its unprotected. DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen, and James Harrison among others will have a field day causing fumbles on him if he doesn’t fix that. However, once the ball comes out, his arm is pretty live. He has good strength behind the throw and has a great deep sideline pass. Time will tell if he can work the intermediate throws consistently with accuracy.
DT Terrence Cody- Weighing in was a day that this man would like to forget and after seeing him, I would like to forget about it too. He is 370 pounds. He lost weight to get to that number. He doesn’t have an ounce of definition unless you count blubber and boobs as definition. His 1st day of practice wasn’t the best either. He didn’t assert is will in the combo drill or one on one drills. The second day was better. He actually looked unblockable at times. He bullrushed an Offensive lineman effortlessly into the backfield. Nothing has changed about how people view him though. He is a two down lineman who will need to drop another 25 pounds so he doesn’t seriously harm himself on the field.
WR Taylor Price- The University of Ohio receiver has shown the speed and technique to make me elieve he can a problem for corners at the next level. He caught a couple of quality passes on Kyle Wilson, the best corner in this senior bowl. He has solid size for a receiver and his speed in and out of breaks are what makes him a quality prospect that should get plenty of attention come draft time.
S Taylor Mays- I commend this kid for not being afraid of being criticized and participating in a senior bowl process that will no doubt analyze his game even deeper. It’s like Mike Mayock said, if God were to carve a safety with his bare hands, he would look like Taylor Mays. 6’3” 230 pounds and can run, hit, and has athleticism. Some question is lack of playmaking stats and point to lack of ball skills and recognition, others will point to lack of quality talent around him his senior year and change in defensive responsibility. Whatever side you’re on, Mays has plenty to prove at this senior bowl. So far, he hasn’t been nearly as bad in man coverage as I thought he would be. His hips aren’t as fluid as you would like and he definitely got beat a couple of times. However, he competed very well and for the most part held his own. He won’t fit in every system but if he can show in the game that he can consistently cover TEs downfield, he stock will shoot up.
OG Mike Iupati- He is the best guard prospect in the draft. He has the frame of a tackle 6’5” 325. However, he played at Idaho so he needed to see some better competition. The 1st day, he got dominated in the one on one drills by Jared Odrick, a 1st round prospect. He played extremely well however in the 11on 11 drills. The 2nd day was better for him as he dominated a variety of defensive linemen at guard during 1on 1 drills. At tackle, he had a rough day. He was very uncomfortable and a little slow out there. Brandon Graham killed him on an outside speed rush. At the end of the day, he could be a late 1st round pick partly because NFL teams don’t draft guards higher than that.
DE Brandon Graham- The Michigan prospect reminds me so much of a faster LaMarr Woodley who was a Wolverine is well. He is small in height 6’2” but he is bulky 260 and he really shined this past season for the wolverines and he is dominating pass rushing drills in the senior bowl practices. He shows a variety of pass rush moves and is really too fast for any of the tackles practicing against him. He will be a beast in the pros if he’s put in a good situation.
Honarable Mention
S Nate Allen- I like this kid. Showed the ability to cover in press in practice. He has solid ball skills and good range. His speed isn’t elite but he is a smart player who will be drafted in the 2nd round.
RB/WR Dexter McCluster- He is drawing comparisions to Percy Harvin and Darren Sproles. He runs routes like a pure WR. He is tough player that is shifty and has world class speed. He will be a steal for some team in the 2nd probably.
DT Cam Thomas- The UNC prospect has been very solid. He gets a solid base in combo drills and he collapses the pocket from the middle. Translates very well as a 3-4 Nose Tackle.
OT Vladimir Duccasse- Another small school prospect that’s getting tested against the big boys. He has been inconsistent. In one drill, he holds his own. In the next drill, he gets dominated. He may have to play guard at the next level because I’m not sure he can handle elite speed on the edge at the NFL.
WR Mardy Gilyard- He had a bad 1st day. He dropped easy catches. The 2nd day of practice was like night and day for him. He was running routes with confidence and was catching the ball with ease. He looked like the player I saw dominate at Pitt.
CB Kyle Wilson- If this guy wasn’t a 1st round pick before the Senior Bowl Practices, he is definitely getting buzz now. He hailed from the Boise State program that put out All Pro NFL Tackle Ryan Clady a couple of years ago. Wilson will be playing on the North team. In every situation he has been placed in, he has performed well. He shut down receivers in press coverage, jumped routes well, has great hip flexibility, and has good ball skills. He is clearly the best cover corner that will be playing in this game.
