The LeBron James All-NBA (2nd) and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread

[trickshot]

This game is an example of why I don’t like the idea of LeBron prominently taking a backseat. This game should’ve been Bron taking over almost every possession since nobody else had it going. Would’ve had a better chance with him taking the reins and going down swinging with 50+. Didn’t need everyone else jacking up shots tonight and making dumb decisions.

At 40 he just doesn't have the requisite motor nor the athleticism to be a high-volume guy. He's been picking and choosing his spots all season and more than content to give the ball up to Doncic and Reaves. And that's gonna be more pronounced than ever in a series like this where he's exerting so much defensive effort.

All that said, if there was a night I would've liked to see him dominate the ball, this would've been it. Especially late in the 4th qtr. He only took 1 shot the last 6 minutes of the game and barely had the ball during that stretch. Should've been looking to make plays with Luka struggling and Austin so physically overmatched.

Think he was gassed. Willingness to shoot has not been a problem for Lebron this year especially. You could see it in how how long he took to get up from a fall, taking extra time to steal some seconds of rest. My biggest peeve with the rest of the team is they only play hard if they see him or Luka doing so, like the offensive workload is the same. Reaves to some extent but Rui and others especially always regress to lackadaisical low effort and it's not enough.

[DorianRo]

yes he gassed out. (predictable he would, many of us were calling it at half time). Which is why I said to begin with, Lebron going 1 man team all game is a guaranteed loss.

[trickshot]

yes he gassed out. (predictable he would, many of us were calling it at half time). Which is why I said to begin with, Lebron going 1 man team all game is a guaranteed loss.

Wolves were going to blow the Lakers out in the first half before he took over and went 8-10 or something. After that it was on the team to bring it home, not the 40 year old. Luka won't be sick the rest of the series but also JJ needs to relax his hard on for certain guys. Asides Reaves everyone else should be up for DNPs if they aren't bringing anything substantial.

[trickshot]

Luka also needs to get a nutritionist or fire the one he already has. After all the slander from Nico to go cost the team a game to a dodgy kebab.

[nzahir]

yes he gassed out. (predictable he would, many of us were calling it at half time). Which is why I said to begin with, Lebron going 1 man team all game is a guaranteed loss.

Wolves were going to blow the Lakers out in the first half before he took over and went 8-10 or something. After that it was on the team to bring it home, not the 40 year old. Luka won't be sick the rest of the series but also JJ needs to relax his hard on for certain guys. Asides Reaves everyone else should be up for DNPs if they aren't bringing anything substantial.

We have a limited rotation, replace the DNPs with who?

If Luka is normal last night or we don’t turn it over like 20 times; we win

A lot of those turnovers or blown layups led to points on the other end. There were like 4-5 massive 4-5 point swings

The issue is we play small ball and to do so, you need a lot of energy and effort

Can’t do that with a sick/lazy Luka since everyone needs to give effort

I still think we should win this series, but more likely to win in 7 now than 6

We need to win 2 in a row ofc to win, and I can see us doing it

Hoping Kleber can get healthy this year just for another body to be playable

[trickshot]

yes he gassed out. (predictable he would, many of us were calling it at half time). Which is why I said to begin with, Lebron going 1 man team all game is a guaranteed loss.

Wolves were going to blow the Lakers out in the first half before he took over and went 8-10 or something. After that it was on the team to bring it home, not the 40 year old. Luka won't be sick the rest of the series but also JJ needs to relax his hard on for certain guys. Asides Reaves everyone else should be up for DNPs if they aren't bringing anything substantial.

We have a limited rotation, replace the DNPs with who?

If Luka is normal last night or we don’t turn it over like 20 times; we win

A lot of those turnovers or blown layups led to points on the other end. There were like 4-5 massive 4-5 point swings

The issue is we play small ball and to do so, you need a lot of energy and effort

Can’t do that with a sick/lazy Luka since everyone needs to give effort

I still think we should win this series, but more likely to win in 7 now than 6

We need to win 2 in a row ofc to win, and I can see us doing it

Hoping Kleber can get healthy this year just for another body to be playable

Didn't mean DNP literally. More so minutes reductions for certain guys. I don't know who it's going to be and it is just a guess but I'm willing to bet one of the bodies on the bench at some point in this series will have us go 'why didn't we play them sooner?'. Not because they are so great but because of how much of a non-factor the rotation guys can be in between their good minutes. Rui's 30 to 40 minutes needs to be broken down and experimented for something different. Maybe just all defense around the big 3 come hell or highwater idk. What I do know is the team does not lack for quality, they are just losing the functionality/versatility/matchup battle. Hayes turning out to be a liability also just f'd up the whole gameplan template the team has been using since the Luka trade.

[Ian Scuffling]

This game is an example of why I don’t like the idea of LeBron prominently taking a backseat. This game should’ve been Bron taking over almost every possession since nobody else had it going. Would’ve had a better chance with him taking the reins and going down swinging with 50+. Didn’t need everyone else jacking up shots tonight and making dumb decisions.

