The Lebron Thread (2015-16 Pt. 3)

[therealbig3]

And offensively, LeBron's decline as a player is a big deal. I know we try to pretend like it's not, but I'm gonna go ahead and say that it's IMPOSSIBLE for the Cavs to beat anybody actually half decent until he regains his jumper. Otherwise, it's just too hard to score points...he might be able to lift a dreadful supporting cast to something that's not awful, like he did in last year's Finals, but there's a very low ceiling to the team offense against a defense like this, ESPECIALLY with defenders that can match up very well with LeBron. Even with superior offensive talent now, they're struggling to score, and it comes down to LeBron having the same serious flaws he had when he was a kid going up against SA or Boston...except he doesn't have the same motor and insane explosion off the dribble to somewhat combat that. 07/08 LeBron, THAT LeBron could have played better if he had better offensive help...but this LeBron doesn't have the off-the-dribble explosion anymore, and coupled with the lack of a jumper, he just can't do much offensively without ball stopping, grinding the offense to a halt, and just playing generally ugly basketball. All the offensive help in the world doesn't mean **** when he can't do anything off the dribble.

This Cavs team is built on the premise of their best player being a high scoring dynamic wing but 2016 Lebron is a athletic playmaking PF with limited range....Think 2013 Blake with a superior floor game. CLE/Lebron thought he was still a dominat perimeter player but he isn't. Thats my theory as to why they pushed for the Love trade. I NEVER understood what people saw in that paring. This paring is going to make less sense as Lebron ages

Going forward how would you construct a team around this player? Even if he were to become a respectable shooter again the days of him masquerading as a perimeter player are almost over.

LeBron at PF with a jumper is still an incredibly dangerous offensive player.

But yeah, ideally, that kind of player needs a PG like Delly and not Kyrie, to get him the ball in the right spots. I would initiate offense with him from the FT line and not beyond the 3pt line. I would pair him up with a good defensive center. I would surround him with 3 and D players that can also create off the dribble a bit.

Honestly, players that the Warriors have. Klay and Draymond would be PERFECT complements to LeBron.

[bondom34]

I'm with Greatness on this one, I doubt I'll be following the NBA as religiously as I do now. I even said so a few months back that watching GS bores me. Like, I feel no enjoyment watching them play (I know they're a great team and all that jazz so spare me). Curry could make his fifth three in a row and my heart rate won't rise, which is saying something since I suffer from anxiety lmao

I was watching one of the GS games with my sister, and she doesn't particularly like basketball or sports in general, but she got hella excited watching GS shoot and make threes...for only so long. All they do is shoot threes. Well that's my opinion of it anyways. God I would've given part of my pinky to see OKC v CLE Finals, a little useless part though, as long as it doesn't hurt too bad, and if it does I want that good morphine. Actually, I've heard humans can do without their pinky toe, but I've also heard we need it for balance, well I'd gosh darn diddly dang it would absolutely sacrifice a little part of my pinky toe for that match up regardless, man the things I do for love

Anyways, Kyrie needs to go, he's a great offensive talent for himself. And that's literally it.

Also, wtf happened to Cleveland's three point attack, they even shoot any this game?

Also, great game from Richard Jefferson, you guys follow his snapchat? Dude's awesome haha

Bron Bron my man, fix that jumper, you can't be a top five player of all time and be without a jumpshot for 2 years in your prime bruh that **** was wet in '14, I just don't get it.

Here's hoping for a competitive series, still

I've watched like 2 quarters so far. I don't know if I will bother any more. Catching up on food network until football starts.

[Basileus777]

Honestly, players that the Warriors have. Klay and Draymond would be PERFECT complements to LeBron.

Well they'd be perfect complements to pretty much anyone.

[bondom34]

Quite frankly I don't know who the threat is to dethrone the Warriors any time soon . We just saw OKC give them a hell of a series and they match up fairly well, but we don't know what will happen with Durant and I'm not sure the Thunder will ever have a better chance than the one they just blew. San Antonio is another year older next year. Everyone else is a tier or two below. Things can change fast, but they're halfway to the first 4peat since the Russell celts, and I like their chances. Barring injury I think this team is on their way to unprecedented heights for the modern era. On top of that they could even be scarier on paper next year

Its possible but hoping for another angry KD. If OKC can focus on moving the ball late game which they finally started to late in the year, they have a shot. A better shot than I'd ever imagined.

