WILL JAMES REBOUND NEXT SEASON?
June 23, 2009 by Andy Socrates
For LeBron James, the 2008-2009 season was one of extremes. From a dominating roll through the regular season, to the sudden crash after hitting a brick wall that were the Orlando Magic, James and his squad went from dominant to devastated in a flash.
There’s a lot to celebrate about James this season. He was truly the Most Valuable Player after propelling his team to a 66-16 record. No other player could’ve taken that squad and created such a smooth-running machine, with the ease of each player illustrated by their court-side antics. The team was near-perfect at home, and breezed through the first two rounds of the playoffs.
But despite the quantum leap in play, the Magic exposed the weaknesses in his game - gaps that will need to be shored up if James has a chance of winning a title or taking on a battle-tested Laker squad.
James has no real post up moves or a consistent three-point shot. This allowed Magic players to stay at home on the other players. The Magic forced James to beat them one-on-one and he couldn’t do it alone. The Cav role players were left standing watching James dribble down the clock as he tried to find a shot.
James needs to take this summer to learn some go-to post moves to make things easier for his team in the playoffs. He should give Kobe Bryant a call and ask for some advice on how to develop his post-up game. One of the reasons Bryant is so effective is because he has so many weapons to draw from. James, meanwhile, is dangerous on the open floor with his linebacker body and incredible hops but still needs to polish his offensive moves on the block.
If Chinese investors do end up becoming a minority owner in the Cavs, it may help grow his brand overseas in China. LeBron’s goal to be the world’s first billion-dollar athlete can be accomplished but it wont happen until King James is truly crowned a champion. Fans love a winner and he won’t reach his goal until he wins a ring. His best chance to win is to stay with the Cavaliers and seek a few roster changes. If Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry wants LeBron to stay past 2010, he needs to upgrade the team with another All-Star caliber player that can complement him on the court. And no, Mo Williams doesn’t count.
The Cavs need a proven player that can contribute immediately and not a developing rookie. The Phoenix Suns are shopping around Shaquille O’Neal, who is in his last year of the contract, but are looking for value in return. They won’t just give up Shaq for a retiring Ben Wallace just to help with salary cap space. James needs to urge management to do what they need to bring the Big Aristotle to Cleveland. A Bryant - James/Shaq matchup in the Finals would be something spectacular. James needs an offensive force that can create his own shot just like Kobe has Pau Gasol to help with the scoring load.
The Cavs will nonetheless be favorites to make the Finals again next year with James but this summer will be most important in determining if he will stay here in 2010.
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