The LeBron James - 21-22 Regular Season Thread - New Thread Soon Part 2

[zimpy27]

and Ariza has performed decently, by the ye test positive impact even but it's clear it was definitely foolish to wait for his return. He looks like a decent fringe player, shocker right? that's what he already was last season. If the plan was to let him be the lone wing I swear I can see why fans hate their front office.

I think he's looked good in the 4 games so far. He has shot well and he's defending well. He should be in their top 5 for sure

[Baski]

Also **** Westbrook. I've never liked him but I'm now in hater territory. Lowest BBIQ MVP in NBA history and it's not even close. He just doesn't care about winning, and I know it's easy to say that and just lazily go "hmph, player haz gud statz but no rangz? Obviously doesn't care about winning, stad padder " but seriously.

Dude loses important back to back games because of his clutch time BS, nearly loses a 3rd one, and his response is "I think I've been fine, people are expecting to get 25/15/15 but it's not easy bro " like **** what? Do you not see the game beyond the box score? Dude is completely unaware of his flaws or how to play winning basketball and it comes straight from his mouth. No inference required.

Hell, a few years ago, I think it was in 2019, he just straight up admitted he doesn't watch tape... How in the mother of **** god, could the most inefficient player in the league (volume adjusted) who was also leading the league in turnovers, just admit they don't watch tape, and not consider that problematic? Not lose any sleep over it at all? Just not care?

Imagine Simmons, Lebron or Giannis admitting they just don't practice their shooting. Imagine Embiid saying he just doesn't do his injury rehab, or Luka, Jokic or Zion just straight up admitting they don't give a **** about their diet. A blatantly open admission that they just don't care about self improvement or winning. Westbrook does it and it's never brought up, because the bar is set so low for him that him playing hard (not really) is all people ask

Funny thing is, I think that Westbrook believes that he cares about winning, but is just too dumb to and lacking in self awareness to realise that's not the case.

I don't buy that he gives a **** about winning any more than the average NBA player. Of course everybody wants to win, but not everybody will do what it takes. What he cares about is being the sole reason for his team winning, or looking good failing to do so.

[nzahir]

and Ariza has performed decently, by the ye test positive impact even but it's clear it was definitely foolish to wait for his return. He looks like a decent fringe player, shocker right? that's what he already was last season. If the plan was to let him be the lone wing I swear I can see why fans hate their front office.

Not sure why he barely played last night tbh

Ariza is a smart player who won't try to do too much and knows his role

Gives effort on D and can hit open 3s

Hoping we make a move that can help for now and even next year

Small contract trade targets: Kenrich Williams, Muscula

Middle contracts: RoCo (has been bad this year, maybe buying low?), Alec Burks, Cam Reddish

Larger contracts (also very tough to get done unless we move Nunn with THT):
Grant (not sure if he would even be a great fit tbh), Barnes, Norman Powell, Eric Gordon

[Slava]

The Westbrook trade was the worst possible outcome solely because of his contract regardless of the potential fit issues. The Lakers traded away a bunch of mid-level contracts AND a pick that can be flexibly aggregated into trades or roster upgrades for one gigantic stink bomb. This is as bad a move as the Deng and Mozgov deals that got Kupchak fired.

[zimpy27]

The Westbrook trade was the worst possible outcome solely because of his contract regardless of the potential fit issues. The Lakers traded away a bunch of mid-level contracts AND a pick that can be flexibly aggregated into trades or roster upgrades for one gigantic stink bomb. This is as bad a move as the Deng and Mozgov deals that got Kupchak fired.

It's too early to declare it a disaster. I think if healthy they can tighten the playoff rotation to:

18 minutes: Westbrook, Reaves, Ariza, LeBron, Davis
10 minutes: Westbrook, Monk, Melo, LeBron, Howard
10 minutes: Westbrook, Nunn, THT, Melo, Davis
10 minutes: Nunn, Monk, THT, LeBron, Davis

It's effectively 38mpg for LeBron, Davis, Westbrook. Then Nunn, Monk, Reaves, THT, Ariza, Melo at 18-20mpg each. Finally, 10mpg on average for Howard. Bradley could replace THT.