[bondom34]

I don't know about anyone else but my interest level in the NBA will probably go down next year. No one will beat the Warriors for the foreseeable future.

That's not true. It's just not gonna be the Cavs.

OKC just took them to 7, and were up 3-1.

GS is beatable, Cleveland was just a pretender this year.

Coming for ya next year man, may we see them meet again.

[MyUniBroDavis]

Actually I'm quite on topic, but keep the trolling going.

Considering you've been called on it and reported, I'll let it go.

Feel free to comment on my genuine concerns of Lebron, his legacy, or this game in general at any time dude.

Or just be a mall cop. Whatever suits you big guy.

Oh, those are Skip Bayless level media garbage opinions, which is why I didn't bother. He's going up against a great team stacked at every position. Top 5ish player all time, which is why I didn't address the ridiculous "opinion" you tried to use as an excuse to troll.

Ignore some people, they don't represent a fanbase. Basically ish-level comments.

Off topic, do you remember the videos on Westbrook I showed you? I found 1 more, though it somewhat restates the other 2 videos

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dF539GTtLZ8

Durant is 99% certain to stay, so I'd say next year the best two teams are clearly okc and the Warriors, I think this Spurs are on the decline and even then I think that Warriors and apparently okc's transformation makes them half a step ahead

[bondom34]

Feel free to comment on my genuine concerns of Lebron, his legacy, or this game in general at any time dude.

Or just be a mall cop. Whatever suits you big guy.

Oh, those are Skip Bayless level media garbage opinions, which is why I didn't bother. He's going up against a great team stacked at every position. Top 5ish player all time, which is why I didn't address the ridiculous "opinion" you tried to use as an excuse to troll.

Ignore some people, they don't represent a fanbase. Basically ish-level comments.

Off topic, do you remember the videos on Westbrook I showed you? I found 1 more, though it somewhat restates the other 2 videos

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dF539GTtLZ8

Durant is 99% certain to stay, so I'd say next year the best two teams are clearly okc and the Warriors, I think this Spurs are on the decline and even then I think that Warriors and apparently okc's transformation makes them half a step ahead

Yeah the KD stuff is way off my radar at this point. I read the GB thread for lolz at this point. I'm just so upset with this series b/c I want to be there so bad. Another year, another collapse, another bad break.

[MyUniBroDavis]

Oh, those are Skip Bayless level media garbage opinions, which is why I didn't bother. He's going up against a great team stacked at every position. Top 5ish player all time, which is why I didn't address the ridiculous "opinion" you tried to use as an excuse to troll.

Ignore some people, they don't represent a fanbase. Basically ish-level comments.

Off topic, do you remember the videos on Westbrook I showed you? I found 1 more, though it somewhat restates the other 2 videos

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dF539GTtLZ8

Durant is 99% certain to stay, so I'd say next year the best two teams are clearly okc and the Warriors, I think this Spurs are on the decline and even then I think that Warriors and apparently okc's transformation makes them half a step ahead

Yeah the KD stuff is way off my radar at this point. I read the GB thread for lolz at this point. I'm just so upset with this series b/c I want to be there so bad. Another year, another collapse, another bad break.

I'm not necessarily for the 1-16 seeding, but the Warriors and okc series (based on how this series is looking) was one of the ATG series, narrative wise for sure. Almost storybook like the situation honestly.

That would have been an amazing finals.

