The 2018-19 LeBron James Thread

[1993Playoffs]

Why isn't he the clear GOAT now? He checks all the boxes

He hasn't touched '91-'93 MJ from a total season package.
Even worse we had 1 NBA player touch that level of impact for a regular season in LeBron's prime.

He just can't be GOAT. His GOAT playoffs(2014, 2015, 2016) don't match his Great but not GOAT regular seasons.

Longevity will absolutely not cut it for the regular NBA fan.

But he absolutely has reached that level and then some.

But even if he didn't, 91-93 is only 3 seasons. LeBron has been playing at this level since 2009.

[letskissbro]

Why isn't he the clear GOAT now? He checks all the boxes

He hasn't touched '91-'93 MJ from a total season package.
Even worse we had 1 NBA player touch that level of impact for a regular season in LeBron's prime.

He just can't be GOAT. His GOAT playoffs(2014, 2015, 2016) don't match his Great but not GOAT regular seasons.

Longevity will absolutely not cut it for the regular NBA fan.

His '09 regular season + playoffs is better than anything Jordan has done.

[Statlanta]

I guess my argument is that he can't be consensus GOAT.

He can absolutely be the GOAT for individual just I don't think he will ever be in that consensus area that MJ and Russ hold.

[homecourtloss]

Lakers took Lonzo out at about the 6 minute mark after a few more flanks and then just played LeBronBall for the first time this year. Some combo of KCP/Hart/Kuzma/Lance/Ingram and then Chandler at center. They can do this and get a top 3/4 record in the West.

The problem is they they need Ingram or Ball or both to become stars to really gun for titles. But make no mistake about it—if you can defend and hit open shots, LeBronBall will win you games.

[TheGOATRises007]

Wow Lebron had another monster game.

Missed the game, but will watch highlights.

[Heej]

I think Brons 09 season was the best end to end run ever produced by a player. Especially in a much harder defensive era than what MJ played in and what Bron enjoys currently. 2016 finals (and specifically games 5-7)) are better than any series MJ has produced in terms of 2 way play.

It's games like these that make you think LeBron has simply mastered the game of basketball to a higher degree than anyone ever. I've talked about this before but the sheer volume of high value in game reps is above and beyond what others have repped out. And film study being portable and accessible at all times for players has led to him studying and digesting more fun than any all timer ever. Helps to have an eidetic memory too

[Arman_tanzarian]

He's been good on defense this year. Watch the games.

ehh i mean i guess

Not being DPOY or all-defence level does not mean being a bad defender. He's been a clear positive on that end, not to mention his rebounding.

Zach Lowe said it best. I think it was him. That he was still an above average defender despite him slower my down and focus not always being there. Stats that aren't available to the public says that..

[Arman_tanzarian]

Also, why doesn't he jump on his jumpers anymore?

[D.Brasco]

So LeBron has scored 50 points for 3 different franchises now. Has any other player done this?

[HeartBreakKid]

So LeBron has scored 50 points for 3 different franchises now. Has any other player done this?

Wilt Chamberlain scored 60 points for 3 different franchises.

[D.Brasco]

So LeBron has scored 50 points for 3 different franchises now. Has any other player done this?

Wilt Chamberlain scored 60 points for 3 different franchises.

If Wilt's the only other player than the timing is pretty fitting seeing as LeBron just passed his scoring the game before last.

[Anthony Davis]

So LeBron has scored 50 points for 3 different franchises now. Has any other player done this?

Read on Twitter

[JLei]

I think the wizards can get a better deal elsewhere

Beal will have plenty of suitors. I don't think opposing GMs are crazy high on the Laker young guys

If they watched their NBA performances, they shouldn't be high on them.

But people/executives who were fans of Ball and Ingram in college...lovvvved them.

You here through a ton of podcasts of guys speaking to GM's who still think Ingram is a better prospect than Simmons even now and people have probably soured on Lonzo more, if you loved Lonzo for what he is good at, he's at least shown that so far.

Now are these the GM's that have stuff the Lakers want? Who knows. But both are still highly valued by some as they should be as number 2 overall picks who have shown they are at least good at what they are good at.

