The Lebron Thread (2015-16 Pt. 3)

[Arman_tanzarian]

Courtesy of priceFTW on RCF:

Without James, the Cavs don't really even have a defense. Look at these playoffs for an example.

Opponents' shooting percentages against Cavs players compared to what they shot in the regular season this year:

Shump: +8.6%; opponents are shooting 8.6% better against Shumomthan they did against all opponents in the regular season; (+3.4% from three)

JR: +7.1%, (-3% from three)

Delly: +6.5% (+6.2% from three)

Kyrie: +4.6% (+4.7% from three).

Love: +3.4% (+6.6% from three)

TT: +3% (-2.9% from three)

Jefferson: -1% (-9.1% from three)

Frye: -3.9% (+4.1% from three)

LEBRON: -12.4 (-9.7% from three, -24.8% from less than 6 feet)

Before tonight's game, the Cavs DRting with LeBron off court during the playoffs was 114.7 which would be equivalent to the worst defense ever.

During the regular season, with James on court, the Cavs' DRtg was equivalent to the 3rd best in the NBA and with him off court, the 15th best.

ALL of this while shouldering the responsibility of orchestrating the offense. As @Heej said earlier, utter greatness taken for granted. Not being on one of the 1st or 2nd team defenses is a joke

Agreed. I'm actually quite baffled he didn't make a 2nd team or even got more consideration.

[Quotatious]

What do you think about his defense, guys? To me, looking at the entire season, this is the best he's looked since 2013. Really like what I've seen on that end of the court, and honestly, after last year's finals, I didn't expect to see LeBron playing consistent defense all year, ever again. Seems like I was wrong.

[JLei]

One thing I've been thinking about is if Lebron isn't going to let it fire over a big guy switch who he can't get around in isolation why aren't they sending Kyrie/ Smith to set a back pick in the lane (dotted line area) as he gets a head of steam. If the rim protector is on Bron and he gets picked it off it's generally an easy layup unless they switch it and even then he has a head of steam against a smaller defender.

Otherwise easy kick out to Kyrie who would absolutely dust Biyombo one on one. This get the switch pull it out and wait until 7 on the shot clock to drive just makes it so much less predictable when you can't get whatever you want like Miami Bron since Miami Bron can shoot.

That's one thing a lot of smart people/ coaches are talking about. Setting picks in the lane. It's more for someone like Derozan to get a good look at a 15 footer since it's so hard to get over the screen once the guy is a at his spot but also applicable to pick off a guy trying to stay with a penetrator who can finish. Sure you bring your guy into the lane as well but Bron with a head of steam generally isn't going to be bothered by a small player there.

[SideshowBob]

What do you think about his defense, guys? To me, looking at the entire season, this is the best he's looked since 2013. Really like what I've seen on that end of the court, and honestly, after last year's finals, I didn't expect to see LeBron playing consistent defense all year, ever again. Seems like I was wrong.

I think most here would agree. I'd also add that he was more consistent Oct-Apr this season than in 2013, when he didn't really get his defense firing at a super high level till after the all star break. He was still good from Oct-Jan (not like 1st half 2014 "defense"), but his effort this year has been sustained for a longer stretch of the season.

Most data seems to bear this out and match observation -> huge difference in Cavs DRTG with him On/Off, RPM/RAPM pegging him as near +3 on defense (19th for players >20 MPG, 14th for >25, 10th for >30 and 3rd among non-bigs overall behind Green/Leonard).

Then of course there's the above data, plus synergy-style data that was roaming around earlier in the RS.

[mademan]

Lebron's off-ball development has been incredible. It's impossible to guard the Cavs when he's setting the screens

[JLei]

Lebron has adjusted to his teammates instead of the other way around this postseason. Cavs have a historic collection of 3P shooters, two of which are bigs and one of which is probably the league's best off the dribble 3P shooter after Steph.

He just screens the ball. Switch and Kyrie can wreck a big or wing in iso or movement towards the rim. Lebron rolls w/Delly and help MUST come meaning Love/Frye/etc. left open in the corners or can hockey to the wing. Don't adjust or rotate late and Delly hits Lebron who gets an open-lane or kickout to shooters. It's broken.

When Love is screening the ball he gets a P&P while Lebron is cutting/moving in from the weakside, or on sideline P&R Love gets post position and can score or find Lebron cutting middle. Best defense I suppose would be to prevent Love screen and roll from ever happening or to force Lebron out of good position before this is even initiated.