Maybe a best of 8 conference wise and the seeding is like thay

[Doctor MJ]

The thing that really gets me about the Warriors is who the hell saw this coming? With the Bulls you were able to pretty clearly see it was only a matter of time, Detroit/LA/Boston were going to fade and create the vacuum for superman to run the league for a decade. With Shaq/Kobe titles seemed inevitable. Same when Miami got together. I don't know who the hell could have predicted two years ago that the Warriors were going to run off 140 regular season wins and back to back titles. They had the feel of a team with a competitive future that would see them in the contention mix, but this level of greatness has to have completely blindsided anyone being honest

While people didn't predict it, the coaching change was seen as a really big deal. When Curry first started being seen as a Top 5 player by many on the PC board in '12-13, it was with the acknowledgement that Jackson's offense was so inept that it was a staggering accomplishment simply to see Curry make it look semi-reasonable. We didn't know what to expect with Kerr, but an argument along the lines of

"They are going to be a lot better next year when they have a coach actually implementing modern offensive strategies."

would have been pretty uncontroversial other than to point out that Kerr might end up being terrible too. No one serious was there arguing that Jackson's designs were actually excellent and underrated by folks who just couldn't appreciate Jackson's nuanced genius.

[Doctor MJ]

I'm with Greatness on this one, I doubt I'll be following the NBA as religiously as I do now. I even said so a few months back that watching GS bores me. Like, I feel no enjoyment watching them play (I know they're a great team and all that jazz so spare me). Curry could make his fifth three in a row and my heart rate won't rise, which is saying something since I suffer from anxiety lmao

I was watching one of the GS games with my sister, and she doesn't particularly like basketball or sports in general, but she got hella excited watching GS shoot and make threes...for only so long. All they do is shoot threes. Well that's my opinion of it anyways. God I would've given part of my pinky to see OKC v CLE Finals, a little useless part though, as long as it doesn't hurt too bad, and if it does I want that good morphine. Actually, I've heard humans can do without their pinky toe, but I've also heard we need it for balance, well I'd gosh darn diddly dang it would absolutely sacrifice a little part of my pinky toe for that match up regardless, man the things I do for love

I feel like people have talked themselves into missing what's great about the Warriors.

The genius of the team is 3-fold:

1) Shooting of Steph & Klay (which it's cool if you're don't particularly like)
2) Outstanding passing & movement - which indicates great BBIQ
3) Outstanding resilience - which indicates fantastic team attitude

I don't know how anyone can NOT love the latter two things...and of course I've yet to hear anyone say they dislike the team while noting those two things.

Also, wtf happened to Cleveland's three point attack, they even shoot any this game?

This would be the point to note that in addition to the effects points 2 & 3 have on offense, they along with some physical realities are the reason why GS has a phenomenal defense that works together...which helps them have the ability all year long to shut down opponent 3-point shooting (granted Portland did solid on that front in their series).

[bondom34]

I'm with Greatness on this one, I doubt I'll be following the NBA as religiously as I do now. I even said so a few months back that watching GS bores me. Like, I feel no enjoyment watching them play (I know they're a great team and all that jazz so spare me). Curry could make his fifth three in a row and my heart rate won't rise, which is saying something since I suffer from anxiety lmao

I was watching one of the GS games with my sister, and she doesn't particularly like basketball or sports in general, but she got hella excited watching GS shoot and make threes...for only so long. All they do is shoot threes. Well that's my opinion of it anyways. God I would've given part of my pinky to see OKC v CLE Finals, a little useless part though, as long as it doesn't hurt too bad, and if it does I want that good morphine. Actually, I've heard humans can do without their pinky toe, but I've also heard we need it for balance, well I'd gosh darn diddly dang it would absolutely sacrifice a little part of my pinky toe for that match up regardless, man the things I do for love

I feel like people have talked themselves into missing what's great about the Warriors.

The genius of the team is 3-fold:

1) Shooting of Steph & Klay (which it's cool if you're don't particularly like)
2) Outstanding passing & movement - which indicates great BBIQ
3) Outstanding resilience - which indicates fantastic team attitude

I don't know how anyone can NOT love the latter two things...and of course I've yet to hear anyone say they dislike the team while noting those two things.

Also, wtf happened to Cleveland's three point attack, they even shoot any this game?

This would be the point to note that in addition to the effects points 2 & 3 have on offense, they along with some physical realities are the reason why GS has a phenomenal defense that works together...which helps them have the ability all year long to shut down opponent 3-point shooting (granted Portland did solid on that front in their series).

