LeBron James Discussion: Not Returning To The Lakers

LeBron ain't no closer, he's a set up for the closer type of guy.

 

Sigh.

 

@therealdeal haven't forgotten about this thread, had to run a couple of errands.

Alright so here goes.

1. My grading isn't inconsistent. I've explained my grading on page 413, and now adding the latest 2 games.

vs Blazers: B- knocked down to C for the loss.
vs Rockets: B knocked down to C+ for the loss
vs Spurs: A- knocked down to a B, knocked down further to B- for being directly responsible for the loss (choke at FT line)
vs Suns: A-
vs Nuggets: A-
vs Spurs: A- knocked down to a B
vs Wolves: B+ knocked down to a B-

cumulative GPA: 2.87 (B-)

I don't put much weight into his stats game-by-game. I've watched all of our games and I'm relying on my eye test. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll go over my reasoning.

2. I'm not going to grade all of Lebron's teammates, but I can tell you that most of them are C+ and below. Perhaps McGee, Hart, Kuzma are a B-? Don't quote me on this because I haven't put much thought into it.

3. You keep bringing up Lebron's "historically good stats" but other superstars aren't doing too shabby either. And I've been saying it's nonsense to bring up players like Nick Young, D'Angelo or Randle. They aren't superstars. So how about we do this. Compare Lebron to other superstars!

Giannis Antetokoumpo: 25.0 PTS, 14.2 REB, 5.7 AST, 0.7 STL, 1.7 BLK, 50.8 FG%, .063 3P% 72.5 FT%
Team Record: 7-0
Grade: A+

Stephen Curry: 32.5 PTS, 5.4 REB, 5.5 AST, 1.3 STL, 0.3 BLK, 54.3 FG%, 51.6 3P% 92.3 FT%
Team Record: 7-1
Grade: A

Kevin Durant: 28.3 PTS, 7.5 REB, 6.1 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.8 BLK, 55.6 FG%, 34.3 3P% 93.6 FT%
Team Record: 7-1
Grade: A

Anthony Davis: 27.7 PTS, 13.3 REB, 4.8 AST, 2.5 STL, 3.8 BLK, 52.1 FG%, 57.1 3P% 70.7 FT%
Team Record: 4-2
Grade: A-

Damian Lillard: 30.8 PTS, 5.2 REB, 5.8 AST, 0.5 STL, 0.3 BLK, 47.9 FG%, 37.3 3P% 92.6 FT%
Team Record: 4-2
Grade: B+

Kawhi Leonard: 26.6 PTS, 8.0 REB, 3.0 AST, 1.6 STL, 0.6 BLK, 50.0 FG%, 45.5 3P% 92.0 FT%
Team Record: 4-2
Grade: B+

Lebron James: 27.6 PTS, 9.1 REB, 8.1 AST, 2.0 STL, 0.6 BLK, 50.0 FG%, 24.4 3P% 79.6 FT%
Team Record: 2-5
Grade: B-

James Harden: 28.5 PTS, 6.3 REB, 9.0 AST, 2.0 STL, 0.5 BLK, 46.8 FG%, 44.1 3P% 73.5 FT%
Team Record: 1-4
Grade: C-/D+

Russell Westbrook: 22.7 PTS, 12.0 REB, 7.7 AST, 1.3 STL, 0.0 BLK, 46.4 FG%, 0.91 3P% 57.7 FT%
Team Record: 1-4
Grade: C-/D+

So there we have it. I am factoring in the expectation of each team's success relative to their actual record. Therefore Harden and Westbrook get penalized heavily for leading their title-contending teams to an underwhelming record. Lebron gets a little break in that regard. The Greek God gets a boost up from A to A+ for leading his team to an undefeated record.

I'm sure my grading is pretty close to the actual MVP race. As I've been saying I believe my grade of B- for Lebron is more than fair. (though our record suggests he should be a Below-Average (C-) among superstars) Not sure why you are trying to paint me a hater, but I am rooting hard for Lebron and this team to succeed.

