LABron James Discussion: The Final Year?

yeah, i missed that one. good news if true, though it seems like it might be a bit early to even know that. from what the guy said, it sounds like the swelling is still pretty high, which i think makes imaging more difficult? hopefully this means at least that xrays were all good. that would be a major bullet dodged.

 

we're better equipped from a talent standpoint than we were a few weeks ago, for sure. just so few reps with the new squad, and russell's probably going to be less than 100% for a bit, too. that's a lot on AD and schroder. beasley's going to have to be on, and walker may have to step up, too.

 

if he's done for the year, they might as well just start exploring trade options come the offseason. it's become obvious there's just no way they can rely on lebron and AD to stay healthy for a playoff run

running it back with this team next year is an attractive thought until you realize lebron will just be a year older and that he hasn't been able to stay healthy since 19-20

 

Shams is hearing 2-3 weeks, this is from the foot injury back in Jan that he's been playing on. Also some MD speculation




Then you have slightly different reports from Woj and Haynes

 

he's done for the season

 

i think you have to operate on that assumption. so does the team pack it in or keep fighting?

 

with the recent moves, for sure keep fighting and hope AD can play like he did the other night on a consistent basis

 

If only it happened a month ago…

 

to be clear: i'm obviously in favor of "keep fighting". but what i want to know is how this will affect the team's psyche. this is where ham needs to earn his cash, imo. AD's not a vocal leader; it's just not his personality. so we really don't have one other than the coach with lebron out. and i know lebron's still around, but it's different when you can't be out there, imo.

who's going to make sure everyone is accountable and making an effort?

 

On board with this. If it becomes clear that LeBron isn't coming back, maybe sit AD the final week or so of the regular season. I still want AD to get reps playing with DLo and Vando.

 

lebron on the bench? who knows. this team doesn't have much of a vet presence

 

I'd say...if it isn't AD - and I agree: he's not that kind of a personality - the leader has to be Denis.

But then I realize my brain can't get on board with that, either. Can't convince myself about Denis. (Maybe Denis?) I don't know enough about him, really. I don't see it.

Lebron on the bench is as close as I can see anything there. No active player seems like an Alpha Dog leader type to me. When you just got here from another team and you're 23-25 years old - a huge chunk of the team, suddenly - it seems unlikely you're suited to the role. In 12 days AD turns 30: our oldest active player now. D-Lo just turned 27 five days ago.

With the way Jarred Vanderbilt did EVERYTHING in the last game, I'd say: Vandy? Step up! You can do everything, man! But he's only 23!

Magic deferred to Cap, but Magic was still a fully-fledged leader-type by age 23. You just don't see that anymore.

Man! Remember last year when everyone on the roster was 54 years old? Times have changed, friends. Times have changed. We young AF now.

 

Are we forgetting PHIL. HANDY?

 

So the news could. Get worse

 

The vocal leader should be DLo, but I know he’s never been seen as that guy. Maybe it’s time for him to step into that role now that there is an obvious void.

 

that's what happens when you consistently play him close to 40 minutes a game to try and salvage wins for a lousy team