LLLLLeBron 3-5 Finals Record Without SuperTeam

Discussion in 'NBA Discussion' started by puffyusaf#2, Oct 5, 2014.

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  1. Helljumper

    Helljumper - Lakers All Star -

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    Kevin Love is straight garbage.
     
    Helljumper, Jun 19, 2016
    #1161
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  2. Jazzygirl205

    Jazzygirl205 - Rookie -

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    Kevin Love was a double double machine in Minnesota, he just didn't fit in, in Cleveland's lineup. He was definitely garbage on the Cavs but he was a superstar player on his own.
     
    Jazzygirl205, Jun 19, 2016
    #1162
  3. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Here's my thing: I still don't like him. Even in his best, crowning moment he's now finally earned my respect among the greats but not as a person.

    I can no longer take anything from LeBron. Did he have some help getting there? Sure, who hasn't? Jordan had Pippen and at times a pretty easy road. Kobe had a ring against a Dwight team that really wasn't close in talent level. Shaq and Kobe had each other. Kareem and Magic had each other. Bird had a team of Hall of Famers around him. Every single one of those guys got help along the way to a ring. I will never disparage this championship from LeBron. He earned it. He won it. He was the man on the squad. I know Kyrie elevated his game at the perfect time and Tristan Thompson turned into Rodman for a stretch there, but this was an earned ring with him on top. More than any other ring he's gotten. He's now firmly planted among the pantheon of greats in my book. Keep in mind he has the same number of rings as Bird, been to the same number of Finals as Kobe, and has a large number of statistical records. He's there now.

    But I still can't stand him. His acting at the end of the game was ridiculous. Yes I know it hurts hitting the ground, but he writhed around in pain and made a show of it. I can't hold it against a guy for having low pain tolerance, but have some dignity. No King I know acts that way. In that moment despite me accepting and honoring him for who and what he is, he reminded me why I don't like him. That's not the attitude I want to see from a Champion.

    Still, congrats to him. He earned one finally.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 19, 2016
    #1163
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  4. Juronimo

    Juronimo - Lakers Starter -

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    I have to disagree regarding the supporting cast. There seems to be habit of downgrading Kobe's teammates to make him look better.

    Those 2 championship teams had 3 top 15 big men in the NBA. Pau and Bynum were 2 of the 3 best centers in the league. Pau will be in the hall of fame. Odom was the Draymond Green of our team. Don't forget Ron Artest's contributions to that 2010 team.

    I'd take Pau over Kevin Love without even thinking twice. Kevin Love has been a minimal factor. Tristan Thomas outplayed him. Kyrie, it's debatable. I'd take Odom over Love also, due to versatility and defense. Those teams had versatile players that could play more than one position and could D guys up. Those Laker teams were stacked, and you need a stacked team to win a championship anyway.
     
    Juronimo, Jun 19, 2016
    #1164
  5. Jazzygirl205

    Jazzygirl205 - Rookie -

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    ^True, but isn't saying LeBron having less help downgrading someone like Kyrie, who if it wasn't for him the Cavs wouldn't have been in the position to win a title this season? Cab we call a spade a spade?

    I still think what Kobe and the Lakers did 09-10 was far more impressive, and that arsenal of shot display Kobe showed against the Suns was magnificent.

    I did say that doesn't downplay what the Cavs did against a 73-9 Warriors, but still...
     
    Jazzygirl205, Jun 19, 2016
    #1165
  6. scnottaken

    scnottaken - Rookie -

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    I'll always respect what Kobe did because he didn't collude with his buddies to form a team right when the league started tightening the reins on spending.
     
    scnottaken, Jun 20, 2016
    #1166
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  7. ZenMaster

    ZenMaster - Lakers All Star -

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    Cause he didn't hace any buddies... :Laugh:
     
    ZenMaster, Jun 20, 2016
    #1167
  8. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    wait...people are really arguing that the 09-10 lakers had a better group outside of kobe than lebron had in cleveland this year? man, that's whack.

    it's really funny to see people slamming love whilst propping up bynum, who put up 9 and 7 in those playoffs. tristan thompson was more impactful than bynum that year. love was 15 and 9 in these playoffs, btw.

    kobe/lebron
    pau/kyrie
    odom/love
    bynum/thompson
    artest/jr smith

    then you have your sashas and shannon browns versus iman shumperts and richard jeffersons.

    cleveland's got this; let's not be prisoners of the moment here.
     
