The LeBron Thread 2021 Off-Season Edition

[GSP]

Read on Twitter

He definitely looks much bigger coming into this year. Can't really tell about his lower body, but chest and shoulders look bulkier. Hopefully serves him well for a full time role at the 5.

He could def win Dpoy since Rudy is not gonna win it after another playoff meltdown where his defense got exposed.

Any thoughts on Brons size and weight? Haven't seen much yet

[IG2]

Been watching some full games of LeBron from his 2010 season and amazed at how much I had forgotten about his game.

- I don't know why I remember him being this ball pounder during his initial Cleveland stint. Not only did he mostly play off-ball, but when he did catch it (usually through some off-ball action), he was quick to make a move with it. His game seemed a lot more instinctual than what it later became. More decisive and less over-thinking. He was looking to make plays pretty much all the time. A significant part of it I'm sure was just due to him being this godly physical specimen. Why don't I remember him possessing an elite first step?? I never saw him as that guy, but he was. He was blowing past the initial line of defense at will. And his body was rubbery enough to change direction and elude defenses even after that. There was no way to keep him in front of you. Teams pretty much always had 3 guys shadowing him on every possession. That ceased to exist from 2011 onward. He simply wasn't THAT threatening off the dribble for teams to guard him like that. Well, that and better teammates/spacing.

I know 2010 basically gets forgotten as his peak because of 1 subpar series, but I think it's right up there with 2009 as his 2 best seasons. The more I re-watch his career, the more I'm convinced he peaked before The Decision. His game was already polished enough by that point and whatever improvements he made later on - post play and jumper - simply weren't substantial enough to offset his big edge in athleticism and motor.

[SideshowBob]

Been watching some full games of LeBron from his 2010 season and amazed at how much I had forgotten about his game.

- I don't know why I remember him being this ball pounder during his initial Cleveland stint. Not only did he mostly play off-ball, but when he did catch it (usually through some off-ball action), he was quick to make a move with it. His game seemed a lot more instinctual than what it later became. More decisive and less over-thinking. He was looking to make plays pretty much all the time. A significant part of it I'm sure was just due to him being this godly physical specimen. Why don't I remember him possessing an elite first step?? I never saw him as that guy, but he was. He was blowing past the initial line of defense at will. And his body was rubbery enough to change direction and elude defenses even after that. There was no way to keep him in front of you. Teams pretty much always had 3 guys shadowing him on every possession. That ceased to exist from 2011 onward. He simply wasn't THAT threatening off the dribble for teams to guard him like that. Well, that and better teammates/spacing.

I know 2010 basically gets forgotten as his peak because of 1 subpar series, but I think it's right up there with 2009 as his 2 best seasons. The more I re-watch his career, the more I'm convinced he peaked before The Decision. His game was already polished enough by that point and whatever improvements he made later on - post play and jumper - simply weren't substantial enough to offset his big edge in athleticism and motor.

I mostly agree, but I think in a playoff setting with breaks/game-planning, 17 & 18 tipped the accumulated IQ/skill balance enough to make up the gap.

[Run DLC]

10k assists and 10k rebounds will finally be achievable this season.

[IG2]

I mostly agree, but I think in a playoff setting with breaks/game-planning, 17 & 18 tipped the accumulated IQ/skill balance enough to make up the gap.

So you would say 09/10/17/18 are pretty much all on the same level as LeBron's best versions?

[falcolombardi]

somethingh i realized in the jordan vs lebron thread is how Stark the contrast in free throw rates was for both players in their 30's

lebron in 2018 had 42% of his field goals -inside 3 feet-

jordan in 1998 had -22%- of his field goals inside 3 feet

3-10 feet is roughly similar attempt for both, so if i go 0-10 feet is still a huge disparity

yet it was jordan who was getting -more- free throws

[homecourtloss]

somethingh i realized in the jordan vs lebron thread is how Stark the contrast in free throw rates was for both players in their 30's

lebron in 2018 had 42% of his field goals -inside 3 feet-

jordan in 1998 had -22%- of his field goals inside 3 feet

3-10 feet is roughly similar attempt for both, so if i go 0-10 feet is still a huge disparity

yet it was jordan who was getting -more- free throws

LeBron getting calls in 2013–2018....would have changed things.

The amount of touch fouls Jordan got 15 feet out goes against the narrative of the brutal physicality of his era. The Free-throw rates in general were a lot higher—one could argue there were more shots taken out the rim overall (not LeBron vs. Jordan), but the idea that there’s all these brutal fouls does not jive with the fact that so many fouls were called because if all these fouls were brutal then we’d see them as part of the 30-40 FTs taken, but we didn’t see them when we watched the games (I as a teen) live, and we don’t see them now when we watch the games on YouTube.

