LABron James Discussion: 21st Season - Setting New Standards

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

  1. Cookie

    Cookie The Dame of Doom Staff Member

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    Definitely, when we are getting blown out and he’s still in the game. Injuries can happen at any moment but if he was playing 32 minutes instead of close to 40 like he does in some of these games that are already decided, I think it would be better for his long term health. Sure we made a run last night and came close but chances of us winning a game when we are that far behind are pretty slim. I realize we are trying to win games but we have to weigh out the chances of that when we are already behind 20 early in the second quarter. LeBron could always come back in in the fourth if we got it down to a winnable game.
     
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  2. KareemtheGreat33

    KareemtheGreat33 - Lakers MVP -

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    I’d rather have 27 year old LeBron:LLLLLebronlaughing:, too bad Dr. Buss was too old already when he became a free agent
     
  3. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    yeah, i just said in the AD thread that lebron's offensive play of late maybe isn't impressing me as much as it is the press. we're losing a ton in these games, like, worst stretch of the season. other players get murdered for statting up on bad teams.

    seems like the "holy crap look at those numbers at 37" headlines are covering for the "holy crap you can't win with lebron as a #1 guy anymore" headlines.

    and maybe you can, but we aren't and haven't all year.
     
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  4. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Yeah I rip him as much at times as others for his cringe worthy ego … but him playing well and scoring lots consistently at 37 is NOT the reason the team is losing. See your “bad team” comment in Vogel thread. ;)
     
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  5. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    him not playing defense with any consistency is part of it, though. i'd rather he score 23 and defend than score 33 and be a matador.
     
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  6. The Rock

    The Rock - Lakers Starter -

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    He roams quite often on defense and very undisciplined. Guys like AD, KCP and Caruso covered for him.


    If LeBron is going to play like this then he's going to have to play next to Stanley Johnson and Austin Reeves more often who are good at scrambling

     
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  7. svtzr

    svtzr - Lakers Starter -

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    I actually think Lebron has been very poor defensively this season, especially before the move to center (where he is getting a lot of steals stripping a player when they go up to shoot). He over helps or under helps, doesn't communicate to the next player when he is rotating and routinely just roams around breaking down our coverage without expanding any energy to stick to his man. He complains a lot to refs after his missed shots on offence and fails to get back, and on top of that, he blames his teammates for his own missed coverages which is so frustrating to watch.

    I've also caught him trying to pad stats a lot, going for a scoring opportunity to keep his 30pt game streak alive when better options were available and other such things which has been frustrating.

    With all that said, he is still a top 10 player at 37 and has the ability to dominate the game like few others. That's worth its weight in gold during the playoffs.
     
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  8. NickthaQuick

    NickthaQuick - Lakers 6th Man -

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    He has been pretty trash defensively with the exception of the fourth quarter if its close. The only hope is AD takes some of the scoring load and holds him accountable/motivates him like he did in 2019/20.
     
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  9. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    agree with all of this. i think all three of our stars thought having more stars meant not attending to detail, particularly on defense. and they're learning that that is FALSE.

    what bothers me is that lebron alone is immune from criticism. he's been bad on defense, and it hurts the team. period.
     
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  10. Alcindor

    Alcindor - Lakers Starter -

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    He hasn't maintained a 29 pt scoring average (0.3 pts away from being #1) since his first stint with Cleveland when he was 25. He's 37, to pull that off you have to be stat-padding by that meaning laying off on D. It's not like he's shooting better or some obvious other reason he's up on shot attempts and down 4 assists from the championship season. It's still impressive to score like that but it's like what a star does on a sh!t team they worry about #1 and getting their stats.

    Since he started this streak of (mostly) 30 pt games we've gone 7-10.
     
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  11. karacha

    karacha Moderator Staff Member

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    OK, that was an impressive game. Great $tats, no turnovers, impressive dunks, 2 blocks, 3 steals. Amazing, really.
     
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  12. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    lebronnod.gif as long as I get my stats yo, I don't care who plays

    "I need more help"

    :ADeyeshift:
     
  13. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Great game.
     
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  14. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    LebronDisgust.gif

    Great? How about Sensational? Phenomenal? What must I do to be your GOAT? Dude, I'm 37!
     
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  15. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    Those two back to back steals and breakaway jams were insane!!! Outrageous game tonight 33 pts making 2/3 of his shots. Unreal.
     
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  16. 432J

    432J - Lakers All Star -

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    just incredible what he's able to do at his age and with the mileage he's got

    insane
     
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  17. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    :Lebronwhat:

    :Shaqfunnyface:
     
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  18. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    I think he can even lean more into his scoring zone now that AD is back. Saw some of the tonight. He had a little extra pop at times tonight, because Russ can bring the ball up past half court and AD can be the captain on D.

    With everyone starting to fall into their intended roles, I think that continues.

     
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  19. The Rock

    The Rock - Lakers Starter -

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    Energy and effort was there tonight
     
  20. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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