By Austin T. Murphy
Here I am. I found my way back. It’s been awhile, this is true. But circumstances are being circumstances yet again, as they tend to do, and my fingers are doing something on these keys that -- for better for worse -- could result in something substantial being completed here. Or not. Who’s to say?
What am I to make of this? LeBron James is who he is.
Despite my earnest pleadings with a greater being, he has chosen to allow everything to play out,
and now the fabled Boston Celtics no longer can claim to be undefeated in series in which they
lead 2-0. As a Lakers fan I’m supposed to be thrilled by this -- and yes, a small part of me is
fingering my nose at the idea of New England weeping collectively -- but the basketball historian
in me is crying in the corner as Mr. James (because we live in a democracy devoid of monarchy)
has taken another historical anecdote/superlative/”rule” and torn it to pieces while taking a steaming
dump on any chance of the NBA rejuvenating long-past rivalries between the “Philadelphia” Warriors
and Boston Celtics or the Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics.
Despite my earnest pleadings with a greater being, he has chosen to allow everything to play out,
and now the fabled Boston Celtics no longer can claim to be undefeated in series in which they
lead 2-0. As a Lakers fan I’m supposed to be thrilled by this -- and yes, a small part of me is
fingering my nose at the idea of New England weeping collectively -- but the basketball historian
in me is crying in the corner as Mr. James (because we live in a democracy devoid of monarchy)
has taken another historical anecdote/superlative/”rule” and torn it to pieces while taking a steaming
dump on any chance of the NBA rejuvenating long-past rivalries between the “Philadelphia” Warriors
and Boston Celtics or the Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics.
I mean come on. There was SO MUCH material there just waiting. What in the actual fuck is there
to build up GSW/CLE R4? Is anyone honestly excited to watch Beard vs. Beard (when Harden and
James are possibly the two most hated players in the league)?
to build up GSW/CLE R4? Is anyone honestly excited to watch Beard vs. Beard (when Harden and
James are possibly the two most hated players in the league)?
Fortunately for myself, I still have tomorrow to hold on to. As was surmised months ago, and as I am
wont to believe, the true NBA Finals will come to a culminating game seven tomorrow night.
Chris Paul may or may not be involved. Yes, that’s a bit of a sobering letdown, but we as sports
fans have dealt with similar before (or at least we have pretended that a team playing without its
best leader still has a fighting chance against a historically dominant dynasty simply because the underdog is playing at home).
wont to believe, the true NBA Finals will come to a culminating game seven tomorrow night.
Chris Paul may or may not be involved. Yes, that’s a bit of a sobering letdown, but we as sports
fans have dealt with similar before (or at least we have pretended that a team playing without its
best leader still has a fighting chance against a historically dominant dynasty simply because the underdog is playing at home).
And I want to play the optimist and reference a World Series game that, among others, I’m not quite sure why I revisited earlier today; I was just feeling baseball-y: G7 2001. The Diamondbacks needed a 9th inning rally to dethrone the three-peating Yankees. But then I remember that Arizona was completely healthy, and that baseball really doesn’t apply here.
*I mean, shit: 2014 G7 (Giants win WS on the road), 2016 G7 (Cubs win WS on the road), 2017 G7
(Astros win WS on the road). If home court advantage means in any sport, that sport for sure isn’t
baseball (at least not anymore). And persons like LeBron James are proving that home court
advantage means even less in basketball.
(Astros win WS on the road). If home court advantage means in any sport, that sport for sure isn’t
baseball (at least not anymore). And persons like LeBron James are proving that home court
advantage means even less in basketball.
I suppose this is just one of many, umm, traits(?) or perhaps “powers” that we can notch on his belt.
Aside from establishing himself as one of the most powerful and influential personalities in sports
history, LeBron has now proven that it truly does not matter where he plays the final, decisive game
of a series. HE. WILL. WIN. Every time.
Aside from establishing himself as one of the most powerful and influential personalities in sports
history, LeBron has now proven that it truly does not matter where he plays the final, decisive game
of a series. HE. WILL. WIN. Every time.
