LeBron James Chase Down block: Better check your rear view

We have all seen him do it many times before. You see the other team grab a steal, or maybe try to push the ball up the court off of a rebound. They player with the ball jogs lightly down the court and gently lays up the ball thinking they have just added another two points to the scoreboard. Then, it happens. LeBron James comes from out of nowhere and sends that shot in the 15th row, or worse, off the glass hard enough to give his team a fast break opportunity. I am talking about the LeBron James chase down block.

This move is the equivalent of the Lawrence Taylor tomahawk tackle he patented in his run with the New York Giants. A devastating move that stripped the quarterback of the ball and their dignity. LeBron's use of the chase down has strikes fear into the hearts of any opponent looking for an easy layup, and has literally changed the way other teams will attack the basket.

What makes Lebron's move so great is how incorporates all of his athletic ability into one play. His speed is unmatched, and he is confident enough in his speed that he can allow other players to get a head start to the cup, while slowly trailing behind them and waiting for his time to strike. He picks up a full head of steam in less than a second, and uses that jolt to propel him to the basket SO QUICKLY that other players on the court do not have enough time to warn the shooter. Furthermore, we all know that when LeBron does decide to leave his feat for the block, he gets his head well over the rim. I would hate to be looking up at the basket and see him looming over me, most because I know that my shot will be headed the opposite direction.

His size is a tremendous factor as well. LeBron is freakishly tall and has very long arms and huge hands. He uses his arms to reach over the body of the shooter, while at the same time avoiding any contact. His long legs also give him the ability to take longer strides, giving him the ability to catch up to the ball handler in only a second or two.

Finally, LeBron's strength makes for the emphatic nature of the block. You know once he starts the chase down that someone in the upper tier is going to get a souvenir, or that the ball is going to launch off the backboard about 25 feet. LeBron's defense takes the air out of the gym in away games, and sets the place on fire at home. It is the ultimate momentum shift.

Here are some of my favorite LeBron chase down moments. This video includes him and some of his former Cleveland team mates discussing how the chase down changes the whole momentum of the play, and furthermore, the game.

Warning, viewer discretion advised (some of these blocks are too violent to be shown to children under the age of 13, or to any Jason Richardson fans).

Since LeBron has entered the league, every team has fallen victim to the chase down. His defensive mindset in Miami has proven very effective, and I expect MANY more of these blocks this season. Next time someone is going to the rack while LeBron is on the court, they should probably check the rear view mirror, because objects ARE closer than they appear.

Get em.