Maybe I am crazy, but I like this "new" Lebron. He has been surgical and knows exactly what to give the team when it needs it. He also has been good with being first, 2nd, or 3rd to the table (when has he ever done that). I really think he feels we are going to win a championship whether this season or next. One more chip will put him in that incredible class (5 rings) and it will give him his 2nd with us.
I've been impressed with this too. Pretty seamless transition to being less ball dominant. Really looks like he's embracing this new role and responsibilities. _________________ It was reminiscent of one of those Most Interesting Man in the World advertisements: "I don't always shoot 6-for-28 from the field, but when I do, I become the youngest player in league history to score 28,000 career points."
Maybe I am crazy, but I like this "new" Lebron. He has been surgical and knows exactly what to give the team when it needs it. He also has been good with being first, 2nd, or 3rd to the table (when has he ever done that). I really think he feels we are going to win a championship whether this season or next. One more chip will put him in that incredible class (5 rings) and it will give him his 2nd with us.
I've been impressed with this too. Pretty seamless transition to being less ball dominant. Really looks like he's embracing this new role and responsibilities.
It looks like he knows Dlo isn’t out there to trick off possessions and he can rely on the other guy to take the keys unlike AD
😂 he adjusted to Olympic Bron so quick it was silly to play off AR and Luka
One thing that I find admirable is Lebron's willingness to pass the torch and help Luka on his way to becoming the Lakers franchise player and future. I think this is beautiful and not all old superstars are willing to do that.
One thing that I find admirable is Lebron's willingness to pass the torch and help Luka on his way to becoming the Lakers franchise player and future. I think this is beautiful and not all old superstars are willing to do that.
True. And I think it's because LeBron has accomplished almost everything he can in his career that he's able to do that. Maybe he sees Luca as a guy who could extend his career in terms of winning championships so why not.
One thing that I find admirable is Lebron's willingness to pass the torch and help Luka on his way to becoming the Lakers franchise player and future. I think this is beautiful and not all old superstars are willing to do that.
Lebron has a very high BBIQ, he wants to win and knows how to win because he is a natural born winner. He also knows talent and leadership when he sees it.
He also knows that he's nearing the end of his playing career and that a move like this will benefit him and the team in the long run. LBJ has never been a selfish player, he's always been a team player.
I'm sure Lebron, at this point in his career, is more than willing, relieved and confident enough to pass the torch to another true alpha player that he knows is quite capable of leading the team. It's a win-win situation for everyone in the Lakers organization.
I’ve said before, no one is happier that Luka is on the team than LeBron. LeBron has been looking for someone to take the torch from him…we were hoping it was gonna be AD, but it became clearer as seasons went by that AD is not that type of dude.
I’ve said before, no one is happier that Luka is on the team than LeBron. LeBron has been looking for someone to take the torch from him…we were hoping it was gonna be AD, but it became clearer as seasons went by that AD is not that type of dude.
Yea LeBron was saying "it's AD's team" for several seasons now
Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 4839 Location: Lake Nacimiento
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 3:26 pm Post subject:
TMG wrote:
Lebron playing as a 3rd option that can alternate between #1 #2 if needed is a luxury no other team has.
I'd fight prime mike tyson if it mean't we got Lebron 5 years younger alongside reaves and Luka.
I'd last about 3 seconds with possibly death knocking at my door though so i probably wouldn't do it on second thought.
I'm sure the Lakers would happily give you a statue for that sacrifice but yeah, you're likely not witnessing it unless you're doing it while eating through a straw for the rest of your life. I, for one would appreciate that sacrifice though!
Pretty crazy that all 3 of those guys can instantly go from the first to 3rd option and i'd still have confidence in us winning the game. With Bron/AD, they both had to be monsters for us to have any real chance against the best teams. Now, with Bron/Luka/AR all playing with intensity and each one wanting to rip out the opposing teams throat makes it a nightmare trying to stop all 3 of those guys let alone if any of our role players are hitting shots.
I still have a feeling we start seeing that pre-injury Bron within a few games of the first round and if that happens it might be night, night time for at minimum the Western Conference.
I’ve said before, no one is happier that Luka is on the team than LeBron. LeBron has been looking for someone to take the torch from him…we were hoping it was gonna be AD, but it became clearer as seasons went by that AD is not that type of dude.
Certainly he is displaying that he will step aside.
The real question is does Lebron deliver in the playoffs in this role? That's going to be determined. You certainly can see he's been able to step aside for Luka to be the go to guy. That's a huge first step they've already accomplished. Now it's about whether Lebron can pick his spots and then get more assertive when he feels Luka is off or needs rest (due to the way defense is playing them).
