The LEBRON JAMES Thread

[blackmamba08]

[wolfpaclaker]

I don't think it's just physical decline. This is laziness. Mental approach. I saw him blow by the defenders multiple times. And his post game? He has a great post game, especially as a passer in there. He should be playing the Jokic role on offense when at 5, and then at 3, he should be living in the post.

Instead, we see him stick outside, shoot 3s. and jumpers, do a lot of quick swing passes. That's completely lazy offense. He's taking no ownership of the team at all.

This is mental more than physical, IMO. His physical decline isn't going to stop him from getting into the post and commanding a post up. The decline won't stop him from blowing by a big 5 when matched up against him. We saw yesterday even his first play at the 5 he blew right by the Clippers 5 and got and 1 layup. However we didn't see those attacks again and again. Instead, settled for jumpshots.

[hydrohead]

If folks are thinking that any part of 360 is going to get fired up about games in Dec, then they are going to be disappointed. Given their age and/or fragility they are not going to lay out this early. even I call games before Christmas the unofficial preseason.
_________________
Darvin

[Drifts]

[wolfpaclaker]

^
This may explain some of it.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32783732/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-frustrated-nba-covid-19-testing-process

[Four Decade Bandwagon]

James carries a lot of weight on his shoulders as the leader of this team. They go as he goes. Simply the reality of being Lebron F’n James.

Up to him to turn this around. His lead will dictate the success of this season.

Will he continue to make excuses and cool social media statements or start putting in the effort and commitment to the team winning that is needed?

Will he continue to look disinterested and start throwing coaches and teammates under the bus as he has done in the past or does he do what it takes to turn “his” team into a competitive contender?

At the start of the season the general consensus was to give them 20 games to develop before criticizing the team. We have passed that to less then satisfactory results IMO.

Will be interesting to see the next 20. Do they make it work or start turning on each other as a team? Both are entirely possible.

[wolfpaclaker]

[lakersfever714]

Time to trade Lebron and start over. Warriors will have their big 3 in their prime for at least 3 more years. I don't think the 2019 Lakers would have beaten this Warriors team assuming everyone was healthy. This year, assuming we have everyone playing at their potential, do we even a chance against the Warrirors? If the answer is yes, then continue on our current path. If the answer is no, trade everyone for draft picks and start over.

[Four Decade Bandwagon]

[LGFan]

[LakerLanny]

He don't look right.
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Love, Laker Lanny

[LGFan]

[LGFan]

[2019]

It's not about trading Bron. That's foolish. It's about putting the correct pieces around him to mask his weaknesses. 2010 LeBron you could put this exact roster around him and we'd be winning the title no doubt. He was that great. That man was an elite defender with the greatest most explosive first step in history that could get to the rim at will and it was that pressure on defenses that opened up everything for Miami and Cleveland. We still saw some of that in 2020. And for what it's worth, I think he still has some juice left but he's not able to do it 82 games a season season for 36 mpg like he used to.

But this LeBron can't. And that's not a knock. It's Father Time. He's still playing at the highest lever for any NBA player in year 19. This is the most refined version of LeBron but Rob built a team as though it was Miami LeBron. Seriously, having three 36 year old guys (LBJ, Melo, Ariza) as your only wing players in 2021 basketball is ridiculously stupid. Then around them you have AD, Dwight and then a whole bunch of defensive liabilities. That's why the Celtics blew us out the way they did even without Brown.. big wings are our kryptonite. Paul George had a terrible game but still beat us because we were forced to send hard doubles on him because Monk/Russ/Wayne/Reaves etc are way too small.

I don't hate the Westbrook deal fully. But given you moved KCP and Kuz, who were two of the 2 best perimeter defenders we had last couple years, losing the 3rd to free agency because we couldn't afford the luxury tax.

I've said it before.. losing Caruso was the move that could cost us everything this year. You keep Caruso as starting 2 via bird rights, use the mMLE on a big wing like Otto Porter Jr and our 2 biggest issues are at least partially addressed. I also would argue that while Dennis kinda wore out his welcome here, signing him to a $8-10M one year deal was also a no brainer. That gives you a 6th man who can defend, push the pace, and get to the rim by breaking down defenses.

