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Tuned into the Blazers game in the 4th, LBJ checks in and doesn't show a sense of urgency being down nearly 10 or even bother to get into a defensive stance. Jogging around and going possessions without touching the ball or boxing out. Looks bored out there and even worse than the coasting LBJ of last year.

My guess is he's dealing with his back injury. Thoughts?

Looking at the defense being played by Kyrie and Love would get anyone down.

rockersdash wrote:Tuned into the Blazers game in the 4th, LBJ checks in and doesn't show a sense of urgency being down nearly 10 or even bother to get into a defensive stance. Jogging around and going possessions without touching the ball or boxing out. Looks bored out there and even worse than the coasting LBJ of last year.

My guess is he's dealing with his back injury. Thoughts?

IDK I thought the same thing something is not right. Maybe he just doesn't care anymore???

Yeah that is a concern. He looks like he lost a lot physically as well, its weird.

He looks like he misses his BFF or something

Yeah I've noticed it as well. I'm not sure what's up with him. Maybe he's just disappointed with how things have been so far?

I noticed this too. In the first game against the Knicks he played similarly. Both nights he deferred to Kyrie, stood around on the perimeter a lot, and wasn't near as aggressive in driving as he usually is. I think it's either the weight loss or an injury but something is definitely up.

You can tell by the way he's moving that he's not physically right at the moment.

With his size and athleticism it's not a major shock that his back might be giving him grief, I've always suspected in to his 30's he'd be dealing with either a back or knee issue

He looks like he aged 5 years to tbh can't blow past nobody lazy on D handle looking weak idk maybe he's hurt but he looks bad even the chiacgo game he diddent look that great!!


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It's the Cleveland water.

No but seriously they've played 3 games. Let's wait before declaring the Cavs a disaster and the Rockets a title contender because they're 5-0.

He needs more help.

Back injury would be my best guess but the team is going to feed off his energy and right now he is providing none. I am ok with sitting him if it is a real problem, but the status-quo isn't going to do it.

He's trying to get others involved... The success of the team does not depend on LeBron playing well. Its really about the others playing well.

It wasn't a big deal, he's just so happy to be home he gets depressed when he leaves.

After all, it was all about going home. Back to Cleveland.

You know, his home.

...

HOME.

Hasn't had a game with a positive +/- yet.

I generally don't like commenting on "body language" because it's such a finicky thing.

However, the one thing I have definitely noticed is that he's not blowing by anyone, at all. There were a couple possessions in the second half where he got Batum in the air on a pump fake, but he still couldn't blow by him. Even when he's getting into the paint, he's not really attacking, and is settling for these one-legged, off balance fadeaways, or some absurd floaters. It might simply be a conditioning issue, but it seems to be more than that. It really seems as if his back is giving him trouble, considering he's rarely getting low while dribbling, and he almost never gets into a defensive stance. He seems stiffer than usual, and his explosiveness hasn't made an appearance.

Or maybe he's just coasting. . .

2012-13 LA Lakers all over again.

Looks like he is going to need 4 all stars this time around.

EnigmaticProblem wrote:I generally don't like commenting on "body language" because it's such a finicky thing.

Or maybe he's just coasting. . .

It sure is, but even coasting LBJ goes into attack mode in the 4th.

This is something deeper, an injury or maybe teaching the chuckers down there how bad they will lose with them playing like today.

picc wrote:It wasn't a big deal, he's just so happy to be home he gets depressed when he leaves.

After all, it was all about going home. Back to Cleveland.

You know, his home.

...

HOME.

With you repeating home again and again, it reminded me of Quinn telling Carrie about not bombing Saul in Homeland haha.

rockersdash wrote:

EnigmaticProblem wrote:I generally don't like commenting on "body language" because it's such a finicky thing.

Or maybe he's just coasting. . .

It sure is, but even coasting LBJ goes into attack mode in the 4th.

This is something deeper, an injury or maybe teaching the chuckers down there how bad they will lose with them playing like today.

They've been losing their whole NBA lives though.

HGH withdrawals.