QB Tim Tebow- How can Tebow not catch your eye. He looks like a linebacker playing QB. Plus everyone is talking about him anyway. His 1st day left plenty to be desired. He fumbled snaps from the center and looked uncomfortable. However, I think people are overreacting about his 1st practice. He hadn’t worked with the center he was taking snaps from ever, so he should get a pass for that. Since then, he has looked much better at the under center ball exchange. The big problem with him is his throwing motion starts at this thigh and its unprotected. DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen, and James Harrison among others will have a field day causing fumbles on him if he doesn’t fix that. However, once the ball comes out, his arm is pretty live. He has good strength behind the throw and has a great deep sideline pass. Time will tell if he can work the intermediate throws consistently with accuracy.
DT Terrence Cody- Weighing in was a day that this man would like to forget and after seeing him, I would like to forget about it too. He is 370 pounds. He lost weight to get to that number. He doesn’t have an ounce of definition unless you count blubber and boobs as definition. His 1st day of practice wasn’t the best either. He didn’t assert is will in the combo drill or one on one drills. The second day was better. He actually looked unblockable at times. He bullrushed an Offensive lineman effortlessly into the backfield. Nothing has changed about how people view him though. He is a two down lineman who will need to drop another 25 pounds so he doesn’t seriously harm himself on the field.
WR Taylor Price- The University of Ohio receiver has shown the speed and technique to make me elieve he can a problem for corners at the next level. He caught a couple of quality passes on Kyle Wilson, the best corner in this senior bowl. He has solid size for a receiver and his speed in and out of breaks are what makes him a quality prospect that should get plenty of attention come draft time.
S Taylor Mays- I commend this kid for not being afraid of being criticized and participating in a senior bowl process that will no doubt analyze his game even deeper. It’s like Mike Mayock said, if God were to carve a safety with his bare hands, he would look like Taylor Mays. 6’3” 230 pounds and can run, hit, and has athleticism. Some question is lack of playmaking stats and point to lack of ball skills and recognition, others will point to lack of quality talent around him his senior year and change in defensive responsibility. Whatever side you’re on, Mays has plenty to prove at this senior bowl. So far, he hasn’t been nearly as bad in man coverage as I thought he would be. His hips aren’t as fluid as you would like and he definitely got beat a couple of times. However, he competed very well and for the most part held his own. He won’t fit in every system but if he can show in the game that he can consistently cover TEs downfield, he stock will shoot up.
OG Mike Iupati- He is the best guard prospect in the draft. He has the frame of a tackle 6’5” 325. However, he played at Idaho so he needed to see some better competition. The 1st day, he got dominated in the one on one drills by Jared Odrick, a 1st round prospect. He played extremely well however in the 11on 11 drills. The 2nd day was better for him as he dominated a variety of defensive linemen at guard during 1on 1 drills. At tackle, he had a rough day. He was very uncomfortable and a little slow out there. Brandon Graham killed him on an outside speed rush. At the end of the day, he could be a late 1st round pick partly because NFL teams don’t draft guards higher than that.
DE Brandon Graham- The Michigan prospect reminds me so much of a faster LaMarr Woodley who was a Wolverine is well. He is small in height 6’2” but he is bulky 260 and he really shined this past season for the wolverines and he is dominating pass rushing drills in the senior bowl practices. He shows a variety of pass rush moves and is really too fast for any of the tackles practicing against him. He will be a beast in the pros if he’s put in a good situation.
Honarable Mention
S Nate Allen- I like this kid. Showed the ability to cover in press in practice. He has solid ball skills and good range. His speed isn’t elite but he is a smart player who will be drafted in the 2nd round.
RB/WR Dexter McCluster- He is drawing comparisions to Percy Harvin and Darren Sproles. He runs routes like a pure WR. He is tough player that is shifty and has world class speed. He will be a steal for some team in the 2nd probably.
DT Cam Thomas- The UNC prospect has been very solid. He gets a solid base in combo drills and he collapses the pocket from the middle. Translates very well as a 3-4 Nose Tackle.
OT Vladimir Duccasse- Another small school prospect that’s getting tested against the big boys. He has been inconsistent. In one drill, he holds his own. In the next drill, he gets dominated. He may have to play guard at the next level because I’m not sure he can handle elite speed on the edge at the NFL.
