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LABron James Discussion: The Final Year?

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

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Drunken_Master - Rookie -

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Completely unnecessary hate. It makes perfect sense that LBJ is a guy with a lot of turnovers, because he has always been the playmaker throughout his extremely long career. Do you have any idea that Kobe is the person with the most missed shots? The fact that this guy managed to maintain such shape for such years is scandalous! ОК, he doesn't play defense but that's since he left Miami...

Remember, this freak of nature was starting to play in the NBA, from the time when...
KG was in Minnesota and became the MVP
Kobe and Shaq were still together on the Lakers
Reggie Killer was still an active player
No one had seen "Malice at the Palace" yet
Kendall Jenner was still a virgin (it is uncertain )

Drunken_Master, Jan 14, 2023

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He has no creativity. He has no post game, no foot work, no mid range game. When his superior physicality is neutralized, he has no in between game to turn to.

He's shooting 39.6% in the paint outside the restricted area

He's shooting 37.8% from 8 to 16 feet.

https://www.nba.com/stats/player/2544/shooting

The Rock, Jan 14, 2023

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it seems to me that we are taking our arguments from... 39.6% , 37.8%... And ? At the same time, the FG% for a consecutive season is over 50... Points, rebounds and turnovers are also better than his career averages. In the last two seasons, he has also improved his free throws and raised his percentages. Name me five basketball players who have done something similar to 38 !?

Drunken_Master, Jan 14, 2023

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FrontOfJersey22 - Lakers All Star -

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Pioneer10 said: ↑

He's still a great athlete even by NBA standards but damn you can see he died have that kind of explosion anymore
Click to expand...

Kobe was and still is an under rated passer. He made some of the craziest passes I have ever seen. This part of his game was just overshadowed by his scoring game that literally had no weaknesses.

FrontOfJersey22, Jan 14, 2023

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The Rock said: ↑

He has no creativity. He has no post game, no foot work, no mid range game. When his superior physicality is neutralized, he has no in between game to turn to.

He's shooting 39.6% in the paint outside the restricted area

He's shooting 37.8% from 8 to 16 feet.

https://www.nba.com/stats/player/2544/shooting
Click to expand...

Drunken_Master said: ↑

it seems to me that we are taking our arguments from... 39.6% , 37.8%... And ? At the same time, the FG% for a consecutive season is over 50... Points, rebounds and turnovers are also better than his career averages. In the last two seasons, he has also improved his free throws and raised his percentages. Name me five basketball players who have done something similar to 38 !?
Click to expand...

lebron knows how to pick his spots, including buying into the lazy three point attempt as a way to maintain "efficiency".

i've been disappointed that he didn't develop a midrange game as he aged. i really thought he'd morph into a smarter karl malone towards the end, but he went with "bigger trae young".

anyway, not really here to throw shade like i think rock is, but i'm also not here to defend all of his choices. his team would be better if he could punish from the elbow and focused more on defense, imo.

abeer3, Jan 14, 2023

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Khmrp - Lakers Legend -

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just demand his trade already n end this klutch nightmare

Khmrp, Jan 15, 2023

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Right. Can't wait to root for a bunch no names and crappy players

Kenzo, Jan 15, 2023

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Kenzo said: ↑

Right. Can't wait to root for a bunch no names and crappy players
Click to expand...

isnt that whats happening now?

Khmrp, Jan 15, 2023

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I’ll take a roster full of guys like Reaves, T. Bryant, Gabriel, Walker and Max over this mess.

FrontOfJersey22, Jan 15, 2023

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Khmrp said: ↑

isnt that whats happening now?

Click to expand...

No. It’s a bunch of has beens who are still being paid like they are the best in the League.

FrontOfJersey22, Jan 15, 2023

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FrontOfJersey22 said: ↑

No. It’s a bunch of has beens who are still being paid like they are the best in the League.
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isnt that just another way of saying crappy players? n @Kenzo don't you hate on lebron anyways?

Khmrp, Jan 15, 2023

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I respect the guy and am thankful he saved our sorry a** franchise. Sure thing i loved Kobe/Shaq, Kobe/Pau teams more but without Bron (and AD) this would be a DISASTER of epic proportions. Think Charlotte, Detroit etc...

