Dime #47 on sale now: LeBron James is gunnin’ for that #1 spot
Dime #47Industry secret #723 — The February cover is always major. Coinciding with All-Star Weekend, which is basically Super Bowl week for the NBA, every basketball magazine wants to make sure its February issue not only hits newsstands just in time for All-Star, but that it’s also an issue worth remembering. With basketball’s V.I.P. class all in the same place at the same time for a few days, this is your chance to stunt in front of advertisers, players, sneaker company reps, competitors and everyone else. In other words, you always want to put your best foot forward with the All-Star issue.
At the risk of sounding cocky, that’s what we’ve done here at Dime. Last year we hit a home run with Kobe and the “MVP” headline/prediction. This year it only seemed right to go with the man currently leading the way in the ‘09 MVP race, the most complete ballplayer in the game, LeBron James.
But deciding “We’re going with LeBron” is easy. The hard part is figuring out how to do it. We didn’t want to go with a silly gimmick cover — two LeBrons, three LeBrons, a Black ‘Bron and a White ‘Bron, etc. Multiplicity was a cute movie, but that was like 15 years ago. And when it comes to LeBron, it seems “gimmick” is all anyone ever wants to do. Dress him up in a costume, turn him into a logo, make a classic movie poster out of him … you’ve seen it all before. No, we figured the best way to go was to go simple. With so much other “stuff” going on around LeBron, we wanted to bring the focus back where it should be: on the game. While everyone has become so wrapped up in talking about LeBron the Free Agent and LeBron the Businessman, whatever happened to LeBron the Basketball Player? And when we hooked up with LBJ in Cleveland to interview for his cover story, he felt the exact same way.
Hopefully this cover captures what we were going for. No frills, no gimmicks, just LeBron and the game. For the cover story, Austin Burton talked to LeBron about, among other things, keeping his focus on the court with all the outside distractions, how his past failures have made him the man he is today, and what exactly pushes him to get up every morning and keep going.
Then there’s the rest of the issue. Andrew Katz wrote two great stories on Kevin Martin and Rodney Stuckey, and Austin has another feature on All-Star newbie Danny Granger. We’ve also got the new Jordans (Christian Grant-Fields had to pull on the 007 cloak to get a sneak peek), the new Kobes (Aron Phillips went to L.A. to speak with Kobe and the shoe’s designer), Carmelo’s latest business venture, Baron Davis’ worldwide takeover, a retrospective on the last time All-Star came to Phoenix, Mike Bibby’s personal tour guide to the place he grew up (Phoenix) and the place he resides currently (Atlanta) … we don’t want to give away too much, but you need to get your hands on this issue.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Marci says:
Sorry Lebron, nobody is going to be better than Mike.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:22 am
josh tha roc says:
Lebron can be better than Mike.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Hi, Jurg from Denmark says:
hi hi to the dime crew from your friend jurg, and yes i am from denmark.
and can i say that i think dimemage is the greatest website for so much content which is good. and i think it is a great honour to get to see great article writers who can interrract with us lowly fans every day like mr austin burton and mr aron phillip and sometime my favorite mr christian grants and now you know he is my fav.
because i don’t say that mr scoop jackon would write a big hello to jurg in daily fantasy like dime did.
thank you for your time sirs.
hi hi from jurg.
ps. one big think missing from all star version of Dime and that is jurgo’s top ten euro list. imagine how many copy of this maga would sell in europe if you send mag here. so many in my basketball community and they would buy.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:33 am
Junio says:
Spetacular Cover. Home run Dime.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:46 am
fReSh says:
i dunt like that cover….it just too cocky
but i still like lebron
p.s.: mike s the greatest
February 4th, 2009 at 7:59 am
R.ELI says:
Speaking of gunnin’ for that #1 spot, who won the dvd?
February 4th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Shrink This says:
Lebron won’t be better than MJ.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Mister Sun says:
lebron the most complete ballplayer in the game?
he needs a consistent jumper first to get there.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:50 am
yoda says:
i agree with mister sun. lbj is beast but he’s not complete player yet. maybe he will never be.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:10 am
dc says:
i didn’t even get past the second paragraph…”the most complete ballplayer in the game.” you have GOT to be kidding, right!!! i mean, he’s good, but damn! i’m officially on the “Dime is riding LeBron’s jock” bandwagon now…didn’t want to believe it before…thought y’all were just giving the man his props, but this is ridiculous…the “most complete ballplayer in the game” only needs to be a 70% free throw shooter??? really?? i by no means drink the Kobe Kool-Aid, but put him on the Cavs & he’d average damn near a triple double too…well, after he cussed out the entire team and made them feel like high school jv players!
