The Lebron Thread (2015-16 Pt. 3)

[PCProductions]

This run is just so much more refreshing to watch than last year. 2015 was kind of a tough slog as a Lebron fan. This one is a much better view and really might be in contention for his best one if the Finals continue at this pace.

[BasketballFan7]

His head was getting high on those dunks yesterday.

[ppedro123]

This run is just so much more refreshing to watch than last year. 2015 was kind of a tough slog as a Lebron fan. This one is a much better view and really might be in contention for his best one if the Finals continue at this pace.

I don't know, it's hard to top his 2012 run. I mean, he had some emblematic games in that playoff run. he was a man on a mission


game 6 against boston still is the greatest playoff performance i've ever seen

[rich316]

This run is just so much more refreshing to watch than last year. 2015 was kind of a tough slog as a Lebron fan. This one is a much better view and really might be in contention for his best one if the Finals continue at this pace.

Yeah, last year you just knew that barring a miracle, his heroics to get to the finals were all going to be for naught. It's nice to feel like they actually have a chance.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

This run is just so much more refreshing to watch than last year. 2015 was kind of a tough slog as a Lebron fan. This one is a much better view and really might be in contention for his best one if the Finals continue at this pace.

I don't know, it's hard to top his 2012 run. I mean, he had some emblematic games in that playoff run. he was a man on a mission


game 6 against boston still is the greatest playoff performance i've ever seen

I think he just means compared to last year, I doubt many would say this is a more enjoyable run than say 2012 or even 2011/2009 (on the way to the Finals) yet. Those were much more entertaining, even if some of them didn't end in championships.

2015 felt like LeBron was just kind of winning by default against a so-so East onwards to an inevitable FInals loss, this year sure the competition was still terrible, but the Cavs actually did what they were supposed to do and dominated the so-so competition.

[TurnDownForWatt]

I like how LeBron is more willing to play in the post and in the paint now and I like how his defense recovered significantly this season after being a pathetic defender the past 2 years (due to lack of effort).

I wasn't a fan of LeBron bitching about playing in the post was too taxing or whatever. He doesn't seem to care anymore and is doing whatever he needs to.

I still don't want LeBron to win because Cleveland and their entitled fans don't deserve anything.

[The High Cyde]

Yeah, the Land is overflowing with success with championships. What's up with that? They should give other cities and franchises a chance for once. They're entitled a bit too much, for sure.

[BasketballFan7]

I like how LeBron is more willing to play in the post and in the paint now and I like how his defense recovered significantly this season after being a pathetic defender the past 2 years (due to lack of effort).

I wasn't a fan of LeBron bitching about playing in the post was too taxing or whatever. He doesn't seem to care anymore and is doing whatever he needs to.

I still don't want LeBron to win because Cleveland and their entitled fans don't deserve anything.

LBJ never avoids the paint in the playoffs, it's a regular season conservation method.

[MisterHibachi]

I like how LeBron is more willing to play in the post and in the paint now and I like how his defense recovered significantly this season after being a pathetic defender the past 2 years (due to lack of effort).

I wasn't a fan of LeBron bitching about playing in the post was too taxing or whatever. He doesn't seem to care anymore and is doing whatever he needs to.

I still don't want LeBron to win because Cleveland and their entitled fans don't deserve anything.

LeBron's never complained about anything in the playoffs. Dude's done everything humanly possible to win (and some beyond that).

And yes, Cleveland is synonymous with sports success. They need to give other cities a chance.

[TurnDownForWatt]

I like how LeBron is more willing to play in the post and in the paint now and I like how his defense recovered significantly this season after being a pathetic defender the past 2 years (due to lack of effort).

I wasn't a fan of LeBron bitching about playing in the post was too taxing or whatever. He doesn't seem to care anymore and is doing whatever he needs to.

I still don't want LeBron to win because Cleveland and their entitled fans don't deserve anything.

LeBron's never complained about anything in the playoffs. Dude's done everything humanly possible to win (and some beyond that).

