Is Lebron protecting his FG%?

Mars · Post #101 » by **Mars** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 1:25 am

Only one perimeter player in the league is averaging 20+ points per game while shooting 50+ percent from the floor...

25.0 PPG (3rd in the league)
.590 FG (6th in the league)
15.3 FGA per game (lowest among league's top 10 scorers)

...Ultra efficiency has bypassed the volume shooting scoring leader.

TheAlchemist · Post #102 » by **TheAlchemist** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 1:44 am

To be honest, when it comes to what's better, efficiency vs high scoring numbers, i'm picking high scoring numbers.

The more shots you take, the harder the defence is and they adjust to you. The harder it is to pick your spots and keep scoring.

scoring 50 /60 / 70 IS NOT the same as shooting high efficiency.

When you score 50, teams feel like you just bitch smacked them. They do whatever it takes to stop you. It's different then saying I score 25 on 50% shooting. If you can say I score 33ppg on 50% shooting…

Then you're the best there ever was.

LastNameEver · Post #103 » by **LastNameEver** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 1:54 am

TheAlchemist wrote:To be honest, when it comes to what's better, efficiency vs high scoring numbers, i'm picking high scoring numbers.

The more shots you take, the harder the defence is and they adjust to you. The harder it is to pick your spots and keep scoring.

scoring 50 /60 / 70 IS NOT the same as shooting high efficiency.

When you score 50, teams feel like you just bitch smacked them. They do whatever it takes to stop you. It's different then saying I score 25 on 50% shooting. If you can say I score 33ppg on 50% shooting…

Then you're the best there ever was.

If its any consolation, give him 5 more shots and he'll get 30 ppg on 50%. He's done it before meh.

Add another 5 shots he can probably get 33 ppg 50%. Or is 35 ppg on 45%/27fga more impressive.

Rapcity_11 · Post #104 » by **Rapcity_11** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 2:04 am

BBallFreak wrote:All this does is make sure the offense, as a whole, is more efficient.

That's highly debatable.

TheAlchemist · Post #105 » by **TheAlchemist** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 2:07 am

WAD3 wrote:
TheAlchemist wrote:To be honest, when it comes to what's better, efficiency vs high scoring numbers, i'm picking high scoring numbers.

The more shots you take, the harder the defence is and they adjust to you. The harder it is to pick your spots and keep scoring.

scoring 50 /60 / 70 IS NOT the same as shooting high efficiency.

When you score 50, teams feel like you just bitch smacked them. They do whatever it takes to stop you. It's different then saying I score 25 on 50% shooting. If you can say I score 33ppg on 50% shooting…

Then you're the best there ever was.
If its any consolation, give him 5 more shots and he'll get 30 ppg on 50%. He's done it before meh.

Add another 5 shots he can probably get 33 ppg 50%. Or is 35 ppg on 45%/27fga more impressive.

Projection vs reality is totally different. Lebron would have to average 33-35 with those numbers. Then i'd say sure yeah. Till then can't say he's done it.

Post #106 » by **Sixerscan** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 3:04 am

TheAlchemist wrote:To be honest, when it comes to what's better, efficiency vs high scoring numbers, i'm picking high scoring numbers.

The more shots you take, the harder the defence is and they adjust to you. The harder it is to pick your spots and keep scoring.

scoring 50 /60 / 70 IS NOT the same as shooting high efficiency.

When you score 50, teams feel like you just bitch smacked them. They do whatever it takes to stop you. It's different then saying I score 25 on 50% shooting. If you can say I score 33ppg on 50% shooting…

Then you're the best there ever was.

It's sounds like you are more worried about the degree of difficulty than what is actually the best strategy to win games. Which is fine, especially if you are trying to compare him to some of the other all time greats, but it is probably different than what a lot of people are looking for. A lot of times the easy play is the right one, a lot of guys would be much better than they are if they didn't extend their games so much. Josh Smith is a great example of that.

I really don't think LeBron's aim is to be the considered the best scorer of all time (Which is smart because even that's what he wanted he wouldn't touch Jordan or Wilt and maybe some others in that category). I think LeBron's aim is to win lots of championships, and I think the way he is playing right now is the most conducive to LeBron James winning championships.

Joao Saraiva · Post #107 » by **Joao Saraiva** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 4:07 am

Some posters here are acting like LeBron can't score in volume.

