The Lebron '20 Thread (Pt. 7)

[xb3at band1tx]

The Kyrie and LeBron quotes are fun lol

Feels like a set-up for next year's season.

[HeartBreakKid]

Considering Kyrie basically left the Cavs to "do it himself" and not be in the shadow of James - it probably does dig at him a bit that James is on route to another championship while he has had a pretty irrelevant few years.

But then again he is such a megalomaniac these thoughts might not even occur to him.

[JulesWinnfield]

This Adebayo injury just gives the Lakers the green light to pound the paint. Lebron is going to have an exceedingly easy time in the retricted area. I’m expecting an absurdly efficient scoring series with triple double-ish numbers. MVP of the series is just going to come down to his scoring volume and Davis not blowing him away. Interestingly Lebron has outrebounded Davis in this postseason, and the difference since the Denver series is remarkably stark

[Mazter]

Read on Twitter

The "No LeBron in the arena" stats are missing:
38.5 FG%
31.0 3P%
-38 plus minus

[limbo]

Obviously there's still games to be played, and a lot can change, but unless AD has a historic series (which he very well could, lol) and LeBron keeps the overall scoring numbers relatively close, i think they're gonna look to give LeBron the FMVP.

I think there would need to be a much clearer visible gap between the two as players for a 'passing of the torch' type moment, which would make people say ''AD is the leader/best player on the Lakers now''. For now most people still view LeBron as that, and Davis just a really REALLY good player next to him.

[kayess]

I'm stoked to watch the potential trainwreck that is the Brooklyn Nets.

I don't think Irving's some megalomaniac or whatever, I think dude's just plain weird. He definitely thinks he's way smarter than he actually is, though, just comes from a misguided sense and need to be independent I guess?

Was Nash on the Warriors coaching staff while KD was there?

[zimpy27]

Could be wrong, but I suspect other teams are going to be pretty aggressive trying to lure Dwight away from the Lakers. Both because he's played well enough to be valuable to them, and also to weaken the Lakers. Would it be worth the full MLE if thats what it takes to keep him?

As far as offseason moves in general I think the priority will rightfully be on continuity and keeping all the key pieces aboard. The one thing I'd love to see is somehow adding a shooter that's not a total zero on defense. Joe Harris would be the dream for me but doubt that will happen.

Been thinking about this too. Definitely think losing Dwight is a huge possibility. Which would be bad for LA.

Lakers have 8m/2 year BAE to give Dwight. They also have a 10m MLE. The danger would be if Rondo opts out of their $2m contract.

Lakers should use the 10m MLE on Markieff and another guard.

[zimpy27]

Obviously there's still games to be played, and a lot can change, but unless AD has a historic series (which he very well could, lol) and LeBron keeps the overall scoring numbers relatively close, i think they're gonna look to give LeBron the FMVP.

I think there would need to be a much clearer visible gap between the two as players for a 'passing of the torch' type moment, which would make people say ''AD is the leader/best player on the Lakers now''. For now most people still view LeBron as that, and Davis just a really REALLY good player next to him.

I tend to agree because LeBron missed out on the regular season MVP.

[Dupp]

Obviously there's still games to be played, and a lot can change, but unless AD has a historic series (which he very well could, lol) and LeBron keeps the overall scoring numbers relatively close, i think they're gonna look to give LeBron the FMVP.

I think there would need to be a much clearer visible gap between the two as players for a 'passing of the torch' type moment, which would make people say ''AD is the leader/best player on the Lakers now''. For now most people still view LeBron as that, and Davis just a really REALLY good player next to him.

For starters we gotten stop discounting Miami and thinking Lakers have this because things could turn terrible.

Onto fmvp I’d say AD is well ahead of that as of now. Still up in the air though.

[dreamshake]

Obviously there's still games to be played, and a lot can change, but unless AD has a historic series (which he very well could, lol) and LeBron keeps the overall scoring numbers relatively close, i think they're gonna look to give LeBron the FMVP.

I think there would need to be a much clearer visible gap between the two as players for a 'passing of the torch' type moment, which would make people say ''AD is the leader/best player on the Lakers now''. For now most people still view LeBron as that, and Davis just a really REALLY good player next to him.

For starters we gotten stop discounting Miami and thinking Lakers have this because things could turn terrible.

Onto fmvp I’d say AD is well ahead of that as of now. Still up in the air though.

I was fully on board with not overlooking Miami but with Bam & Dragic out for tomorrow, they have no shot in that game. So even if they could return, they’re gonna win 4 out of 5 with Dragic severely limited and Bam less than 100%? Just doesn’t seem possible anymore

[Heej]

Yeaa..Miami is cooked. They were in 5 game drubbing territory before this, now they'll welcome that as a positive outcome lol

[kayess]

Could be wrong, but I suspect other teams are going to be pretty aggressive trying to lure Dwight away from the Lakers. Both because he's played well enough to be valuable to them, and also to weaken the Lakers. Would it be worth the full MLE if thats what it takes to keep him?

As far as offseason moves in general I think the priority will rightfully be on continuity and keeping all the key pieces aboard. The one thing I'd love to see is somehow adding a shooter that's not a total zero on defense. Joe Harris would be the dream for me but doubt that will happen.

Been thinking about this too. Definitely think losing Dwight is a huge possibility. Which would be bad for LA.

Lakers have 8m/2 year BAE to give Dwight. They also have a 10m MLE. The danger would be if Rondo opts out of their $2m contract.

Lakers should use the 10m MLE on Markieff and another guard.