February 4th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Just a Fan says:
haha, Lebron the most complete player in the game. If complete means no post game, shaky jumper , and an average dribble, I can see why.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Mamba says:
*Yawn*
Another LeBron cover, sweet….
He’s not even the best baller in the league right now, so slow your roll on the best ever talk,
He’s safely in the #2 spot right now,
Those Witness shirts should be handed out to the people who saw Mamba go 61 at the Garden Monday night, just sayin,
February 4th, 2009 at 9:50 am
iain. says:
‘We didn’t want to go with a silly gimmick cover — two LeBrons, three LeBrons, a Black ‘Bron and a White ‘Bron, etc. Multiplicity was a cute movie, but that was like 15 years ago.’
OOOH SH*T am i the only one that noticed that subliminal SLAM diss? (Check the FEB cover).
But the Bron cover is crazy fresh.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:55 am
loganlight says:
Haha, took some shots at SLAM did we?
I absolutely agree with what you guys wrote here. I appreciate the simplicity that DIME brings to the table. That’s why you guys get the love. Keep up the good work.
LL
February 4th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Nora says:
Most obnoxious and conceited player? I would agree with that. He’s a great player but his attitude is really getting on my nerves.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
If Lebron wants to be the best then maybe he should spend more time in the gym working on fundamentals like jump shots, dribbling and free throws, but seriously he will never be the GOAT (that’s MJ spot)
February 4th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Desrat says:
Lebron James is 24. He can play any spot 1-5. There is not a team in the L, not a team in the world, that he would not start on. Kobe got mad skillz, but he can not go one play banging with a center then next play step out on the permitter and play a 1. = Most complete player in the L.
I remember watching Kobe when he was 24. I was like, “Damn that dude is going to be unstoppable.” With Lebron, “Damn that dude is unstoppable.” Reckon Lebron is going to be sick if he continues to develop his game like Mamba did.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
Complete player is points rebounds assists steals blocks and low turnovers.Dont he fill them stats up more than anybody in the fucking league?Then he is the most complete jackasses.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
dc says:
@ Desrat, so the only qualification for GOAT or “most complete” is to be able to play all 5 positions? if that’s the case, why aren’t Dirk, ‘Melo, or KG in the conversation of the most complete player w/ a chance to be the GOAT? they can all D up bigs and effectively bring the ball up. just because lebron can bang with a center, even if he’s ineffective, & then bring the ball up and initiate the offense doesn’t make him the most complete. to be complete, shouldn’t they have to have their entire skill set be better than average?
February 4th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
The cover is too cocky?
February 4th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Desrat says:
@ dc
Like Doc (You make good points doc) said complete player means doing it all. The cats you mention all got versatile games, but not a one of them have scored the last 48 points on their team to WIN a playoff series. Not one of them improved their offense at 24 years of age, and only have people talking about the leaps and bounds that their defense has improved. In order to be complete a cat needs to do more than just fill the Stat sheet, they need to have that desire too. MJ (the only GOAT) came into the L blew everybody away his R year, then went to the gym and put in WORK to get better. The said he was a ball hog, he lead his team in assists, they said he was a great offensive talent, he came back the next year to get all team defense awards. It was never enough. None of them dudes you named have shown even a hint of that level of desire. The only person with the talent, skills and desire to fit into the conversation is Kobe. He is lethal and he is a piece that anybody would love to have. Lebron is not just a piece. He can do it, hence the title of best all a round player.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
weezy f says:
hey dime the last two issues didnt come in for me whats goin on
February 4th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Smitty313 says:
Kobe and Bron needs at least 6 rings to be on Mikes level.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Powerslave says:
too bad the SLAM covers are always better than Dime’s. Sore losers.
February 4th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Kevin says:
Slam is usually on some cartoon ish; not really my speed, but I guess they have a bunch of younger readers. I remember they put Dwight Howard on the cover in a Superman cape looking real foolish. I like Dime’s simpler format.
February 4th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Powerslave says:
Covers aside, the articles are better. What are the questions this time for LeBron? “keeping his focus on the court with all the outside distractions, how his past failures have made him the man he is today, and what exactly pushes him to get up every morning and keep going”?
Sounds like an interview from 2004.
February 4th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
nola says:
@doc
if you’re gonna talk about stats. how about his free throw percentages? how about jump shot percentages? i just hope he continues to develop and doesnt get too cocky. i hope his desire to win and get better is indeed as strong as he makes it out to be. That way he can learn the fundamentals of footwork, defense, and his jumpshot so that when he loses his ridiculous athleticism, he’ll have the fundamentals to fall back on. he wont always be able to power through people, jump ridiculously high to pin layups on the backboard, and just dunk on everyone in his way.