And here I reflect on my own naivete, to think that I believed the Celtics actually had a chance
tonight (but remember, at least, that I’m the same person who clings to historical precedent to
make predictions and clarify my expectations). I knew all along after the Celtics went ahead 3-2
that they desperately needed to win in 6, if only to avoid the dreaded G7 Bron machine to which
we have grown accustomed. As soon as I saw the clock hit 5:30 earlier tonight (while I was prepping
a BBQ with absolutely no intention of watching Cavs/Celtics) that feeling in my stomach resurfaced.
Fuck! Turns out I don’t even need to be watching LeBron James for him to cause me physical
discomfort. Somehow I knew it was over before it even began.
tonight (but remember, at least, that I’m the same person who clings to historical precedent to
make predictions and clarify my expectations). I knew all along after the Celtics went ahead 3-2
that they desperately needed to win in 6, if only to avoid the dreaded G7 Bron machine to which
we have grown accustomed. As soon as I saw the clock hit 5:30 earlier tonight (while I was prepping
a BBQ with absolutely no intention of watching Cavs/Celtics) that feeling in my stomach resurfaced.
Fuck! Turns out I don’t even need to be watching LeBron James for him to cause me physical
discomfort. Somehow I knew it was over before it even began.
It would only be fitting, at this point, for my drunken, sad, pensive mind to wander for a moment and land on the notion and comparison between Jordan and James. Allow me my dalliance, if you will, because I submit myself to such inane posits on the dreaded Twitter so often that I believe I deserve the opportunity to right our sails.
Truly the most frequent argument that those in favor of LBJ make to support their claim is the fact that Michael Jordan “couldn’t make it out of the first round without Scottie Pippen.” This argument, of course, hinges on the beginning of MJ’s career, when his clearly overmatched Bulls fell in best-of-fives to the eventual Eastern Conference runner-up Milwaukee Bucks (‘85, a team that reached the ECF three times in the early-to-mid ‘80s), the eventual champion (‘86) and runner-up (‘87) Boston Celtics.
Let’s just pause for a moment and acknowledge that there are imbeciles out there who believe this is actually a reason for which to criticize a rookie, sophomore, or third-year pro. Like, I know Magic won Finals MVP as a rookie, but we can’t all be lucky enough to play alongside Cap.
So returning to Jordan/James, I submit now that the allure surrounding James as of now correlates primarily to his standing of being “unbeatable.” I will ignore the infallibility that this kind of title restricts itself solely to the Eastern Conference, but let’s not be so ignorant as to believe Jordan did not also achieve this standing. From 1991-1998, Jordan never lost an Eastern Conference series (or NBA playoffs overall, for that matter) before which he played a complete season. This “undefeatability” [in a specific conference] is not unprecedented -- I mean look back at other historical stars: Kareem finished his career in the Finals; Magic finished his “true” career in the Finals; Bird finished his last completely healthy season in the Finals; Russell finished his career in the Finals; Wilt finished his career in the Finals.
The greatest schism that we encounter here with the Jordan/James argument is due to the truth that Jordan finished his career so much sooner (and as a result, so much of the LBJ argument relies upon cumulative statistic feats). MJ retired, for the second time and what should have been the final time, at the age of 35 and after 13 seasons playing in the NBA (but really only 11 in which he played at least a third of the season). The argument in James’ favor relies entirely on the evidence we gain as witnesses to the present (in his, now, 15th year at 33 years old), especially with the assumption that Jordan could not have accomplished the same either by the same age or with the same longevity.
Here’s where I need to present some historical context. The 1998 Chicago Bulls, regardless of whether they won or lost the NBA Finals in their repeat matchup with the Utah Jazz, were toast. Done. Walking The Green Mile. And not because of fading talent, oh no no no. That team was going to be split up regardless of their ending circumstances by virtue of the fact that Jerry Krause was a petulant fuck and couldn’t accept the fact that his contribution to the Bulls ‘90s dynasty was slim-to-none. And if you don’t feel swayed by that truth, feel free to do your own research and eventually join the rest of 2018 in the commonly-accepted understanding that much of human history (especially fuck-ups) is a result of rich white guys not being able to check their egos.
