LeBron James 2021-22 Regular Season Thread - Part ?

[Slava]

Link to the last one

[Freighttrain]

The next four games are going to be a good sample size to see how real our little flourish is, with games against the Grizz, (sac), Denver & Utah. I'm also wondering if they're going to put Dwight back in against Jokic & Gobert. LeBron at the 5 doesn't seem logical for those matchups. We'd get crushed on the glass.

[loveandbeer]

Bradley is now averaging over 40% from three.

He really made me eat crow. Still would love for an upgrade or for him to get less minutes overall, but he's been doing well in his role.

[Slava]

Bradley is now averaging over 40% from three.

He really made me eat crow. Still would love for an upgrade or for him to get less minutes overall, but he's been doing well in his role.

His on off numbers really took off once he was unlinked from the awfulness of DeAndre Jordan and Bazemore.

[thebigbird]

Since the Knicks game suspension he’s played 20 of 21 games and scored 30+ fifteen times. Dude’s the goat and it’s not even close. Jordan was shooting dice every night in year 19. Kareem had zero 30 point games in year 19 and only one 30 point game in year 18.

I also love how all the Jordan stans are going to dismiss LeBron with nonsense like “yeah well that’s just because LeBron played for forever.” Sorry that your favorite player good enough and/or driven enough to play 19 high-level seasons.

[homecourtloss]

Since the Knicks game suspension he’s played 20 of 21 games and scored 30+ fifteen times. Dude’s the goat and it’s not even close. Jordan was shooting dice every night in year 19. Kareem had zero 30 point games in year 19 and only one 30 point game in year 18.

I also love how all the Jordan stans are going to dismiss LeBron with nonsense like “yeah well that’s just because LeBron played for forever.” Sorry that your favorite player good enough and/or driven enough to play 19 high-level seasons.

More importantly, Jordan didn’t adjust to his loss of athleticism as well as LeBron has nor was he as versatile in his skill-set as LeBron is, allowing LeBron to play like this at 37 years of age and 62,000 minutes in. We heard for a very long time about LeBron being all about athleticism and “no skill,” “no footwork ,” etc., etc., but now you have someone who should be washed but is scoring 29 ppg. on 62% TS.

[homecourtloss]

The Lakers’ Bron at center offense has been unstoppable while the defense hasn’t been that bad. The defensive rebounding is poor (has been poor all year), but once the turnovers have curtailed (8 or fewer in 3 of the last 4 games with the other game being the 9 turnovers by Westbrook game), the team has been difficult to contain.

Over the last 4 games :

123.8 ORtg (highest in the league), 108.9 DRtg, 9th best, 9.3% TOV (best in the league). League offenses are trending up the last month after being at perhaps a 5-6 year low in the first few months of the season.

[datstockton]

What do we think are the odds he gets to 50k career total points, RS and playoffs combined?

He’s at 43,801 right now so he needs roughly 6k more. I would love for him to get to 40k regular season and 10k playoffs, think that would be just absolutely bonkers.

He needs 2,369 to get 10k playoff career points…unfortunately don’t think that’s happening. He’s need 95 more games at 25 ppg to reach that. Multiple deep playoff runs. I never want to rule anything out with this guy, but it’d be tough at his age.

I think 50k combined is attainable though.

[jalengreen]

What do we think are the odds he gets to 50k career total points, RS and playoffs combined?

He’s at 43,801 right now so he needs roughly 6k more. I would love for him to get to 40k regular season and 10k playoffs, think that would be just absolutely bonkers.

He needs 2,369 to get 10k playoff career points…unfortunately don’t think that’s happening. He’s need 95 more games at 25 ppg to reach that. Multiple deep playoff runs. I never want to rule anything out with this guy, but it’d be tough at his age.

I think 50k combined is attainable though.

yeah i doubt 10k playoff points is happening. 50k combined is attainable if he wants it. just a matter of how long he wants to play

[homecourtloss]

Some stats for those interested in such things:

—LeBron is leading the league amongst high volume post players (20+ games played, 2+ possessions per game) in points per possession in the post at 1.18 and has a 59% score frequency, almost 8% higher than any other player’s score frequency.

KD, 2nd; Embiid, 7th (highest volume by far); Jokic, 9th; ‘Melo, 11th

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/playtype-post-up/?sort=PPP&dir=1&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&CF=GP*GE*20:POSS*GE*2

—LeBron has a career high block% at 2.9%, 21% higher than his previous career high (2009). I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a player with a career high BLK% past 31-32 years of age, but this is pretty wild.