February 4th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Dime Magazine says:
@ Powerslave –
So you want to read another story about LeBron’s business interests? We did it first more than two years ago and then the same exact story has been re-done by every other magazine since – Slam, GQ, Fortune, etc.
The story in our issue about what’s most important to LeBron right now. He won the gold medal. His business portfolio is as impressive as anyone’s. He realized he needed to re-apply himself to the game and that’s why he’s having the best season of his career. That’s a story for 2009, not 2004.
- PC
February 4th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
WOW and I thought Dime was the only one Riding the L train, looks like some the readers are riding it too.
February 4th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
hahns says:
dime’s past couple covers have been kind of week imo..
February 4th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
@nola-U right he still gotta improve on all aspects of his game but he is destroying the league NOW.Any person watching can see he working on all his shit since he clearly gets better every year.The kid work hard.Thats why he is who he is.
February 4th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
karizmatic says:
Lebron probably is the most complete player in the game. He’s at least the best stat sheet filler in the game. And I would argue Kobe’s 61 notwithstanding the best player in the league. (Hell Arenas scored 60 on Kobe a couple years back does that mean he was the best then? Arenas did it against better comp too.)As far as the argument that Dirk, Melo, or KG are comparable to LBJ. Please, none of them could play the positions as adeptly as Lebron could. Although I wouldn’t necessarily put Lebron at 5. I’d put it this way. If LBJ played point he’d be a 20 pt 10 asst guy. If he played 2 he’d score as many or more points than he does now. You see what he does and 3 and if he was a 4 he’d be a 20 pt 10 rebound guy. You can’t even make that kind of argument about any other player in the league.
February 4th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
Ima break it down for the real hoopheads on here who cant understand the hate from most.Its some Kobe fans or LA fans that cant stand the fact that some people can say they would rather have Bron than kobe so much that they just cant respect the man for being the shit.They wanna point out flaws like they REAL best player ever,Magic J was water when he was 24.His J aint get respectable until like 87 when he was about 27,but they disregard sanity to hate.So any 1rst time dimemag.com readers yes some dudes just dont know.That is all.
February 4th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
Espn had votes this morning on who would u rather have at 24 Mike dominated with 59%Bron came in second at 30%,and Kobe scooped the rest.So if you mad at some dimereaders like they the crazy fucks look at yourself,because 100,000 people think different than u on the opinion.Fuck a jumpshot he still putting in that work.
February 4th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Lebron will never surpass his airness..
I can see him passing Kobe.. But he will have to get more rings..
But to say he will be better than MJ when MJ has six rings, no Finals embarassments and played in possibly the toughest era (competition AND rules wise) is retarded.. he would need 8 rings and break a lot of records to even be considered IMO..
February 4th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Austin Burton says:
I don’t think LBJ has to win more than six rings to be considered the best of all-time. If it was all about ring counts, Mike wouldn’t be considered better than Bill Russell.
But even if LeBron did have to get more than six, it’s not out of the question, is it? Mike started winning them when he was, what, 28? LeBron is 24 and could conceivably win a ring this year. And we have no idea who his teammates will be after 2010 and how the rest of the League will look. Eventually Duncan, Kobe and KG will be retired and ‘Bron will still be there.
February 4th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
karizmatic says:
That’s right Austin. Bron will still be there bigger and badder and more skilled. And I don’t know why all the harping on a jumpshot anyway. If I can power my way to a layup everytime why would I ever shoot a jump shot. A layup is a higher percentage shot isn’t it? It’s good to have one, but just because you have one doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a better player.
February 4th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
ruben says:
Jordan >(barely) Kobe >>>>> Lebron > everyone else
February 4th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
Here’s what Charley Rosen says
More questions. More answers.
I am a devoted Cavs fan, and enjoy watching LeBron do so many scintillating things. However, it seems that he gets by solely on his athleticism. What, in your opinion, are his three greatest flaws? And what can he do to correct them? — Kaushal, Hudson, OH
LeBron’s only serious flaw is his outside shot. (Fernando Medina / Getty Images)
There’s more than sheer athleticism involved in LeBron’s achievements. He’s demonstrated an increasing facility to see the floor, read defenses and make appropriate passes. He’s also mastering the theory and practice of team-oriented defense.
However, his three most significant shortcomings are these: shooting, shooting, and shooting.
Because his release is often too low and too far away from his body, LBJ generally has more palm on the ball than he needs. This leads to too much wrist-action and an absence of touch on long-range shots. Consequently, LeBron shoots too many front-rim clangers and too many air-balls. Watch his release closely and you’ll see that it varies slightly from game-to-game and sometimes from shot-to-shot.