Kenzo, Jan 15, 2023

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Kenzo said: ↑

I respect the guy and am thankful he saved our sorry a** franchise. Sure thing i loved Kobe/Shaq, Kobe/Pau teams more but without Bron (and AD) this would be a DISASTER of epic proportions. Think Charlotte, Detroit etc...
Click to expand...

hard to believe when you go so hard at hating on him in game chat

Khmrp, Jan 15, 2023

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abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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Kenzo said: ↑

I respect the guy and am thankful he saved our sorry a** franchise. Sure thing i loved Kobe/Shaq, Kobe/Pau teams more but without Bron (and AD) this would be a DISASTER of epic proportions. Think Charlotte, Detroit etc...
Click to expand...

if lebron didn't choose to come here, we'd literally be the knicks by now. and we may still end up being the knicks, but at least he helped us stave it off for a while.

abeer3, Jan 16, 2023

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For speculation purposes, David Aldridge wrote a piece today on hypothetical trades involving Bron. He broke down why team x wouldn't be interested in before getting into who could be interested. It's a long read, so I'm going to keep it strictly to the six teams he says hypothetically could be in play, why, and what players are involved in his thought exercise...

Atlanta

In alphabetical order:

Atlanta Hawks
Assuming the point of the Hawks acquiring James is to pair him with Trae Young, the Hawks’ All-Star guard is off-limits. But Atlanta, clearly a team in disarray, still has some intriguing assets.

Start with Dejounte Murray, acquired last summer from the Spurs. His fit with Young hasn’t been all bad, but it’s far from perfect. A 26-year-old All-Star lead guard under contract through 2024 is a good starting piece for the King.

John Collins has been available for a while. In this scenario, he could be L.A. bound or ultimately re-routed elsewhere in a bigger deal to bring in more assets for the Lakers. Would L.A. want Clint Capela to assure AD wouldn’t have to play the five indefinitely? Or, maybe Bogdan Bogdanović’s career 38 percent from deep would be more valuable going forward. While Atlanta sent three first-round picks (2022, 2025, 2027) to the Spurs for Murray, along with a 2026 pick swap with San Antonio, the Hawks still could include either their own 2024 first-round pick or the protected 2024 first they got from Sacramento in the Kevin Huerter trade last summer without violating the Stepien Rule.

Let’s say it’s Bogie over Capela.

The Trade Offer: LBJ and Patrick Beverley (via sign and trade) to Atlanta for Dejounte Murray, John Collins (for now), Bogdan Bogdanović’, Justin Holiday and the lower of Atlanta’s/Sacramento’s 2024 first-round picks.
Possibility scale: 5.5/10
Click to expand...

Brooklyn

The Nets were rolling with Kevin Durant playing at an MVP level before he suffered his MCL sprain. So maybe there’s a scenario where they run the table, win it all, and run everyone back next year, including Jacque Vaughn. But that still feels like a longshot. Assuming Kyrie Irving’s marriage of convenience with Brooklyn gets annulled by his pending free agency, the Nets surely would be in the market for another superstar.

Would KD want to stay if Irving walks? It certainly seems like Vaughn is more up KD’s alley than Steve Nash was, so it’s less likely the Nets’ superstar will again demand to be dealt. Even if he did, why would the Nets move him when they didn’t give in last summer, when he had a lot of leverage? Durant again is showing he’s still one of the best ballers in the league, would still have three years left on his current deal and has shown he can attract another superstar to join him.

The problem is the Nets don’t have much beyond Durant and Irving that would interest the Lakers. A Ben Simmons-centric package is not gonna get it done, even though Simmons might thrive more on a team where he’s more of a centerpiece. Since Irving and L.A. were all but canoodling with one another last summer, it’s much more likely that the Lakers would hold out for Irving to join James and AD in L.A. on a short deal next season, rather than send James to play with KD and/or Irving in Brooklyn.

The Trade Offer: No logical offer is visible
Click to expand...

Chicago

The Bulls’ retool around DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine has hit a bumpy patch, but the front office has shown an ability to recalibrate on the fly. LaVine is six years younger than the 33-year-old DeRozan, so one guesses Chicago would be more inclined to hold onto him. Yet the Compton-born-and-raised DeRozan is still a viable, productive co-star, if not a leading man. DeRozan and the Lakers courted in 2021 before he agreed to the sign-and-trade deal with Chicago. DeRozan and Davis could create all kinds of pick-and-roll mayhem for opponents, getting the Lakers’ opponents into the free-throw penalty early and often.

