LeBron James On Opponents Attacking Him On Defense: 'Come On With It'

[RealGM Wiretap]

LeBron James says he welcomes the challenge of teams targeting him on the defensive end.

“I mean, every team has the right if they want to single me out defensively. Come on with it. Hey, listen, come on with it. Every team has the right to be like, ‘Oh, ’Bron’s over there.’ Hey, just come on with it...We’ll see what happens," said James.

James added that he's not bothered by the criticism that he's slipping on defense.

“I really don’t care. Criticism doesn’t bother me. I love to play the game and my teammates know what I do for them and that’s all that matters...The only thing motivating me is how I can try to help my teammates be successful and trying to win ball games. So if [teams are] switching out on me with a guard and me having to try to get a stop, I mean, guys, they’re going to score. These are NBA players. I just try to make it tough on them.”

Via Chris Haynes/Yahoo! Sports

[TimRobbins]

Not really sure about his response. Is he actually admitting it's a good strategy to target him on defense?

[Vegeta10176]

Not really sure about his response. Is he actually admitting it's a good strategy to target him on defense?

He is saying if teams feel that way then bring it on.. They would do it anyway.. He does need to step up his defence especially because he is not a team that picks up his slack.. Harden Kyrie Steph all have teams that pick up the slack in fairness they have done more on defence lately than LeBron hence he needs to step it up..

[gh123]

The dude took a 20-game break to be friends with some random people in Hollywood and now he's super mad that everyone and their mother are calling him out for not making the playoffs lol.

[Bk68]

Not really sure about his response. Is he actually admitting it's a good strategy to target him on defense?

He is saying if teams feel that way then bring it on.. They would do it anyway.. He does need to step up his defence especially because he is not a team that picks up his slack.. Harden Kyrie Steph all have teams that pick up the slack in fairness they have done more on defence lately than LeBron hence he needs to step it up
Yeah Lebron. They see you coming and they are locking down on you. Your really good!
Secret is out. Deal with it

[bearadonisdna]

Much respect to lbj

[SlimShady83]

Does this guy ever shut up?

Can La trade him for a bag of peanuts already

[likashing]

It hasn't been a secret that LeBron hasn't played defense, especially in the regular season, for a few years already. Everyone who actually watches the game, instead of just the box score and is objective, sees it. The media is just afraid to talk about it.

Even Richard Jefferson, who can't stop sucking up on LeBron 24/7, said "Oh he has to do so much else on the team", when asked why LeBron doesn't play defense, basically admitting LeBron doesn't play defense because he needs to do so much other stuff offensively.

The objective fans know. Even his teammates know. The media and his teammates are just so scared of him to call him out.

He is great, don't get me wrong, but he is a defensively liability now except for 1-2 plays. Someone will post a pic of his chase down block on Iguodala I am sure. That was a great play btw. Without it he would have been 0-4 during his 2nd Cavs stint, and 2-7 overall.

[NBARocks]

Offenses are already attacking him. He doesn't need to tell them to "come on with it."

[arasu]

It hasn't been a secret that LeBron hasn't played defense, especially in the regular season, for a few years already. Everyone who actually watches the game, instead of just the box score and is objective, sees it. The media is just afraid to talk about it.

Even Richard Jefferson, who can't stop sucking up on LeBron 24/7, said "Oh he has to do so much else on the team", when asked why LeBron doesn't play defense, basically admitting LeBron doesn't play defense because he needs to do so much other stuff offensively.

The objective fans know. Even his teammates know. The media and his teammates are just so scared of him to call him out.

He is great, don't get me wrong, but he is a defensively liability now except for 1-2 plays. Someone will post a pic of his chase down block on Iguodala I am sure. That was a great play btw. Without it he would have been 0-4 during his 2nd Cavs stint, and 2-7 overall.

The same thing happened with Kobe. Whispers of his giving up on defense, eventually turned into Kobe just cherry-picking offense, leaking out to his offensive basket before the other team had even taken a shot. He still would take on the occasional 1-on-1 defensive challenge, until his Achilles injury, after which all pretense of defense disappeared.

For most two-way players, as they age they reach a point where they don't have the same energy level and physical springiness needed to compete at both ends. Some players focus more on becoming defensive specialists like Ron Harper and Grant Hill did. Others focus on offense like Kobe and now LeBron. And still others give up a little all-around like Jason Kidd did.