He needs to spend an entire summer working with a shot doctor to completely retool his mechanics.
What other parts of his game need improvement?
His post-up game needs to become more explosive and more varied.
His off-the-ball defense has improved greatly, but occasionally he’s still too erect and his weight is too far forward when defending in one-on-one situations.
Still, it’s the absence of a stroke and his inconsistent shooting that’s holding him back from truly becoming one of the NBA’s all-time greats.
February 4th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Austin Burton says:
For what it’s worth, Rosen hates everyone born after 1975. And even if LeBron’s jumper never gets better, he’ll still go down as one of the all-time greats.
February 4th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
doug says:
People really need to put the e-brake on with this cat, he has so much more to prove before he can even be considered better than Kobe, much less Michael. Kobe is a more complete player than him anyways, he’s a better shooter, ball handler, defender, post player and you guys need to stop giving this cat the nod as a beast defensively because all he does is play passing lanes and help side blocks, he rarely mans up with the opponents best player for a whole game which is why he has a ways to go. Kobe always takes on this challenge. I heard that tool Tim Legler compare him to Hakeem Olajuwon on defense yesterday,………Hakeem Olajuwon?LMAO and the funny part was this cat is serious, he and a bunch of other idiots like Jon Barry, Rick Kamla and Mike Fratello. None of the greats give this guys the accolades and best player since J recognition like they do Kobe.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Austin Burton says:
@doug — LeBron stuck himself to Danny Granger for an entire game and held him to 4 points. When the Lakers play the Pacers, Ariza guards Granger. And remember when Nate Robinson was lighting up the Lakers for like 30 points? I never saw Kobe guard him. Just something to consider. Again, you don’t have to bash LeBron to bolster Kobe.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
doug says:
Wow did you just say Bron held Danny Granger to 4 points?LMAO, i think you got what i’m saying confussed, I’m saying star players, elite players. When have you seen Bron man up against Kobe or D-Wade the whole game? You haven’t. You watch to many ESPN highlights, did you say Kobe never gaurded little nate who lit us up for 30 points, you do mean nate robinson that plays for the team in the Madison Square Garden whose single game scoring record is now held by Kobe. Man please your a tool too! First of all they lost both of those games to the lakers and Kobe was gaurding that weak teams best player (Wilson Chandler or Q.Richardson), your sadly mistaken if you think nate robinson is the team best player. You’ve got no arguement I don’t need to dirty mack another player to bolster another. Kobes resume and reputation around the league and amongst the all-time greats(MJ,Magic,Bird,Isaiah Thomas,Clyde Drexler “The Best Player in the L”) that pretty much speaks for itself. The only cats touting Bron is the best are farm hands in clevelands and cav.players & upper management whose employment hinges on his existence in a cavs jersey.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
My point Austin,they try to down Bron to justify likeing Kobe better.Why cant u just say I like Kobe better.Yall must hear them footsteps coming to step on Kob throat.Doug u said Kobe more complete then said ball handling,shooting,and post play,but Bron scores more shooting a better percentage.Doh!
February 4th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
Doug u call former NBA players tools for saying what they think about the sport they played?Come on dog.Then u go on to say Wilson and Q are the Knicks best players.Wow.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
All them greats u named call Lebron a fucking Monster.I just seen Magic interview Kobe talking about Bron taking the crown and Kobe saying I just want one more he can have the rest, and from what I heard Kobe and Bron is 1a or 1b to them all.Thats my point.Just because u like Kobe to say Lebron has no skill is some small shit to do as a man.Because if u can lie to yourself that easy.I dont know we was taught to man up in Philly.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
doug says:
he gets lay-ups and dunks DOC. yall got it confussed I think bron is phenomenal I just think Kobe is on a whole other level. Trust this DOC bron is getting battered with all that going in the paint stuff, he’s starting to get it and understand if he doesn’t develop a jumper really soon his career will be riddled by injury. DOC your talking that Bron scores more that’s ridiculous. Kobe is facilitating right now he’s not going out trying to dump on cats but if he wanted to he could lead the leauge in scoring every year, you see what he did to the knicks to remind haters that he’s still the boss. 61 points on 19/31 shooting that’s 63% shooting which is damn good because 3 of those missed shots were 3 pointers, he went 3 for 6 from 3 point range and the key statistic 20 for 20 from the stripe something LeBron is terrible at shooting free-throws. You can’t be the best player in the L, best all around player whatever, when you’ve never shot 80 percent or higher from free-throw and never made not one NBA all defensive first,second or third team.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
One more thing,Kobe dosent EVER guard no best player the entire game thats what I call dickriding nobody does that.U guard them a couple quarters a game and the clutch.He was guarding Q,come on dog Q stands at the damn 3 point line most the time.Like AB said,if Nate was dropping 30 and he always guarded the hottest dude he would’ve stepped over.Im not mad at him not because he was busy scoring 61 Im just saying.And all u Kobe bobbleheads are crazy.Im proud to say they both are the truth.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
OK Doug u said Bron is phenominal thats all I wanted to hear.Thats all Im saying.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
doug says:
Doc, i saw that interview and Magic ofcourse said Kobe is 1A. Doesn’t matter all of them say Kobe is the best because he is. Michael Jordan, Isaiah Thomas, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler have all went on record saying Kobe is the best player in the L by a long shot. If you call former players like Tim Legler and Jon Barry source authorities, than okay. Yeah I did say Q.Richardson and Wilson Chandler are there star players, they suck it doesn’t matter who you say it is they all suck.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Dre says:
I was a crazy MJ fan I grew up watching him. I watched Mike from college to pros and I thought no one would come around as good or better but Lebron is the truth.
