The what went wrong is a no-brainer: We got out-rebounded 51-40 and it was worse than that, 'cuz ORL killed us with the 2nd chance hoops. Also, 1-10 from D-Lo from 3. And our bench is shallower than a TMZ staff party right now. Injuries are killing us. Not only 'cuz we desperately need guys like Rui, Taurean and Vando (we do), but 'cuz Bron and AD can't be playing this many mins this early in the season. ORL is better than they were last year. Maybe a lot better, but we'll see. What went right: Reaves is looking like he's back. All the way.
Pretty much this. We are missing a lot Gabe, Vando and Prince. They're 3 of our 4 best defenders. Add in Rui and it's not looking good. We're constantly trailing, we are never controlling a game no matter the opposition. LeBron is clearly saving his legs during games, he doesn't fight for a rebound, contest a shot or run for a ball after a deflection. We need to scheme rotations around that and have active and energised bodies with him. This team ain't been fun to watch. I hope it changes soon, we have the personnel. We're still not playing fluid on offense, we have so many different weapons, staff needs to do better
We only played 7 guys, and D'Angelo was terrible. When you are shorthanded, your starting 5 has to play well.
it's both. we really haven't played with much energy at all this year, AND we're missing half our rotation. but the stars are there, slick, so we should be winning, right?
If they play like stars. The other teams have talent too. We can't bank on Lebron and AD, putting up close to 40 apiece, in every game. We need around 40 a night from D'Angelo and Austin, with who's available right now.
can understand being out rebounded by a jokic or embiid but Mo wagner had 3 straight O-reb put back while we had ad/wood out there
Team doesn't really have an identity right now. After the trade deadline last year we became a physical, defensive team that could generate just enough offense between LeBron, AD and to a lesser extent Reaves. Right now we're not playing with that same force (in part due to Vando/Rui being out, in part due to LeBron caring even less defensively) and the guard play has been pretty shaky/inconsistent.
Idk...you have to play the cards that you are dealt. Some key guys are missing games right now, it is what it is. I'm not really convinced that, Lebron going into "playoffs mode", 6 games into the season, is what we need. I'm slightly concerned about Austin and D'Angelo, not finding their groove as a duo yet, more than anything. It's still only 6 games in, so even that isn't a huge deal. I just hope that,we don't have any serious, prolonged, injury situations going on all season. I'd like to see the team, we envisioned coming out of training camp, actually play 20 games or so together, before thinking about what's not working. Lol..but I'll probably be right there with everyone else, complaining about losing a particular game too.
bingo. and that's on the head coach and team leaders, imo. pick a lane and stay in it. we have no lane right now. but it is early.
There are Zero excuses for not having an identity right now. We brought back the core starting and bench units from last season. Yes, guys who were apart of this are out, but that shouldn’t change the “identity” of the team. They all should be behaving under the same core principles. Aside from the second half against the Flippers, I have yet to see great team defense. AD has been spectacular for the most part on D, but it takes the entire team to put forth that same effort.
Shrug then who specifically are we talking about? Lebron, Rui, Austin, D'Angelo? We know Jarred is hurt, but all this lack of identity and effort, can't be possibly due to Dennis Schröder not being here.
seriously the last play of the game is a 3 for a guy who's shooting 15%. There's a reason why they left him open!!!