The LeBron Thread (merged)

iamworthy · Post #21 » by **iamworthy** » Thu Oct 4, 2018 6:18 pm

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Post #22 » by **milesfides** » Thu Oct 4, 2018 6:38 pm

First of all, gravity always wins. Always. Why would anybody bet that Lebron will be the one who breaks the laws of physics? Sorry, everybody faded or broke down in their mid-30s. Even Karl Malone clearly faded, he didn't reach his career numbers after 34. His MVP at 35 years old (during the lockout season) was clearly a joke when the Jazz were knocked out in the 2nd round, and the Jazz were never in contention after that. Same with Kareem - won the MVP at 33 in 1980, but clearly faded after that. His best years were in the 70s.

For Lebron to be considered the best player in the league at 36 would be the first ever. What's more likely? The 100% of players who suffered career-ending injuries or faded after 35.

100%. Nobody survived.

Post #23 » by **milesfides** » Thu Oct 4, 2018 6:48 pm

I'm not saying Lebron won't be an effective of great player. Best case scenario, Lebron slow fades like Karl Malone. But what are we, grading on a curve? The game will pass you by the moment you start to slip.

If you want to win a championship, it's great to have a still-effective Kareem. But you'd better go get Magic and Worthy. It's great to have Duncan's limited but still-effective defense and post game. But you'd better go get Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker and Pop or you don't win anything. You can have a slow fade Lebron, but you need to have younger, BETTER players to replace him as alpha dog.

It's a young man's game. There's a cliff waiting at 35.

iamworthy · Post #24 » by **iamworthy** » Thu Oct 4, 2018 6:50 pm

Kilroy wrote:
The Regime wrote:I get where Miles is coming from. Lebron is more susceptible to a serious injury at this age, and if something was to happen to him it would set the franchise back another decade. But we cant discount the fact that Lebron is a freak of nature who has shown little to no signs of slowing down. He takes care of his body as well as anyone in the league, and I'm willing to bet on his health and durability.

This and you don't need him to play for a decade, you just need him to play long enough to attract other stars and smooth the transition into the next era... Hopefully out of the talent we have right now, we have a future face of the franchise, but if not, we have a much better chance of attracting that level of talent with LeBron on the team. Not only LeBron, but LeBron's people on the team... In a lot of ways, LeBron is the voice of the players right now... He has a lot of pull with current and future free agents...
I don't think this can be underestimated. He's the opposite of Kobe's King of the Hill approach to being the best player in the league... He draws people to him rather than scaring them away.

I'm probably forgetting, but what significant player has LeBron pulled in in the past?

Post #25 » by **milesfides** » Thu Oct 4, 2018 6:58 pm

Lebron's pull for superstars is highly debatable. It has already been reported that stars don't want to play with Lebron, from Kyrie to Kawhi to Jimmy Butler. Remember, it was Lebron who joined Wade on the Heat, and Kyrie on the Cavs. (Kevin Love was traded to the Cavs too).

Today's top players are very wary of joining an overpaid old fart (see Kobe Bryant). It wasn't that they didn't respect Kobe or his accomplishments, it's that he was old. That's why the Lakers struck out. That's why nobody wants to play with Hall of Famer, three-time champion Dwayne Wade (knee surgery at 31, trash at 35).

That's why KD joined the Warriors, that's why Chris paul joined the Rockets, that's why Gordon Hayward joined the Celtics, and that's why the Clippers are a destination (capspace). It's common sense. It's a young man's game.

And Lebron taking up 37m (35 years old), 39m (36 years old), and 41m (37 years old) will obviously make it very, very difficult to fit three max stars. And that matters: Lebron in his prime was never able to win with just one other star, so what are the chances he can do it now, when he's fading?

This is why we should trade him. We have to give up on Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, possibly Hart and Kuzma, to buy the least reluctant max player(s) to join Lebron? For what, a 2-year window against the Golden State juggernaut, then start all over?

This is what's happening: Lebron Inc. is hijacking the Lakers for a last act. He will pressure the Lakers into mortgaging their long term future, which was hard-earned for the past half-decade, for Lebron's last gasping efforts for a ring.

