The 61 points scored against the Charlotte Bobcats by Miami Heat star LeBron James didn't impress NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins. The nine-time All-Star posted a series of tweets on Tuesday espousing how much of James's shooting performance was owed to the terrible defense played by Charlotte.
James set a franchise record on Monday with his 61-point game. While most were impressed by James's 22-of-33 shooting performance, Wilkins felt most of the credit was due to the Bobcats' lack of defense.
No denying he put on a shooting display. He was hot. Let's not forget, he was playing the Bobcats. A sub 500 team w a match up nightmare.
— Dominique Wilkins (@DWilkins21) March 4, 2014
Where is the Defense? The Bobcats put up 107 points in a defenseless display of basketball. Offensively who was there to make Bron work on D — Dominique Wilkins (@DWilkins21) March 4, 2014
Watch the film. No close outs on D, doubles were late, rotations were slow. It was too easy to score. At 54 y/o I could drop 40 on that D
— Dominique Wilkins (@DWilkins21) March 4, 2014
It isn't just about slow rotations & poor closeouts. Who made Bron work on the other end w/ Henderson hurt and Al carrying the team? — Dominique Wilkins (@DWilkins21) March 4, 2014
Bron is a freakish athlete, yes, no doubt. I could say I was too in my prime, but averaging 30 then against the greats like Bird, MJ, King
— Dominique Wilkins (@DWilkins21) March 4, 2014
AND having to guard them on the other side was an all out war. You were dogged by halftime and had to pick it up & do it again the 2nd half — Dominique Wilkins (@DWilkins21) March 4, 2014
Wilkins, apparently in response to backlash on social media, eventually softened his stance on James's accomplishment.
"Calm down people," Wilkins later tweeted on Tuesday. "Not taking anything away from a great OFFENSIVE night from one of the greatest the game has seen. He shot the lights out!
"Man, some very sensitive Bron fans out there. My Goodness! My take is not knocking Bron at all. It's really more so about the game & how it has changed."
James followed his performance on Monday with 22 points on Tuesday in a 106-103 loss to the Houston Rockets. Miami's next game is on Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs.
