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

[zimpy27]

Bit bummed that Lakers didn't make a run at Butler while they had DLo contract. Oh well

[Ian Scuffling]

Nice efficient game by James. Got in the zone with the three ball, too. Offensively, this guy is still a top 10 to 12 player in the league at age 40. Really unprecendented. You're either a hater or just plain stupid to hate on this guy for anything basketball related. And I'm not sure why you'd hate on a basketball player for anything non-basketball related, too.

You know why.

Ha, unfortunately, I do as they make it clear quite often. I don't waste a negative emotion like hate on somebody who has absolutely no power over me. But, that's me, I guess.

[Slava]

Bit bummed that Lakers didn't make a run at Butler while they had DLo contract. Oh well

It’d have to be a 3 for 1 deal to match salary and I doubt the Heat had any interest in long term money for Rui, Vando or Vincent after this season.

From the Lakers perspective, Butler missed 140 games in the last three seasons and while it kind of works in the east where you’d have to be utterly bad to miss the playoffs, a bad couple weeks could have you at 12th in the west.

[trickshot]

Nice efficient game by James. Got in the zone with the three ball, too. Offensively, this guy is still a top 10 to 12 player in the league at age 40. Really unprecendented. You're either a hater or just plain stupid to hate on this guy for anything basketball related. And I'm not sure why you'd hate on a basketball player for anything non-basketball related, too.

You know why.

Unpaid rent.

[tone wone]

These last few games he's looked physically the same athlete as last year. Those "L-Train" transition scores have returned so he's not stuck having to do all his scoring in the halfcourt. 3ball looks great. His energy level is really high. He's playing really hard right now.

I don't know or even care playoff viability...to get through the regular season they need a 2nd bigman that's actually good. And another ball-handler. I don't really miss D'lo but someone better than Milton is needed.

[xb3at band1tx]

Reaves really seems to have turned it up a notch this season

Read on Twitter

[TroubleS0me]

Read on Twitter

[nzahir]

Reaves really seems to have turned it up a notch this season

Read on Twitter

Dlo was holding him back

We all knew we couldnt really compete with both guys closing games since they arent physical enough

But AR gives more effort and is more aggressive on offense

[nzahir]

These last few games he's looked physically the same athlete as last year. Those "L-Train" transition scores have returned so he's not stuck having to do all his scoring in the halfcourt. 3ball looks great. His energy level is really high. He's playing really hard right now.

I don't know or even care playoff viability...to get through the regular season they need a 2nd bigman that's actually good. And another ball-handler. I don't really miss D'lo but someone better than Milton is needed.

Also my thoughts

Another very good game from Bron

Feel like we can be doing better than Shake Milton, Hayes, and Reddish

Looking for at least 2 more new guys by the trade deadline

Need a #3 ball handler. Pretty sure Gabe or Milton aren't enough

Hayes gives energy, but not good enough. So need another C

Bigger Pgs: Lonzo, Brogdon, Nembhard, Smart
Smaller pgs: Sexton, Cp3

Cam Thomas and Jordan Poole are options, but I think too much of chuckers who dont play defense

BI is the only playmaking wing I see available

BI is a very high risk high reward move. He is talented, but the fit worries me and no sure why he isnt a better defender

Somewhat a bit conflicted with Rui. I think we need a 3 who can play a bit more offense than DFS, even if DFS was to close games. But unsure who that guy is

BI fits the bill and can cover the #3 playmaker....but kills our spacing

If Butler goes to Den, GS, or Hou then MPJ, Wiggins (my ideal pick), and Brooks can be available

Deandre Hunter is the only other name that I can think of that makes somse sense

If we can trade both 1sts (maybe protect 1 and unprotect 27) for a C, a pg, and get an upgrade on the wing (Wiggins should cost the least if he goes to a team like Miami. Think Rui and Vincent and 1-2nds would be fair honestly), then that would be great

Money works for Wiggins, Sexton, and Kessler in a 3 teamer for Rui, Vando, Vincent, JHS, Milton, and 1 of Hayes/Wood/Cam

Reaves, Christie, Wiggins, Bron, AD
Sexton, Knecht, Cam?, DFS, Kessler

[Mos_Heat]

I think they would keep their 1sts for Fox bidding

[homecourtloss]

These last few games he's looked physically the same athlete as last year. Those "L-Train" transition scores have returned so he's not stuck having to do all his scoring in the halfcourt. 3ball looks great. His energy level is really high. He's playing really hard right now.

