LeBron James Discussion: Not Returning To The Lakers

Bronny isn't the problem, it's the other people we signed. You are picking on the 12th man on the bench. While the other 11 are making millions of dollars to play basketball too.

 

So by that logic, max players should be the least hungrier and bust their a** the least. Wow. You really come up with the most random arguments. Sometimes I think you're here conducting some type of devil's advocate experiment ahah

Anyway, I heard the first the buzz about his statement and thought it was another case of Bron using the media for whatever narrative he wanted for his benefit.
But hearing him, I don't think it's all that. It's a fact we're not a championship team and it's a fact that one of the reason is our "competitive intensity" consistency.

And I think he means more "mental readiness and sharpness" than "running a lot and hustling". Making correct decisions and be fully connected with the game and what the game is asking.
For example, Ayton is low motor and his energy levels fluctuate too much. But also his mental aptitude. He went for a steal while guarding J-Dub in crunch time. He's a center on a mismatch and goes for the steal at the top of the key. It's absurd.
But it's also guys like Smart, that hustle a lot but on a 12-0 run by OKC, he gets a fast break of like 3 on 1 and chucks a 3 at the top of the key. Misses, OKC rebound, fast break and easy dunk. We just needed to score at that point and cut the momentum, these things cost playoff games that end up costing seasons.

I do agree the timing is odd, as we battled the champions while having half-AR (Luka/Shai even out) and it's a good sign. But I do agree with what he's saying and I think it can benefit the team as a wake-up call for some guys to reach a higher level. We have the whole team on a contract year, so it's good to use that and try to spark a reaction from the guys.

 

That's a good post. My point in general is that your best players, are expected to carry a heavier load than your role players. So I'm not as critical on those guys about some things. Plus in LeBron's case, he's the oldest player in the league, I'm not really looking to him for energy plays. On the flipside, I don't crucify some of these role players, if they aren't making shots or plays as much either. They are role players not stars, however I do expect them to play with energy and urgency, because that's more effort (want to) than skill. That part is also important.

 

This guy still thinks that his comments matter.
The irony is thick with this one.
We can’t compete with the top teams because we are slooow and unathletic and old compared to them.
I don’t care if he can still complete alley oops and score 20 when we are almost the worst rated defensive team in the League.
We can’t play great defense because we are slooow and don’t have rotational foot speed compared to the top teams.
He basically just called himself out with these comments. He is one of the biggest reasons as to why we are horrible defensively. Split his $53 million between a POA defender and 3and D wing and boom, we are at least in the 8-12 range of defensive teams.
Swap out stoner Ayton for a big who is a real defender and our rating gets even better.

 

Yeah. I didn’t feel like he was singling out the rest of the team and giving himself a pass there. For all his faults and diva moments, the guy still knows what it takes to win.

He’s had some head scratchers and bad comments, but didn’t think much of that quote if I’m being honest.

 

Can’t guard a grandpa lol

 

Some people don’t agree with Kebron calling out the team, citing his tendency to make the team 4 on 5

 

my issue with him every time he does this stuff. you are part of we, and in this particular case (not giving full effort all the time), the very biggest part of it. so if you were saying the "royal we", ok, clarify that.

sorry, i know others in the the real world that pull stuff like this, and it drives me crazy then, too. if you're giving effort, you can call out others. if you have recognized you're not (and others aren't), you can state your intentions to fix that and hope everyone else does. but he has zero intentions to fix that...on his end. his own agent is out there blabbing on podcasts about how he doesn't even try on defense until the 4th quarter like it's something we should all expect and be happy about (some fans here agree, apparently).

you've been talking to the media for 25 years. you know what you're doing. you know how exactly how they're going to take your comments. and you should know--as theo pinson does from being one of the "other guys"--how your teammates will take it.

 

If the Lakers do get OKC Irwin made a basketball point which was also noted in the game chat, is good old fashioned bully ball worked against OKC and their overall aggressive blitz tactics that the Lakers have gotten since Phoenix

Put Lebron in the high post against dort and wallace and LeBron was able to just out-physical those guys.

(This is where Laravia misses were brutal, OKC had to give up open shots to deal with this not very pretty but effective maneuver)

 

Its just proves the elephant in the room. Lebron criticism to the media but can he take criticism from the coaches and players for his lack of energy and defense.

 

It's like Shaq calling out the team for not making their free throws.

 

Counting down the days…

 

by saying "we're not a top team because we can't make our free throws".

 

Old man triple double

Appreciate him before he’s gone!

 

That man is 41 years old.. You keep trying to make these equivalency statements with James for some reason. We didn't expect Cap to sprint down the floor. Hell we don't expect Luka to exert much effort on D either apparently, and he's in his prime. Yet LeBron James is fair game, because he makes 50M dollars. James has earned the right to talk some s*** IMO, especially about what it takes to be a Championship contender, nobody else on this team has won s***.

 

leading by example goes over better

I'd rather he lead by example, admit he can only do it for 20 minutes a game, etc. I'd respect that more.

The new generation doesn't want to hear his nonsense. Read the room. Get off my lawn.

 

#blessed



https://x.com/mcten/status/2022194793565368597?s=46

 

The new generation should be ashamed, that a 41 year old, is still a better player than 90% of them. Which speaks to a bigger point, are you willing to put in the work and dedication to get to this level? He shouldn't have to say that he can only do it for 20 minutes a game, no more than a 20 year old, should have to say, that they should be able to do it for 40 minutes. Both should be understood.

 

well if he plays 35 min at such a pace that he's a net negative, you bet there's reason for a conversation. That's terrible for the team, for winning, and for moral. The Lakers do not exist to let a player pad his career stats. We are after wins. Either you are part of a winning culture or you are an enabler.