Even that, I don't think is the main component. They'll take turns with Reaves as they've shown. What I think will be critical is Lebron's energy on defense/boards. We're playing small about 30 minutes of the game. If we go without a big 30 minutes of the game, our Forwards like Rui/Lebron have to defend/board like mad.
You see some moments where they do it, but then I also notice we can allow 80 point halves. Lebron and Rui have to defend as if they're bigs. For all the talk about our improved defense, when you actually look at the numbers, our defense seems to be sporadic. It's play defense in spurts and rely a lot on the opponent not making good reads on the doubles we send. We're banking heavily on teams not making their 3 point shots at a good clip. That's a risky defense IMO. Lebron's role is not just to get you 20-25 now. Since Luka's carrying the load, his role is now to be a quality 2-way player. No more taking defensive possessions off and resting/ball watching. That's the area I'm looking at Lebron to show himself in this new role. It's NOT about just stepping aside. It's about utilising the energy you did once on PG duties/shot creating for the team, to instead use a lot of that on defense/boards. Even setting great screens for Luka. That's what a championship #2 does.
Maybe I am crazy, but I like this "new" Lebron. He has been surgical and knows exactly what to give the team when it needs it. He also has been good with being first, 2nd, or 3rd to the table (when has he ever done that). I really think he feels we are going to win a championship whether this season or next. One more chip will put him in that incredible class (5 rings) and it will give him his 2nd with us.
I've been impressed with this too. Pretty seamless transition to being less ball dominant. Really looks like he's embracing this new role and responsibilities.
It looks like he knows Dlo isn’t out there to trick off possessions and he can rely on the other guy to take the keys unlike AD
😂 he adjusted to Olympic Bron so quick it was silly to play off AR and Luka
I believed I said this when we first traded for LUka and when some people were doubting that they can not co-exist next to each other... I said people who have said this never seen him played with team USA... He also deferred plenty of times to Kyrie and Wade at times. People forget him telling Lue to give the shot to Kyrie in game 7 of 2016 finals. Ultimate team player.
Lebron playing as a 3rd option that can alternate between #1 #2 if needed is a luxury no other team has.
I'd fight prime mike tyson if it mean't we got Lebron 5 years younger alongside reaves and Luka.
I'd last about 3 seconds with possibly death knocking at my door though so i probably wouldn't do it on second thought.
I'm sure the Lakers would happily give you a statue for that sacrifice but yeah, you're likely not witnessing it unless you're doing it while eating through a straw for the rest of your life. I, for one would appreciate that sacrifice though!
Pretty crazy that all 3 of those guys can instantly go from the first to 3rd option and i'd still have confidence in us winning the game. With Bron/AD, they both had to be monsters for us to have any real chance against the best teams. Now, with Bron/Luka/AR all playing with intensity and each one wanting to rip out the opposing teams throat makes it a nightmare trying to stop all 3 of those guys let alone if any of our role players are hitting shots.
I still have a feeling we start seeing that pre-injury Bron within a few games of the first round and if that happens it might be night, night time for at minimum the Western Conference.
I’ve said before, no one is happier that Luka is on the team than LeBron. LeBron has been looking for someone to take the torch from him…we were hoping it was gonna be AD, but it became clearer as seasons went by that AD is not that type of dude.
Certainly he is displaying that he will step aside.
The real question is does Lebron deliver in the playoffs in this role? That's going to be determined. You certainly can see he's been able to step aside for Luka to be the go to guy. That's a huge first step they've already accomplished. Now it's about whether Lebron can pick his spots and then get more assertive when he feels Luka is off or needs rest (due to the way defense is playing them).
Even that, I don't think is the main component. They'll take turns with Reaves as they've shown. What I think will be critical is Lebron's energy on defense/boards. We're playing small about 30 minutes of the game. If we go without a big 30 minutes of the game, our Forwards like Rui/Lebron have to defend/board like mad.
You see some moments where they do it, but then I also notice we can allow 80 point halves. Lebron and Rui have to defend as if they're bigs. For all the talk about our improved defense, when you actually look at the numbers, our defense seems to be sporadic. It's play defense in spurts and rely a lot on the opponent not making good reads on the doubles we send. We're banking heavily on teams not making their 3 point shots at a good clip. That's a risky defense IMO. Lebron's role is not just to get you 20-25 now. Since Luka's carrying the load, his role is now to be a quality 2-way player. No more taking defensive possessions off and resting/ball watching. That's the area I'm looking at Lebron to show himself in this new role. It's NOT about just stepping aside. It's about utilising the energy you did once on PG duties/shot creating for the team, to instead use a lot of that on defense/boards. Even setting great screens for Luka. That's what a championship #2 does.