He has scored over 30 PPG in the regular season, in the playoffs, he has had many volume scoring games in the playoffs... He has nothing left to prove.

aal04 · Post #108 » by **aal04** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 6:42 am

Everyone protects their fg% except Kobe who protects his ppg

aal04 · Post #109 » by **aal04** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 6:44 am

Everyone protects their fg% except Kobe who protects his ppg

Heat fan06 · Post #110 » by **Heat fan06** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 3:26 pm

He's picking and choosing his spots right now getting guys involved first which is what you want in the regular season. He's averaging 25 a game too so not like he's refusing to score Alot.

Antrim · Post #111 » by **Antrim** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 3:58 pm

Some of you guys are confusing cause and effect.

JonFromVA · Post #112 » by **JonFromVA** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 4:02 pm

James' approach makes perfect sense, but fans are getting ripped off to some extent because he doesn't really have to play very hard to do what he's doing. The regular season is becoming a joke.

Wonderllama · Post #113 » by **Wonderllama** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 4:19 pm

Lebron knows what he is doing, I am sure wins and championships mean more to him than stats at this point. Hmmm... maybe he's just trying to have his teammates engaged?

ThirdMan · Post #114 » by **ThirdMan** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 4:58 pm

RoyalWun wrote:This just in: the closer you are to the hoop the better chance you have of it going in.

This just in: a wide open jumpshot is better then running into a clogged lane...

I understand half court basketball and getting the highest percentage shot but how is a WIDE-OPEN jumpshot not high percentage.

Antrim · Post #115 » by **Antrim** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 5:10 pm

ThirdMan wrote:
RoyalWun wrote:This just in: the closer you are to the hoop the better chance you have of it going in.

This just in: a wide open jumpshot is better then running into a clogged lane...

I understand half court basketball and getting the highest percentage shot but how is a WIDE-OPEN jumpshot not high percentage.

You ever seen LeBron drive to the basket? He's kind of good at it.

RatherUnique · Post #116 » by **RatherUnique** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 5:11 pm

ThirdMan wrote:
RoyalWun wrote:This just in: the closer you are to the hoop the better chance you have of it going in.

This just in: a wide open jumpshot is better then running into a clogged lane...

Not for Lebron. He's virtually unstoppable at the rim regardless

Higga · Post #117 » by **Higga** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 5:14 pm

I don't think you can really argue with anything Lebron is doing at the moment.

heatwillbeback · Post #118 » by **heatwillbeback** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 5:24 pm

Heat fan06 wrote:He's picking and choosing his spots right now getting guys involved first which is what you want in the regular season. He's averaging 25 a game too so not like he's refusing to score Alot.

I do think this is a large part of it as well. Sometimes he starts off a game hot then tries to get teammates going, like versus the Cavs on Saturday. Sometimes he starts off slow and allows wade and bosh to shoot most of the first quarter until they come out and the Lebron/shooters lineup is in. It just depends.

And sometimes, like in Saturdays game and the shooters go cold, I do wish he would just take over.

The thing is, a lot if players gave up stats and money to be on the heat, and Lebron tries to get everyone touches. He tries to keep everyone happy, and considering with all the players on the team we have not had major chemistry issues, he is doing a great job of it.

That on top of the team being amazingly efficient due in large part to the way Lebron plays, I don't mind him passing up some contested jumpers and three point shots. He has shown the ability and mentality to take over in the playoffs.

micromonkey · Post #119 » by **micromonkey** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 6:19 pm

Yes he's protecting his FG% by not taking dumb shots.
If you look at his shot chart over the past few years--he's pretty much only shooting from his best spots.
He's also trying to get his teammates shots in their best areas.

He's playing for the post season anyway. He knows if it is Lebron ball then the team can turn into those Cavs teams where they can just load up on Lebron. Plus why wear yourself down in regular season.

It's what separates chumps from champs. It's a fine line--sure at times I'm sure he (and CP3 IMO) could take over a little more--since they can do so efficiently. But doing it all the time you get Rudy Gay/ (ie lead Brick Brother). You can probably find a lot of funny pics/posts on the Raps board or just look at his TS%.

If you are nitpicking Lebron i think his turnover% is up higher than his average this year. I'd take his .676TS; I'm sure it will go down a bit in the playoffs and he'll get more volume if needed.

maximusss · Post #120 » by **maximusss** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 7:04 pm

oh my how things can get turned and twisted when the agenda is there..

taking high percentage shots, making smart basketball plays = protecting FG%