The Lebron Thread (2015-16 Pt. 3)

[ppedro123]

LeBron has to play a 2014 Finals Game 2 at Spurs type of game tonite


that was one dominant performance

He had 35/10/3 in an extremely slow game where Bosh, Shard, and Ray Allen all actually shot really well (and in which Wade played quite well, additionally). They were able to hold SAS under 20 points in the 2nd and 4th quarters of the game, which was actually a critical factor in their victory. The Cavs weren't able to do that in any quarter of game 1, and surrendered 28+ in the 1st and 4th quarrters, while themselves scoring 19 in the 2nd and 21 in the 4th. Defense is a big part of things, and Miami was a lot better at it than the Cavs.

Lebron was quite good in that game, but you're overselling it a little. Yeah, he had a good scoring game, but he had a lot of help on either end, which is why they won, compared to G1 of the present Finals series.

well, what i remember was that he had one hell of a 3rd quarter (i think) that he was just dominant.


and that game was the only game that Miami was able to stop the Spurs. Their defense was non-existant for the rest of the series

[Dupp]

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2016/story/_/id/15976601/kyrie-irving-key-cleveland-cavaliers-game-2-hopes

Thoughts on Kyrie's comments here? He seems to think his approach from last game was fundamentally good, and that it just needs a few tweaks.

Live by Kyrie, die by Kyrie there is no plan b with him

[tsherkin]

well, what i remember was that he had one hell of a 3rd quarter (i think) that he was just dominant.

Sure, he was dirty in the 2nd through 4th. 11, 14 and 8 points, leading the game each time, but the Spurs actually WON the 3rd quarter by 1 point. LBJ's dominance in that quarter wasn't enough to do anything. The second quarter, which they won by 7, was more important because it tied the game. That left them down 1 going into the fourth, which they won by 3, leading to the final margin. The Spurs were winning with less than 2 minutes to go. Bosh and Wade put it away, because James split a pair of free throws (although Bosh also missed a 3). The bigger deal is that SAS went 1/4 in the last 2.5 minutes or so.

Again, the defense and team contributions mattered.

[ppedro123]

well, what i remember was that he had one hell of a 3rd quarter (i think) that he was just dominant.

Again, the defense and team contributions mattered.

It always matters, never said it didn't



Hopefully, Cleveland plays better defense tonite and JR shows up

[tsherkin]

It always matters, never said it didn't

What you're missing is my point: Lebron can play as dominant a game as he likes and it won't matter unless the rest of his team shows up on either end, right? It'd be great for him to be dominant, and it'll help Cleveland's chances, but they need to slow down the Golden State offense and they can't afford to have such horrendous shooting from Kyrie, or such a mediocre performance from K-Love, etc.

Hopefully, Cleveland plays better defense tonite and JR shows up

Only way they're going to win, no doubt.

[ppedro123]

well, i also don't think LeBron can beat GS by himself, sorry if it sounded like that. so we agree with each other

[tsherkin]

well, i also don't think LeBron can beat GS by himself, sorry if it sounded like that. so we agree with each other

Yeah, I think we all know that. Players can't individually beat other teams in the Finals. Their supporting cast has to at LEAST give them defense and rebounding, the way the Bulls did in 98, right?

I believe Kyrie will suck less tonight, and that alone should make things more interesting.

[nikomCH]

Ugh think my Warriors in 5 prediction might go out the window after seeing who the refs are tonight

[SideshowBob]

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2016/story/_/id/15976601/kyrie-irving-key-cleveland-cavaliers-game-2-hopes

Thoughts on Kyrie's comments here? He seems to think his approach from last game was fundamentally good, and that it just needs a few tweaks.

Welp. Hope he turns into mid-season Steph Curry then, cause else their doomed.

[JLei]

Getting the switch on to Barnes earlier in the clock.

Still blitzing with Love and Kyrie.

[toodles23]

Lebron's gotta make that layup. Come on.

And JR - how can the dude be such a bad FT shooter?

[JLei]

Clear that they think the game plan from Game 1 is still the formula. Just wasting a lot less time.

Find the switch and attack immediately vs with under 8 seconds to go on shot clock.

[IG2]

Horrible start for him. He needs to take and make some jumpers. Taking it all the way against their interior D looks like a low % game.

[JLei]

Horrible start for him. He needs to take and make some jumpers. Taking it all the way against their interior D looks like a low % game.

The process is right. Attacking the switches against Thompson collapses the defense.

[Larry David]

[JLei]

He's the help on everything here given their aggressive defensive strategy.

Miscommunication on giving that Iggy layup. But has 2 steals and another deflection already.

[toodles23]

He just looks sloppy on offense. He's lost his handle like 3 times, missed an easy layup, got blocked in traffic.

[SideshowBob]

Gassed already from defensive intensity

[yoyoboy]

When the paint is packed and a good 1-on-1 defender is on him, LeBron is almost a non-threat when it comes to scoring... It's depressing how much he's declined in that area of his game.

[JLei]

When the paint is packed and a good 1-on-1 defender is on him, LeBron is almost a non-threat when it comes to scoring... It's depressing how much he's declined in that area of his game.

Well generally speaking it's a low PPP possession for anyone given those circumstances. That's why you run plays to get mismatches or pick and rolls. But yes the pull up jumper being gone is the main culprit.

Defense has been absolutely fantastic and he does have 5 assists.