And yes, Cleveland is synonymous with sports success. They need to give other cities a chance.

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2012/05/17/lebron-james-calls-playing-power-forward-taxing/

“It’s a lot more taxing being in there with bigger guys,” James said. Defensively “is the biggest difference. When you’re on the perimeter, there’s more space. The interior is more cramped and physical. … But I’m ready for the challenge.”

Not a direct complaint but it says something. There is a reason why Battier was always guarding the big men despite the fact that LeBron is stronger, more athletic, and bigger than Battier.

And I don't care how much of a failure Cleveland has been in the past 50 years. How they acted when LeBron left was childish and entitled. Lebron owed them nothing.

[rich316]

Probably post play is less taxing now for Lebron than it was a few years ago. He's much, much more skilled now, where as before his post game was pretty much just "slam into the other guy with my butt until I'm at the rim." That's going to be really tough to maintain for anyone not named Shaq. Now that he has actual moves and can run the offense with his back to the basket, it's probably not as physically demanding.

[HeartBreakKid]

I like how LeBron is more willing to play in the post and in the paint now and I like how his defense recovered significantly this season after being a pathetic defender the past 2 years (due to lack of effort).

I wasn't a fan of LeBron bitching about playing in the post was too taxing or whatever. He doesn't seem to care anymore and is doing whatever he needs to.

I still don't want LeBron to win because Cleveland and their entitled fans don't deserve anything.

LeBron's never complained about anything in the playoffs. Dude's done everything humanly possible to win (and some beyond that).

And yes, Cleveland is synonymous with sports success. They need to give other cities a chance.

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2012/05/17/lebron-james-calls-playing-power-forward-taxing/

“It’s a lot more taxing being in there with bigger guys,” James said. Defensively “is the biggest difference. When you’re on the perimeter, there’s more space. The interior is more cramped and physical. … But I’m ready for the challenge.”

Not a direct complaint but it says something. There is a reason why Battier was always guarding the big men despite the fact that LeBron is stronger, more athletic, and bigger than Battier.

And I don't care how much of a failure Cleveland has been in the past 50 years. How they acted when LeBron left was childish and entitled. Lebron owed them nothing.

Battier is way more expendable when it comes to fouls also, would you want James picking up fouls guarding 4s or Shane?

[TurnDownForWatt]

LeBron's never complained about anything in the playoffs. Dude's done everything humanly possible to win (and some beyond that).

And yes, Cleveland is synonymous with sports success. They need to give other cities a chance.

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2012/05/17/lebron-james-calls-playing-power-forward-taxing/

“It’s a lot more taxing being in there with bigger guys,” James said. Defensively “is the biggest difference. When you’re on the perimeter, there’s more space. The interior is more cramped and physical. … But I’m ready for the challenge.”

Not a direct complaint but it says something. There is a reason why Battier was always guarding the big men despite the fact that LeBron is stronger, more athletic, and bigger than Battier.

And I don't care how much of a failure Cleveland has been in the past 50 years. How they acted when LeBron left was childish and entitled. Lebron owed them nothing.

Battier is way more expendable when it comes to fouls also, would you want James picking up fouls guarding 4s or Shane?

I mean it is not Battier always guarded PFs that could score. There were plenty of PFs that were just used for hustle/energy/defense and he still didn't guard them because he would whine about exactly just that.

I am not sure why some of you are being so insecure about it. LeBron has always been whiny about playing in the post and playing PF in the past and in Miami but he is fine about it now.

[HeartBreakKid]

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2012/05/17/lebron-james-calls-playing-power-forward-taxing/



Not a direct complaint but it says something. There is a reason why Battier was always guarding the big men despite the fact that LeBron is stronger, more athletic, and bigger than Battier.

And I don't care how much of a failure Cleveland has been in the past 50 years. How they acted when LeBron left was childish and entitled. Lebron owed them nothing.