Here are some reasons why Lebron is twice the athlete MJ is. His athletic ability is unmatched ever in basketball (no not even Vince… Lebron is stronger). No one in the history of basketball has his strength, speed, and hops. Also at this point in his career he has better court vision and a better basketball IQ then Mike (not that MJ was dumb). People get Jordan’s competitive nature and drive mixed up with his b-ball IQ early in his career there is a difference. Later on in his career his IQ was like the Eiffel tower. The one thing I give to MJ over Lebron at the same points in their perspective careers is competitive fire. I wouldn’t say that it is much more but a little bit more.
If Lebron keeps growing he will be the greatest player ever.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Dre says:
Sorry I meant prospective
February 4th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
AB_40 says:
I think it’s the greatest of this era. there is no such thing as a greatest of all time because the game keeps changing it’s ever evolving as is the players.
I’d like for you to post the lebron story in march cuz the mag don’t sell here. cuz where I live the mag don’t drop
February 4th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
G says:
Normally I love Dime’s cover shots and overall photography in general, but I gotta say, I’m a little let down by the cover shot. I know it is supposed to be gritty and everything without the gimmicks. But this shot just comes off very amatuer looking. I actually work in the graphic design and photography business so maybe I’m just looking at it too critically.
Let me know if I’m outta place with this, what’s everybody elses thoughts?
February 4th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
doug says:
Dre your insane. Bron’s IQ=O championships, 2 all-star MVP’s and 1 gold Medal that him and D.Wade couldn’t win until Kobe and Kidd got there. You guys really need to slow down. Stop posing as an MJ fan in an attempt to show your objectivity in saying that Bron will be better than J. Bron isn’t even better than Kobe, yall are ridiculous.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Dagomar says:
I want what some of you guys are smoking.
First, quoting Rosen on a Lebron story is idiotic. This is the guy who declared Lebron was sure to be a bust when the guy came into the league. Also, he’s recently said Lebron is basically as good as Kobe. So there’s his credibility.
Second, MJ’s jumper was not exactly great until the 1990s. Magic’s jumper was never good. And Lebron has been working on his jumper for 2 years – and improved it. So to say he’s not great because his jumper is currently not always consistant is moronic.
Third, how the hell is he not the league’s most complete player. Lebron is the game’s best player because he can get you assists, rebounds, blocks and steals while scoring 30+ in his sleep with ridiculous efficiency while playing tremendous defense . . . and sometimes playing all five positions. Anyone who argues otherwise is just a homer.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
doug says:
Dagomar your the only one smoking, nothing more annoying than stat guy trying to boss up on a true NBA fan who watches the whole game. It doesn’t matter how man blocks or steals he gets, how many dunks make the highlight reel. The fact still remains his jumper is suspect and inconsistent, he’s a poor free-throw shooter and he doesn’t go mono y mono with the best player for the opposing team. All that being said he cannot be considered the best all around player in the L too many deficiencies. Kobe is still that dude.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
KAKE JELLY says:
Turning him into a logo is a slam reference, too.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
doug says:
Turning Bron into the NBA logo? Man please I hate hypes, stop pumping this cat up like that. The logo? That’s ridiculous. I know the NBA is putting there future on this cats bike and they want people to buy in but stop shoving this dude down our throats when he is the undisputable best player in the L. There will be no arguement, he will be that dude hands down.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Austin Burton says:
LeBron just scored 20 points in the first quarter against New York.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Austin Burton says:
…and most of it was on jumpers.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
doug says:
Ooh Bron hitting jumpers, the record is 61 point fellas he’s got 40 more points to go all they have to do is go hack a shaq on him and he’ll miss half of his next 20 freethrows and get tired from continual beatings in the paint. This is why that cat is going to have a hard time getting more than 60 in one game and check out the hypocrisy in that 20 points in the first quarter but he was quoted as saying, “I want the win” ” I aint for personal accolades” after watching the “every second of Kobe scoring 61 points on the Knicks”. This guy is ridiculous.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Blue says:
yo AB…
i thought Lebron said he wasn’t gonna try and outdo kobe! I call bullshit on that. that’s what Bron42 and i were complaining about earlier. f— lebron! nba corporate whore!