One guesses L.A. would also love to reacquire Alex Caruso, who signed a four-year, $37 million contract with Chicago in 2021 when the Lakers, inexplicably, wouldn’t pay him the modest bump in salary he’d earned in helping them to the 2020 Bubble title in Orlando. He would slide right into the starting point guard spot next to DeRozan in a remade Lakers backcourt. Patrick Williams has yet to live up to being the fourth pick of the 2020 draft, but he’s still a bouncy forward who could help L.A. out on the glass and on defense.

Conversely, James, LaVine and a re-signed Nikola Vučević could be quite ornery in the half court. If Lonzo Ball ever did get healthy enough to join them, there could be all kinds of fun in the Windy City on cold winter nights, with James and Ball taking turns throwing oops to LaVine.

The Trade Offer: LBJ to Chicago for DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso and Patrick Williams.
Possibility scale: 5/10
Click to expand...

Nawlins

Pelicans GM David Griffin had LeBron in Cleveland, built a strong relationship with him and shares his determination to not skip steps in building a championship culture. But with Zion Williamson playing out of his mind so far this season and the Pelicans storming near the top of the West even with Brandon Ingram injured, there’s little chance the Pels are gonna rock the boat now. There’s also not much of an on-court fit between James and Williamson, since neither spaces the floor and both do their best work deep in the paint.

Another reason a LeBron deal with New Orleans feels unlikely is that the Pels have the Lakers’ unprotected 2023 first-round pick – yet another bounty from the AD trade. If the Lakers crash and burn this season, New Orleans would add another lottery talent to its already stuffed roster. (If the Pels somehow get No. 1 and Victor Wembanyama, this spring … geesh.) It would be fiscally smarter for the Pelicans to add a big-upside rookie on a cost-controlled contract than take on James’ hefty salary.

On the other hand, James remains an expectations lifter who could be a great help to coach Willie Green, who has his own championship bona fides from his time as a Warriors assistant.

Also: the Pels desperately need and would like a new arena to replace Smoothie King Center. Will the city and state provide the public dollars needed to help finance a new building for the current team, no matter how good it is now or as high as its potential could be? I don’t follow Louisiana politics closely, so I don’t know. But would local jurisdictions be more inclined to pony up for a new spot if they knew they could watch LeBron anchoring a championship-ready squad in SKC for a couple of years while the new joint gets built, after which Zion would be the franchise/building draw for a decade? If LeBron helped Nawlins get to even one finals in an abbreviated stay there, wouldn’t that be worth it?

The logical centerpiece going to the Lakers would be Ingram, a prolific scorer in any system. It’s not a criticism of Ingram to note that since Nov. 25, when he went out with a toe injury, New Orleans has been a more than adequate enough 12th in the league in offensive rating – and 10th in defensive rating. The Lakers could also ask for the return of the 2024 first they also have to send New Orleans as part of the AD trade. With three ’24 firsts in their quiver, the Pelicans may want to get off of at least one of those, anyway, allowing the Lakers to add a young and inexpensive player to their rotation. L.A. would probably also demand another young player, like New Orleans’ 2022 first-rounder Dyson Daniels, or perhaps Herb Jones. The Pelicans would likely counter-demand that the Lakers kick rocks.

The Trade Offer: LBJ to New Orleans for Brandon Ingram, Devonte’ Graham and the reacquisition of the Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick.
Possibility scale: 3.5/10
Click to expand...

Philly

Daryl Morey will make any trade at any time if he thinks it increases his team’s chances of winning by even a fraction of a percentage. LeBron alongside Joel Embiid and James Harden certainly does that. Yet there isn’t a logical mesh between James and Harden unless Harden committed to a full-time switch to shooting guard – if not a catch-and-shoot type, perhaps a curl and second-side drive type – and left James more of the ballhandling responsibilities. Could that happen? Sure. Would it? Hard to see it. But if the Sixers don’t break through and reach the Finals this season, all bets are off.

Philly’s Tyrese Maxey is precisely the kind of shooting + finishing player who would thrive with James, so he’d top the Lakers’ ask-for list. The 22-year-old quicksilver guard has future superstar written all over him and would be a great fit with Davis.