WR Mardy Gilyard- He had a bad 1st day. He dropped easy catches. The 2nd day of practice was like night and day for him. He was running routes with confidence and was catching the ball with ease. He looked like the player I saw dominate at Pitt.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The NBA's Circle of Life
Hi, everybody! (Hi, Dr. Nick.) I realize this is primarily an NFL Draft blog but I am one of the sixteen basketball fans left in this country and so will thus feel periodically compelled to offer my thoughts on my first love, the NBA. I can only hope the remaining fifteen fans are among the readers of this blog but I am not particularly optimistic about that point. These NBA musings will eventually all be accessible on the NBA Talk page (see the navigation bar above). Anyway, what better topic to begin my mostly incoherent ramblings than the primary point of contention among irrational NBA fanboys everywhere...Kobe vs. LeBron. One disclaimer before we get to the post...I am a diehard Lakers fan and Kobe Bryant is my favorite athlete of all-time. Nice. I don't believe this affects my objectivity in forming opinions but it's only right to put that out there first thing and let you make your own judgment. But onto the post...
I believe there is some sort of saying/adage/Chinese proverb that gives us the (surely paraphrased) nugget of wisdom that we cannot properly evaluate the present/future if we don't understand the past. Where we have been determines where we are going. So let's take a trip down memory lane to start things off here...
In the midst of the Lakers' mini-dynasty at the beginning of the past decade, Shaquille O'Neal began calling teammate Kobe Bryant the best basketball player on the planet. While this mostly illustrates Shaq's false modesty and a decided ignorance of one Mr. Timothy Duncan from San Antonio, Kobe certainly became the league's premier perimeter player around 2001. He has remained the most skilled (but not necessarily the best) player ever since. Some time after Duncan's back-to-back MVP's in 2002 and 2003 and during Shaq's descent into obesity, it became standard operating procedure to refer to Kobe Bryant as the world's best player. The NBA was Kobe's world for much of the past decade but if you haven't noticed the 00s are over. Kobe's time is over. And the NBA seems to be better off for it.
Kobe Bryant's reign as the NBA's finest player was a dark time for the league. He kicked things off by being accused of sexual assault in Eagle, Colorado. He then played a part in the destruction of the league's dominant team (a team the league needed because it created almost as much interest as Michael Jordan had), a Shaq/Kobe/Phil Jackson combination in Los Angeles. Kobe spent his prime languishing away on otherwise terrible Lakers team (not much there once Shaq left) and the league suffered. The Spurs won three championships in a five year span, each NBA finals receiving terrible television ratings as fan interest dipped. Fans wanted to see the league's preeminent player and its greatest shot-maker but Kobe Bryant was nowhere to be found. There was only Tim Duncan left to bridge the gap and his maddening adherence to fundamentals, more maddening consistency and most maddening eye-bulging weren't going to get it done. Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward of all-time. Tim Duncan is not Kobe Bryant.
Meanwhile, in events unrelated to Kobe Bryant or the NBA's waning starpower, the league additionally suffered from exceedingly dubious officiating (see 2006 NBA Finals) and the Ron Artest Brawl in Detroit. Michael Jordan legitimized the NBA as a mainstream professional league but left a gigantic vacuum at the top of the league after his (perhaps premature) retirement. The next decade should have been about Kobe Bryant fulfilling his potential as Michael Jordan's heir (if not necessarily his equal) but Kobe was not up to the task. He may have started his career in promising fashion and consistently demonstrated his immense talent but Kobe's overall body of work was not consistent or successful enough to maintain the casual fan's interest throughout the 00s. The league struggled and there were whispers of the NBA falling back to a niche sport in the post-Jordan years. Since 1980 (Magic and Bird enter the league), the NBA has been steadily gaining popularity. Basketball emerged around the world as a sport that could catch on internationally in a way that football (and to some extent, baseball) never managed. But five years ago the NBA could not maintain interest in its' country of origin. What had happened? The circle of life had briefly failed the NBA. And now the aforementioned trip down memory lane is complete and we can move onto the actual post (yeah, five paragraphs in and we're just getting started)...
What is the common thread holding together the childhoods of all Generation Nexters? (I'd like to propose an official change to Generation Sexters but that's an issue for another time) Is it the brief but bizarre fascination with beanie babies? For everyone's sake I'm going to say no to that one. Is it the O.J. trial? Good guess, but not quite. The thread that has stood the test of time (or at least the past fifteen years) and pulls our generation together is...The Lion King. Nice. (Obviously. Circle of life reference last paragraph? Come on now. And what else is there...pogs?
Just like any great Disney movie, The Lion King reveals most of life's important lessons upon closer inspection. Never trust the creepy, menacing uncle because he probably has diabolic plans that center around your exile/death. Everyone needs a fat, funny, slightly gaseous sidekick. Meerkats are awesome. Hyenas? Not so much. Always try to avoid a thundering wildebeest stampede. Ooooh, my bad. Still too soon? Regardless of the value of these lessons, the most important message passed onto our generation from The Lion King centers around the circle of life. The strong rule the weak until they inevitably succumb to weakness themselves. This brings about a new generation of ruling strength and life continues in this fashion indefinitely (or at least until the end of the movie and its sequel). Like any great lesson, the circle of life applies to more than the jungle life of lions, hyenas, warthogs and Rafiki. So while the NBA only possesses passing similarities with the African jungle, the circle of life could not have been more evident last Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland during the Lakers-Cavaliers game. Or as it was better known as...Kobe vs. LeBron!! Part II!!
