Barkley: "lebron will have to play like MJ to beat the Bulls in the ECF"

Glide2keva

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Charles Barkley said LeBron James would have to play like MJ to beat the Bulls.

Charles Barkley believes the Eastern Conference finals will be an entertaining and competitive series, but he's convinced there will be a new team advancing to the NBA Finals this year.

"I thought the (Bulls' win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday) with Rip Hamilton playing well was a great sign," Barkley said Wednesday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "I really think they're the best team in the East.

"When they play Miami, it's going to be a knock-down, drag-out ..."

The Heat beat the Bulls in five games in last year's conference finals before falling to the Dallas Mavericks. The Bulls and Heat split two games so far in the regular season and play again at the United Center on Thursday.


"People talk about how they played the Bulls last year, if you go back and look at those games, every one of those games was tied with two minutes to go," Barkley said. "Every one of those games. And if Rip Hamilton can play anything like he played last night, I think the Bulls have a really good chance against the Heat. I do. I like that team.

"I think the Bulls are better."

Barkley believes if the Heat are going to do anything in the special in the playoffs, it's going to require something special from LeBron James.

"I think that LeBron James has to play at a Michael Jordan-type level every single night because that team has so many holes on it," Barkley said. "Between their bench, lack of scoring inside ... I said this earlier in the year, they're only going to go as far as LeBron James takes them.

"I like Dwyane (Wade). Dwyane is a terrific player. He got a lot of credit for winning a championship (in 2006), but if you go back and look at their series, the reason they won that series is because of Shaquille (O'Neal). He got the one game where he shot 100 free throws. But Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning were the difference in that series. People assume he's the closer, to be honest with you, but LeBron James is the best player in the NBA. If he doesn't play at a crazy level and make those guys better, (Mario) Chalmers, Joel Anthony, Haslem, if he doesn't get those guys off, they can't win. I don't think (James) gets enough credit for that."

"Chris Bosh hasn't had a double-double in like two months," he added. "They're clearly not a good rebounding team. Their bench isn't very good. They have flaws."

And Barkley isn't worried about the sprained ankle that kept Derrick Rose out of Tuesday's win.

"I saw him working out a little bit before the game last night, so it doesn't look like it's serious," Barkley said. "The good thing for the Bulls is they're probably going to have a cakewalk the first round of the playoffs. He'll have time to get himself into game shape. Whoever they play in the first round they'll beat them.
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ESPN NBA Barkley likes Bulls over Heat in East finals
 
Bear06

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He may be wrong, but I doubt it. ;)
 
rc_roadster

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That's all based on the assumption Rip will keep up his form from the other night. He's had one good game. One.

He can be key for the bulls but I do think it is a bit early to be getting excited. If he can play every game between now and the playoffs and get into proper game shape, then yes.
 
Scoot26

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"I think that LeBron James has to play at a Michael Jordan-type level every single night because that team has so many holes on it," Barkley said. "Between their bench, lack of scoring inside ... I said this earlier in the year, they're only going to go as far as LeBron James takes them.
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As far as that statement. That is pretty accurate. LeBron James played that way in the 4th quarter against us last year. Our Superstar disappeared in the 4th quarter.
 
JosMin

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His speculations are just that -- speculation. Hopefully Rip can stay healthy and provide quality time next to the other starters, as well. His last injury was kind of flukey. With the way he's moving, I imagine his groin injury is just fine.

My real concern is Rose. I think the grind from last year caught up to him, as it did with a lot of players. They didn't give themselves enough time to play into basketball shape and these small, nagging injuries started to creep up (the turf toe, the groin injury and now the ankle).

Regardless, I'm more excited about this year's team. Hope we're able to piece everything together.
 
nwfisch

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My favorite teams
  1. Chicago Cubs
  1. Minnesota United FC
  1. Chicago Bulls
  1. Chicago Bears
  1. Chicago Blackhawks
  1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Lebron already played like MJ against us.

That's not saying that Lebron's body of work is equal to or greater than MJ's, it's not.

For fourth quarters against Boston and Chicago last year, Lebron had a killer instinct, and ripped the hearts out them.

Hopefully he goes back to cowering in the 4th quarter this year against the Bulls.
 

sicko

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LeBron always play well against us, I am more worried about our side...NOT LEBRON, we are going to need Deng, Noah and Boozer to show up against Miami This Time, because last year, both Noah and Boozer disappeared, then what disappoints me about Deng, when Miami put LeBron on ROSE...where in the hell was Deng? He has to be the one that makes Miami Pay for Putting LeBron on Rose and putting a SHORTER GUY on him...Deng did not do that!

So I don't give a damn about LeBron and what he does, LeBron only stops HIMSELF, we can't flat out SHUT HIM DOWN, that is not going to change, it is all about who else will step up offensively for us if/when Rose is having a Bad Night or if he can't get off Offensively because LeBron is on him
 
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houheffna

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"Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to ever play the game. I may go so far as saying LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game."

That was after the ECF last year. Certain great player made that statement. I think Bulls fans should worry more about Rose stepping up instead of Lebron. Lebron wowed hall of fame players after his performance against the Bulls. His confidence is high against this team.

Rose is 11-19 from the free throw line in the last minute of clutch games. Not good. Focus on that.
 
houheffna

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Glide2keva said:
Anyone that picks the Bulls over Miami doesn't know shit about basketball.

Be prepared.
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There are a bunch of posts on this thread that proves my point, yet you focus in on me? That explains the purpose of the thread to begin with...
 

Glide2keva

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houheffna said:
There are a bunch of posts on this thread that proves my point, yet you focus in on me? That explains the purpose of the thread to begin with...
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Um, I didn't focus on you. He did.

I wasn't even thinking about you. I saw this interview and posted it. This is a Bulls forum and this is a positive view on a possible Bulls vs. Heat series.

I guess you can't post things like this here.

Plus, I didn't mention your name once! Someone else did. Get over yourself.
 

Glide2keva

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houheffna said:
"Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to ever play the game. I may go so far as saying LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game."

That was after the ECF last year. Certain great player made that statement. I think Bulls fans should worry more about Rose stepping up instead of Lebron. Lebron wowed hall of fame players after his performance against the Bulls. His confidence is high against this team.

Rose is 11-19 from the free throw line in the last minute of clutch games. Not good. Focus on that.
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Since you just have to post from the Pro-lebron side.

That great player was Scottie Pippen who said that. Funny thing is, he retracted that statement the next day. But let's not mention that.
 
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