Given his putrid jumpshot off the dribble, he is now officially more dangerous off the ball than creating on the ball (at least from the perimeter). So much chaos to opposing defenses just screening/moving all over the floor and it's powering the GOAT offense.

That's not true. While the expansion of his game is nice that he's screening and cutting (cutting sort of cancels out the lost impact from his spacing) more and being super dangerous at it, the majority of his positive offensive impact is still coming with the ball in his hands and making decisions. He's just utilizing more spots on the floor more often instead of the more traditional top of the key (elbow/ high post, low post) since he's no longer as dangerous up while very dangerous as he catches the ball closer to the basket.

[SideshowBob]

Lebron has adjusted to his teammates instead of the other way around this postseason. Cavs have a historic collection of 3P shooters, two of which are bigs and one of which is probably the league's best off the dribble 3P shooter after Steph.

He just screens the ball. Switch and Kyrie can wreck a big or wing in iso or movement towards the rim. Lebron rolls w/Delly and help MUST come meaning Love/Frye/etc. left open in the corners or can hockey to the wing. Don't adjust or rotate late and Delly hits Lebron who gets an open-lane or kickout to shooters. It's broken.

When Love is screening the ball he gets a P&P while Lebron is cutting/moving in from the weakside, or on sideline P&R Love gets post position and can score or find Lebron cutting middle. Best defense I suppose would be to prevent Love screen and roll from ever happening or to force Lebron out of good position before this is even initiated.

Given his putrid jumpshot off the dribble, he is now officially more dangerous off the ball than creating on the ball (at least from the perimeter). So much chaos to opposing defenses just screening/moving all over the floor and it's powering the GOAT offense.

That's not true. While the expansion of his game is nice that he's screening and cutting (cutting sort of cancels out the lost impact from his spacing) more and being super dangerous at it, the majority of his positive offensive impact is still coming with the ball in his hands and making decisions. He's just utilizing more spots on the floor more often instead of the more traditional top of the key (elbow/ high post, low post) since he's no longer as dangerous up while very dangerous as he catches the ball closer to the basket.

Right, which is why I specified from the perimeter.

[The High Cyde]

After getting a 33 point lead tyron lue finally trusts the team to play a single minute without lebron

I really really need to know where your avatar comes from. It's on the tip of my tongue but I just can't seem to place it.

Deliver me!

It's from One piece, the character is kaku.

Oh crap I totally forgot a new chapter came out today until I read this, I'm off to read lol

[Arman_tanzarian]

How did he take the RPM lead? I didn't know they counted playoffs.

[KTM_2813]

LeBron's defense this year has been interesting. He makes a lot of mistakes because he lacks concentration, and on some nights is a little lazy. I can't blame the guy - The Cavs have been a finals lock all year and he's got a lot of miles on him. Hard to give 100% at all times.

That being said, Cleveland are so much better defensively with him on the floor, and he blocks, rebounds, and steals the ball well for his position. You simply can't back him down, screen him, or anything else requiring strength because he's probably stronger than you. He's no longer the liability he was for large portions of the last two years.

[Colbinii]

How did he take the RPM lead? I didn't know they counted playoffs.

They do.

[JulesWinnfield]

He leads the playoffs in PER among the guys who are still playing. After last night Westbrook dipped behind him. Kawhi Leonard has the overall lead just slightly

1. Kawhi 28.7
2. Lebron 28.5
3. Westbrook 28.1

[kayess]

IS THIS REA LIFE

TOOK AN EARLY THREE WHEN THEY BACKED OFF

[kayess]

IRVING FINDS LEBRON ON THE BREAK

THIS IS NOT REAL LIFE

[rich316]

IRVING FINDS LEBRON ON THE BREAK

THIS IS NOT REAL LIFE

That finish was freaking terrifying.

[kayess]

TWO THREES

I'M TURNING OFF THE TV SO THAT I DON'T JINX THIS

[Dupp]

I hate when lebron doesnt rotate like that. He could have easily contested and probably blocked lowrys uncontested run to the rim

[Dupp]

TWO THREES

I'M TURNING OFF THE TV SO THAT I DON'T JINX THIS

too late

[Kendrick Lamar]

The Big 3 played every minute in the first. How does Lue start off the second quarter?

[toodles23]

Wtf Lue? You just played Lebron the entire first quarter and you don't give him any rest to start the 2nd?