Pretty much this. Obviously it starts with praying to the gods for LeBron to slow his decline another year, and AD continuing his improvement from this year from both a skillset (passing being the main thing) and confidence perspective.

Beyond that: hopefully Rondo both stays and continues playing like J-Kidd 2.0. Dwight's probably worth the MLE to a lot of teams but idk how much value he'll place on the extra 2 mil vs. keeping it together for another potential run. One would think so

The rest of the cast probably improves at least slightly from playoff experience + a full year of playing with Bron, Kuz and Caruso need to work on shooting, Kuzma needs to work on not biting on every fake on D (he's actually already improved vs. the Denver series), Green just needs to show up in the playoffs like this and shoot ~40% from 3 with his usual solid D, KCP, Kieff needs to continue what they're doing. Caruso can probably learn how to make plays out of the PNR/basic action when LeBron/Rondo/offseason playmaker aren't feeling it. That's a super solid 4 wing/guard rotation, not counting Rondo

Dwight/McGee are what they are. McGee's useful for soaking up minutes and is good against some teams but they probably should cut him and have another backup big.

That's a super solid set of 2-way players to have behind AD and Bron. If they can get another guy who can run the offense (so can make the right passes and can at least drive and/or shoot it) and is at least solid defensively, that's probably all they need to do in the offseason.

As I say this: **** the Lakers. Some of the most insufferable fans in all of sports. My country's full of bandwagoners and people with blind devotion to Kobe, which honestly sickens me (I mean adulterer at best, rapist - almost self-confessed I would say - at worst. Think there's a lot better models for hard work, even Jordan - who was probably 'merely' an **** and probable adulterer). Them winning means non-Laker fans have to endure their gloating, which is about as pleasant as hearing MAGA rednecks talk

[kayess]

Obviously there's still games to be played, and a lot can change, but unless AD has a historic series (which he very well could, lol) and LeBron keeps the overall scoring numbers relatively close, i think they're gonna look to give LeBron the FMVP.

I think there would need to be a much clearer visible gap between the two as players for a 'passing of the torch' type moment, which would make people say ''AD is the leader/best player on the Lakers now''. For now most people still view LeBron as that, and Davis just a really REALLY good player next to him.

For starters we gotten stop discounting Miami and thinking Lakers have this because things could turn terrible.

Onto fmvp I’d say AD is well ahead of that as of now. Still up in the air though.

I was fully on board with not overlooking Miami but with Bam & Dragic out for tomorrow, they have no shot in that game. So even if they could return, they’re gonna win 4 out of 5 with Dragic severely limited and Bam less than 100%? Just doesn’t seem possible anymore

Is Bam confirmed out?

Fully onboard on not jinxing things (though obviously I think a sweep is the most likely outcome). **** can still happen, it ain't over

[Dupp]

Obviously there's still games to be played, and a lot can change, but unless AD has a historic series (which he very well could, lol) and LeBron keeps the overall scoring numbers relatively close, i think they're gonna look to give LeBron the FMVP.

I think there would need to be a much clearer visible gap between the two as players for a 'passing of the torch' type moment, which would make people say ''AD is the leader/best player on the Lakers now''. For now most people still view LeBron as that, and Davis just a really REALLY good player next to him.

For starters we gotten stop discounting Miami and thinking Lakers have this because things could turn terrible.

Onto fmvp I’d say AD is well ahead of that as of now. Still up in the air though.

I was fully on board with not overlooking Miami but with Bam & Dragic out for tomorrow, they have no shot in that game. So even if they could return, they’re gonna win 4 out of 5 with Dragic severely limited and Bam less than 100%? Just doesn’t seem possible anymore

Bams not definitely out imo. And even if they are it’s very much of a trap game. As hard as it is mentally on Miami it’s just as easy and common for the Lakers to get too confident and not take them as seriously as they should. Like in the back of their minds assume they’re gonna win. It’s only natural but it can lead to some poor play from LA.


Let’s just get to 3-0 and I’ll be more confident with everyone else.

[Homer38]

We need to take nothing for granted...Remember in 2017 when the cavs had won game 2 in Boston by over 40 points or something like that and they were 10-0 in the playoffs at this point but they lose game 3 after the 2 blowouts in the first 2 games in this series.

But I am confident that the lakers are going to have the right mindset for this game....This is the finals!

[Firebird1]

The Lakers will take this in 5 at best, barring any injuries.

[dontcalltimeout]

This is actually pretty cool.

Read on Twitter

[dreamshake]

For starters we gotten stop discounting Miami and thinking Lakers have this because things could turn terrible.

Onto fmvp I’d say AD is well ahead of that as of now. Still up in the air though.

I was fully on board with not overlooking Miami but with Bam & Dragic out for tomorrow, they have no shot in that game. So even if they could return, they’re gonna win 4 out of 5 with Dragic severely limited and Bam less than 100%? Just doesn’t seem possible anymore

Is Bam confirmed out?

Fully onboard on not jinxing things (though obviously I think a sweep is the most likely outcome). **** can still happen, it ain't over

I guess I misread that he was out. Just seeing him listed as “doubtful” now. Still, seems like he’s certainly less than 100%. And Dragic is just a massive loss. The Dragic P&R was their bread and butter offensive action. They already had a small rotation. Now Herro has to start and we’ll see more minutes for guys like Solomon Hill and Olynyk. That’s just not enough against LA

[Dupp]

This is actually pretty cool.

Read on Twitter

I don’t remember the Knicks one but it’s insane

[nzahir]

Kyrie is delusional

He and KD are meant for each other

The saddest, lowest morale duo who will run their teammates crazy

Luckily they have a lot of talent and can still make another somewhat big move