Despite his many admirers and rather vehement supporters, Kobe now quite obviously plays second fiddle to LeBron James. James burst onto the scene as a nineteen year old rookie in 2003 and has produced historically good statistics every year since. But it took James a few years to realize his potential as a player, as opposed to that of an athlete. Something seemed to click after the 2007 season (a regular season that he noticeably coasted through) and James has been the best player in the league ever since his single-handed destruction of the Pistons' stranglehold on the Eastern Conference in Game 5 the 2007 Conference Finals. But despite LeBron's domination, the LeBron vs. Kobe debate rages on.
In a way it's understandable; LeBron vs. Kobe is the most compelling individual matchup and "rivalry" since Magic and Bird battled in the 1980s. They should go down as two of the greatest ten players of all-time (at worst) and both are leading championship contenders near their respective individual primes. They both play on the wing but frequently handle the ball to initiate the offense and have very well-rounded games on both ends of the floor. Though they share these similarities and would thus seem to draw comparisons naturally, the debate continues for only two reasons; the complete restoration of Kobe's public image and Lebron's lack of championship rings.
Just as LeBron was ready to ascend to the top of the NBA world (king of the jungle you might say), Pau Gasol fell into the Lakers' lap and suddenly Kobe went from being a pouting gunner demanding a trade away from his mediocre NBA team to a mature, unselfish leader on the eventual Western Conference champions. Of course, Kobe didn't significantly alter his game during this time and you'd be hard-pressed to argue he improved as a player but the public's perception of Kobe was hastily modified by the Lakers' success and that made all the difference. Kobe was very likely a lesser player in 2008 than in 2006 when Kobe controversially shot (approximately) 437 times per game and carried the worst supporting cast in the league (other starters were Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown, Luke Walton and Smush Parker) to 45 wins and a near playoff series victory over a very good Phoenix Suns team. But most of the media places a huge emphasis on winning (not saying that is a terrible approach but other factors need to be considered) and consequently champions receive more (and sometimes undue) praise than superstar leaders of 45-win teams. And when there is a drastic change in win totals (Lakers improved by fifteen wins) the media must attribute this improvement to something new and/or improved. Nearly all of that improvement came from Pau Gasol being (not approximation, actual fact) 437 times better than Kwame Brown but Kobe, being Kobe, received a bit too much credit just as he had previously received a bit too much blame. And because of all of this Kobe received the 2008 MVP award and held onto the unofficial status as "best player in the world," both titles that LeBron thought within his grasp.
Whether LeBron's 2008 playoff series loss to the Celtics was particularly hard to swallow or the Redeem Team experience (and the exposure to Kobe's work ethic) particularly enlightening, LeBron spent the next twelve months dominating the league in a fashion not seen since young, motivated Shaq or, dare I say it, another #23 from Chicago. He was the best player on the Redeem Team that won the gold medal over a more than competent Spain team. He improved his shooting both from the free throw line (71% to 78%) and three point line (31% to 35%) while exhibiting a new-found appreciation for defense. LeBron's most impressive plays during the 2008-2009 season were not dunks, but blocks like these on opposing teams' fast break opportunities. He led a Cavalier team with only two other above average players (Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao), neither of whom are close to all-NBA performers, to 66 regular season wins. LeBron deservedly won his first MVP award and went on to average 35-9-7-2-1 in the playoffs. But Cleveland could not find its' way past the Orlando Magic and the subsequent media whirlwind over LeBron's refusal to acknowledge the Magic after the loss (and later Nike's confiscation of this rather underwhelming tape) put a damper on an otherwise historic season. Plus, the elephant in the room was not exactly sitting there quietly. Kobe Bryant was making quite a bit of noise of his own.
