The Lebron '20 Thread (Pt. 5)

[MisterHibachi]

I'm still not sold on the Raptors. They have a great defense, but offensively they just don't have guy who is proven deep in the playoffs. Maybe they end up doing it by committee, but not many teams have done that.

--

AD should use this DPOY snub as motivation the rest of the playoffs. Despite the regular season numbers, I don't buy Milwaukee's defense as better than the Lakers. Versatility matters a ton in the playoffs and the Bucks haven't proven theirs.

[GSP]

So looks like Giannis will officially have Mvp and Dpoy this season

[Homer38]

Of the teams left I think the toughest matchups for us in order are:

1. Raptors
2. Rockets (if Westbrook is healthy)
3. Clippers
4. Celtics
5. Bucks
6. Heat
7. Jazz
8. Mavericks
9. Nuggets
10. Thunder
11. Magic

The top 5 teams are really the only ones I'm concerned about. Toronto and Houston are just really difficult matchups imo given how Toronto defends superstars using their athleticism and Nurse's scheme and given how Houston shoots the three and how Harden/Westbrook present issues. Clips, Celtics, and Bucks are going to be hard to beat but I at least feel better about those potential series given the personnel.

Raptors at #1?

They've looked good all season, but when the games tighten up, I think they'll falter a bit. Lakers would have the 2 best players in the series. When's the last time a team ever lost with the 2 best players in the series?

2004 finals? And Kobe kept shooting too much that series compared to Shaq.

Rockets/Clippers are the most dangerous teams IMO. I think the Lakers are certs if they get to the finals.

I understand your point, but after LBJ and AD, the raptors have the 5 best players and for me they have the best defense in the NBA, especially against the superstars players ... It would be a big challenge

[MisterHibachi]

Still upsetting that LeBron never won DPOY. If he played peak defense post 2015 he could've won it. Just came around 5 years too early.

[limbo]

Thoughts on resting AD for Game 5?

With Lillard being ruled out, i don't see any reason to play him when he's been dealing with back spasms. LeBron and the rest of the crew should be enough to close the game out. If not, you're still up 3-2.

[yoyoboy]

Of the teams left I think the toughest matchups for us in order are:

1. Raptors
2. Rockets (if Westbrook is healthy)
3. Clippers
4. Celtics
5. Bucks
6. Heat
7. Jazz
8. Mavericks
9. Nuggets
10. Thunder
11. Magic

The top 5 teams are really the only ones I'm concerned about. Toronto and Houston are just really difficult matchups imo given how Toronto defends superstars using their athleticism and Nurse's scheme and given how Houston shoots the three and how Harden/Westbrook present issues. Clips, Celtics, and Bucks are going to be hard to beat but I at least feel better about those potential series given the personnel.

Raptors at #1?

They've looked good all season, but when the games tighten up, I think they'll falter a bit. Lakers would have the 2 best players in the series. When's the last time a team ever lost with the 2 best players in the series?

2004 finals? And Kobe kept shooting too much that series compared to Shaq.

Rockets/Clippers are the most dangerous teams IMO. I think the Lakers are certs if they get to the finals.

Toronto pretty convincingly beat this team both times in the RS and watching both there were very few positives for me to take away from the matchup. LeBron looked rough in both games and AD was completely taken out of the 2nd by their double team. Every guy they play can shoot the three and defend.

I think Milwaukee will beat them and Boston has a chance to but I’m not gonna lie if we get a Toronto-LAL Finals I’m a little worried. They give me a bit of a 2014 Spurs vibe where yeah they may not have a true superstar but they have damn good players all over the place. Also I realize an undermanned Brooklyn team isn’t a good opponent but any team that sweeps a first round series with a ~20 net rating is probably a really good team, not to mention they finished with the #2 defense for the year.

[Prez]

If the Lakers are in good enough form to get to the finals over the Clips/Rockets/whoever and aren't completely worn down by the time they get there, I think they clamp the Raptors in that series. Their focus/intensity level is going to be at peak levels and I don't think Toronto can deal with that without Kawhi this time around. I would say the Bucks could do something similar defensively if they meet in the ECF, but the Bucks have looked for much of this bubble like they did nothing but smoke pot and play COD for 4 months.