That's why we should trade Lebron. Kobe's contract extension at the same age was a major obstacle to competing. We need to move Lebron's contract to have the right mix: three proven superstars in their young prime, supplemented by great young talent on rookie contracts. Veterans on minimums. That's the correct way to spend on your cap.

kblo247 · Post #26 » by **kblo247** » Thu Oct 4, 2018 8:04 pm

Lamarcus and Melo would have been Lakers had Mitch and Jim been able to answer basketball questions

TylersLakers · Post #27 » by **TylersLakers** » Thu Oct 4, 2018 10:17 pm

TyCobb wrote:I'm worried about your health. My prayers are with you brotha.

Miles, come on dude.

23-_6-_23 · Post #28 » by **23-_6-_23** » Fri Oct 5, 2018 1:01 pm

People have been saying Lebron will slow down since 2012. Lakers fans enjoy this man, you won't see a better basketball player ever.

Hoopz Afrik · Post #29 » by **Hoopz Afrik** » Fri Oct 5, 2018 2:10 pm

23-_6-_23 wrote:People have been saying Lebron will slow down since 2012. Lakers fans enjoy this man, you won't see a better basketball player ever.

Right. They've been waiting for the slide since at least the past 4 years and we haven't seen it yet.

Post #30 » by **milesfides** » Fri Oct 5, 2018 4:22 pm

That's the faulty logic I'm addressing here. At some point everybody does in fact get old. Statistically, 35 has been the the upper limit.

Facts.

Penberthy · Post #31 » by **Penberthy** » Fri Oct 5, 2018 5:36 pm

I think it's hilarious to bring up historical facts and try to overlay them onto LEBRON. Historically speaking, exactly how many Lebrons have there been?

Lebron could play in the NBA at 40, never go faster than a jog or jump higher than an inch, and still be better than 80% of NBA players, simply because of his mind and passing alone.

iamworthy · Post #32 » by **iamworthy** » Fri Oct 5, 2018 6:10 pm

Penberthy wrote:I think it's hilarious to bring up historical facts and try to overlay them onto LEBRON. Historically speaking, exactly how many Lebrons have there been?

Lebron could play in the NBA at 40, never go faster than a jog or jump higher than an inch, and still be better than 80% of NBA players, simply because of his mind and passing alone.

Calm down.

Post #33 » by **milesfides** » Fri Oct 5, 2018 10:53 pm

TyCobb wrote:I'm worried about your health. My prayers are with you brotha.

Thanks! The penis reduction surgery went well.

Tell your mom sorry. About everything.

Post #34 » by **TyCobb** » Fri Oct 5, 2018 10:56 pm

iamworthy · Post #35 » by **iamworthy** » Fri Oct 5, 2018 11:01 pm

Landsberger · Post #36 » by **Landsberger** » Sat Oct 6, 2018 12:47 am

While I think the idea of trading Bron is beyond ludicrous I have said that I think the "window" is 3 years with him being our best player. That's why I feel that our youth had better grow quickly or we will see trades to get the super team in here to compete. I'm not convinced that they are going to let it ride this year. Bron has those 3 years and then I do agree that he will be past being the best player on a championship team. Do we have a "best player on a championship team" on our roster now? My thoughts are no. So if we fall to the 8th seed or below by the break all bets will be off on this roster IMHO.

myersia · Post #37 » by **myersia** » Sat Oct 6, 2018 1:40 am

Can we just be happy for once. We have had nothing to be excited about since Dwight left and we had our last little super team. we finally have the best player in the game again since prime kobe. Can we just enjoy him for now please?

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SlimShady83 · Post #38 » by **SlimShady83** » Sat Oct 6, 2018 2:12 am

myersia wrote:Can we just be happy for once. We have had nothing to be excited about since Dwight left and we had our last little super team. we finally have the best player in the game again since prime kobe. Can we just enjoy him for now please?

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

Hmm had something to say but i'll keep quite :roll:

Sedale Threatt · Post #39 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Sat Oct 6, 2018 3:56 am

EZ GG LOSER wrote:
myersia wrote:Can we just be happy for once. We have had nothing to be excited about since Dwight left and we had our last little super team. we finally have the best player in the game again since prime kobe. Can we just enjoy him for now please?

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

Hmm had something to say but i'll keep quite

Nah, I wanna hear more hot takes about LeBum. I'm sure they're brilliant.

Pythagoras · Post #40 » by **Pythagoras** » Sat Oct 6, 2018 4:43 am

milesfides wrote:
TyCobb wrote:I'm worried about your health. My prayers are with you brotha.

Thanks! The penis reduction surgery went well.

Tell your mom sorry. About everything.

Not gonna lie, I chuckled at this.