Its a minority, and I see it, I just don't find it as fun to watch GSW myself, I'm not a fan of the shooting aspect of it. The problem is the remainder of the offense is so reliant on that shooting being there it just ruins it for me. You'll never see me dispute their greatness, because that's undeniable. But I just haven't been able to enjoy watching GSW play. Some don't like watching OKC's iso heavy stuff, I don't mind it. Some don't like the Spurs, I actually like their game more because its simply less reliant on shooting.

[bleeds_purple]

Its a minority, and I see it, I just don't find it as fun to watch GSW myself, I'm not a fan of the shooting aspect of it. The problem is the remainder of the offense is so reliant on that shooting being there it just ruins it for me. You'll never see me dispute their greatness, because that's undeniable. But I just haven't been able to enjoy watching GSW play. Some don't like watching OKC's iso heavy stuff, I don't mind it. Some don't like the Spurs, I actually like their game more because its simply less reliant on shooting.

They shoot a ton of threes but its unlike other teams we've seen in the past. Take for example, this years Cavs, '11 Mavs, and the '14 Spurs. All of those squads shot a ton of threes. Their offenses were based on dribbling the ball into the paint of a ball screen and drawing doubles in the post for kick outs i.e. inside-out.

The Warriors on the other hand play a style I don't think we've ever seen. They stretch the defense out and then run cutters for passes into the paint i.e. outside-in. Rarely do you see any of their actions actually initiated by a ball screen dribble drive which is probably the primary method of offense for all other teams in the league.

They are on the verge of fundamentally redefining offense and not in the way people think with the three point shooting but more in the way that the main action is always off the ball. In some ways it reminds me of the princeton offense but the passing is coming from the three point line to cutters rather than the post.

Its fun to watch the Warriors but you have to watch them differently than other teams. Don't watch the ball as much and instead watch all the crazy action happening elsewhere. That being said I tend to agree that when they fall into the habit of jacking threes nonstop it gets rather boring.

[bondom34]

Its a minority, and I see it, I just don't find it as fun to watch GSW myself, I'm not a fan of the shooting aspect of it. The problem is the remainder of the offense is so reliant on that shooting being there it just ruins it for me. You'll never see me dispute their greatness, because that's undeniable. But I just haven't been able to enjoy watching GSW play. Some don't like watching OKC's iso heavy stuff, I don't mind it. Some don't like the Spurs, I actually like their game more because its simply less reliant on shooting.

They shoot a ton of threes but its unlike other teams we've seen in the past. Take for example, this years Cavs, '11 Mavs, and the '14 Spurs. All of those squads shot a ton of threes. Their offenses were based on dribbling the ball into the paint of a ball screen and drawing doubles in the post for kick outs i.e. inside-out.

The Warriors on the other hand play a style I don't think we've ever seen. They stretch the defense out and then run cutters for passes into the paint i.e. outside-in. Rarely do you see any of their actions actually initiated by a ball screen dribble drive which is probably the primary method of offense for all other teams in the league.

They are on the verge of fundamentally redefining offense and not in the way people think with the three point shooting but more in the way that the main action is always off the ball. In some ways it reminds me of the princeton offense but the passing is coming from the three point line to cutters rather than the post.

Its fun to watch the Warriors but you have to watch them differently than other teams. Don't watch the ball as much and instead watch all the crazy action happening elsewhere.

See I just fundamentally disagree. I take no joy in watching a team where shooting is so heavily needed to win. I've seen too many times when a shooter hits fadeaway pullup 3s that are frankly bad shots for everyone else but them. Ball movement is great, but to me its just not fun.

[bleeds_purple]

See I just fundamentally disagree. I take no joy in watching a team where shooting is so heavily needed to win. I've seen too many times when a shooter hits fadeaway pullup 3s that are frankly bad shots for everyone else but them. Ball movement is great, but to me its just not fun.

I don't mind it as long as there is a clash of styles. I loved watching the OKC series for that reason. But if they play Portland it becomes rather boring just watching two teams chuck.