[TheGOATRises007]

I have a really hard time seeing Lebron lose in the finals if he gets there.

Especially since his team won't be outmatched. I'd favor the Lakers quite easily in the finals.

[Joey Wheeler]

Of the teams left I think the toughest matchups for us in order are:

1. Raptors
2. Rockets (if Westbrook is healthy)
3. Clippers
4. Celtics
5. Bucks
6. Heat
7. Jazz
8. Mavericks
9. Nuggets
10. Thunder
11. Magic

The top 5 teams are really the only ones I'm concerned about. Toronto and Houston are just really difficult matchups imo given how Toronto defends superstars using their athleticism and Nurse's scheme and given how Houston shoots the three and how Harden/Westbrook present issues. Clips, Celtics, and Bucks are going to be hard to beat but I at least feel better about those potential series given the personnel.

Raptors at #1?

They've looked good all season, but when the games tighten up, I think they'll falter a bit. Lakers would have the 2 best players in the series. When's the last time a team ever lost with the 2 best players in the series?

2004 finals? And Kobe kept shooting too much that series compared to Shaq.

Rockets/Clippers are the most dangerous teams IMO. I think the Lakers are certs if they get to the finals.

2014 WCF, OKC losing to Spurs, Durant and Westbrook were the top 2 players.

In any case, in a playoff setting Lebron and AD are the top 2 players in the NBA, Lakers have the top 2 players in any series they play.

The way to hit the Lakers is to exploit their weak supporting cast; for that you need a high octane offense that doesn't allow the Lakers to play 2-big lineups and puts pressure on the Lakers role players to make shots. Toronto won't be a threat because they just won't be able to produce enough offense to keep up.

[yoyoboy]

If the Lakers are in good enough form to get to the finals over the Clips/Rockets/whoever and aren't completely worn down by the time they get there, I think they clamp the Raptors in that series. Their focus/intensity level is going to be at peak levels and I don't think Toronto can deal with that without Kawhi this time around. I would say the Bucks could do something similar defensively if they meet in the ECF, but the Bucks have looked for much of this bubble like they did nothing but smoke pot and play COD for 4 months.

I’m really looking forward to seeing both Bucks matchups. There are going to be some interesting chess moves played by the coaches in both of those series to deal with each other. Giannis is used to “the wall” now that both teams employ so I want to see how he and Bud execute their counters.

[Homer38]

I have a really hard time seeing Lebron lose in the finals if he gets there.

Especially since his team won't be outmatched. I'd favor the Lakers quite easily in the finals.

I like the chances of lakers against anyone(Clippers,Rockets,Bucks,Raptors,etc), but it won't be easy.

[Joey Wheeler]

Of the teams left I think the toughest matchups for us in order are:

1. Raptors
2. Rockets (if Westbrook is healthy)
3. Clippers
4. Celtics
5. Bucks
6. Heat
7. Jazz
8. Mavericks
9. Nuggets
10. Thunder
11. Magic

The top 5 teams are really the only ones I'm concerned about. Toronto and Houston are just really difficult matchups imo given how Toronto defends superstars using their athleticism and Nurse's scheme and given how Houston shoots the three and how Harden/Westbrook present issues. Clips, Celtics, and Bucks are going to be hard to beat but I at least feel better about those potential series given the personnel.

Raptors at #1?

They've looked good all season, but when the games tighten up, I think they'll falter a bit. Lakers would have the 2 best players in the series. When's the last time a team ever lost with the 2 best players in the series?

2004 finals? And Kobe kept shooting too much that series compared to Shaq.

Rockets/Clippers are the most dangerous teams IMO. I think the Lakers are certs if they get to the finals.

Toronto pretty convincingly beat this team both times in the RS and watching both there were very few positives for me to take away from the matchup. LeBron looked rough in both games and AD was completely taken out of the 2nd by their double team. Every guy they play can shoot the three and defend.