—LeBron is allowing .55 points per possession in the post, 94th percentile.
2022: .55 PPP, 94th percentile
2021: .80 PPP, 76th percentile
2020: .59 PPP, 95th percentile
2019: .83 PPP, 73rd percentile
2018: .47 PPP, 97th percentile
2017: .73 PPP, 84th percentile

—Hawks shot 4/19 against shots that LeBron defended last night, 3/8 from under 6ft: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/2544/defense-dash/?Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&LastNGames=1

—Last 5 games, opponets are shooting 28.1% against James, 17.6% from three: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/2544/defense-dash/?Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&LastNGames=5&sort=PCT_PLUSMINUS&dir=1

—Among players who have played 20+ games and have defended 3+ threes per game (207 players), Austin Reaves is 2nd in 3p% allowed at 20%, James 25th at 29.3%. https://www.nba.com/stats/players/defense-dash-3pt/?CF=GP*GE*20:FG3A*GE*3&Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=FG3_PCT&dir=-1

[Big Aristotle]

His free throw improvement hasn't really gotten as much recognition as it deserves, from what I can tell. He is shooting a career high in percentage at this moment (marginal points over 08-09 where he also shot 78%). Small sample, of course, and I could see him ultimately settling into 75% when it's all said and done but there is a real tangible chance he could reach 80%.

With his new routine he comes into his shooting motion quicker after bending his knees. Much more fluidity to it

I feel like in the past when he worked with Ray Allen or Kyle Korver he'd tinker with his routine but then abandon it when he'd miss a few free throws. Seems like he's fully adopted this refined form. I can't remember a time when I've felt more confident with LeBron at the free throw line and the numbers certainly support that thus far this season.

Does anybody know if he's been explicitly asked about the change in his form and how he approached it this offseason?

[homecourtloss]

Yeah the non-stoppage turnovers were the killer with him but I've noticed that they've told him to go for scoring and not look to dish behind or kick out on those drives anymore. He gets good looks on layups but his finishing is awful, I think he will improve over the season on this. I think he can get to 3 TOs a game but most being from offensive fouls and causing a stoppage rather than a dangerous turnover.

Lakers will be able to have 2 of Westbrook, Davis, LeBron on the floor at all times. Main thing now is seeing Davis and Westbrook form chemistry.

Quoting Zimpy from the previous LeBron thread. I’ve always wondered about this, but he’s just a poor finisher which is why in transition, where he’d ostensibly have the most value, he’s always been a poor finisher who throws away points.

2022: 4.7 transition possessions (5th most), .87 points per possession, 15th percentile
2021: 6.0 transition possessions (2nd most), .94 PPP, 20th percentile
2020: 7.3 transition possessions (most), 1.01 PPP, 29th percentile
2019: 7.0 transition possessions (most), .87 PPP, 12th percentile
2018: 6.7 transition possessions (most), 1.01 PPP, 34th percentile (notice how 2018 and 2020 have the same PPP but Westbrooks’s in a lower percentile in 2020 due to an increase of threes shot in transition and the efficacy of them league wide in addition to random variance from season to season)
2017: 6.8 transition possessions (most), .99 PPP, 31st percentile
2016: 5.9 transition possessions (2nd most), 1.15 PPP, 59th percentile

He’s also having a down year overall at the rim (59.8%, down about 5% from the last few years with his best numbers though the league as a whole is shooting better due to more spacing), so this might go up.

With LeBron on court: Westbrook is taking 45.2% of his shots at the rim, but converting on only 59%. He should be having a banner year if he could convert these shots.

With LeBron off court, he’s only taking 34.4% of his shots at the rim.

[Cavsfansince84]

Some stats for those interested in such things:

—LeBron is leading the league amongst high volume post players (20+ games played, 2+ possessions per game) in points per possession in the post at 1.18 and has a 59% score frequency, almost 8% higher than any other player’s score frequency.

KD, 2nd; Embiid, 7th (highest volume by far); Jokic, 9th; ‘Melo, 11th

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/playtype-post-up/?sort=PPP&dir=1&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&CF=GP*GE*20:POSS*GE*2

—LeBron has [b]a career high block% at 2.9%, 21% higher than his previous career high (2009). I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a player with a career high BLK% past 31-32 years of age, but this is pretty wild. [/b]

—Among players who have played 20+ games and have defended 3+ threes per game (207 players), Austin Reaves is 2nd in 3p% allowed at 20%, James 25th at 29.3%. https://www.nba.com/stats/players/defense-dash-3pt/?CF=GP*GE*20:FG3A*GE*3&Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=FG3_PCT&dir=-1

The bolded is something I've noticed before and I think its because great defensive players learn how to be more aggressive on defense without drawing fouls. Just a few examples, Duncan had his career high in block % at age 36 and 6th highest at age 38, Mourning had his 3 highest at ages 34-36 and Kareem had two of his three highest at age 31&32. So its crazy to think of LeBron doing it but not unheard of. Guys learn how to better use their energy on the defensive side.