All those moves would have helped ease the burden on LeBron greatly. Maybe in the end Magic knew what he was talking about trying to put ball handlers and rim attackers around LeBron.

[KingKobe20]

Lebron gets the blame for last night. He easily could of taken on the task of shutting down PG13 himself just like he did in the last regular season victory we had against the Clips in the bubble (were he actually shutdown Kawhi and PG) or that March 2020 victory ( Clippers home game) before the world shutdown. An then on offense he settled for far too many low percentage jump shots. Down by 5 he destroyed Serge Ibaka with a drive to the basket which he could of easily done on repeat.

Sure it seems like asking our Legend at Year 19 to do too much but a totally different response from what we seen in Indiana a week ago and last night it was against the hated Clips ( next game against the celtics ) We won’t get an opportunity for revenge against the Clips until February.

Lebron was clearly upset with how the league handled his false positives earlier this week citing in his postgame interview it threw his rhythm off as he wasn’t able to do anything besides watch his sons play in their high school league games.

It’s no secret we’re trash right now but with 58 games left can some posters at least save their “Trade Lebron” rants till the offseason??!?

[vasashi17+]

[Four Decade Bandwagon]

How about James and his Pals “ease their burden” by playing with some intensity and urgency from the opening whistle?

Earn the rest and half-assed efforts in the fourth quarter when up by 20 pts during garbage time instead of wasting possessions and chasing from 10, 15, or 20pts behind at the end of the first quarter.

This is by no means all on James. More then enough questionable performances to criticize most of the players. But only one player possibly turns this around. Maybe it is time to have another meeting at his house to discuss some issues and commitments.

[LakerSD]

[KingKobe20]

Lebron coasting the first 20 games and some change has always been a thing. Not just in Year 19 he was doing this Tim Foolery, in year 9 as well

Next game should tell us a lot coming off a lost.
As it’s the last meeting against the celtics and Dennis’ return to Staples.

[lakersfever714]

[kfkilla]

I feel like LeBron and clutch want Vogel gone and they want their own coach put in place. There is no way that Vogel said our game plan is to walk the ball up court, hold it for 13 second and shoot a fade away 3. I believe he and maybe some other LeClutch are sandbagging. I saw THT just ignore his assignments a couple times on D. LeClutch wants their own coach out in place. Probably always has but Vegel has been very successful.

[ahaider]

[troy]

Lebron is the leader of the Lakers. If he plays hard, the Lakers play hard. If he is in "coast-mode", then guess what...

You know what we really need, and I can't believe I'm actually saying this...We need Russell Westbrook, of all people, to take over leadership of this Lakers team. I know that sounds absurd, but think about it.

RW is younger, and still in his prime. He works hard every game. And he's hungry to win his first Finals. Forget about the flaws in his game; it's his attitude that this Lakers team needs, not Lebron's. And that's not a knock on Lebron. Lebron is old, broken down, and has won before. He can afford to coast if he wants. The problem is, he has undue influence on this entire Lakers franchise, especially the players. And when Lebron plays half-assed and disengaged, the entire team follows suit.

RW, for all his flaws, never plays half-assed.

So, my question is this, will Lebron be willing to let RW take over leadership of this team, or will he continue to lead the Lakers with mediocre regular season mindset?

[Four Decade Bandwagon]

Where are all these coaching and new player ideas coming from?

There will be no new offensive system or coach added. They run the James system.

There will be no trades unless the new players know their role. In the James system.

Westbrook and/or Davis are not taking over leadership from James.

Kind of cute that some of you think there is any option but to continue down this “ all in for James” path they happily took when they signed him. We can only hope he finds a fountain of youth for another playoff run.

If not , the Retirement Tour begins early. With the focus being establishing James as the Career Pts leader instead of another Championship.

[LGFan]