February 4th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
doug says:
Lebron is a yes man, he says that so he looks like he’s the bigger man. But we know he was trying to outdo Kobe tonite.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Austin Burton says:
@doug — You know LeBron was 13-for-13 at the line in his last game, right? He’s been better at the line this year.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
doug says:
but what’s his free-throw percentage on the season cleveland cavs ball boy?
February 4th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Austin Burton says:
34 points two minutes into the third. Frazier just called LeBron out for lying about not trying to hit 61.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Austin Burton says:
@doug — So because I don’t need to bash LeBron to elevate Kobe, I’m Cleveland’s ball-boy? What would that make you for the Lakers then, the fluffer?
February 4th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
infinite dip says:
get over yourself dime mag, your cover is nice, website is ok, but i have never once seen your publication on any newsstand here in my city of LA. can’t expect me to suscribe to something i aint never read.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Powerslave says:
To their credit, Dime does have pretty pictures.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Austin Burton says:
LeBron’s final count: 52 points, 10 boards, 11 assists.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Michael says:
52 11 and 9. Damn
February 4th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
control says:
61pts or 52/11/10?
Which is better?
February 4th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Chosen 1 says:
Lebron dropped 52, 10, 11 on knicks…damn..i say, that equals if not better than mambas performance
February 4th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
nckdmss says:
To be fair… Kobe put up his number(s) in only 37 minutes. It took Lebron 44 to drop his line.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
nckdmss says:
If Kobe played 44 minutes maybe he drops 75 and grabs a board…
…sorry about the separate posts…
February 4th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
MBE18 says:
52/11/10 is without a doubt more impressive!!!
February 4th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
control says:
According to LeBron, the most important thing is that the Cavs got the win…
At least there is going to be a rehash of the LBJ vs Kobe debate that has been going on for the entire season on this site tomorrow. I expect 120+ posts on the smack…
February 4th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
control says:
Dime
If I were you guys, I wouldn’t mention LeBron at all in the smack tomorrow, except as a notable stat line at the end. Let the haters talk about riding LBJ’s jock after doing that!
February 4th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Gunner J. Matthews says:
The NY Knicks stay taking L’s
I bet you Paul Pierce is gonna go for 50 in MSG
February 4th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
Fuck the haters.The best in the world baby!
February 4th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
bookkwormmaster says:
Man I really feel for the Knicks. I would bet that whole team would be willing to sell their collective souls to the devil in exchange for Kobe and LeBron not having historic moments against them.
Kobe: 61 Points (most points ever scored in MSG)
LeBron: 52 Points, 10 Rebounds, 11 Assists (most points scored in a triple-double since 1976-77)
What’s even worse about this for the Knicks is that this is goin to be talked about for A LONG TIME over the course of the rest of the season. If they don’t make the playoffs these two performances by the game’s two best are goin to be looked at as a big reason why. So demoralizing
February 4th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Kalan F. says:
LeBron is better than Kobe. Not better than Jordan, and will never be.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:17 am
Jerome James' Gut says:
I think its odd that the Knicks saw this coming and really didn’t do anything about it. Defensively the Knicks suck, but who would let their team get whacked on consecutive nights? Pretty sure they could have slowed Lebron down (who relies much more on getting to the basket than Kobe) with timely hard fouls and keep him under 50. Where’s the pride?
Are the Knicks staging a “what could be in 2010″ atmosphere to encourage the LBJ defection?
Oakley, McDaniel, Mason and Ewing are rolling in their (career) graves.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:23 am
jeremy says:
Damn you guys are hyping me up for sunday. LA vs. CLE ABC 3:30
February 5th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Luigi says:
How in the world that LeBron drops 52.10.11
DAMN. talk about responding
But What in the world is happnening in Washington?
Fans Chant ED-DIE JOR-DAN!.. n we have 8 people playing.
imagine a lineup with Mike James. Nick Young. McGuire. Jamison. McGee?
February 5th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Powerslave says:
don’t forget the 2 blocks.
