The Lebron '20 Thread (Pt. 5)

freethedevil · Post #1521 » by **freethedevil** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 3:56 am

Prez wrote:Houston is the team to be worried about imo. If Russ is still Russ coming back from this quad injury they might be my pick to come out of the West.

Yeah, think lajer fans would have wanted ba for the rox perimiter o

Greyhound · Post #1522 » by **Greyhound** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 4:33 am

Why not go to the Luka thread with all of this? You guys are having full on Luka conversation in the LeBron thread.

Post #1523 » by **bondom34** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 4:35 am

Also minor aside but not really sure Houston gets by OKC still. As a fan I want Houston there, and think its a far more interesting and fun series, but just a feeling.

Joey Wheeler · Post #1524 » by **Joey Wheeler** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:02 am

yoyoboy wrote:
Joey Wheeler wrote:Dallas would actually be a slightly more challenging opponent in the conference finals than the Clippers for the Lakers. Clippers offense is too stagnant and iso reliant and they have no rim protection against Lebron and AD, 5 games max. I could see Dallas competing for a big before Lebron starts to show up Luka a bit with his superior experience.

Luka is the truth but Dallas doesn't scare me that much. This team has played the Mavs very well in 3 of the 4 games this year and they can defend the Doncic PnR better than the Clippers. In terms of how tough potential opponents in the WC would be I'd go:

1. Rockets
2. Clippers
3. Mavericks
4. Nuggets
5. Jazz
6. Thunder

Honestly aside from the Rockets, those teams pose a very insignificant level of threat imo. That second round, if it materializes, will be the toughest hurdle, a Harden/Westbrook two-headed monster with shooters all over is no joke.

MyUniBroDavis · Post #1525 » by **MyUniBroDavis** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:26 am

I will say, has anyone noticed lebron isnt looking for mismatches nearly as much as he did in the cavs years?

GSP · Post #1526 » by **GSP** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 6:01 am

MyUniBroDavis wrote:I will say, has anyone noticed lebron isnt looking for mismatches nearly as much as he did in the cavs years?

Who on the Blazers isnt a mismatch? :lol:

kayess · Post #1527 » by **kayess** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 7:58 am

Was gonna pop in here to see if everyone was on the Luka train as well.

He had his Game 5 in Detroit moment 1 year earlier than James, and is a "best in the world" level player at about the same age. But he already has a way better shot than James ever had, and he has Carlisle + a top tier Mavs organization behind him.

At least we won't miss Bron that much when he's gone if we can root for another GOAT-caliber player who's very similar stylistically.

One thing though - wasn't the "Bron is my favorite player/idol" thing 'forced' by the reporter that asked? I mean not that it's hard to believe, but I distinctly remember some minor backlash against that tidbit

Dupp · Post #1528 » by **Dupp** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 8:07 am

kayess wrote:Was gonna pop in here to see if everyone was on the Luka train as well.

He had his Game 5 in Detroit moment 1 year earlier than James, and is a "best in the world" level player at about the same age. But he already has a way better shot than James ever had, and he has Carlisle + a top tier Mavs organization behind him.

At least we won't miss Bron that much when he's gone if we can root for another GOAT-caliber player who's very similar stylistically.

One thing though - wasn't the "Bron is my favorite player/idol" thing 'forced' by the reporter that asked? I mean not that it's hard to believe, but I distinctly remember some minor backlash against that tidbit

Yeah it was a little forced because he named non nba players as his favourite then named James when pushed toward nba player iirc.

Even as a massive lebron homer it’s pretty obvious to me that luka is way better than lebron was at this point in his career. Don’t really think that’s debatable. Hell he’s probably better than 08 lebron.

MyUniBroDavis · Post #1529 » by **MyUniBroDavis** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 8:25 am

GSP wrote:
MyUniBroDavis wrote:I will say, has anyone noticed lebron isnt looking for mismatches nearly as much as he did in the cavs years?

Who on the Blazers isnt a mismatch?

I mean lowkey melo been kinda nice on D against lebron, compared to how youd expect

kayess · Post #1530 » by **kayess** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:09 am

Dupp wrote:
kayess wrote:Was gonna pop in here to see if everyone was on the Luka train as well.

He had his Game 5 in Detroit moment 1 year earlier than James, and is a "best in the world" level player at about the same age. But he already has a way better shot than James ever had, and he has Carlisle + a top tier Mavs organization behind him.

At least we won't miss Bron that much when he's gone if we can root for another GOAT-caliber player who's very similar stylistically.

One thing though - wasn't the "Bron is my favorite player/idol" thing 'forced' by the reporter that asked? I mean not that it's hard to believe, but I distinctly remember some minor backlash against that tidbit

Yeah it was a little forced because he named non nba players as his favourite then named James when pushed toward nba player iirc.

Even as a massive lebron homer it’s pretty obvious to me that luka is way better than lebron was at this point in his career. Don’t really think that’s debatable. Hell he’s probably better than 08 lebron.

AH - I thought it was some leading question where they mentioned James when asked, but that's not so bad. Still a little forced.

Oh yeah, by year it's not even close. Like y2 Luka >>>> y2 LeBron, not in the same stratosphere as players.

When you do it by age (or adjust for environment) it gets a little closer.

What I'm sort of "afraid of" is, what if there's not much to improve on from here (somewhat like the Magic trajectory I guess?) I suppose there's still offball, and improving percentages, but for the former: why would you ever want the ball out of his hands.

