LABron James Discussion: The Final Year?

Lebron shouldn't have let those guys catch covid, and he should have prevented AD from twisting his meniscus. He should have found a magic salve for Nunn's bone bruise. Hell.....why not? He's Lebron!

 

sad they're wasting away these kind of performances from bron

 

It’s pretty clear the losses are a direct result of him having big games. Selfish to not recognize that and stop having them … wtf?

 

this is pathetic

 

What is all this Lebron hate about? This cuts deep.

 

i've been told that lebron and westbrook and generic role players should win some games (as implied by the postulated replaceability of all such role players according to some on this site). they are not. they are putting up stats and getting smashed.

and yes, the injuries and recent covid luck are the reason we're losing. but they're not the reason for this:

the reason for that goes deeper.

 

Bah...playing G leaguers and a guy that was out of the league, isn't a recipie for success. Shocking. The NBA isn't some rec league, yep Lebron and Westbrook and some generic role players should be enough to win some games. But it depends on who those generic role players are too. This is still the NBA, you can't roll out Lebron and Russ and any random body and think you are going to win.
I guess I am just more realistic about the situation, the Lakers jersey isn't going to win a single game for you. Putting it on doesn't bestow you with magical powers. AD being out is a big blow, however the other guys being out as well, is not some trivial thing that can be solved by just putting a body on the floor in their place. It's rather ridiculous to try and critique the team as if that isn't the case. Give me more of Russ and Bron from last night, and add in some of these guys out, we will be winning games and holding our own until AD gets back. I'm rocking with that position.

 

Oh brother here we go. I’m guessing Lebron needs help huh?

 

He doesn’t have enough help! He needs like 8 future HOFers to play with- not any of those trash, young players who do all the dirty work! See, it’s not LeBron’s fault, it’s the guys he, err,…..Rob chose. Yeah, it’s Rob’s fault!!!

 

This team was awful, playing lethargic, uninspired ball before Covid hit as well as before AD, went down, but you will deny that, because that’s just what you do.
Try again.

 

I thought I made it clear...let me be more specific...No... G leaguers and Isaiah Thomas are not the same thing They weren't even in the League a week ago..as I posted. And No ...I haven't changed on the position, that Caruso Kuz and Kcp can be replaced at all. I still believe that their replacements are on this team right now. The problem is...they aren't playing. I may be one of the few left around here...but I'm still not abandoning the ship.

 

There is nobody on this team currently who can bring what Caruso or KCP brought. Go check the plus/minus numbers when LeGM and Caruso shared the floor.
AR-15 may come close, maybe even as soon as next season, but he’s not currently at Championship Level contributing yet.
There also isn’t anyone with Kuz’s length, skill set, nor desire to rebound the basketball.

 

Those guys were a part of a championship team and they deserved credit for their contributions.

Bunch of hype tho, about all that championship caliber play last season, and against Phoenix in the playoffs.

Kuz avg 13pts,6 rebs and 2 assists last season. Not third star stuff, but decent role player numbers. In the playoffs it dropped to 6 pts, 4 rebs and 1 assist.

Kcp avg 10 pts 3 rebs and 2 assists in regular season. In playoffs 6 pts 3 rebs and 1 assist. I liked KCP more of the 3 guys. His numbers weren't impressive, but he played close to 30 min a night. And HE was actually the one, that took on the other teams best perimeter player on defense. He did it every night.I can respect that.

Caruso the GOAT...in 20 mins a game..he avg 6 pts 3 rebs and 3 assists. During the season.

Against the Suns. He avg 6 pts 1 reb and .5 assist in 20 minutes. I always thought that Alex was a great team defender, outstanding even, but that his one on one D, wasn't as good as KCP's. A back up PG avg a half an assist in the playoffs? Come on

I get the intangibles, look beyond the box score, Yada Yada. But I think all three played better in the previous season including the playoffs. Good enough to expect them all to step up and play solid last season and in the playoffs. They had that championship experience right? It didn't quite work out like that though. Folks will talk about AD missing 30 games, Bron hurting the ankle. However that was actually the opportunity for these guys to step it up IMO. From what I observed...that "Championship Core", you keep preaching about, weren't really all that great of a "core". During the season, or in the playoffs.

 

:Vogelshocked:

It's like you've never seen the man play. A guy who will do all of the things that don't show up in the box score when that all others care about. Highest +/- in the league I believe. Chicago chants MVP! MVP! for this backup PG.

Have to disagree on this one. Having guys that know their roles, embrace them, do the dirty work, and keep your stars fresh? Cannot be overrated. Impossible. And you just shat on 3 guys who did an amazing job in their roles.

 

Nah...I've probably seen more of Alex than anyone on this board. He was a good local player in the Houston area in High School. I do get all the intangibles, hustle dirty work etc...he was the same guy in College. Plus minus is pretty much a meaningless stat to me. It depends on who is on the court with you. Remarkably Alex's pro numbers, are almost identical to his college numbers. Yet he is considered a borderline star around here. A half of an assist is what it is. 6 points are exactly what they are. When your main guys are hurting, you need your key role players to step up. None of the 3 did that during the season or in the playoffs. Doesn't mean I don't personally like them. I was more fond of KCP overall, but I always wanted to see Alex do well. Kuz..didn't quite dig him as much as Brandon, but I thought he had potential. I said that Kuz and KCP were getting moved the minute they got those extensions. It looks like were both getting shopped all last season. I figured it would be Alex or Talen but not both. So I wasn't surprised at how it all played out. It doesn't mean that I was right, or Rob was right. I just saw it coming. Ultimately...the bar set last season is the play in game and 1st round exit. I still think we will do better on both fronts. I haven't seen enough of these guys play for a consistent amount of time, to say anything definitive, the team doesn't look good at the moment though.
I was flatly wrong on one thing so far...I expected Nunn to be killing it by now and he hasn't even played yet. It’s still possible that it could all go left and crash and burn. We'll see.

 

The possibilities with Nunn, Bradley, and now Collison are really good for defense. Ariza and THT are good for D on wings, we have people that can play into the system if and when we ever get healthy. It's so easy to sit back and go "I saw this coming and this guy had potential" Alex Caruso being slighted? He makes 10 mil a year. Fantasy money to most including a ton of people on our roster. AC would have been 40 mil after tax hits. I don't think most people get that. KCP and Kuz's numbers are blah this season. Good defenders, we didn't lose much except GM's got to draw the line somewhere the idea is THT will be crushing it at 23-24 in AD's late prime. If we can stop looking gimpy, lame, we have the players to put together a great team. Chemistry I think has been hurt by non-expected starters..no Nunn or Ariza..little THT massive injuries and covid protocols like nothing ever seen before. Brutal on coaching and Frank, allowed some personnel and time, Vogel will get it together.