Part of the problem for the Lakers have been reliance on Rondo, Jordan, Bazemore, Ellington and a range of 10-days.

[Slava]

The Westbrook trade was the worst possible outcome solely because of his contract regardless of the potential fit issues. The Lakers traded away a bunch of mid-level contracts AND a pick that can be flexibly aggregated into trades or roster upgrades for one gigantic stink bomb. This is as bad a move as the Deng and Mozgov deals that got Kupchak fired.

It's too early to declare it a disaster. I think if healthy they can tighten the playoff rotation to:

18 minutes: Westbrook, Reaves, Ariza, LeBron, Davis
10 minutes: Westbrook, Monk, Melo, LeBron, Howard
10 minutes: Westbrook, Nunn, THT, Melo, Davis
10 minutes: Nunn, Monk, THT, LeBron, Davis

It's effectively 38mpg for LeBron, Davis, Westbrook. Then Nunn, Monk, Reaves, THT, Ariza, Melo at 18-20mpg each. Finally, 10mpg on average for Howard. Bradley could replace THT.

Part of the problem for the Lakers have been reliance on Rondo, Jordan, Bazemore, Ellington and a range of 10-days.

Do you expect the offense to ever get to top 6 or so from near bottom 5 levels that is required to win a championship with Westbrook getting 38 minutes a game? Lakers managed to get to middle of the pack in offensive efficiency in 2020 on the back of an elite transition offense and then built a half court offense on the back of out of character shooting from role players in the playoffs. It also helped that the defense was historically great by nailing every rotation on every possession in a maniacally methodical way. That surely isn't possible with Westbrook and his attention deficiency, so what we see now is about as good as we can hope for at that end.

I don't think a lot of the issues Westbrook faces are compatible with how LeBron and Vogel operate. His free-wheeling nature, lack of attention to detail and inability to focus on every possession is strictly contrary to the level of preparation and execution that Vogel and LeBron seek in the playoffs. Its rather funny because that is the reason why LeBron wanted Rondo so much for so long.

[zimpy27]

The Westbrook trade was the worst possible outcome solely because of his contract regardless of the potential fit issues. The Lakers traded away a bunch of mid-level contracts AND a pick that can be flexibly aggregated into trades or roster upgrades for one gigantic stink bomb. This is as bad a move as the Deng and Mozgov deals that got Kupchak fired.

It's too early to declare it a disaster. I think if healthy they can tighten the playoff rotation to:

18 minutes: Westbrook, Reaves, Ariza, LeBron, Davis
10 minutes: Westbrook, Monk, Melo, LeBron, Howard
10 minutes: Westbrook, Nunn, THT, Melo, Davis
10 minutes: Nunn, Monk, THT, LeBron, Davis

It's effectively 38mpg for LeBron, Davis, Westbrook. Then Nunn, Monk, Reaves, THT, Ariza, Melo at 18-20mpg each. Finally, 10mpg on average for Howard. Bradley could replace THT.

Part of the problem for the Lakers have been reliance on Rondo, Jordan, Bazemore, Ellington and a range of 10-days.

Do you expect the offense to ever get to top 6 or so from near bottom 5 levels that is required to win a championship with Westbrook getting 38 minutes a game? Lakers managed to get to middle of the pack in offensive efficiency in 2020 on the back of an elite transition offense and then built a half court offense on the back of out of character shooting from role players in the playoffs. It also helped that the defense was historically great by nailing every rotation on every possession in a maniacally methodical way. That surely isn't possible with Westbrook and his attention deficiency, so what we see now is about as good as we can hope for at that end.