Michael Jordan didn’t have the choice or opportunity to defend his 1998 title. Phil Jackson was
effectively gone and Krause knew MJ/PJ were a package deal, not to mention that Scottie was a
complete ? after playing most of 1998 injured. He never had the chance (or need) to expand upon
his feat, but Jordan’s second three-peat was still by far and away the greatest accomplishment in
the NBA since the ‘60s Boston Celtics. I’m not even exaggerating. Jordan’s Bulls were the first team
to three-peat as champions -- and the first to do so since the phrase was coined by Pat Riley -- since
the 1965-66 Boston Celtics (knowing of course that the Celtics’ championship culminated their 8th
straight title...)
effectively gone and Krause knew MJ/PJ were a package deal, not to mention that Scottie was a
complete ? after playing most of 1998 injured. He never had the chance (or need) to expand upon
his feat, but Jordan’s second three-peat was still by far and away the greatest accomplishment in
the NBA since the ‘60s Boston Celtics. I’m not even exaggerating. Jordan’s Bulls were the first team
to three-peat as champions -- and the first to do so since the phrase was coined by Pat Riley -- since
the 1965-66 Boston Celtics (knowing of course that the Celtics’ championship culminated their 8th
straight title...)
**MAJOR TANGENT: That was a VERY different era. The ‘60s for the NBA are what the ‘70s were to the NFL and the ‘30s-’50s were to MLB. The Pittsburgh Steelers (who have won the most Super Bowls in history) claimed three -- basically four -- of their titles in that decade. The New York Yankees captured 15 of their 27 World Series championships in that 30-year-stretch (an era that, let’s not forget, encompassed all of the Great Depression and Second World War). Teams don’t win titles in ridiculous bulk anymore, which is why Jordan not only three-peating once but TWICE is unexpected, unbelievable, and mythical.
***And don’t even get me started on the improbability of that title after the Jazz won G5 in Chicago. Jordan’s performance in G6 is among the greatest in sports history. I’ve seen that game no less than ten times in its entirety; be my guest and educate yourself if you’ve never seen it.
Having established the significance of the Bulls’ 1998 title, let’s jump back to the present. Since that title, only ONE franchise in the NBA has three-peated, and only TWO franchises have even repeated. Since the three-peating Yankees who won their first title that same year, ZERO franchises in MLB have so much as repeated. The Denver Broncos won repeat titles starting in that notorious year of 1998 and finishing in 1999, but only ONE franchise in the NFL has repeated as champions since: the 2004-2005 New England Patriots who we all know by now were coached/managed by Satan, himself.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The fact that LeBron James is one of the only players in the past twenty
years to achieve that fabled repeat is not to be overlooked. But we (and I cannot overemphasize
that it needs to be WE, not just individual, marginalized sports historians in their secluded retreats)
cannot mortgage that sacred past for the sake of the present. Yes, records are meant to be broken,
but it serves no good to act like yesterday’s feats are intrinsically watered down or in any way less
(or sometimes more) impressive than what is happening now.
years to achieve that fabled repeat is not to be overlooked. But we (and I cannot overemphasize
that it needs to be WE, not just individual, marginalized sports historians in their secluded retreats)
cannot mortgage that sacred past for the sake of the present. Yes, records are meant to be broken,
but it serves no good to act like yesterday’s feats are intrinsically watered down or in any way less
(or sometimes more) impressive than what is happening now.