Battier is way more expendable when it comes to fouls also, would you want James picking up fouls guarding 4s or Shane?

I mean it is not Battier always guarded PFs that could score. There were plenty of PFs that were just used for hustle/energy/defense and he still didn't guard them because he would whine about exactly just that.

I am not sure why some of you are being so insecure about it. LeBron has always been whiny about playing in the post and playing PF in the past and in Miami but he is fine about it now.

Post men who are hustle players still draw fouls on smaller players.

Not sure if you know what insecure means, I fail to see how my insecurity is being challenged by pointing out that it might not be a smart idea to have James guarding 4s.

[TurnDownForWatt]

Battier is way more expendable when it comes to fouls also, would you want James picking up fouls guarding 4s or Shane?

I mean it is not Battier always guarded PFs that could score. There were plenty of PFs that were just used for hustle/energy/defense and he still didn't guard them because he would whine about exactly just that.

I am not sure why some of you are being so insecure about it. LeBron has always been whiny about playing in the post and playing PF in the past and in Miami but he is fine about it now.

Post men who are hustle players still draw fouls on smaller players.

Not sure if you know what insecure means, I fail to see how my insecurity is being challenged by pointing out that it might not be a smart idea to have James guarding 4s.

Not really and even then that is not a concern because Lebron has always been smart with fouls. The reality is that he hated it which is why he made the taxing comment and why they forced Battier who has always been one of the best perimeter defenders and is less athleic and smaller than LeBron to guard them instead.

[PCProductions]

This run is just so much more refreshing to watch than last year. 2015 was kind of a tough slog as a Lebron fan. This one is a much better view and really might be in contention for his best one if the Finals continue at this pace.

I don't know, it's hard to top his 2012 run. I mean, he had some emblematic games in that playoff run. he was a man on a mission


game 6 against boston still is the greatest playoff performance i've ever seen

I think he just means compared to last year, I doubt many would say this is a more enjoyable run than say 2012 or even 2011/2009 (on the way to the Finals) yet. Those were much more entertaining, even if some of them didn't end in championships.

2015 felt like LeBron was just kind of winning by default against a so-so East onwards to an inevitable FInals loss, this year sure the competition was still terrible, but the Cavs actually did what they were supposed to do and dominated the so-so competition.

2012 is a tad overrated to me because it didn't really start well until the end of the Indiana series, though Game 6 @ Boston is easily his GOAT game--2007 DET Game 5 is not even close IMO.

I like 2013/2014 more than 2012 really. 2016 is looking really, really nice and stacks up with all of his other runs considering the team's offense.

[LivingLegend]

LeBron is looking fresh as hell right now. I feel like he didn't even look this good going into the 2014 finals. Any thoughts on this? His FG% is off the charts this year, and he didn't look this physically comfortable during the ECF of 2015.

That's what happens when you don't have to shoulder the entire scoring load on offense every single game. He can do more point guard duties and insert himself into the scoring of the offense when he feels it necessary.

This is the LeBron you are going to see for the next 5-6 years. A dip in scoring, increased efficiency and more or less a dominant PG who runs the offense and defers the scoring load nightly. That's where Kyrie/Loves maturity and experience is going to come into play. LeBron will eventually be the 2nd or 3rd scorer on this team, but he will run the entire offense and see increased rebounding/assist/steal/efficiency numbers.

Old man Lebrons going to be dope....and a fantasy basketball wetdream.

[IG2]

So GS it will be.

Thank you, Durant

I don't see Cleveland having a prayer against GS. Match-up nightmare.

[JordansBulls]

OKC freaking choked

[toodles23]

So GS it will be.

Thank you, Durant

I don't see Cleveland having a prayer against GS. Match-up nightmare.

Agreed. Amazing how Durant choking has probably cost Lebron a chance at a ring.

OKC does have a real chance in game 7, Klay won't hit 11 threes again and Durant/Westbrook will probably shoot better. Obviously the Warriors are favored though.