LeBron was Team USA's best player and (self-dubbed) leader but Kobe Bryant (and Jason Kidd) set the tone for the entire team. It was Kobe who laid the groundwork for Olympic gold in the qualifying Tournament of the Americas with his suffocating defense on Leandro Barbosa. And when Spain closed to within five points during the fourth quarter of the gold medal game, it was Kobe (the best player in the fourth quarter) who converted the ridiculous four-point play to give the U.S.A. breathing room. The NBA's 2008-2009 regular season saw a similar progression of events. LeBron was the league's most outstanding player throughout but Kobe hoisted the NBA Finals MVP trophy and won his first title as the best player on a championship team. LeBron has (somehow) become an even more efficient player this season and the Cavaliers have the best record in the league (again). But of the three analysts on TNT's studio show, only Charles Barkley gave the nod to LeBron as the game's best player (and that is a relatively recent development). Despite LeBron's MVP award and continued excellence it seems as if the TNT show is fairly indicative of the overall LeBron-Kobe debate and each side has a similar number of advocates. While not quite a traveshamockery, that there is even a debate at all shortchanges LeBron's complete (since I'm already using made-up words) badassness. That is all about to change.
Kobe passed the torch last Thursday. There was a changing of the guard. If you have another saying that describes the transition feel free to insert it here. Kobe started off hot and finished with 31 points but shot only 4-15 on field goals in the second half. LeBron managed a very productive first half despite not hitting his jumpshot but found his stroke in the fourth quarter and scored twelve straight points (many coming on eighteen footers). LeBron's hot streak was not an aberration, merely a return toward the mean because *gulp* he is now a good shooter. He shoots better than Kobe from three and posts only slightly worse percentages from 16-23 feet. Is a healthy Kobe Bryant the second best player in the NBA? Probably. Perhaps definitely (despite what those advanced statistical metrics reveal) considering his improved post game makes him more efficient than in years past. Has Kobe Bryant ever been as good as LeBron James is right now? Probably not. James is the single greatest athlete in NBA history, boasts exceptional vision, has a good/serviceable jumpshot, can defend multiple positions and is a very good rebounder. So...ummm...that pretty much covers everything. LeBron can do more things, more efficiently than Kobe ever could and has shown he has the ability to lead a team, too (his teammates love him). What more could you want? Oh, right. A championship.
Following the game last week the stories circulating around the internet seemed to focus on Cleveland's front court production (despite the Lakers talent advantage at power forward and center) and how the physical presence of Varejao and Shaq brought the big man match-up to a standstill. A very good point and a tip of my hat to journalists everywhere. But if the supporting casts played evenly who does that leave? Kobe and LeBron. The two went mano-a-mano down the stretch and LeBron came out on top. While it's always dangerous to read too much into one game (Orlando swept the regular season series last year against the Lakers and were easily dispatched in the Finals), this game showed the likely result of any game in which Cleveland neutralizes L.A.'s front court advantage. If LeBron and Kobe trade punches in the fourth quarter, more often than not it will be the Lakers looking like this. The Lakers can still win the title but it won't be because of Kobe Bryant's utter brilliance. He is no longer the best player in the game and while there has been debate about that very subject I have a sneaking suspicion that debate will be over in six months. LeBron James is the best player in the game and will not be denied again.
During their stint as teammates on the Dream Team, Michael Jordan had a discussion with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson about the greatest player/teams of all-time. I use the word "discussion" loosely. MJ concluded the conversation by saying that the 80s were over and it was his time now, that when everything was said and done he would go down as the greatest player who ever lived. Jordan proved himself a prophet over the next seven years, vanquishing all comers who couldn't throw a curve ball. The circle of life continued. A new superstar emerged with a combination of skill, athleticism, intelligence and desire never seen before. Just as importantly, Jordan played an exciting brand of basketball and was charismatic off the court. He captured the average fan's interest and sent the NBA's popularity through the roof. When Jordan retired there were two heir apparents that might be able to mimic Jordan's career arc (though not surpass it) and help maintain the NBA's popularity. (NOTE: I'm excluding Duncan, Garnett and Shaq because only Shaq had the necessary charisma and no one likes rooting for Goliath) Allen Iverson proved to be too shot-happy and had too many tattoos to appeal to corporate America. Kobe Bryant was handsome, spoke Italian and played the game with both flash and a composure that belied his young years. Kobe couldn't quite put everything together but the circle of life moved on and LeBron emerged as the rightful heir to Jordan (if we're going strictly The Lion King and Mufasa-MJ and LeBron-Simba does that make Kobe-Scar? I incidentally managed to compare Kobe to both Dumbo and Scar in the same post...I am the worst Lakers fan ever).
What will the game's evolution bring us in twenty years? Dwight Howard with Hakeem Olajuwon's footwork? The yeti from NBA Street (:50 mark)? I don't know who will be ruling the NBA jungle in 2030 but I know it will be something special because the circle of life continues.