[falcolombardi]

somethingh i realized in the jordan vs lebron thread is how Stark the contrast in free throw rates was for both players in their 30's

lebron in 2018 had 42% of his field goals -inside 3 feet-

jordan in 1998 had -22%- of his field goals inside 3 feet

3-10 feet is roughly similar attempt for both, so if i go 0-10 feet is still a huge disparity

yet it was jordan who was getting -more- free throws

LeBron getting calls in 2013–2018....would have changed things.

The amount of touch fouls Jordan got 15 feet out goes against the narrative of the brutal physicality of his era. The Free-throw rates in general were a lot higher—one could argue there were more shots taken out the rim overall (not LeBron vs. Jordan), but the idea that there’s all these brutal fouls does not jive with the fact that so many fouls were called because if all these fouls were brutal then we’d see them as part of the 30-40 FTs taken, but we didn’t see them when we watched the games (I as a teen) live, and we don’t see them now when we watch the games on YouTube.

is a general trend in most aspects of live to have older generation criticizing younger ones for how much easier they have it

[nzahir]

Anyone watching the pre season game?

I have only seen parts of it, hard to gather too much from a game where everyone looks rusty, nets stars out, and us not playing Bron, Russ, and a few others

Still looks like THT's shot just isn't there yet, but its early

Nunn has looked ok, but Monk has looked impressive

Wonder if he will compete to steal the spot from Ellington

We will always need 1 of Russ or Bron out there and I assume we will do that

[colts18]

somethingh i realized in the jordan vs lebron thread is how Stark the contrast in free throw rates was for both players in their 30's

lebron in 2018 had 42% of his field goals -inside 3 feet-

jordan in 1998 had -22%- of his field goals inside 3 feet

3-10 feet is roughly similar attempt for both, so if i go 0-10 feet is still a huge disparity

yet it was jordan who was getting -more- free throws

LeBron getting calls in 2013–2018....would have changed things.

The amount of touch fouls Jordan got 15 feet out goes against the narrative of the brutal physicality of his era. The Free-throw rates in general were a lot higher—one could argue there were more shots taken out the rim overall (not LeBron vs. Jordan), but the idea that there’s all these brutal fouls does not jive with the fact that so many fouls were called because if all these fouls were brutal then we’d see them as part of the 30-40 FTs taken, but we didn’t see them when we watched the games (I as a teen) live, and we don’t see them now when we watch the games on YouTube.

LeBron used to get calls back when he was in Cleveland. The second he made the decision, refs stopped giving him calls. Just look at his Free Throw rates in Miami and his 2nd Cleveland stint. The amount of calls he got compared to the amount of times he went to the basket and tried to initiate contact is pathetic. If you want to be angry, look at the amount of Free Throws LeBron had vs. Kevin Durant then look at their drive attempts and amount of shots near the basket.

[Greyhound]

The silver lining behind the way the league has been officiating LeBron since the decision is that they have made his regular season to playoff performance transition relatively bulletproof.

The beauty of LeBron’s offensive game is that he does not need calls to get his efficiently. Even when the physicality is ramped up in the playoffs, it’s just another day in the office for him.

LeBron actually makes shots and has become accustomed to the 4 free throw attempt game.

With the majority of the “stars” in today’s league, you can put a fork in their neck (efficiency wise) if they’re not getting calls in any particular playoff game.

That becomes one of LeBron’s advantages, when it matters.

[Kingdibs19]

The silver lining behind the way the league has been officiating LeBron since the decision is that they have made his regular season to playoff performance transition relatively bulletproof.

The beauty of LeBron’s offensive game is that he does not need calls to get his efficiently. Even when the physicality is ramped up in the playoffs, it’s just another day in the office for him.

LeBron actually makes shots and has become accustomed to the 4 free throw attempt game.

With the majority of the “stars” in today’s league, you can put a fork in their neck (efficiency wise) if they’re not getting calls in any particular playoff game.

That becomes one of LeBron’s advantages, when it matters.

I don’t know those Warriors teams (Curry & KD) still got light calls in the playoffs

[MisterHibachi]

Read on Twitter

This man was promised a starting role on a championship contender SMFH

[trickshot]

AD seems to be ready to get on his teammates for lax defensive effort. DPOY form incoming unfortunately the team defense might not be good enough for a strong award campaign. You can't amass 4-6 terrible offball defenders and expect much. Vogel is man not magician.