I think Milwaukee will beat them and Boston has a chance to but I’m not gonna lie if we get a Toronto-LAL Finals I’m a little worried. They give me a bit of a 2014 Spurs vibe where yeah they may not have a true superstar but they have damn good players all over the place. Also I realize an undermanned Brooklyn team isn’t a good opponent but any team that sweeps a first round series with a ~20 net rating is probably a really good team, not to mention they finished with the #2 defense for the year.

That was RS. And the 2014 Heat was basically Lebron and role players, a broken down Wade was an outright liability if anything. The Spurs, as good a team as they were, would not have beaten Lebron/AD.

[nzahir]

Of the teams left I think the toughest matchups for us in order are:

1. Raptors
2. Rockets (if Westbrook is healthy)
3. Clippers
4. Celtics
5. Bucks
6. Heat
7. Jazz
8. Mavericks
9. Nuggets
10. Thunder
11. Magic

The top 5 teams are really the only ones I'm concerned about. Toronto and Houston are just really difficult matchups imo given how Toronto defends superstars using their athleticism and Nurse's scheme and given how Houston shoots the three and how Harden/Westbrook present issues. Clips, Celtics, and Bucks are going to be hard to beat but I at least feel better about those potential series given the personnel.

Raptors at #1?

They've looked good all season, but when the games tighten up, I think they'll falter a bit. Lakers would have the 2 best players in the series. When's the last time a team ever lost with the 2 best players in the series?

2004 finals? And Kobe kept shooting too much that series compared to Shaq.

Rockets/Clippers are the most dangerous teams IMO. I think the Lakers are certs if they get to the finals.

2014 WCF, OKC losing to Spurs, Durant and Westbrook were the top 2 players.

In any case, in a playoff setting Lebron and AD are the top 2 players in the NBA, Lakers have the top 2 players in any series they play.

The way to hit the Lakers is to exploit their weak supporting cast; for that you need a high octane offense that doesn't allow the Lakers to play 2-big lineups and puts pressure on the Lakers role players to make shots. Toronto won't be a threat because they just won't be able to produce enough offense to keep up.

Raps bench just scored 100 the other night

They can shoot the 3 very well and have great defenders, kind of scary

No true superstar, but a lot of great guys and Lowry and Siakam are legit all stars

[Joey Wheeler]

Raptors at #1?

They've looked good all season, but when the games tighten up, I think they'll falter a bit. Lakers would have the 2 best players in the series. When's the last time a team ever lost with the 2 best players in the series?

2004 finals? And Kobe kept shooting too much that series compared to Shaq.

Rockets/Clippers are the most dangerous teams IMO. I think the Lakers are certs if they get to the finals.

2014 WCF, OKC losing to Spurs, Durant and Westbrook were the top 2 players.

In any case, in a playoff setting Lebron and AD are the top 2 players in the NBA, Lakers have the top 2 players in any series they play.

The way to hit the Lakers is to exploit their weak supporting cast; for that you need a high octane offense that doesn't allow the Lakers to play 2-big lineups and puts pressure on the Lakers role players to make shots. Toronto won't be a threat because they just won't be able to produce enough offense to keep up.

Raps bench just scored 100 the other night

They can shoot the 3 very well and have great defenders, kind of scary

No true superstar, but a lot of great guys and Lowry and Siakam are legit all stars

The Nets are a terrible team. You know this Portland team that's completely outmatched against the Lakers? They'd likely sweep the Nets.

The Raptors are a very good team indeed, I think they could get to the Finals in a relatively weak East. But they got nothing for a team with Lebron and AD over 7 games, nothing. You need to be able to generate super high octane offense to be in with a chance; the only weakness the Lakers have is mathematical, they don't shoot the 3 well, that can be exploited by a team like Houston if they get hot. Also, you need to stop the Lakers from playing 2 bigs for extended minutes, which the Raptors can't do either.

[nzahir]

2014 WCF, OKC losing to Spurs, Durant and Westbrook were the top 2 players.

In any case, in a playoff setting Lebron and AD are the top 2 players in the NBA, Lakers have the top 2 players in any series they play.