    abeer3, Jun 20, 2016
    #1168
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  9. wcsoldier81

    wcsoldier81 - Lakers All Star -

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    1) What Kobe and the Lakers have to do with this ? ( more Lebron obsession by Kobe fans)
    2) Only a difference of six years but a whole different type of ball is played now so a comparaison hardly can be made
     
    wcsoldier81, Jun 20, 2016
    #1169
  10. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    hey, i didn't open the door, i'm just walking through it...
     
    abeer3, Jun 20, 2016
    #1170
  11. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    He earned this one, even though I'd say GS gave it to them vs. Cavs took it from them. Played some of the best basketball of his career and didn't shrink for once. I still loathe his NBA existence, the worship he receives, how much of his own stock he buys into, and the way he carries himself on the court is pathetic. Let's not even get into the "acting" performance at the end of the game. I wasn't sure whether they were about to amputate his wrist or the screen actor's guild was about to rush the court and hand him an award. Personally Kyrie would've been my Finals MVP vote, but that's me.
     
    JSM, Jun 20, 2016
    #1171
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  12. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    Here we go...

    This morning Stephen A said he isn't sure what Bron is going to do this summer. He delivered on his promise of bringing a trophy to Cleveland, so he's off the hook. He has a hard time seeing him leave. BUT if he does, LA is the favorites to land him. Miami is a close second, but from what he knows/has heard + his gut makes him believe he's heading to the Lakers if he opts to abandon them again. He's recently bought a house in LA and has aspirations that he can achieve in LA that go beyond basketball.

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    JSM, Jun 20, 2016
    #1172
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  13. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Like I said: get ready because here they come. The Bron to LA rumors were bound to start and they're only going to heat up from here. LeBron doesn't want to stay in Cleveland where it's cold and lonely. He wants that warm weather.

    The Lakers will approach him with "sign here, we'll get KD, and we'll get one more vet piece with you two. You'll be contenders until you retire and as you age the young guns will step in and take a bigger role."

    The percentage chance of LeBron coming to LA this summer went from 0.000001% to now a more reasonable 1-5% or so with a chance to go up even more. What does he have to prove to Cleveland anymore? Nothing. He gave them the ring. Now he can go and feel more free about things. This probably means you trade away a couple of the youngsters though which I would be very very bummed out about.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 20, 2016
    #1173
  14. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    Yep, Skip asked him who do the Lakers pair with him to sell hon on coming to LA and without hesitating, the answer was KD.

    But he also said he doesn't see Miami ("an elite organization") losing out on both Bron and KD this summer.
     
    JSM, Jun 20, 2016
    #1174
  15. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I could see LeBron going back to Miami too, but what for? I mean Bosh may never play again and Wade has a foot out the door. They'd be alright for a season or two, but there's not much future there. He'd be going for the weather pretty much.

    I'm not saying I'm very high on LeBron coming here, but there's a lot about it that makes sense. Besides winning a title right away. :D That wouldn't be the right move, but still it's there and SAS isn't the only one who thinks so.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 20, 2016
    #1175
  16. gill

    gill - Rookie -

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    Look... I don't mind having Bron here but at that age and mileage, how many years would he give us left. He can maybe eke out one championship out of him and make the kids elevate their game further.

    But for me... I just want to see the Laker kids play already as a whole unit and learn with Luke. I've been DYING for a full-on youth movement since we drafted Randle.
     
    gill, Jun 20, 2016
    #1176
  17. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    For the record: I'd be happy that the Lakers would be competitive. It'd be hard rooting for LeBron, but the most important thing to me is #17 and #18 and this makes that easier.

    I'd still hate LeBron's antics and would call him out every time as a player in our jersey. I hate seeing the floppy crap. I'd also be upset that we'd likely move on from a couple of the young guys that I really like, namely Randle would probably be gone.

    But if we can compete for a title tomorrow, I want to compete for a title tomorrow.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 20, 2016
    #1177
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  18. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    i'll take him. lakers have space for him and kd, and could probably package other assets for another major player if they wished. i don't see it happening, but i'm sure this is the FO's preferred course of action.
     
    abeer3, Jun 20, 2016
    #1178
  19. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    If LeBron gave them the nod, I can see Durant being intrigued. Durant and LeBron in LA would give Nike heart palpitations. They'd be in love with that idea.

    You probably end up trading Russell/Randle/#2 (or some permutation of that) for something though. That package could net you maybe Paul George if he demands out. It could get you Cousins.

    I'm very much happy to take our time and slow burn with the youngsters, but I'd be very much happier to win a title in the next couple years.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 20, 2016
    #1179
  20. Jazzygirl205

    Jazzygirl205 - Rookie -

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    KD is a smidgen younger than LeBron, I'd prefer if the Lakers went after him instead. Also KD has more of a perimeter game.
     
    Jazzygirl205, Jun 20, 2016
    #1180
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