 

BTW I could tell from your posts that you think that I have some sort of grudge towards Lebron because our FO chose him over Randle. That is far from the truth.

Do I think it was a mistake to let Randle walk? Yes, I think we will regret the decision.
Do I think we are a better team by adding Lebron? Yes, he's the best player in the world and I'm quickly becoming his fan.

Those are 2 separate issues that have no relevance to me. We had the cap space to sign both players and decided not to. That is on our FO and not on Lebron.

Hope this clears that up.

 

I was evaluating LeBron’s stats so far this year compared to his career stats, and the guy doesn’t seem to have fallen off even slightly. Just astounding.

 

Said the same thing myself. I know it’s still early, but if this keeps happening and we are into Januaruy/February and we’re still having a hard time closing games, then you know Lebron gets 100% of the blame. So all you stans get ready for me to bash your lover if it happens. Oh they still have time to gel but just know I’ll be watching.

 

he's only 1 guy, people pinning for Kobe have short term memories too, forgetting the fact that everybody just stood around watching as kobe chucked bad shots after bad shots that sometimes would go in. These young guys ALL have some sort of weakness or deficiencies that James can't help them with and Walton has a coaching deficiency himself

 

I never said anything about Kobe. This has nothing to do with Kobe. This has everything to do with Lebron. Don’t know why you would even mention that as it’s irrelevant.

Every expectation I put on the guy is based on his own standards. He is not Kobe, he is Lebron and as I said we still have time to figure it out, but if it becomes later in the season and we still can’t close games or struggle with the “best player in the world” on the court, then he gets the blame, period, because I’ve seen him close games, but he doesn’t do it consistently at all and that’s poor form.

 

“You probably don’t want to be around when my patience runs out”. -Lebron James

No, Lebron. You don’t want to be around when OUR patience runs out. This ain’t Cleveland, where they’re just giddy that you don their uniform. This is LA. The house West, Chamberlain, Baylor, Kareem, Worthy, Magic, Shaq and Kobe built. We expect championships. Stop with the veiled threats and lead this team to victory.

 

I'm not directing Kobe part at you, just saying for those pinning for Kobe style out of Lebron. He is the best player but last time I checked there's 4 other guys on the court that needs to step it up too not bricking and airballing and missing defensive assignment, James is also at fault with his lack of D too and like I said doesn't help we have a dumb coach who even prior to this season still doesn't seem to know how to execute half court offense, this team is so easy to defend when they can't run, just pack the paint and its ISO and kill clock then take a contested jump shot.

 

Lakers have been in every game until the end. The little things that they will eventually get good at will come. They very well could be 5-2 if a few shots go in or do not go in. It isn't that big of deal. They also had to deal with the suspensions. Let it ride until the end of the year than you can make an assessment. Lonzo, Hart and Kuzma are still 2nd year players. Then you have a 3rd year player and you have a couple vets who need to teach these guys about how to play together.

 

Nah, I get it. I’m not asking Lebron to be Kobe or Jordan or anyone else. I want him to be him but even after 16 years he’s still too passive. These 5 losses all close, all lost in the final moments of the game. Final moments are for the superstars.

And Luke hasn’t proved anything yet and his leash is just as short for me. Again still early, but Luke and the coaching better figure something out in the half court and on defense. Our players are not buying into something and nothing will change until/unless they do.

 

No hate. But since you brought up Kobe, he was also the first guy who’d publicly say “I played like s**t” too. Kobe patiently waited 4 years until he went scorched earth and demanded upgrades on his team. Now I know LBJ doesn’t have that much time, but after 7 games in I don’t wanna hear the subtle burn it to the ground threats.

 

How is Lebron supposed to take blame for losses when he’s putting up the numbers he is? In his 16th season, we have to be reasonable. No star would be lighting it up on both ends.

Time for the youngins to step up. I expect some youth to be traded this year to thin the ranks and for someone who is ready to produce right now. We have too much talent at the same positions.