I don't think a lot of the issues Westbrook faces are compatible with how LeBron and Vogel operate. His free-wheeling nature, lack of attention to detail and inability to focus on every possession is strictly contrary to the level of preparation and execution that Vogel and LeBron seek in the playoffs. Its rather funny because that is the reason why LeBron wanted Rondo so much for so long.

Westbrook has been on several teams with top 5 offenses and he had higher usage then.. Westbrook honestly needs consistent players around him because he plays too fast to not make pre-meditated moves. Shorter rotations will help. Westbrook will get better over the season with his care of the ball, especially if rotation shortens.

Defense won't be as good but it should improve over the season as well.

I think the team has a chance but it's not likely.

[Mos_Heat]

The Westbrook trade was the worst possible outcome solely because of his contract regardless of the potential fit issues. The Lakers traded away a bunch of mid-level contracts AND a pick that can be flexibly aggregated into trades or roster upgrades for one gigantic stink bomb. This is as bad a move as the Deng and Mozgov deals that got Kupchak fired.

They also traded away their 1st round pick and take back additional $7m(Is it Caruso music????)

[Mos_Heat]

and Ariza has performed decently, by the ye test positive impact even but it's clear it was definitely foolish to wait for his return. He looks like a decent fringe player, shocker right? that's what he already was last season. If the plan was to let him be the lone wing I swear I can see why fans hate their front office.

Not sure why he barely played last night tbh

Ariza is a smart player who won't try to do too much and knows his role

Gives effort on D and can hit open 3s

Hoping we make a move that can help for now and even next year

Small contract trade targets: Kenrich Williams, Muscula

Middle contracts: RoCo (has been bad this year, maybe buying low?), Alec Burks, Cam Reddish

Larger contracts (also very tough to get done unless we move Nunn with THT):
Grant (not sure if he would even be a great fit tbh), Barnes, Norman Powell, Eric Gordon

Norman Powell would look great as another small ish guard who can't defend

[zimpy27]

and Ariza has performed decently, by the ye test positive impact even but it's clear it was definitely foolish to wait for his return. He looks like a decent fringe player, shocker right? that's what he already was last season. If the plan was to let him be the lone wing I swear I can see why fans hate their front office.

Not sure why he barely played last night tbh

Ariza is a smart player who won't try to do too much and knows his role

Gives effort on D and can hit open 3s

Hoping we make a move that can help for now and even next year

Small contract trade targets: Kenrich Williams, Muscula

Middle contracts: RoCo (has been bad this year, maybe buying low?), Alec Burks, Cam Reddish

Larger contracts (also very tough to get done unless we move Nunn with THT):
Grant (not sure if he would even be a great fit tbh), Barnes, Norman Powell, Eric Gordon

Norman Powell would look great as another small ish guard who can't defend

Yeah none of the larger contracts appeal to me. Team needs role players, not more wannabe stars.

[Mos_Heat]

Not sure why he barely played last night tbh

Ariza is a smart player who won't try to do too much and knows his role

Gives effort on D and can hit open 3s

Hoping we make a move that can help for now and even next year

Small contract trade targets: Kenrich Williams, Muscula

Middle contracts: RoCo (has been bad this year, maybe buying low?), Alec Burks, Cam Reddish

Larger contracts (also very tough to get done unless we move Nunn with THT):
Grant (not sure if he would even be a great fit tbh), Barnes, Norman Powell, Eric Gordon

Norman Powell would look great as another small ish guard who can't defend

Yeah none of the larger contracts appeal to me. Team needs role players, not more wannabe stars.

Yeah, I would rather trade THT +2nd rounders for a couple of playable role players.

[homecourtloss]

To put into some perspective LeBron’s scoring efficiency this season, Curry and Durant have hit a little lull here of late while James has gone on quite a streak.

TS%
LeBron, 62.8%
Durant, 61.7%
Curry, 60.2%

TS% Last 15 games

Lebron, 65.7%
KD, 57.6% (first 15 games , 66.6%)
Curry, 55.0% (first 15 games, 64.5%)

[nzahir]

Norman Powell would look great as another small ish guard who can't defend

Yeah none of the larger contracts appeal to me. Team needs role players, not more wannabe stars.