All around game > ball hogging
February 5th, 2009 at 12:31 am
jackass says:
please how do you compare a triple double with 52 points and 2 blocks with 61 points????
do you know how hard it is to make 11 assists??? that’s a good day for every nba point guards not named chris paul.
and to score 52 points to go with that? that’s just insane.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:42 am
LakeShow84 says:
Man he responded all right.. and for the record a 50 wop tripdub is more impressive than 60 points IMO..
But i thought he said he wasnt gunning?? did anyone watch the first quarter?? Lol he came out firing.. dont front Lebron!
Cant wait until Sunday.. GOOD GAME..
And drop the Kobe part of ur name Doc.. you plain and simply jock LBJ.. Best in the world baby!! Lol dont get too excited..
February 5th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Biglang Liko says:
52points, 10boards, 11 assists, 2 blocks. I dont give a f*ck if he’s not the GOAT or even better than Kobe at this point (coz Kobe still is King until Bron takes his place). But Lebron is a straight up BEAST. Damn those numbers.
And to the Lebron haters, if this guy develops a jumpshot, what is his ceiling then? That’s right… it’s too high to even imagine now huh.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:48 am
nola says:
i think they’re equal. kobe plays on a team where he’s not hte distributor and you have to admit, lebron is the guy carrying the ball most of the time. his team is built with players next to him to hit the shot when he gets double teams. that’s not how the lakers are built. also kobe did not get his average amoutn of rebounds, i admit, but he does not play SF and he’s not as tall, nor can jump as high. it’s just different teams, different roles. both performances were incredible. unbelievable of kobe to do it in the first place. just as unbelievable for lebron to answer back with this performance.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Dagomar says:
First 50 point triple double since Kareem did it in 1975.
Yeah, he’s not well rounded or a complete player or anything. I’ll never get some of you guys (aka doug). Why do you have to bash Lebron if you like Kobe? I like and respect both guys. But while to me Kobe might still be the better pure scorer . . . Lebron’s a better all-around player.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Jay says:
@Dagomar
Well said damnit.
I don’t get why some people need to either be pro-Kobe or pro-LeBron. Both are easily going to go down as 2 of the best EVER, and we get to witness them both playing in the same generation. Stop hating and just enjoy the ride.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Powerslave says:
haha check out this picture, it looks like the heavens opened up for him.
http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/lebronatMSG/images/lebron1-020409.jpg
He is the chosen one.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:33 am
Luigi says:
I love both players. i honestly liek Caron n Gil as a Wiz fan more but
Kobe Bryant n LeBron James are on another level.
But here. for all you LBJ fans…tell me when LBJ has
8 straight 40pt gms
4 straight 50pt gms
scores more than 81
3 or more rings
MVP
11 time all-NBA
8 time all D-team
Im Fully sure that LBJ will end up passing kobe on the 3rings. the MVP n the 11time all NBA. but as the GOAT. that award may still go to Jordan but Kobe is still 2nd best. Im sure when its all said n done. we’ll have a LeBron as the GOAT with MJ 2nd n Kobe 3rd.
In the end its all about stats. sometimes has the impact. whenever you see the HoF. you always see stats. never impacts except [led to title]..The reason why Jordan was so great is because not only that he dominate the game…he dominated the business at the same time. [Jordan Brand] think about that.
The reason why i believe LeBron will take over Jordan as the GOAT is because LBJ has dominated the business industry. he has his own Logo n clothing brand. also the LeBron shoe series [LBJ VI. LBJ I. etc]. In commercials. we only see him making an impact for a company [State farm. NFL Browns]
sure Kobe has his kicks. n clothing n sponsors. but do we see a Kobe Brand? we just see his name on shoes. no logo for him. its kind of a shame because in his prime yrs. we never saw him win a championship. we just saw him as the guy who raped the girl n was the uncoachable.
Kobe is the GOAT until hes done. then LBJ becomes the GOAT
I can see in 5-10yrs. when LBJ’s like 31-32 n still killin it. we’ll see a young prodigy who was made for the game like LBJ and we’ll have comparisions n have long ass debates to see whos better like we do now with KB n LBJ
February 5th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Luigi says:
i ment to say for Kobe as GOAT. hes the best currently active player right now .same with LBJ when i said he becomes the GOAT when Kobe retires
February 5th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Biglang Liko says:
Enjoy the basketball fellas. G.O.A.T. MJ is gone for a long time but we’ve got two of the best playing ball right now.
February 5th, 2009 at 2:39 am
Jerome James' Gut says:
Please stop making comparisons to when Kareem did it in the 70s. Same building, different Knicks team, different rules, different time. Same goes for those making the same argument when Kobe hit for 61.