There was nothing “easy” about Michael Jordan 1) overcoming that monkey on his back (the Detroit
Pistons) and beating a 5-time champion (Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers), 2) staving off a hungry,
new rival (the New York Knicks) and outlasting an individual rival (Clyde Drexler and the
Portland Trail Blazers), and 3) still denying the Knicks rival and dominating a prospective new
champion boasting the MVP (Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns). There was nothing “trivial”
about Michael Jordan 4) leading the best team in history to a title (over the Seattle SuperSonics), 5)
proving that he was the real MVP (instead of Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz), and 6) shunning a
would-be-replacement (in Reggie Miller on behalf of the Indiana Pacers) and becoming mythical
with his second win over those deserving Jazz.
Pistons) and beating a 5-time champion (Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers), 2) staving off a hungry,
new rival (the New York Knicks) and outlasting an individual rival (Clyde Drexler and the
Portland Trail Blazers), and 3) still denying the Knicks rival and dominating a prospective new
champion boasting the MVP (Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns). There was nothing “trivial”
about Michael Jordan 4) leading the best team in history to a title (over the Seattle SuperSonics), 5)
proving that he was the real MVP (instead of Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz), and 6) shunning a
would-be-replacement (in Reggie Miller on behalf of the Indiana Pacers) and becoming mythical
with his second win over those deserving Jazz.
The man beat the teams/players placed in front of him, plain and simple. And while I will surely acknowledge now that LeBron James will forever continue to do so in the Eastern Conference, let’s not act like the NBA season ends with the culmination of the right-most 15-team playoff. In the same way that the east reigned supreme during Jordan’s career (1985-1998: Eastern teams won 9/14 titles), the west has reigned supreme during James’ career so far (2004-2017*: Western teams have won 8/14 titles [with two of those eastern titles requiring miracle G7 results]).
The west simply has been the better conference for the bulk of James’ career. While it would be an
insult to trivialize his achievements (just like Jordan’s), it would likewise be an insult to western
champions to “normalize” their achievements. Every championship is a result of one team (and
sometimes one player) standing up to an opponent and punching them square in the mouth.
Or maybe that team/player took a shot square in the mouth and countered with a stronger one,
a knockout blow. Either way, every NBA title in history is earned legitimately and fairly. And if we
are to remain a proud and ambitious people who seek to be the best that we can be, we must
continue to honor champions as the greatest among us. We must continue to cherish those who
refuse to be defeated on the greatest stage...and in this regard, 6 will always be greater than 3
(or god-willing, 4).
insult to trivialize his achievements (just like Jordan’s), it would likewise be an insult to western
champions to “normalize” their achievements. Every championship is a result of one team (and
sometimes one player) standing up to an opponent and punching them square in the mouth.
Or maybe that team/player took a shot square in the mouth and countered with a stronger one,
a knockout blow. Either way, every NBA title in history is earned legitimately and fairly. And if we
are to remain a proud and ambitious people who seek to be the best that we can be, we must
continue to honor champions as the greatest among us. We must continue to cherish those who
refuse to be defeated on the greatest stage...and in this regard, 6 will always be greater than 3
(or god-willing, 4).
It’s safe to say this Jordan/James tangent surely ran its course. My feelings will evermore remain the same, but hopefully this digital iteration of me-vomiting-on-paper will serve to purge enough to allow me to actually watch the 2018 NBA Finals and enjoy it.
We’ll see. It’s really going to depend on tomorrow’s Warriors/Rockets G7. I don’t think I can enjoy a
fourth iteration of a rivalry that really isn’t a rivalry. An MVP showdown (which isn’t actually a
showdown given that Harden won the award weeks ago because the voting took place at the end
of the regular season when he was the runaway favorite) could be interesting, but maybe I’ll tune in
regardless of the WCF just to see LeBron lose his sixth Finals.
fourth iteration of a rivalry that really isn’t a rivalry. An MVP showdown (which isn’t actually a
showdown given that Harden won the award weeks ago because the voting took place at the end
of the regular season when he was the runaway favorite) could be interesting, but maybe I’ll tune in
regardless of the WCF just to see LeBron lose his sixth Finals.
After all, it’s almost become a June ritual at this point. (By the way, how the fuck did this get to
four pages?!)
four pages?!)
