thebigbird wrote:tamaraw08 wrote:thebigbird wrote:In 2013/2014, Mario Chalmers averaged 66.1 touches per game, 4.25 seconds per touch, and 4.0 dribbles per touch. Last year in Indiana, 63.7 touches per game, 5.13 seconds per touch, and 4.7 dribbles per touch. If Mario Chalmers handled the ball that much starting with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and prime LeBron, Collison sill have no problem getting plenty of touches with old man LeBron and no other ball dominant wing in the starting lineup. The narrative that lebron turns everyone into "floor spacers" isn't accurate and needs to die.
Yes copying the successful formula formula in Miami would make sense but it seems like Lebron also has a personal agenda of leading the league in assists. Its working well against most average and good teams but the concern is if the team can sustain this for the next 60 games and if it would work against tougher defensive teams esp the Clippers.
The main question too is identifying the greatest need especially for the playoffs. Is it a starting backcourt partner or a bench playmaker who can create and generate points for this team when Lebron sits? Can Collison provide the former or the latter? Can he do both?
I'm pretty against point guard Lebron. I just don't like it. In the regular season it's fine because they'll be able to rack up wins against the bad and average teams, but when LeBron goes passive pass-first against the top teams we struggle. He has to be in attack mode come playoff time for the Lakers to go far.
I think Collison can do both. The last two playoffs with Indiana he averaged around 30 mpg. Lebron will probably play around 37-38 mpg. So even if Collison plays every single non-LeBron minute that's around 20 mpg with him where he can be the secondary ballhandler. The two big holes I see in the roster right now are a wing defender and a secondary ballhandler. If LA finds a way to get Collison and Iggy they'll be in business.
I would contend that there isn't a better ball handler in bigtime playoff series, than Lebron. It doesn't take a magnifying glass to see that the Lakers aren't running their bread and butter plays against the Clips and Bucks in regular season.. same way Steph & KD PnR was hidden from the league till the playoffs last 3 regular seasons.. same reason Coach Pop always used to rest different combos of TD, Manu & TP in big games during the regular season.
'Playoff Lebron' is a different animal. His stamina has become an issue now, and he doesn't like to initiate possessions all the time anyway, so Collison would indeed be a great addition, but there's no alternate reality where Collison is better QB than Lebron in a Playoff setting.