Anyway, great problems to have lol. Even if his trajectory is Trout-like where he "only" improves incrementally every year (with the massive caveat that rookie Trout was already a GOAT-level player) he'll still be on a GOAT-level trajectory.

Heej made a point about athleticism, but I think that's an aspect that's underrated and his size makes sure he can't be taken out of games like Curry can be (sort of). Idk, we'll see.

Back to Bron: G4 will be huge, I hope the jumper's still there and that this is a coast-to-cast win

kayess · Post #1531 » by **kayess** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:10 am

MyUniBroDavis wrote:
GSP wrote:
MyUniBroDavis wrote:I will say, has anyone noticed lebron isnt looking for mismatches nearly as much as he did in the cavs years?

Who on the Blazers isnt a mismatch?

I mean lowkey melo been kinda nice on D against lebron, compared to how youd expect

Oh wow, how low LeBron has fallen

MyUniBroDavis · Post #1532 » by **MyUniBroDavis** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:15 am

kayess wrote:
MyUniBroDavis wrote:
GSP wrote:
Who on the Blazers isnt a mismatch?

I mean lowkey melo been kinda nice on D against lebron, compared to how youd expect

Oh wow, how low LeBron has fallen

I mean, melo locked davis down too lol

Lowkey been fire on defense

Dupp · Post #1533 » by **Dupp** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:23 am

It’s because melo finally has decent hair

Mos_Heat · Post #1534 » by **Mos_Heat** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:54 am

Luka is probably better than 07-08 Lebron, but it's really hard to judge when Mitchell averages 39.5 ppg on 74.3% TS in a series

picko · Post #1535 » by **picko** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 11:48 am

Luka is 10-months older than LeBron in their second seasons. LeBron's third season compares favourably with Doncic, particularly given the slow pace and general lack of space during that era.

Luka is phenomenal but he isn't meaningfully better than LeBron at the same age. His fundamentals might be superior but that is offset by LeBron's athletic advantages.

Dupp · Post #1536 » by **Dupp** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 12:03 pm

bondom34 wrote:Also minor aside but not really sure Houston gets by OKC still. As a fan I want Houston there, and think its a far more interesting and fun series, but just a feeling.

Houston are gonna win easily. They got screwed last game it should be 3-0.

GSP · Post #1537 » by **GSP** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 1:14 pm

Dupp wrote:
bondom34 wrote:Also minor aside but not really sure Houston gets by OKC still. As a fan I want Houston there, and think its a far more interesting and fun series, but just a feeling.

Houston are gonna win easily. They got screwed last game it should be 3-0.

How did they get screwed? If anything Houston is Lucky Dort didn't play in game 1. Harden is shooting 5/34 against him in the regular season and playoffs combined. He is by far the best Harden defender in the league and a legit stopper

MisterHibachi · Post #1538 » by **MisterHibachi** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 1:39 pm

kayess wrote:
Dupp wrote:
kayess wrote:Was gonna pop in here to see if everyone was on the Luka train as well.

He had his Game 5 in Detroit moment 1 year earlier than James, and is a "best in the world" level player at about the same age. But he already has a way better shot than James ever had, and he has Carlisle + a top tier Mavs organization behind him.

At least we won't miss Bron that much when he's gone if we can root for another GOAT-caliber player who's very similar stylistically.

One thing though - wasn't the "Bron is my favorite player/idol" thing 'forced' by the reporter that asked? I mean not that it's hard to believe, but I distinctly remember some minor backlash against that tidbit

Yeah it was a little forced because he named non nba players as his favourite then named James when pushed toward nba player iirc.

Even as a massive lebron homer it’s pretty obvious to me that luka is way better than lebron was at this point in his career. Don’t really think that’s debatable. Hell he’s probably better than 08 lebron.

AH - I thought it was some leading question where they mentioned James when asked, but that's not so bad. Still a little forced.

He's a legit Bron fan. He was ecstatic about getting his jersey.

Read on Twitter

?s=09

Jdw38 · Post #1539 » by **Jdw38** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 2:30 pm

I'm seeing a number of people comparing Luka's great performance last night (which I sadly missed!) to Lebron's legendary game 5 against Detroit.

Do you guys think it was truly as legendary? Genuinely curious.

PistolPeteJR · Post #1540 » by **PistolPeteJR** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 2:54 pm

Jdw38 wrote:I'm seeing a number of people comparing Luka's great performance last night (which I sadly missed!) to Lebron's legendary game 5 against Detroit.

Do you guys think it was truly as legendary? Genuinely curious.

Not to me, to be honest, even though I know that that isn't the popular opinion here today. My reasons:

1) The game is far more catered to Luka and LeBron's style of play today. If Luka was playing in the mid-2000s, he would not be putting up the same numbers.

2) The Clippers have just about ZERO chemistry and don't play together as a team, highlighted by the very real facts that they had barely played together pre-bubble and were thrown into the bubble with the same lack of experience together.

3) The Mavs have a top coach and the Cavs had a crappy coaching staff, led by Mike Brown.

4) The Mavs have a far better supporting cast than those Cavs did, even with KP out.

I really enjoy Luka's game and the kid put up a classic performance, but I don't put this performance on par with LeBron's G5 performance. LBJ literally put the team on his back iso after iso and hit shot after shot after shot, while also playing really good defense.