I don't know how LeBron's career will unfold but if he has Jordan set in his sights I don't know who will stop him from being in the same conversation with His Airness. Kobe has been MJ-lite but King James seems to have already overtaken the former Prince of L.A. As a Lakers fan, I find LeBron entitled, arrogant and a bit annoying. As a basketball fan I am giddy about his future. Maybe in June the pundits will look back six months and find the turning point in the season on a cold January night. For all we know it could be a turning point in league history. The debate is over. Kobe's time is over. The future belongs to LeBron.
I believe there is some sort of saying/adage/Chinese proverb that gives us the (surely paraphrased) nugget of wisdom that we cannot properly evaluate the present/future if we don't understand the past. Where we have been determines where we are going. So let's take a trip down memory lane to start things off here...
In the midst of the Lakers' mini-dynasty at the beginning of the past decade, Shaquille O'Neal began calling teammate Kobe Bryant the best basketball player on the planet. While this mostly illustrates Shaq's false modesty and a decided ignorance of one Mr. Timothy Duncan from San Antonio, Kobe certainly became the league's premier perimeter player around 2001. He has remained the most skilled (but not necessarily the best) player ever since. Some time after Duncan's back-to-back MVP's in 2002 and 2003 and during Shaq's descent into obesity, it became standard operating procedure to refer to Kobe Bryant as the world's best player. The NBA was Kobe's world for much of the past decade but if you haven't noticed the 00s are over. Kobe's time is over. And the NBA seems to be better off for it.
Kobe Bryant's reign as the NBA's finest player was a dark time for the league. He kicked things off by being accused of sexual assault in Eagle, Colorado. He then played a part in the destruction of the league's dominant team (a team the league needed because it created almost as much interest as Michael Jordan had), a Shaq/Kobe/Phil Jackson combination in Los Angeles. Kobe spent his prime languishing away on otherwise terrible Lakers team (not much there once Shaq left) and the league suffered. The Spurs won three championships in a five year span, each NBA finals receiving terrible television ratings as fan interest dipped. Fans wanted to see the league's preeminent player and its greatest shot-maker but Kobe Bryant was nowhere to be found. There was only Tim Duncan left to bridge the gap and his maddening adherence to fundamentals, more maddening consistency and most maddening eye-bulging weren't going to get it done. Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward of all-time. Tim Duncan is not Kobe Bryant.
Meanwhile, in events unrelated to Kobe Bryant or the NBA's waning starpower, the league additionally suffered from exceedingly dubious officiating (see 2006 NBA Finals) and the Ron Artest Brawl in Detroit. Michael Jordan legitimized the NBA as a mainstream professional league but left a gigantic vacuum at the top of the league after his (perhaps premature) retirement. The next decade should have been about Kobe Bryant fulfilling his potential as Michael Jordan's heir (if not necessarily his equal) but Kobe was not up to the task. He may have started his career in promising fashion and consistently demonstrated his immense talent but Kobe's overall body of work was not consistent or successful enough to maintain the casual fan's interest throughout the 00s. The league struggled and there were whispers of the NBA falling back to a niche sport in the post-Jordan years. Since 1980 (Magic and Bird enter the league), the NBA has been steadily gaining popularity. Basketball emerged around the world as a sport that could catch on internationally in a way that football (and to some extent, baseball) never managed. But five years ago the NBA could not maintain interest in its' country of origin. What had happened? The circle of life had briefly failed the NBA. And now the aforementioned trip down memory lane is complete and we can move onto the actual post (yeah, five paragraphs in and we're just getting started)...
What is the common thread holding together the childhoods of all Generation Nexters? (I'd like to propose an official change to Generation Sexters but that's an issue for another time) Is it the brief but bizarre fascination with beanie babies? For everyone's sake I'm going to say no to that one. Is it the O.J. trial? Good guess, but not quite. The thread that has stood the test of time (or at least the past fifteen years) and pulls our generation together is...The Lion King. Nice. (Obviously. Circle of life reference last paragraph? Come on now. And what else is there...pogs?
Just like any great Disney movie, The Lion King reveals most of life's important lessons upon closer inspection. Never trust the creepy, menacing uncle because he probably has diabolic plans that center around your exile/death. Everyone needs a fat, funny, slightly gaseous sidekick. Meerkats are awesome. Hyenas? Not so much. Always try to avoid a thundering wildebeest stampede. Ooooh, my bad. Still too soon? Regardless of the value of these lessons, the most important message passed onto our generation from The Lion King centers around the circle of life. The strong rule the weak until they inevitably succumb to weakness themselves. This brings about a new generation of ruling strength and life continues in this fashion indefinitely (or at least until the end of the movie and its sequel). Like any great lesson, the circle of life applies to more than the jungle life of lions, hyenas, warthogs and Rafiki. So while the NBA only possesses passing similarities with the African jungle, the circle of life could not have been more evident last Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland during the Lakers-Cavaliers game. Or as it was better known as...Kobe vs. LeBron!! Part II!!
