The Lebron Thread | 2021 (Pt. 2)

[donnieme]

Don't forget to share those Schroder apology forms to every one who said a measly roleplayer wouldn't change a thing. Highly underrated role

I never understood the downplay of him to begin with. He seemed to me the clear 3rd best player on the team going into this season and nothing changed that. Kuzma is too inconsistent to be that guy.

Tbf no one really knew his importance was this much. Being the difference between a 7-1 and 0-4 record is unheard of for a roleplayer. Of course it's probably more about team construction than just him being good but still, he seems to impact winning period. During that streak was also a bit surprised how little impact the other designated scorers had even in bigger roles. Schroder has no replacement on the roster

[limbo]

Apparently Gasol is out for tonight's game against Phoenix. AD obviously still out and injured...

Who are the Lakers rolling with in the frontcourt? Trez at Center with Kostas off the bench?

[yoyoboy]

I think it's a little disingenuous to say Schroder is the difference between 7-1 and 0-4. In the games he played that AD missed, the Lakers faced:

W +36 Minny (-8.02 SRS) w/o KAT
W +2 Chicago (-1.08 SRS)
L -15 Detroit (-3.68 SRS)
W +7 OKC (-5.11 SRS) in OT
W +1 OKC (-5.11 SRS) in OT w/o SGA
W +8 Minny (-8.02 SRS) w/o Russell
W +9 Portland (-1.05 SRS) w/o Nurkic and McCollum
W +26 Golden State (+1.26 SRS) w/o Draymond for 3 quarters

A little different than Brooklyn (+4.39 SRS), Utah (+9.91 SRS), and Miami (-0.90 SRS but 13-8 with Butler and 4-9 w/o). Washington was the one exception. Also the Lakers shot 28.9% from three in those 4 games which makes it impossible to win games nowadays, Schroder or not.

That's not to say he's not a difference maker. He's clearly useful as a point of attack defender and someone who can consistently put penetrative pressure on a defense in a way no one on the roster outside of LeBron can (which also keeps LBJ more refreshed). But I really don't think he's as impactful as people are starting to think now just based off of the W/L total with versus without.

[Homer38]

Apparently Gasol is out for tonight's game against Phoenix. AD obviously still out and injured...

Who are the Lakers rolling with in the frontcourt? Trez at Center with Kostas off the bench?

Morris and Damian Jones maybe

[Homer38]

Read on Twitter

[yoyoboy]

Davis + Gasol ON, LeBron OFF:
115.6 DRTG

Davis + Gasol + LeBron ON:
102.4 DRTG

LeBron ON, Davis + Gasol OFF:
103.1 DRTG

Davis ON, LeBron + Gasol OFF:
116.2 DRTG

Gasol ON, LeBron + Davis OFF:
121.3 DRTG

LeBron + Davis ON, Gasol OFF:
105.4 DRTG

LeBron + Gasol ON, Davis OFF:
107.6 DRTG

Crazy how 36 year old Bron is the engine of this defense.

[yoyoboy]

Also the defensive combos with Caruso are deadly.

Caruso + LeBron ON, Davis OFF:
102.4 DRTG

Caruso + LeBron + Davis ON:
97.8 DRTG

Caruso + LeBron + Davis + Gasol ON:
56.0 DRTG (12 minutes)

[letskissbro]

Davis + Gasol ON, LeBron OFF:
115.6 DRTG

Davis + Gasol + LeBron ON:
102.4 DRTG

LeBron ON, Davis + Gasol OFF:
103.1 DRTG

Davis ON, LeBron + Gasol OFF:
116.2 DRTG

Gasol ON, LeBron + Davis OFF:
121.3 DRTG

LeBron + Davis ON, Gasol OFF:
105.4 DRTG

LeBron + Gasol ON, Davis OFF:
107.6 DRTG

Crazy how 36 year old Bron is the engine of this defense.

The ability to read schemes and call out rotations to your teammates is actually so underrated. LeBron isn't as consistent as a number of guys as far as on ball defense and contests go in the regular season but the way he commands guys on the floor plugs up so many holes in the D. That combined with his ability to switch onto basically anybody outside of Embiid and turn the dial up to 11 in the playoffs makes him the best perimeter defender in the league imo even at age 36. CP3 is similar. He has a knack for getting steals but the reality is he's only 6 foot. What makes his defensive imprint so huge is his leadership

[Greatness]

Speaking of his defense, he just completely stuffed Ayton at the rim

[A_Biased_Fan]

Speaking of his defense, he just completely stuffed Ayton at the rim

Totally swallowed him up, that was impressive. He's making a all defensive team statement.

[MisterHibachi]

Haven't been keeping up with the last few weeks. How's Bronathan's MVP chances looking?

Changed gears, going for DPOY instead now

[yoyoboy]

Phoenix looks pretty good. They don't allow penetration easily and they have a lot of guys who can shoot it.

[nzahir]

Almost every night the other team starts and usually finished RED HOT from 3, while we SUCK **** ASS FROM 3

Time to trade for a damn sniper already Rob

Wes is usually useless

KCP might have to go playing like this

[letskissbro]

What the absolute **** is this spacing. Vogel is clueless offensively. Guys are just crowding around each other and standing a couple feet inside/outside the arc for no reason

[homecourtloss]

Davis + Gasol ON, LeBron OFF:
115.6 DRTG

Davis + Gasol + LeBron ON:
102.4 DRTG

LeBron ON, Davis + Gasol OFF:
103.1 DRTG

Davis ON, LeBron + Gasol OFF:
116.2 DRTG

Gasol ON, LeBron + Davis OFF:
121.3 DRTG

LeBron + Davis ON, Gasol OFF:
105.4 DRTG

LeBron + Gasol ON, Davis OFF:
107.6 DRTG

Crazy how 36 year old Bron is the engine of this defense.

Was the same exact thing last year (even more pronounced) which is why he had such crazy DRPM numbers

Almost every night the other team starts and usually finished RED HOT from 3, while we SUCK **** ASS FROM 3

Time to trade for a damn sniper already Rob

Wes is usually useless

KCP might have to go playing like this

Basically. 6-9 for one team, 1-6 for another is literally the entire game right there, If you even turn it to 5-9 and 2-6, it’s a different game.

[toodles23]

Nothing good has ever happened when Wesley Matthews dribbles

[IG2]

Gotta hand it to Vogel for his ability to get this team to play defense. They've remained a top defensive team even without AD this season. No Gasol in this one yet still looking impressive.

[dcstanley]

Dudley should get minutes more often. Smart defender and one of the only shooters on the team.

[yoyoboy]

Jones might actually be able to provide some solid minutes.

[Greatness]

I kinda like what Damian Jones brings to the table, surprised he hasn't been able to stick anywhere.