If I was the league I would try to make sure there are always multiple play-styles that are viable. There needs to be some adjustments to make posting viable. As it stands, the Thibs defense has virtually rendered posting up worthless when you get to the highest levels. It's just too easy to crowd players out.

[bondom34]

See I just fundamentally disagree. I take no joy in watching a team where shooting is so heavily needed to win. I've seen too many times when a shooter hits fadeaway pullup 3s that are frankly bad shots for everyone else but them. Ball movement is great, but to me its just not fun.

I don't mind it as long as there is a clash of styles. I loved watching the OKC series for that reason. But if they play Portland it becomes rather boring just watching two teams chuck.

If I was the league I would try to make sure there are always multiple play-styles that are viable. There needs to be some adjustments to make posting viable. As it stands, the Thibs defense has virtually rendered posting up worthless when you get to the highest levels. It's just too easy to crowd players out.

Fair, I just personally don't enjoy it. They're one of few teams I never really watched on LP.

[Dr Positivity]

I appreciate GSW because like the 14 Spurs they are a true team showing the value of the pass, defensive IQ, and depth. If the Warriors win it will be 3 champions in a row of teams who succeeded by using all five men on the court is a sophisticated next level way.

[The High Cyde]

I'm with Greatness on this one, I doubt I'll be following the NBA as religiously as I do now. I even said so a few months back that watching GS bores me. Like, I feel no enjoyment watching them play (I know they're a great team and all that jazz so spare me). Curry could make his fifth three in a row and my heart rate won't rise, which is saying something since I suffer from anxiety lmao

I was watching one of the GS games with my sister, and she doesn't particularly like basketball or sports in general, but she got hella excited watching GS shoot and make threes...for only so long. All they do is shoot threes. Well that's my opinion of it anyways. God I would've given part of my pinky to see OKC v CLE Finals, a little useless part though, as long as it doesn't hurt too bad, and if it does I want that good morphine. Actually, I've heard humans can do without their pinky toe, but I've also heard we need it for balance, well I'd gosh darn diddly dang it would absolutely sacrifice a little part of my pinky toe for that match up regardless, man the things I do for love

I feel like people have talked themselves into missing what's great about the Warriors.

The genius of the team is 3-fold:

1) Shooting of Steph & Klay (which it's cool if you're don't particularly like)
2) Outstanding passing & movement - which indicates great BBIQ
3) Outstanding resilience - which indicates fantastic team attitude

I don't know how anyone can NOT love the latter two things...and of course I've yet to hear anyone say they dislike the team while noting those two things.

Also, wtf happened to Cleveland's three point attack, they even shoot any this game?

This would be the point to note that in addition to the effects points 2 & 3 have on offense, they along with some physical realities are the reason why GS has a phenomenal defense that works together...which helps them have the ability all year long to shut down opponent 3-point shooting (granted Portland did solid on that front in their series).

Honestly feel a bit honored you quoted me Doc, thanks for that!

The thing is, I've repeated a couple times I do not enjoy seeing this Warriors team play. I feel if I keep doing it I'll come off as a troll who only says that one thing. Let me start by addressing your three points.

1) Steph and Klay are the two best shooters the league has ever seen, it's plain as day to see. My gripe with this is that the two best shooters ever are on the same team (I'm not knocking the GSW organization for this, mind, just pointing out just how much of an outlier this fact is when looking at the roster of teams). They are so much better at shooting threes (and shooting in general (like for FTs)) than anyone else on the other team that it kills the competition. I expect Steph and Klay to bomb like 35 threes and make like 20 of them. I don't see the excitement in seeing threes being shot every other possession.

2) For the outstanding passing and movement...I agree completely. This is a stacked team. Top to bottom. The players are not only athletic but they're smart out there on the court. The fact that the two best shooters ever are on the same team who are able to pull up from 30 and yeah, there will be enough space to put the Solar System to shame. This isn't lost on me, I acknowledge their greatness, I will not shy from admitting it. The only team that I've seen pass like that consistently is the 2014 Finals' Spurs. I can't knock this team for their passing, movement, and basketball IQ. This is unequivocally one of the best teams ever.