I don't know or even care playoff viability...to get through the regular season they need a 2nd bigman that's actually good. And another ball-handler. I don't really miss D'lo but someone better than Milton is needed.

He does look physically much quicker. The form on his shot might his best ever even with that cold stretch he went through earlier. Reddick is putting him in different spots and he’s playing shorter stints and maximizing energy.

Last 5 games:

30/9/5 on 59/55/89 shooting splits, 70% TS.

[trickshot]

Knecht made 31% of his season total 3s in a 3 game heater. That's very inconsistent for a guy who's best skill is shooting and is already 23

True. In his defence also often feel, as a rookie, he doesn't get touches unless he starts hot. He became an afterthought in the offense but I can see a resurgence now the Lakers are going back to more motion stuff instead of playground ball as JJ called it last press conference. One reason was a big fan of the Dlo trade was to declutter the scoring ladder and move guys like him, Christie and Reaves higher in the shooting and usage hierarchy. I won't push my luck if I was coaching but I often wonder if he could one day play Rui's current role better than Rui ala Dlo to Reaves. Depend on what else he can bring besides shooting but that bar is low because Rui is like a 15/5/zeroes guy albeit with decent shooting eficiency and stronger frame.

[nzahir]

I think they would keep their 1sts for Fox bidding

We dont have enough to offer them w/o Reaves being included and Reaves has looked amazing without Dlo

Even if we somehow get Fox w/o Reaves, is that what we want?

Dont we want the ball in Austin's hands more?

Defense would be worse without Max or even if we kept him, without him starting and I assume the trade would be Max, Knecht, Rui, and Vincent + 2 1sts + 2 swaps

If one of the Rockets, Warriors, Nuggets, or Grizzlies get Butler then there would be a target I would like: Brooks, Wiggins, MPJ, or Marcus Smart

Still like Kessler a lot

Still also need a better #3 guard than what we got

But we have 2 1sts, swaps, and guys to do it

[zimpy27]

What do you guys think of Rui for DeMar?

I mean DeMar doesn't defined well but neither does Rui. Lakers need playmaking especially if they go for a big like Kessler.

PG: Reaves (36) | DeMar (12)
SG: Christie (28) | DeMar (20)
SF: DFS (36) | Vando (12)
PF: LeBron (38) | Vando (10)
C : Davis (38) | Wood (10)

16 mins: Reaves, Christie, DFS, LeBron, Davis
12 mins: Christie, DeMar, LeBron, Vando Davis
10 mins: Reaves, DeMar, LeBron, DFS, Wood
10 mins: Reaves, DeMar, DFS, Vando, Davis

Seems solid to me, that's without a move for Kessler.
Everyone can defend except DeMar.
Every lineup has at least 2 playmakers.
Smallest player is 6'5.

Kings is one of the few teams that could use Rui and DeMar hasn't been useful to them.

[Mos_Heat]

I think they would keep their 1sts for Fox bidding

We dont have enough to offer them w/o Reaves being included and Reaves has looked amazing without Dlo

Lakers have enough. 2 picks and Knecht is enough for an expiring all star guard

The fit is not ideal, but LA wants another star for the post Lebron era

[Mos_Heat]

Knecht made 31% of his season total 3s in a 3 game heater. That's very inconsistent for a guy who's best skill is shooting and is already 23

True. In his defence also often feel, as a rookie, he doesn't get touches unless he starts hot. He became an afterthought in the offense but I can see a resurgence now the Lakers are going back to more motion stuff instead of playground ball as JJ called it last press conference. One reason was a big fan of the Dlo trade was to declutter the scoring ladder and move guys like him, Christie and Reaves higher in the shooting and usage hierarchy. I won't push my luck if I was coaching but I often wonder if he could one day play Rui's current role better than Rui ala Dlo to Reaves. Depend on what else he can bring besides shooting but that bar is low because Rui is like a 15/5/zeroes guy albeit with decent shooting eficiency and stronger frame.