[MisterHibachi]

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[MisterHibachi]

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[D.Brasco]

Am I the only who feels like LeBron having the best 19th season in NBA history by magnitudes is not being acknowledged enough? I think a lot of people are more focused on LeBron being 37, which is older for a player but not a shocking age to be in the league than they are that this is his 19th NBA season played.

Kareem and Karl Malone were the previous gold standards for a 19th year in the league and they averaged respectively 14.6 and 13.2 points per game. LeBron is averaging 28.7 ppg with an almost 27 PER. It is not even remotely close how far LeBron the has opened up in that category.

[Cavsfansince84]

Am I the only who feels like LeBron having the best 19th season in NBA history by magnitudes is not being acknowledged enough? I think a lot of people are more focused on LeBron being 37, which is older for a player but not a shocking age to be in the league than they are that this is his 19th NBA season played.

Kareem and Karl Malone were the previous gold standards for a 19th year in the league and they averaged respectively 14.6 and 13.2 points per game. LeBron is averaging 28.7 ppg with an almost 27 PER. It is not even remotely close how far LeBron the has opened up in that category.

Worth acknowledging though a lot of people will always sort of downplay it due to the guys he is usually compared to having played four years of college ball before getting drafted. That's why I generally look at age more because there's no way to demean it unless they want to say peds(which a lot of people will say). I feel like at this point he is chasing Kareem who at 38 was fmvp and still a top 10 player.

[MisterHibachi]

Am I the only who feels like LeBron having the best 19th season in NBA history by magnitudes is not being acknowledged enough? I think a lot of people are more focused on LeBron being 37, which is older for a player but not a shocking age to be in the league than they are that this is his 19th NBA season played.

Kareem and Karl Malone were the previous gold standards for a 19th year in the league and they averaged respectively 14.6 and 13.2 points per game. LeBron is averaging 28.7 ppg with an almost 27 PER. It is not even remotely close how far LeBron the has opened up in that category.

Worth acknowledging though a lot of people will always sort of downplay it due to the guys he is usually compared to having played four years of college ball before getting drafted. That's why I generally look at age more because there's no way to demean it unless they want to say peds(which a lot of people will say). I feel like at this point he is chasing Kareem who at 38 was fmvp and still a top 10 player.

All the convos about LeBron's youngest-to records are countered by saying others did it in fewer games or seasons, or pointing to others not joining the NBA at the same age as LeBron.

People favor seasons vs age depending on what suits them best to downplay LeBron.

[D.Brasco]

Am I the only who feels like LeBron having the best 19th season in NBA history by magnitudes is not being acknowledged enough? I think a lot of people are more focused on LeBron being 37, which is older for a player but not a shocking age to be in the league than they are that this is his 19th NBA season played.

Kareem and Karl Malone were the previous gold standards for a 19th year in the league and they averaged respectively 14.6 and 13.2 points per game. LeBron is averaging 28.7 ppg with an almost 27 PER. It is not even remotely close how far LeBron the has opened up in that category.

Worth acknowledging though a lot of people will always sort of downplay it due to the guys he is usually compared to having played four years of college ball before getting drafted. That's why I generally look at age more because there's no way to demean it unless they want to say peds(which a lot of people will say). I feel like at this point he is chasing Kareem who at 38 was fmvp and still a top 10 player.

It's the question of it is it the age? or is it the mileage? I think four years of NBA play, especially the minutes he was already playing when he was actually leading his NBA teams as a teeenager. Would have been harder on the body than 4 years of NCAA play and competition.

[Cavsfansince84]

It's the question of it is it the age? or is it the mileage? I think four years of NBA play, especially the minutes he was already playing when he was actually leading his NBA teams as a teeenager. Would have been harder on the body than 4 years of NCAA play and competition.

There's no doubt about that. I'm just saying that if you throw out the whole 'in year x' statement they can always bring up age. If you go by age, not only is it leveling things but putting LeBron at a disadvantage, more so since he played in 8 straight finals at one point so there's really no way to diminish it.