There are 1 or 2 new guys I think will be kicked off before the playoffs once the Lakers get a picture of how bad they really are in net contribution.

[Slava]

Read on Twitter

This man was promised a starting role on a championship contender SMFH

Didn't he get his mandatory 20-10 and give a victorious post game speech about how he is willing to run through a wall for Doc Rivers?

[Mos_Heat]

AD seems to be ready to get on his teammates for lax defensive effort. DPOY form incoming unfortunately the team defense might not be good enough for a strong award campaign. You can't amass 4-6 terrible offball defenders and expect much. Vogel is man not magician.

There are 1 or 2 new guys I think will be kicked off before the playoffs once the Lakers get a picture of how bad they really are in net contribution.

I wonder, will they trade THT and unprotected 1st for a game changer on the perimeter

[homecourtloss]

AD seems to be ready to get on his teammates for lax defensive effort. DPOY form incoming unfortunately the team defense might not be good enough for a strong award campaign. You can't amass 4-6 terrible offball defenders and expect much. Vogel is man not magician.

There are 1 or 2 new guys I think will be kicked off before the playoffs once the Lakers get a picture of how bad they really are in net contribution.

Well, he should begin with himself. Last year:

—Lakers defense was a strong 1.8 points per 100 possessions better with AD off court.
—56th in DRPM
—78th in DRAPM (72nd luck adjusted)
—16th in DRAPTOR (26th in ON-OFF DRAPTOR

—64th percentile in defending spot ups
—Of the players who played at least 35 games and defended 5+ shots per game at the rim, he was 17th best in the NBA out of 29 players (1st in dfg% at the rim was Brook Lopez, last was Jokic).

AD last year for whatever reason (fatigue, injury, etc.) did not produce a single metric that suggests he’s even all NBA defense let alone DPOY. And, despite this, Lakers had a top defense. AD having a DPOY caliber season last year along with the rest of the defense wouls have likely produced a historic defense (-7.0ish rDRtg).

[Greyhound]

ESPN and the Undefeated doing rag journalism things again.

Some guy trying to make the case that LeBron getting vaccinated is a social justice issue.

Go, go gadget reach…

Going so far as to criticize LeBron for not backing everyone take the shot while COVID ravages “his community”.

The man vaccinated himself and his family as well. He did not advocate for telling what others should do with their bodies (nor do I believe he should).

He did his part, how about others do theirs.

LeBron did not give the media that take the shot or else sound bite that they wanted, so they decided to use his name anyway to push their agenda.

[trickshot]

AD seems to be ready to get on his teammates for lax defensive effort. DPOY form incoming unfortunately the team defense might not be good enough for a strong award campaign. You can't amass 4-6 terrible offball defenders and expect much. Vogel is man not magician.

There are 1 or 2 new guys I think will be kicked off before the playoffs once the Lakers get a picture of how bad they really are in net contribution.

Well, he should begin with himself. Last year:

—Lakers defense was a strong 1.8 points per 100 possessions better with AD off court.
—56th in DRPM
—78th in DRAPM (72nd luck adjusted)
—16th in DRAPTOR (26th in ON-OFF DRAPTOR

—64th percentile in defending spot ups
—Of the players who played at least 35 games and defended 5+ shots per game at the rim, he was 17th best in the NBA out of 29 players (1st in dfg% at the rim was Brook Lopez, last was Jokic).

AD last year for whatever reason (fatigue, injury, etc.) did not produce a single metric that suggests he’s even all NBA defense let alone DPOY. And, despite this, Lakers had a top defense. AD having a DPOY caliber season last year along with the rest of the defense wouls have likely produced a historic defense (-7.0ish rDRtg).

Lol yeah I'd certainly hope that includes playing defense. He helped waste last year's team's defensive potential. Imagine being that bad at offense and still winning games handily. Turned it up every now and then but it was a huge missed opportunity for a DPOY run.

[falcolombardi]

ESPN and the Undefeated doing rag journalism things again.

Some guy trying to make the case that LeBron getting vaccinated is a social justice issue.

Go, go gadget reach…

Going so far as to criticize LeBron for not backing everyone take the shot while COVID ravages “his community”.

The man vaccinated himself and his family as well. He did not advocate for telling what others should do with their bodies (nor do I believe he should).

He did his part, how about others do theirs.

LeBron did not give the media that take the shot or else sound bite that they wanted, so they decided to use his name anyway to push their agenda.

while i was s dissapointed lebron didnt back the vaccine more clearly. i have to agree here

lots of people (lol kanter, even though i like him) taking shots for notoriety