Yeah, I would rather trade THT +2nd rounders for a couple of playable role players.

Powell was a positive last year on D, but doesn't seem like this year

But he also ends up playing out of position at times

Which of those guys are wannabe stars besides Grant?

Feels like Kenrich makes the most sense

Then Muscula or RoCo

We could use at least 1 more 2 way guard or wing, if not 2

[nzahir]

To put into some perspective LeBron’s scoring efficiency this season, Curry and Durant have hit a little lull here of late while James has gone on quite a streak.

TS%
LeBron, 62.8%
Durant, 61.7%
Curry, 60.2%

TS% Last 15 games

Lebron, 65.7%
KD, 57.6% (first 15 games , 66.6%)
Curry, 55.0% (first 15 games, 64.5%)

Insane...

[zimpy27]

Yeah none of the larger contracts appeal to me. Team needs role players, not more wannabe stars.

Yeah, I would rather trade THT +2nd rounders for a couple of playable role players.

Powell was a positive last year on D, but doesn't seem like this year

But he also ends up playing out of position at times

Which of those guys are wannabe stars besides Grant?

Feels like Kenrich makes the most sense

Then Muscula or RoCo

We could use at least 1 more 2 way guard or wing, if not 2

Kenrich and RoCo would be awesome if that's possible

[MisterHibachi]

Read on Twitter

Lakers are somehow 9th on the season?

[zimpy27]

Read on Twitter

Lakers are somehow 9th on the season?

It's hard to imagine that is accurate. They have the worst team in the NBA coming away with 24 wins.. And the Nets have the number 1 defense in the league..

[Mos_Heat]

Yeah none of the larger contracts appeal to me. Team needs role players, not more wannabe stars.

Yeah, I would rather trade THT +2nd rounders for a couple of playable role players.

Powell was a positive last year on D, but doesn't seem like this year

But he also ends up playing out of position at times

Which of those guys are wannabe stars besides Grant?

Feels like Kenrich makes the most sense

Then Muscula or RoCo

We could use at least 1 more 2 way guard or wing, if not 2

I don't really care about wannabe stars players, I'm more concern about next season. So any role players with Bird rights and without throwing 1st rnd pick would be good

[Heej]

To put into some perspective LeBron’s scoring efficiency this season, Curry and Durant have hit a little lull here of late while James has gone on quite a streak.

TS%
LeBron, 62.8%
Durant, 61.7%
Curry, 60.2%

TS% Last 15 games

Lebron, 65.7%
KD, 57.6% (first 15 games , 66.6%)
Curry, 55.0% (first 15 games, 64.5%)

I just can't shake the feeling that these stats are a bit inflated by the lineups Bron is playing in. But alas I'm still several games behind and catching up (just watched the Nets game last night, LeSigh..). Somebody talk me off the ledge in thinking this is unsustainable come playoffs

[nzahir]

To put into some perspective LeBron’s scoring efficiency this season, Curry and Durant have hit a little lull here of late while James has gone on quite a streak.

TS%
LeBron, 62.8%
Durant, 61.7%
Curry, 60.2%

TS% Last 15 games

Lebron, 65.7%
KD, 57.6% (first 15 games , 66.6%)
Curry, 55.0% (first 15 games, 64.5%)

I just can't shake the feeling that these stats are a bit inflated by the lineups Bron is playing in. But alas I'm still several games behind and catching up (just watched the Nets game last night, LeSigh..). Somebody talk me off the ledge in thinking this is unsustainable come playoffs

Some of those small ball lineups really dont even give more space

Many of them include Russ and THT or one of those 2 and Stanley Johnson

Would like if we added 1 of RoCo or Kenrich

Would want to see

Nunn/Monk, Reaves, Kenrich, Ariza, Bron