Despite his many admirers and rather vehement supporters, Kobe now quite obviously plays second fiddle to LeBron James. James burst onto the scene as a nineteen year old rookie in 2003 and has produced historically good statistics every year since. But it took James a few years to realize his potential as a player, as opposed to that of an athlete. Something seemed to click after the 2007 season (a regular season that he noticeably coasted through) and James has been the best player in the league ever since his single-handed destruction of the Pistons' stranglehold on the Eastern Conference in Game 5 the 2007 Conference Finals. But despite LeBron's domination, the LeBron vs. Kobe debate rages on.
In a way it's understandable; LeBron vs. Kobe is the most compelling individual matchup and "rivalry" since Magic and Bird battled in the 1980s. They should go down as two of the greatest ten players of all-time (at worst) and both are leading championship contenders near their respective individual primes. They both play on the wing but frequently handle the ball to initiate the offense and have very well-rounded games on both ends of the floor. Though they share these similarities and would thus seem to draw comparisons naturally, the debate continues for only two reasons; the complete restoration of Kobe's public image and Lebron's lack of championship rings.
Just as LeBron was ready to ascend to the top of the NBA world (king of the jungle you might say), Pau Gasol fell into the Lakers' lap and suddenly Kobe went from being a pouting gunner demanding a trade away from his mediocre NBA team to a mature, unselfish leader on the eventual Western Conference champions. Of course, Kobe didn't significantly alter his game during this time and you'd be hard-pressed to argue he improved as a player but the public's perception of Kobe was hastily modified by the Lakers' success and that made all the difference. Kobe was very likely a lesser player in 2008 than in 2006 when Kobe controversially shot (approximately) 437 times per game and carried the worst supporting cast in the league (other starters were Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown, Luke Walton and Smush Parker) to 45 wins and a near playoff series victory over a very good Phoenix Suns team. But most of the media places a huge emphasis on winning (not saying that is a terrible approach but other factors need to be considered) and consequently champions receive more (and sometimes undue) praise than superstar leaders of 45-win teams. And when there is a drastic change in win totals (Lakers improved by fifteen wins) the media must attribute this improvement to something new and/or improved. Nearly all of that improvement came from Pau Gasol being (not approximation, actual fact) 437 times better than Kwame Brown but Kobe, being Kobe, received a bit too much credit just as he had previously received a bit too much blame. And because of all of this Kobe received the 2008 MVP award and held onto the unofficial status as "best player in the world," both titles that LeBron thought within his grasp.
Whether LeBron's 2008 playoff series loss to the Celtics was particularly hard to swallow or the Redeem Team experience (and the exposure to Kobe's work ethic) particularly enlightening, LeBron spent the next twelve months dominating the league in a fashion not seen since young, motivated Shaq or, dare I say it, another #23 from Chicago. He was the best player on the Redeem Team that won the gold medal over a more than competent Spain team. He improved his shooting both from the free throw line (71% to 78%) and three point line (31% to 35%) while exhibiting a new-found appreciation for defense. LeBron's most impressive plays during the 2008-2009 season were not dunks, but blocks like these on opposing teams' fast break opportunities. He led a Cavalier team with only two other above average players (Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao), neither of whom are close to all-NBA performers, to 66 regular season wins. LeBron deservedly won his first MVP award and went on to average 35-9-7-2-1 in the playoffs. But Cleveland could not find its' way past the Orlando Magic and the subsequent media whirlwind over LeBron's refusal to acknowledge the Magic after the loss (and later Nike's confiscation of this rather underwhelming tape) put a damper on an otherwise historic season. Plus, the elephant in the room was not exactly sitting there quietly. Kobe Bryant was making quite a bit of noise of his own.
LeBron was Team USA's best player and (self-dubbed) leader but Kobe Bryant (and Jason Kidd) set the tone for the entire team. It was Kobe who laid the groundwork for Olympic gold in the qualifying Tournament of the Americas with his suffocating defense on Leandro Barbosa. And when Spain closed to within five points during the fourth quarter of the gold medal game, it was Kobe (the best player in the fourth quarter) who converted the ridiculous four-point play to give the U.S.A. breathing room. The NBA's 2008-2009 regular season saw a similar progression of events. LeBron was the league's most outstanding player throughout but Kobe hoisted the NBA Finals MVP trophy and won his first title as the best player on a championship team. LeBron has (somehow) become an even more efficient player this season and the Cavaliers have the best record in the league (again). But of the three analysts on TNT's studio show, only Charles Barkley gave the nod to LeBron as the game's best player (and that is a relatively recent development). Despite LeBron's MVP award and continued excellence it seems as if the TNT show is fairly indicative of the overall LeBron-Kobe debate and each side has a similar number of advocates. While not quite a traveshamockery, that there is even a debate at all shortchanges LeBron's complete (since I'm already using made-up words) badassness. That is all about to change.