Tobias Harris would have to be included in the deal to make it work financially, but he wouldn’t be a mere throw-in. For all of the local moaning about his game, Harris is still just 30, capable of creating his own shot and a career 37 percent shooter from deep. He would help the Lakers space the floor for Davis and Maxey to do their things. Matisse Thybulle has seen his minutes cut in half in Philly this season, but if Ham can position Westbrook to be a more effective offensive player in L.A., imagine what he could do with the 6-6, similarly perimeter-challenged Thybulle – and how he could weaponize the two-time second team all-Defense honoree at the other end.

The Trade Offer: LBJ to Philadelphia for Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle and the highest of the Sixers’ three 2023 second-round picks.
Possibility scale: 4/10
Click to expand...

Phoenix

It’s no secret that James and Chris Paul have always wanted to play together. The Lakers, of course, would ask for Devin Booker as the key part of any package in return. The Suns, of course, would say no. But the Suns have other options that could get the Lakers toward yes, even if it kept James in the west.

It’s hard to see Suns center Deandre Ayton having a long shelf life in Phoenix, considering he still seems far from simpatico with coach Monty Williams. He’d be the logical target for the Lakers, giving them a monstrous front court with AD. (In the real world, the Suns might want to make it a three-team deal to ensure they don’t have to see Ayton three or four times a year for the next decade, but for the purposes of this exercise, let’s keep it to Phoenix and L.A.). Including Mikal Bridges is likely a non-starter for the Suns, so it’s easier to see Phoenix being willing to part with Cam Johnson, who’s missed most of this season with a torn right meniscus, but brings elite shooting to the party.

But, Johnson will be a restricted free agent this summer, so including him in a potential offseason deal would be much more complicated, as he’d be subject to base-year compensation rules. (Trust me when I tell you you’d rather re-grout your tub right now than read through all the machinations of BYC.)

A cleaner inclusion would be Suns guard Landry Shamet, who’s become an almost exclusive shooter behind the arc, and a really good one (career .389).

Jae Crowder, who’s been seeking a trade all season and has been away from the Suns while they try to find him a new home, is an obvious person to include as well, since he’s a 3-and-D wing who could step in and play significant minutes immediately. But, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and would have to be signed-and-traded. (We are assuming neither Crowder nor the Lakers’ Thomas Bryant will find massive raises in the NBA ecosphere, and would re-sign with their respective teams at or near their current prices to facilitate a deal.)

The Trade Offer: LBJ and Thomas Bryant (UFA/S/T) to Phoenix for Deandre Ayton, Landry Shamet and Jae Crowder (UFA/S/T).
Possibility scale: 4.5/10
Click to expand...

JSM, Jan 16, 2023

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Khmrp - Lakers Legend -

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abeer3 said: ↑

if lebron didn't choose to come here, we'd literally be the knicks by now. and we may still end up being the knicks, but at least he helped us stave it off for a while.
Click to expand...

not saying he needs to be traded but if he wants out we should oblige

Khmrp, Jan 16, 2023

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Khmrp said: ↑

not saying he needs to be traded but if he wants out we should oblige
Click to expand...

absolutely. i know others disagree, but i think this is a fine ending. he doesn't have to retire here for his stint to have been a success. and if we gracefully oblige a trade request, i don't think it hurts the brand like others have suggested. it is what it is. we currently are not good. we are unwilling to sell out the next decade to get pummeled by boston in the finals, assuming lebron and AD actually make it that far.

abeer3, Jan 16, 2023

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Everything comes down to rolling the dice on AD's health. If we trade for Bojan and AD and Lebron are healthy for the playoff we would be the best team. Our role players are playing good basketball. I'm just not sure they have the jewels to make that kind of roll and if they do it needs to be soon so we are in the playoffs. Ham being a rookie coach is a bit scary but rookie coaches have won it before.

Toklat, Jan 16, 2023

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What the hell happened to this guys three ball?? He needs to abandon it from his game now.... And for the record he did get fouled by Christian Wood at the end of the first OT in Dallas on Thursday. The league admitted it

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...attempt-thursday-says-last-two-minute-report/

Somehow they are saying the Embiid grab on Russ at the end of last game was incidental contact though? BS

NickthaQuick, Jan 16, 2023

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JSM, Jan 16, 2023

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