3) Outstanding resilience...I don't know about that, Doc. Yeah, they came back 2-1 in the Grizzlies series, they came back 2-1 against Cleveland last year, and this year obviously they punched back from 3-1. Okay, so what? The Grizz were injured; they were never going to beat GS. Same with the Cleveland series. LeBron had one of the best statistical Finals of all time, but one man does not beat a team as great as these Warriors. Now, the OKC series, that was tough, they didn't get rattled too much. But OKC clearly lost that series more than the Warriors won it (to my eyes at least). Durant and Westbrook straight wet the bed, they just couldn't hit a damn three to save their lives while Klay Thompson was hitting them from 30 feet on a standstill jumpshot, I mean what?? How do you defend that? And his teammate is even better? Whaaaaaat! Catch my drift? Course you do, you're one of the best minds on here haha

They do have good attitude. But this is professional sports, you have to have good attitude. Plus why wouldn't they? They won 73, about to repeat as champions, there's very little that would get them down. Regardless, yes, I do like their general attitude of having that champ swagger, but they're cocky as hell, rightfully so though. Can't knock them for this either.

Had OKC just shot decent (especially Durant) the last couple games they would have won. Like, there's no question of that in my mind...yet the Warriors are so good that they are going to force Durant to work on his game this summer, they're gonna force a 4 time scoring champion and MVP to get better. Yeah, I'll give the Warriors credit for making it difficult on the Thunder, but the Thunder *had* it. It was right there. They couldn't do it. *shrug

Tsherkin and Bondom had this same debate about the luck of which way the ball bounces in determining this series. I don't who it is exactly, but some member here has a sig with a Doc Rivers quote: It's a make or miss league, and it always will be. Warriors have two players who are the best of all time in this respect. It's almost not fair, but they are just that good, and when you're so good at something, it gets boring (again, to me at least).

I think it's great so many of you guys enjoy watching this team, appreciate the schemes and gameplans and plays they run. I like that too! It's just the destination kills me: pass, pass, pass, shoot three. Rinse and repeat. To this one can say: Well, their three point shot opens up the game for drives and kicks, which happens multiple times a game, it's how they sustain leads, teams get scared of them shooting threes so they panic and GS capitalizes on it, as they should. That's great too.

I'm not trying to troll the Warriors or just hate on them, because fundamentally I just do not enjoy watching them play. I'd rather watch Boogie and the Kings play to be quite honest with you. Or the Wolves, Blazers, Celtics,OKC, or Knicks. Warriors are too perfect for my taste. Give me dysfunction, good post play, and semi-bad shots to keep me entertained. Don't bore me by running around like headless chickens taking 50 threes (I guess this goes towards the majority of the league now). Anyways, sorry Doc, I've tried to say it as best I can, and I mean no disrespect to the Warriors. Great team, great organization, even better players.

[OnlyOneWay2Play]

And offensively, LeBron's decline as a player is a big deal. I know we try to pretend like it's not, but I'm gonna go ahead and say that it's IMPOSSIBLE for the Cavs to beat anybody actually half decent until he regains his jumper. Otherwise, it's just too hard to score points...he might be able to lift a dreadful supporting cast to something that's not awful, like he did in last year's Finals, but there's a very low ceiling to the team offense against a defense like this, ESPECIALLY with defenders that can match up very well with LeBron. Even with superior offensive talent now, they're struggling to score, and it comes down to LeBron having the same serious flaws he had when he was a kid going up against SA or Boston...except he doesn't have the same motor and insane explosion off the dribble to somewhat combat that. 07/08 LeBron, THAT LeBron could have played better if he had better offensive help...but this LeBron doesn't have the off-the-dribble explosion anymore, and coupled with the lack of a jumper, he just can't do much offensively without ball stopping, grinding the offense to a halt, and just playing generally ugly basketball. All the offensive help in the world doesn't mean **** when he can't do anything off the dribble.

This Cavs team is built on the premise of their best player being a high scoring dynamic wing but 2016 Lebron is a athletic playmaking PF with limited range....Think 2013 Blake with a superior floor game. CLE/Lebron thought he was still a dominat perimeter player but he isn't. Thats my theory as to why they pushed for the Love trade. I NEVER understood what people saw in that paring. This paring is going to make less sense as Lebron ages

Going forward how would you construct a team around this player? Even if he were to become a respectable shooter again the days of him masquerading as a perimeter player are almost over.