..and your assists are only as good as the person catching the ball to make a shot (obviously). The rebounds, I’d pay because that just shows effort.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Dre says:
Doug your an idiot… I am a UNC grad and a big Jordan fan. But I call a spade a spade. That is a dumb, dumb, argument you made. Kobe obviously couldn’t win anything without Shaq. The difference in the Olympic team was D. Wade was healthy and determined, he was the man on that team. MJ won with another hall of famer and NBA top 50 player on his team. Just like Kobe, you give Lebron either one of those guys and he is still winning to this day. Lebron has been asking for talent for years they finally gave him Mo Williams a player who is good and flirting with All-Star aspirations and look at what he is doing with just that. They are kicking butt and have not lost a home game yet and we are closing in on All-Star weekend. P. Pierce has 2 All-Stars on his team and they won. No one man can do it alone… MJ had help, Kobe was the help for Shaq and D. Wade and Shaq did it together. From your last emotion driven statement you don’t even qualify to talk basketball… you sound young and dumb. I am not even a big Lebron James fan, but I call it like I see it. Just look at what he did to the Knicks. Yeah Kobe scored 61 put how much more skill did it take to score 52pts, 11ast, and 10 rebs.
Doug you should go and beat yourself in to a coma.
I agree with one of the statements about comparing players from different eras. I said if Lebron continued to grow as a player he could be the best of all time… but that is just until someone comes along and takes that title from him. It doesn’t last forever… someone always comes along bigger, badder and better… it’s called life. I generally don’t get into comparing players between eras because it is very, very difficult and always comes down to the person’s opinion. On the rare occasions that I do I generally look at their stats of course, their supporting cast, the style of ball played in that time, and the type of athletes of the era. When stats, supporting cast and style of ball kind of go back and forth and neck and neck I go with the type of athlete. Lebron gets a few points for dominating players who are bigger, stronger , faster and jump higher. He dominates better athletes. I do think Jordan would destroy 95% of these cats today.
I mean don’t just take how basketball has evolved, look at the athlete. In the 80’s and early 90’s it was unheard of with high school kids jumping from the free throw line and doing the same dunks the pros do. Now it is common place… check the evolution out. Dr. J took of from the foul ine by running all the way from the other end of the gym palming the ball and running without dribbling. MJ evolved and took off from about the back hash of the opposite end of the court (3/4), and he dribbled and took his 2 steps. Now you have players dribbling and taking off from the foul line dunking with 2 hands, which is much harder (James White in high school). Players running from a little over half court dribbling and taking 2 steps and dunking.
On the rear occasions that I compare and I have a tight race. The edge goes to the person who dominates the better athletes.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Dre says:
BTW, I was believing the Kobe hype a little last year but when P. Pierce pulled his card in the finals I was through… Kobe looked like a whipped puppy. Pierce looked him up and busted his @$$. Just like Shaq said, “Kobe can’t win it without me.”
February 5th, 2009 at 9:27 am
doc (i like kobe AND bron) says:
U funny Lakeshow.I still got love for Kobe Bean.I just got it for Lebron Burrito too.
February 5th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
jay says:
i am pumped for this issue..you always bring da heat!!! kobe shoe is legit..i am a mid top guy anyways so a little lower did not kill me…
well you picked a good week to drop this issue..i assume nyc gets first dibs and after the triple doub 50 pt at the mecca last night…you cant go wrong!
February 5th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Dre says:
Thats is rare occasion… I guess I shouldn’t type… sitting in the car.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:58 am
LuvThaGame says:
Did everyone have their hatorade or what….Lebron is the man..he’s 24 &
still perfecting his game. Love the cover….if u were a baller like him & makin that kind of money…u would be on the cover the same way. WITNESS!!!!!!
February 18th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Hatorade needs to stop says:
Lebron is the man
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
Glenn How Tall is Dude says:
King James was the best when he first stepped on the court.
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
oats1021 says:
Lebron may be the future but the future isn’t now…Prince James isn’t ready for King Kobe just yet!!
March 4th, 2009 at 7:00 am
OKENE, . W. EDWARD says:
Well the Dime cover was great, but i think Lebron made a statement, “He wants to be the best that ever played this game”. I must say that he is working his ass out right now to get there, but i think Mj passed the torch to Kobe and right now, Kobe is the best player in the league and the only player that is getting close to MJs record of rings. Lebron, i love your game but i think if you want to be the best?, go get the rings.For the most complete player right now, i think its Kobe Bryant, that guy does it all, sick handles, sick crossovers, shots, assists, rebounds, all you want and he helped redeemed the name of the best basketball playing nation in the world by bringing them the gold medal. God bless us all and God bless Basketball.