Knecht is too small to guard 3s/4s. He also in general a terrible defender

[Slava]

I think they would keep their 1sts for Fox bidding

We dont have enough to offer them w/o Reaves being included and Reaves has looked amazing without Dlo

Lakers have enough. 2 picks and Knecht is enough for an expiring all star guard

The fit is not ideal, but LA wants another star for the post Lebron era

The fit with fox would be ideal. His end to end speed would kickstart the transition offense and has the potential to be a hawk on point of attack defense.

[nzahir]

I think they would keep their 1sts for Fox bidding

We dont have enough to offer them w/o Reaves being included and Reaves has looked amazing without Dlo

Lakers have enough. 2 picks and Knecht is enough for an expiring all star guard

The fit is not ideal, but LA wants another star for the post Lebron era

Hou would outbid us

2 1sts, 2 swaps, Knecht, Vincent, JHS, and Rui/Vando+Shake+Hayes are salaries btw

[nzahir]

What do you guys think of Rui for DeMar?

I mean DeMar doesn't defined well but neither does Rui. Lakers need playmaking especially if they go for a big like Kessler.

PG: Reaves (36) | DeMar (12)
SG: Christie (28) | DeMar (20)
SF: DFS (36) | Vando (12)
PF: LeBron (38) | Vando (10)
C : Davis (38) | Wood (10)

16 mins: Reaves, Christie, DFS, LeBron, Davis
12 mins: Christie, DeMar, LeBron, Vando Davis
10 mins: Reaves, DeMar, LeBron, DFS, Wood
10 mins: Reaves, DeMar, DFS, Vando, Davis

Seems solid to me, that's without a move for Kessler.
Everyone can defend except DeMar.
Every lineup has at least 2 playmakers.
Smallest player is 6'5.

Kings is one of the few teams that could use Rui and DeMar hasn't been useful to them.

Meh pass

At least BI can shoot 3s better when he does and has more defensive potential with his length

[nzahir]

New Dan Woike report has us reportedly wanting to be more athletic and dynamic and the DFS may have ended the real search for a big

More of a focus on the wing/guard spot

I still prefer the Kessler trade as the #1 trade of those that are somewhat realistic (Myles Turner is also a guy I would love if available)

We need a good C for multiple reasons

1) Matchups vs larger teams, many of which are contenders or could be contenders
2) Great rim protection all game long
3) Reg season insurance if AD is out for a game or two
4) Lets AD not have all the responsibility on D. Can see he cant give full effort all the time due to having such a big load (Max's emergence and adding DFS helps a lot though)

I dont view Jalen Smith as the solution, but if we dont want a legit big 5, then Lonzo+Jalen Smith for Vando, Vincent, JHS, Wood, and Milton works

Have multiple roster spots to sign guys and we have the cap space to do it I think without going into 2nd appron since we saved a lot of $ with the DFS trade

Reaves, Christie, Rui, Bron, AD
Lonzo, Knecht, Cam/FA, DFS, Jalen Smith

I dont want Bruce Brown, fit isnt great and I prefer Rui over him for us

Kessler+Clarkson/Sexton is the easiest deal. But Kessler+big guard like Lonzo/Brogdon/etc is the ideal deal

DJM is a weird high risk high reward option if he wants a 6th man role. Gabe, Vando, JHS, Shake, and Cam for DJM and Matkovic/Antonio Reeves. If NOLA wants to salvage some value, but selling low. Would trade 1 1st and a swap in 28 with some protections.

Also reported that we want to see the 2nd unit play a bit together before rushing into anything. Gives me some concern. I dont think Vincent is good enough. That miami playoff run was mroe of an outlier. And I am unsure if we can wait on Vando at this point

Need to see 2-3 more pieces come in if we want to be a GREAT team. If we dont do much then well be good, but likely not good enough