LeBron at PF with a jumper is still an incredibly dangerous offensive player.

But yeah, ideally, that kind of player needs a PG like Delly and not Kyrie, to get him the ball in the right spots. I would initiate offense with him from the FT line and not beyond the 3pt line. I would pair him up with a good defensive center. I would surround him with 3 and D players that can also create off the dribble a bit.

Honestly, players that the Warriors have. Klay and Draymond would be PERFECT complements to LeBron.

On the question of: how do you build around LeBron?

Looking back on his career, this has actually always proven to be difficult (even moreso now with his decline). LeBron is a (appropriately) "King of all trades, but an Ace (master) of none" (to complete the card game metaphor). His incredible versatility is what makes LeBron able to carry mostly scrubs to become very good teams. However, his lack of one ELITE skill - be it shooting, playmaking off the dribble, rim-protection, etc. - makes it hard to decide which area should be emphasized to be supplemented by his teammates. Conversely, guys like Curry (shooting) or Garnett (defense) had one elite strength, so building around them was simply getting other good players who excelled where these stars were weak (defense and scoring, respectively). LeBron is a great generalist, but his lack of specialization makes it difficult to find perfect complementary pieces.

All this said, I do have thoughts on how to build around LeBron as best as we can. The keys are:

(1) LeBron must become a full-time PF.

(2) LeBron must become an at least average jump shooter, hopefully a good one

(3) He must be surrounded by good to great 3-D guys at PG, SG, and SF. More talented but higher usage offensive guards and wings will be wasted given LeBron's high usage / playmaking and his average (at best) shooting / gravity.

(4) At C, you can either go with a (a) pure stretch-5 (like Frye), (b) a skilled 5 who has a good jumper and can also defend the rim (Marc Gasol?) (c) a bouncy athletic 5 who can guard on the perimeter (I'm hoping for maybe Nerlens Noel). All three of these types can create spacing (either horizontally through shooting for (a) and (b) or vertically through screen-rolls for (c). Rim-protection is a big plus.

(5) Get a actually brilliant coach like JVG who can impose disciplined offense and defense

One potentially realistic possibility would be:
Trade Love to BOS for Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley
Trade Kyrie to PHI for Nerlens Noel, Robert Covington, Lakers future 1st

Then you have a rotation of:
Delly / [backup]
Bradley / Shump
Crowder / Covington
LeBron / TT
Noel / Frye

IF (big if) LeBron can become an above average shooter, this could be a great team. They'd have INTENSE and versatile defense, along with good shooting and athleticism to score in transition. It's a similar blueprint to the Celtics this who gave the Warriors trouble 2x this year, but with more talent.

[GSP]

Quite frankly I don't know who the threat is to dethrone the Warriors any time soon . We just saw OKC give them a hell of a series and they match up fairly well, but we don't know what will happen with Durant and I'm not sure the Thunder will ever have a better chance than the one they just blew. San Antonio is another year older next year. Everyone else is a tier or two below. Things can change fast, but they're halfway to the first 4peat since the Russell celts, and I like their chances. Barring injury I think this team is on their way to unprecedented heights for the modern era. On top of that they could even be scarier on paper next year

Theyre gonna lose some depth when Steph isnt on this contract anymore. Bogut/Iggy are getting older too. I think one team for sure will beat them in the future considering the coach they got and assuming no injuries.



They played Warriors very tight in last 2 games, beat em at home. One of the handful of teams with the length/athleticism to switch everything + Thibodeau defense + Rubio being one of the best Steph defenders and maybe the best defensive Pg since Jason Kidd. Towns will be a superstar very soon as well and offensively theyve had some ridiculous lineup stats last season near the end

[GSP]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z0Eblu1Aaw[/youtube]

This guy is such a hack and pushes his own narratives all the time. I still remember the "Steph Curry is an elite defender" video lol. He cherrypicks like a troll. Unbelievable.