Kobe passed the torch last Thursday. There was a changing of the guard. If you have another saying that describes the transition feel free to insert it here. Kobe started off hot and finished with 31 points but shot only 4-15 on field goals in the second half. LeBron managed a very productive first half despite not hitting his jumpshot but found his stroke in the fourth quarter and scored twelve straight points (many coming on eighteen footers). LeBron's hot streak was not an aberration, merely a return toward the mean because *gulp* he is now a good shooter. He shoots better than Kobe from three and posts only slightly worse percentages from 16-23 feet. Is a healthy Kobe Bryant the second best player in the NBA? Probably. Perhaps definitely (despite what those advanced statistical metrics reveal) considering his improved post game makes him more efficient than in years past. Has Kobe Bryant ever been as good as LeBron James is right now? Probably not. James is the single greatest athlete in NBA history, boasts exceptional vision, has a good/serviceable jumpshot, can defend multiple positions and is a very good rebounder. So...ummm...that pretty much covers everything. LeBron can do more things, more efficiently than Kobe ever could and has shown he has the ability to lead a team, too (his teammates love him). What more could you want? Oh, right. A championship.
Following the game last week the stories circulating around the internet seemed to focus on Cleveland's front court production (despite the Lakers talent advantage at power forward and center) and how the physical presence of Varejao and Shaq brought the big man match-up to a standstill. A very good point and a tip of my hat to journalists everywhere. But if the supporting casts played evenly who does that leave? Kobe and LeBron. The two went mano-a-mano down the stretch and LeBron came out on top. While it's always dangerous to read too much into one game (Orlando swept the regular season series last year against the Lakers and were easily dispatched in the Finals), this game showed the likely result of any game in which Cleveland neutralizes L.A.'s front court advantage. If LeBron and Kobe trade punches in the fourth quarter, more often than not it will be the Lakers looking like this. The Lakers can still win the title but it won't be because of Kobe Bryant's utter brilliance. He is no longer the best player in the game and while there has been debate about that very subject I have a sneaking suspicion that debate will be over in six months. LeBron James is the best player in the game and will not be denied again.
During their stint as teammates on the Dream Team, Michael Jordan had a discussion with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson about the greatest player/teams of all-time. I use the word "discussion" loosely. MJ concluded the conversation by saying that the 80s were over and it was his time now, that when everything was said and done he would go down as the greatest player who ever lived. Jordan proved himself a prophet over the next seven years, vanquishing all comers who couldn't throw a curve ball. The circle of life continued. A new superstar emerged with a combination of skill, athleticism, intelligence and desire never seen before. Just as importantly, Jordan played an exciting brand of basketball and was charismatic off the court. He captured the average fan's interest and sent the NBA's popularity through the roof. When Jordan retired there were two heir apparents that might be able to mimic Jordan's career arc (though not surpass it) and help maintain the NBA's popularity. (NOTE: I'm excluding Duncan, Garnett and Shaq because only Shaq had the necessary charisma and no one likes rooting for Goliath) Allen Iverson proved to be too shot-happy and had too many tattoos to appeal to corporate America. Kobe Bryant was handsome, spoke Italian and played the game with both flash and a composure that belied his young years. Kobe couldn't quite put everything together but the circle of life moved on and LeBron emerged as the rightful heir to Jordan (if we're going strictly The Lion King and Mufasa-MJ and LeBron-Simba does that make Kobe-Scar? I incidentally managed to compare Kobe to both Dumbo and Scar in the same post...I am the worst Lakers fan ever).
What will the game's evolution bring us in twenty years? Dwight Howard with Hakeem Olajuwon's footwork? The yeti from NBA Street (:50 mark)? I don't know who will be ruling the NBA jungle in 2030 but I know it will be something special because the circle of life continues.
I don't know how LeBron's career will unfold but if he has Jordan set in his sights I don't know who will stop him from being in the same conversation with His Airness. Kobe has been MJ-lite but King James seems to have already overtaken the former Prince of L.A. As a Lakers fan, I find LeBron entitled, arrogant and a bit annoying. As a basketball fan I am giddy about his future. Maybe in June the pundits will look back six months and find the turning point in the season on a cold January night. For all we know it could be a turning point in league history. The debate is over. Kobe's time is over. The future belongs to LeBron.
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