At 40 he just doesn't have the requisite motor nor the athleticism to be a high-volume guy. He's been picking and choosing his spots all season and more than content to give the ball up to Doncic and Reaves. And that's gonna be more pronounced than ever in a series like this where he's exerting so much defensive effort.

All that said, if there was a night I would've liked to see him dominate the ball, this would've been it. Especially late in the 4th qtr. He only took 1 shot the last 6 minutes of the game and barely had the ball during that stretch. Should've been looking to make plays with Luka struggling and Austin so physically overmatched.

But as you said, he was active all game prior. He might have been physically spent. I'm sure he was physically spent by that time. Even 40 year old Lebron can't do that. Just a shame to lose that game. Hopefully, and it's really the only hope they have, is that Luka is feeling much better by game 4.

[AmIWrongDude]

This game is an example of why I don’t like the idea of LeBron prominently taking a backseat. This game should’ve been Bron taking over almost every possession since nobody else had it going. Would’ve had a better chance with him taking the reins and going down swinging with 50+. Didn’t need everyone else jacking up shots tonight and making dumb decisions.

At 40 he just doesn't have the requisite motor nor the athleticism to be a high-volume guy. He's been picking and choosing his spots all season and more than content to give the ball up to Doncic and Reaves. And that's gonna be more pronounced than ever in a series like this where he's exerting so much defensive effort.

All that said, if there was a night I would've liked to see him dominate the ball, this would've been it. Especially late in the 4th qtr. He only took 1 shot the last 6 minutes of the game and barely had the ball during that stretch. Should've been looking to make plays with Luka struggling and Austin so physically overmatched.

Absolutely ya hes gotta be #2 to Luka but I saw last night as the “spot” he needed to pick and just say F it and go down swinging at least trying to go OG Bron Godmode.

[DorianRo]

I would rather go down swinging with 25 year old Luka on a hospital bed than go with Lebron playing 1 on 5 and knowing hes going to gas out and do stupid things down the stretch. At least even with Sick Luka forcing the issue there is a chance you win.. No chance you win with a 40 year old trying to do everything

[trickshot]

I would rather go down swinging with 25 year old Luka on a hospital bed than go with Lebron playing 1 on 5 and knowing hes going to gas out and do stupid things down the stretch. At least even with Sick Luka forcing the issue there is a chance you win.. No chance you win with a 40 year old trying to do everything

Brother, we heard you just fine the first dozen times. Don't know if it was your first game of the season so don't worry, Lebron doesn't run the Lakers offense. Only did it last night after it became obvious Luka wasn't going to be himself and the game started slipping. What was he supposed to do?

[DorianRo]

I would rather go down swinging with 25 year old Luka on a hospital bed than go with Lebron playing 1 on 5 and knowing hes going to gas out and do stupid things down the stretch. At least even with Sick Luka forcing the issue there is a chance you win.. No chance you win with a 40 year old trying to do everything

Brother, we heard you just fine the first dozen times. Don't know if it was your first game of the season so don't worry, Lebron doesn't run the Lakers offense. Only did it last night after it became obvious Luka wasn't going to be himself and the game started slipping. What was he supposed to do?

Lebron not only runs the offense, he runs the front office and every decision they make. Come on man.. Whats his kid doing on the team and taking up a bench spot that can go to someone that can actually play and contribute in the playoffs from the bench? Why isn't he in the G-league. ? Hes not even Division 1 material never mind NBA material. How many coaches has he had sacked? (Has any other team had this type of turnover in coaching?) Why can't AD not stand Lebron anymore? Cause he knows he's behind everything. The man behind the curtain so to speak.
Lebron may as well be the owner, GM, Coach all in one. Cause thats what hes doing now. So everything is on him.. Hes the one making all the calls. Lets not pretend like he's some "outsider" here. He controls the entire organization

[Fadeaway_J]

Why the hell is Hayes still starting?

[trickshot]

Going into the playoffs with Hayes as the main 5 is something. Rui is also a bit of a fake smallball big. His efficiency deceives because his volume is too low to punish Gobert sagging. Wolves will live with the 2 made threes a game if they can keep Gobert in the paint.

[DorianRo]

Luka already gassed and out of shape and Lebron will be gassed by the 2nd half

[Dupp]

It’s taken 15 years but lebrons finally gotten some free throws.

[IG2]

3-1

It was very obvious after Game 2 Lakers weren't winning this series.

No size, no athleticism and no depth while the other team has those in spades. Pelinka has some moves to make in the offseason. But even with those moves, this is not a championship winning core with 41 year old LeBron as the 2nd option.

One a side note, Ant's special. He'll be a Top 3 player for a very long time.

[KembaWalker]

LeBron is not an ideal second option

[dcstanley]

LeBron is not an ideal second option

He was the Lakers best player today

[jalengreen]

Just fell apart in the clutch of b2b extremely winnable games.

[Fadeaway_J]

If Minnesota had 10% higher collective basketball IQ this would be a comfortable sweep.