If I'm being realistic, I don't think he can do it for the entire playoffs with how much he has to fill the gaps in so many areas because of the roster and JJ's small ball preference. I think next year, after rounding out the roster AND being able to put him on more of a late career Duncan rest plan through the season, it's a much better bet assuming he doesn't fall off a cliff (I don't think he does). The problem this year is that he was burnt out from carrying the playmaking and scoring from Oct to Feb. Next year, with Luka and having this version of Reaves from the get go, it'll be much easier to pace him while not conceding seeding too much.
If I'm being realistic, I don't think he can do it for the entire playoffs with how much he has to fill the gaps in so many areas because of the roster and JJ's small ball preference. I think next year, after rounding out the roster AND being able to put him on more of a late career Duncan rest plan through the season, it's a much better bet assuming he doesn't fall off a cliff (I don't think he does). The problem this year is that he was burnt out from carrying the playmaking and scoring from Oct to Feb. Next year, with Luka and having this version of Reaves from the get go, it'll be much easier to pace him while not conceding seeding too much.
I don't see why he can't this year, tbh. We're talking about exerting the energy he would typically save for this team's PG needs. The only time he's had a PG as good as this was Kyrie, and Luka is a better scorer than Kyrie and co go off even more.
Considering we play small, really, our needs are more of him to focus on rebounding, 3 point shooting, cutting off the ball, and the most important - man defense. Lebron can't choose to dedicate himself to defense in spurts. Not in the #2 role, the clear #2 he is at the moment. I have often overlooked Lebron's inconsistent efforts on defense because of the reasons you've stated. He had to a) carry the team's PG role (even with DLO, come on, Lebron was the main guy when it mattered). b) manage himself through a full RS and his age. Now? We're talking 2 months, maybe. With at least 1 day breaks, often 2 days and some in series breaks that last up to a week at times. There's no way Lebron should be excused for playing mediocre defense.
Rui and Lebron BTW have showed they will move and be able to do some rim protection (has to come in the form of charges more so got to take that contact) and rebounding. It's an area that will be one of the main things are opponents will try to exploit on offense.
We saw in the Dallas game immediately how active Lebron and Rui were on AD. They did NOT allow AD to get into his strong spots easily. That's so important. However Dallas doesn't/didn't have the perimeter guard or roster floor balance to challenge Rui/Lebron in those situations using their guards to attack the rim with dribble penetration (we saw Najji Marshall have a feast when he tried). So that is where we need to really get that effort from Bron. Focus on the big but also go help on ball penetration at the rim. No way Luka and Reaves are keeping guards away from the rim. They're not KCP/Caruso. Teams will be able to get to the rim easily on us vs Luka/Reaves.
I feel Bron/Rui have shown considerable potential, but there has been inconsistency with the injury to Rui and Lebron's effort level on that side of the ball. I'm hoping because it's playoffs they go all out on D/boards. If they do, man, 18 is really up for grabs because it's our biggest weakness on paper (size/boards/rim protection etc). We really need Bron to play like he's Lamar Odom/Dennis Rodman on defense. Athletically there's no reason he can't do it IMO. Really we don't need elite 2019-20 level defense. We need solid Denver 2022-2023 level defense. When you have this kind of talent on offense that is the biggest gain. Even solid defense can get you a title.
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 8269 Location: Lake Forest
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 10:04 am Post subject:
Mostly, I'm worried about the turnovers and bricks resulting from his thumb injury. A few plays a game he just loses the handle. Hopefully a week of rest will help.
Mostly, I'm worried about the turnovers and bricks resulting from his thumb injury. A few plays a game he just loses the handle. Hopefully a week of rest will help.
That's one of the great aspects of having Luka, especially after seeing LeBron literally fumble away the Bulls game.
Put the ball in Luka's hands in high leverage situations and let Luka get it to LeBron in attack position - no thinking, just catch and finish. Let Bron be prime Karl Malone in late game situations. _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
That is absolutely insane that someone who was viewed as being unable to shoot in the early part of his career will overtake someone who was once regarded as the greatest three point shooter of all time until Ray Allen and Curry came along. Only 172 more games, too.
Won’t happen this season though. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
LeBron James checked out with 7:27 to go in the 3rd Q and hasn't subbed back in yet. He was favoring his left side -- obviously, he's been dealing with a left groin strain this season. The wrap he was wearing on the bench seemed placed more on his left quad/hip area though.
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