[br7knicks]

he's never been a great defender, so how can he be "slipping" on defense. he was always athletic, that's how he got by on defense. the chase down blocks once a month doesn't warrant being a good defender. takes way too many possessions off.


he's been all-defense, but this also coming from a league that gave james harden, a defenseless player, the MVP, only playing one side of the court.


never been a great defender, so yes, teams will continue to attack him if they want to do well. they'd be smart to do so.

[KingDavid]

he's never been a great defender, so how can he be "slipping" on defense. he was always athletic, that's how he got by on defense. the chase down blocks once a month doesn't warrant being a good defender. takes way too many possessions off.


he's been all-defense, but this also coming from a league that gave james harden, a defenseless player, the MVP, only playing one side of the court.


never been a great defender, so yes, teams will continue to attack him if they want to do well. they'd be smart to do so.

What?! He absolutely anchored our defense in Miami. Hell he locked up Rose in the playoffs. That dude was an excellent defender in his prime. The players and the coach had a deal that if they made a stop on defense, they're free to do what they want on offense on the next play.

Which is it? All defense or not a great defender? Same can be said for other MVPs. It's rare, but it happens. Steve Nash comes to mind. But usually it's credited to one of the best teams who would probably sink into the lottery without that year's MVP. I don't like Harden winning it last year for your exact reason, but no one else stood out as far as impact is concerned. Giannis and PG have stepped way up this season though.

[koningcosmo]

Does this guy ever shut up?

Can La trade him for a bag of peanuts already

its hard to shut up if everything is being asked to him from the media and he could be fined from voiding the media. So what was he supposed to say when asked from the media?? no comment?? Should he cry like a baby?

[TimRobbins]

Not really sure about his response. Is he actually admitting it's a good strategy to target him on defense?

He is saying if teams feel that way then bring it on.. They would do it anyway.. He does need to step up his defence especially because he is not a team that picks up his slack.. Harden Kyrie Steph all have teams that pick up the slack in fairness they have done more on defence lately than LeBron hence he needs to step it up..

He doesn't have the energy to play both sides anymore. That's why his team is not dong very well despite his good numbers on the other end. I'm not sure he even cares.

[koningcosmo]

It hasn't been a secret that LeBron hasn't played defense, especially in the regular season, for a few years already. Everyone who actually watches the game, instead of just the box score and is objective, sees it. The media is just afraid to talk about it.

Even Richard Jefferson, who can't stop sucking up on LeBron 24/7, said "Oh he has to do so much else on the team", when asked why LeBron doesn't play defense, basically admitting LeBron doesn't play defense because he needs to do so much other stuff offensively.

The objective fans know. Even his teammates know. The media and his teammates are just so scared of him to call him out.

He is great, don't get me wrong, but he is a defensively liability now except for 1-2 plays. Someone will post a pic of his chase down block on Iguodala I am sure. That was a great play btw. Without it he would have been 0-4 during his 2nd Cavs stint, and 2-7 overall.

if you actually watched the Lakers games this year its the complete opposite. Yeah there has been some plays were he did nothing on defense. which actually got in the media and everyone is talking about, so the media does call him out. But there are also alot of plays were he actually is playing real good defense. Getting blocks, charges, steals etc. which gets confirmed if you look at his advanced stats it shows he is the second best defender on the team.

[Rashidi]

LeBron ranks 6th among SFs in DRPM (1.87)

Last season was literally the only year of his career he was a bad defender in the regular season (he was ELITE in the playoffs).

DRPM
2019: 1.87
2018: -0.67
2017: 1.93
2016: 3.30
2015: 2.76
2014: 0.43

Context: Paul George leads all SFs w/ 3.20

If ya wanna talk about SFs who carry their teams on offense and have slipped on defense, Kawhi Leonard is currently 45th (-0.12)

Most of ya'll act like LeBron is Luka Doncic level bad (-0.91 / 69th). Learn the difference.

[WaltFrazier]

He never guards anybody who's much of a scoring threat. Like against Houston he always takes PJ Tucker who mostly stands in the corner. Never Harden, or KD. Any stats that show he is still a good defensive SF, must not account for the guys he's guarding

[Throwback24]

LBJ hides on D every game to conserve energy. When he can't hide on someone like Tucker or Ibaka, role players take him off the dribble and expose his piss poor effort level.

LBJ has gone from shuffling his feet on D to swiping after blow bys. Free safety Kobe defense.

[deeps6x]

He can't just say "Bring it"?

[Disinformation]

He can't just say "Bring it"?

I think he's saying "Come on it with it" like "Come on, already. Blow past me while I stand there glaring at a teammate and score already so I can get back on offense and make some plays for Sports Center."