The way to hit the Lakers is to exploit their weak supporting cast; for that you need a high octane offense that doesn't allow the Lakers to play 2-big lineups and puts pressure on the Lakers role players to make shots. Toronto won't be a threat because they just won't be able to produce enough offense to keep up.

Raps bench just scored 100 the other night

They can shoot the 3 very well and have great defenders, kind of scary

No true superstar, but a lot of great guys and Lowry and Siakam are legit all stars

The Nets are a terrible team. You know this Portland team that's completely outmatched against the Lakers? They'd likely sweep the Nets.

The Raptors are a very good team indeed, I think they could get to the Finals in a relatively weak East. But they got nothing for a team with Lebron and AD over 7 games, nothing. You need to be able to generate super high octane offense to be in with a chance; the only weakness the Lakers have is mathematical, they don't shoot the 3 well, that can be exploited by a team like Houston if they get hot. Also, you need to stop the Lakers from playing 2 bigs for extended minutes, which the Raptors can't do either.

Is our offense that high octane?

Raps have done a good job vs Lebron and AD, but I can sense like they weren't going full speed and full effort

Hou is worrisome ofc b/c of the 3s, but AD and Lebron should legit average 70 at a minimum vs Hou on very good efficiency too.
They will get cold at times and we should continue to be very good and efficient consistently. But we will need guys to hit shots at a decent %

But who even knows if Hou advances

[Heej]

Still upsetting that LeBron never won DPOY. If he played peak defense post 2015 he could've won it. Just came around 5 years too early.

The leagues understanding of the defensive impact of wing defense as 3s became more important didn't catch up in time. I'll take a guy who can clog up the middle and shoot out to the 3 point line to cause record scratches and switch pnrs over a pure rim protector like Marc Gasol any day.

This legendary article from 2013 really spoke to what he was doing on defense that season.

https://grantland.com/features/the-toronto-raptors-sportvu-cameras-nba-analytical-revolution/

Having players a foot or two out of position can be fatal to a defense, says Tom Sterner, a Raptors assistant and something of a tech guru.5 “The players are just so quick in the NBA,” Sterner says. “One or two feet can make a huge difference.”

Ultra-aggressive help defense is really hard work. Replay that clip and watch how far DeRozan’s ghost has to move as the Knicks swing the ball. That’s brutal, and it’s not a coincidence that the only team that consistently mirrors the help defense of its ghosts is Miami, Rucker says. The Heat have three of the best wing defenders in the league in Shane Battier, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade, and the latter two are among the NBA’s most gifted pure athletes. James can mimic DeRozan’s hyperactive ghost in a way no other player can, Rucker says. “LeBron basically messes up the system and the ghosts,” Rucker says. “He does things that are just unsustainable for most players.”

Not to mention he still has Hall of Fame Intimidator Badge. There's an aura about him that passively suppresses players' shooting percentages when he's in the vicinity lol. Kawhi got it too

[MyUniBroDavis]

AD is hurt in the same way jm hurt when i stub my toe lol

Clippers lakers and bucks are still the big three of the league to me. Raptors are good but i do think the fact that they lank a real superstar matters, we only lose to houstan if our gameplan is dumb or something

[kayess]

So much for that Mavs upset.

Is there any chance the Nuggets/Jazz wear out the Clippers or even beat them?

I'm lowkey terrified of Morris/PatBev pulling out some intentional injury bull

[TheGOATRises007]

So much for that Mavs upset.

Is there any chance the Nuggets/Jazz wear out the Clippers or even beat them?

I'm lowkey terrified of Morris/PatBev pulling out some intentional injury bull

Pretty sure the Clippers have an easier time with either team than they did with the Mavs.

[Mos_Heat]

So much for that Mavs upset.

Is there any chance the Nuggets/Jazz wear out the Clippers or even beat them?

I'm lowkey terrified of Morris/PatBev pulling out some intentional injury bull

Nah, Utah might win a game, but Nuggets don't have a chance at all