LeBron James Discussion: Not Returning To The Lakers

Discussion in 'NBA Discussion' started by therealdeal, Jun 8, 2017.

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  1. Azndude2190

    Azndude2190 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Seems like it has nothing to do with the Lakers:



    Maybe it's family, a friend, covid-19, politics? I do hate when he's cryptic.
     
    Azndude2190, Aug 19, 2020
    #13441
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  2. Khmrp

    Khmrp - Lakers Legend -

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    getting the backup excuse rdy
     
    Khmrp, Aug 19, 2020
    #13442
  3. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    Surprising stat

     
    JSM, Aug 20, 2020
    #13443
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  4. Pioneer10

    Pioneer10 - Lakers All Star -

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    He doesn't look healthy: his defense remains sharp but he's not explosive around the rim like he was pre-Covid. Again not saying he has the athleticism of his Miami days but he's not trying to dunk at all which was something he was doing with ease when the Lakers were peaking. I think the groin is definitely bothering him
     
    Pioneer10, Aug 20, 2020
    #13444
  5. wcsoldier81

    wcsoldier81 - Lakers All Star -

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    Hopefully he's pacing himself , if not it will be a 2nd round exit for us
     
    wcsoldier81, Aug 20, 2020
    #13445
  6. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    He didn't play but a minute or so of the fourth quarter though, it was a blow out win. How many points did we need out of him? Worked out just fine.
     
    lakerjones, Aug 20, 2020
    #13446
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  7. Pioneer10

    Pioneer10 - Lakers All Star -

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    I missed some of the 3rd quarter run but definitely on the positive side is that he got in the post and was able to create multiple open looks for guys. I don't think Portland has an answer for him down there

    Some of his finishing issues are also likely due to Nurkic and Whiteside who are just really big dudes and Stotts has them coached well (at least I'm hoping this is the case more then the groin)
     
    Pioneer10, Aug 20, 2020
    #13447
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  8. Azndude2190

    Azndude2190 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Azndude2190, Aug 20, 2020
    #13448
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  9. DjBelvedere

    DjBelvedere - Rookie -

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    He was dunking here and there quite well in the bubble. I have more the feeling he is missing the atmosphere, he is an emotional player. We will be fine. He will be there when the stakes rise.


    Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk
     
    DjBelvedere, Aug 21, 2020
    #13449
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  10. karacha

    karacha Moderator Staff Member

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    I'll take this over his first performance and a L. He facilitated extremely well, got AD going early, set the tone, played defense. We did not need his points. He just refused to run back on D once or twice after not getting the call and he has to stop doing that. Otherwise... good job leading the team, and some of those passes were incredible.
     
    karacha, Aug 21, 2020
    #13450
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  11. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    That wrap around pass to AD in the post!!! Spectacular.
     
    lakerjones, Aug 21, 2020
    #13451
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  12. Azndude2190

    Azndude2190 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    I knew we were going to win after he threw his mouthpiece towards the ground when he was being subbed out. I don't know if he was disgusted at the no calls on him or that he blew a couple of layups...but I need to see more fire from him like that early and often.
     
    Azndude2190, Aug 21, 2020
    #13452
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  13. Pioneer10

    Pioneer10 - Lakers All Star -

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    Yeah unexcusable to get back (and that's after blowing an easy layup)

    I find it strange that his defense looks really good: Portland doesn't even seem to bother going against him (sort of like a how a great corner in the NFL teams won't throw at them but will run screens and the like to make him still work). But he just lacks explosion on offense - I think this is a concern. The Lakers looks like they will be able to defend any team really well with Kuzma and Lebron at the wings but without Lebron they're offense is just not that great. The solution will be too put him into the post?
     
    Pioneer10, Aug 21, 2020
    #13453
  14. karacha

    karacha Moderator Staff Member

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    I think the reason for him not being there 100% offensively is simple: Bron has a very strict schedule when it comes to planning his entire year, taking care of his body etc. He would normally pace himself at the beginning of the season in order to be in prime form in the spring, just before the playoffs. The pandemic messed all this up, and he is now basically going from "pre-season" to playoff basketball and that's a bit much to ask of anyone, even an athletic freak like LBJ. He's still great, no doubt, but he was just entering God mode before the pandemic.

    Therefore, he is trying to set people up and if he recognizes someone is hot - like AD+Pope, he will happily continue to play floor general for them. This is totally fine with me, as long as people are stepping up and winning games. He scored early on in game 2, then recognized AD was going on a rampage and continued to facilitate, because AD can be more efficient than him when that happens. Pope hits the 3? Penetrate, then turn around and hit him again on top of the key. See if that can fire KCP up. Bron is smart, man. At this point he probably cares more about his legacy and the aura of "bringing championships wherever he goes" more than scoring 27.

    I mentioned earlier in Game Time that - if we could somehow flip Green+someone for a good offensive player who can play 2nd fiddle to AD consistently - Bron could feasibly play full-time facilitator for us at the age of 40-41 and do just fine. You'd still get 12/7/9 from him... we'd just need to cover for him defensively, depending on the matchup. Maybe he'd be shooting threes like Kidd at that point, you never know.
     
    karacha, Aug 21, 2020
    #13454
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  15. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    38 12 and 8 and not one comment? Did not see the game. Effing DirecTV recorded every game except Lakers. Must have been a blah 38 12 and 8.

    :KobeConfused:
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2020
    LTLakerFan, Aug 23, 2020
    #13455
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  16. Kenzo

    Kenzo - Lakers MVP -

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    [​IMG]

    Not bad for a Washed Up King...
     
    Kenzo, Aug 23, 2020
    #13456
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  17. CarolinaLakerFan

    CarolinaLakerFan - Lakers Starter -

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    38/12/8 in 34 minutes? Insane! Glad he’s on our side.
     
    CarolinaLakerFan, Aug 23, 2020
    #13457
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  18. wcsoldier81

    wcsoldier81 - Lakers All Star -

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    Glad he woke up ... great game
     
    wcsoldier81, Aug 23, 2020
    #13458
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  19. karacha

    karacha Moderator Staff Member

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    He was aggressive and had a great game. Realized early on he needed to be a scorer... eventually, others started to play better and that was enough for victory. He looked gassed in the 4th.
     
    karacha, Aug 23, 2020
    #13459
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  20. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    Beast! Incredible game from Lebron
     
    lakerjones, Aug 23, 2020
    #13460
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