[bondom34]

Read on Twitter

Also on Beal, don't see him moving. If anyone there Porter, but even doubt that.

[Trophy Husband]

Why isn't he the clear GOAT now? He checks all the boxes

He hasn't touched '91-'93 MJ from a total season package.
Even worse we had 1 NBA player touch that level of impact for a regular season in LeBron's prime.

He just can't be GOAT. His GOAT playoffs(2014, 2015, 2016) don't match his Great but not GOAT regular seasons.

Longevity will absolutely not cut it for the regular NBA fan.

My friend, longevity is a significant part of legacy. We NBA fans appreciate longevity. It signifies a total body of work.

Sent from my MIX using RealGM mobile app

[BasketballFan7]

Why isn't he the clear GOAT now? He checks all the boxes

He hasn't touched '91-'93 MJ from a total season package.
Even worse we had 1 NBA player touch that level of impact for a regular season in LeBron's prime.

He just can't be GOAT. His GOAT playoffs(2014, 2015, 2016) don't match his Great but not GOAT regular seasons.

Longevity will absolutely not cut it for the regular NBA fan.

Well, that's a product of mindlessly irrational, lazy thinking. We (humans) aren't wired to think mathematically and it's both unsurprising and absurd that we have a proclivity to judge based on averages rather than sums. There are strong arguments for MJ, Kareem, and Russell, but the lazy, rigid thinker is the only one who can persuade himself that LeBron doesn't have a case that is approximately equivalent and strengthening substantially with each passing season.

And the straw-man argument isn't helpful: "So, if Player X, a role player, played 100 seasons, he would be greater than MJ, too?" Clearly, that's not what's happening here with LeBron and to make such arguments reduces the quality of the conversation.

[GSP]

So LeBron has scored 50 points for 3 different franchises now. Has any other player done this?

Read on Twitter

Jamal Crawford WTF

its amazing Lebron can still have performances like this at this stage of his career. On a b2b too

[Dupp]

Elite company with crawful

[MisterHibachi]

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/9yg7kh/lebron_james_cavs_trading_kyrie_irving_was_the/

LOS ANGELES — The day the Cavaliers agreed to trade Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics, LeBron James was signing jerseys for Upper Deck in Santa Monica, California.

When then-coach Tyronn Lue, also in California at the time, found out what was about to happen, he drove out to see James and put him on the phone with Cavs general manager Koby Altman.

James was adamant on the call — do not trade Irving, especially to the Celtics. By the end of the call, according to four separate accounts of people present for the conversation, Altman told James the trade would not occur.

Minutes later, on Aug. 22, 2017, word broke that the Cavs agreed in principle to send Irving to Boston for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and Brooklyn’s 2018 first-round pick.

James’ close friend, Randy Mims, and bodyguard Rob Brown came to him with their phones to show him the news. James, who was still signing jerseys, dropped the pen and slumped in his chair.

“Everyone knows that when Kyrie got traded it was the beginning of the end for everything. It’s not a secret,” James said in an interview with The Athletic.

James suggested he didn’t feel he was lied to by Altman, so much as Altman was overruled by owner Dan Gilbert.

“You realize at that point in time, take nothing from Koby, because Koby (was just named GM), but at that point in time, you realize that Koby’s not the only one running the team, as (former GM David Griffin) had done, and that’s why Griff was let go pretty much,” James said.

Rest of the article in the link.

[PistolPeteJR]

I didnt watch the game today and this isnt a comment on the game either, but: does lebron actually prefer taking deep 3s as opposed to 25 footers? This may not be true but it almost seems like it's more comfortable for him to shoot 3pters one step behind the line. He seems to hit a lot of those face up, deep threes often while walking into the shot. Chauncey Billups used to do that a lot in his prime. Would have to actually look into this though.

I agree. I think Lebron likes longer 3's because it allows him to "extend" a little bit more than closer shots. Honestly, I think mid range shots are harder than long 3's because it requires more touch. I think there are more air balls on shots in the 6-15 range than 3pt range but I don't have any stats to back me up.

I think long range is better for Lebron because he's a strong dude and a couple more feet doesn't make much difference to him......

The flaw in this theory is that someone like DeRozan that shoots the mid-range very well is not a good 3PT shooter.