Where is James' Best Defensive Position?

[Eric Bieniemy]

It is as clear as the morning dew that LeBron James is much more suited to defend the NBA's average power forward than he is the average NBA small forward.

What do you all think?

There is much talk of the Lakers acquiring Myles Turner. This move relegates James to defending the wing, and I don't think he's capable anymore.

Now, after the Draymond incident, there is talk that Green may want to come to the Lakers, and we all know they can't say no to Klutch. Green, like Turner, will move James to closing at small forward, and again, that just doesn't make any sense to me.

At this stage of his career, I'd rather James guard centers than small forwards. I'm huge proponent of Davis starting at center so that James can play his more natural defensive position, but I'm fine with Davis and James simply closing at 5 and 4.

The problem is in acquiring a big-name center or power forward. Talk of this is a recipe for disaster and shows zero forward-thinking.

[Kilroy]

He's a PF/C on D... He's not quick enough laterally anymore to effectively face-up 1-3s...

He's actually pretty flat-footed and slow to react on the perimeter. His best defensive play is still the come-from-behind block... But he's not doing that as much lately either.

He plays a lot of 'I'm LeBron James, Bitch..." defense on shooters too... Daring them to shoot. And they do... Quite effectively.

That's when he actually engages on D... Which is getting pretty rare.

[TylersLakers]

Something that keeps him in the action and keeps him engaged. However, you're not going to do that until really big moments. If we have one possession to close a game and need a stop, he's obviously the guy I'd put on any sort of wing player. And that's probably across the league. I'll never forget that opening game in the bubble when he shut down Kawhi and then switched over to PG13 on the last possession and did the same thing.

But it can't and won't happen for extended stretches throughout a game.

[TheHartBreakKid]

PF without a doubt.

While he could still hang in the perimeter, obviously the effort and consistency won't be there, which is fair and expected. Additionally, while he could still hang, he's obviously slower than he was before, even at full effort. The last thing I would want to see is Lebron actually exerting perimeter defensive energy while still getting scored on.

At PF in the modern game in an active switching type decent, you get a good balance of everything. While modern 4s are often perimeter threats themselves, he would still be matched up with the best option to play off ball. (More so than centers imo because of rebounding).

Now, as for C, I do agree that he thrives defensively there as well, besides the obvious overmatched matchups like Embiid. That said, while you don't want Lebron running around in the perimeter, you also don't want constantly battling inside. Dude is old...and most injuries happen in the paint.

So yeah, the 4 is ideal for me, especially with AD at the 5. Obviously, there are other concerns regarding AD at the 5 and how sustainable it is, so naturally Lebron will end up guarding a lot of 3s by default. There really isn't a way to avoid it, other than managing rotation.

I'm all for Center AD. In a hypothetical playoff situation, you have to go with your most effective linup, which is AD 5 and Lebron 4, where both players thrive defensively. That said, for the regular season, we simply can't afford to have AD playing too many minutes at the 5. A couple of years ago, maybe I would say he needs to suck it up...but at this point, it would be a recipe for disaster injury wise.

Of course, AD will probably manage to get injured either way, closing out on a shooter or something, but I digress

[TheHartBreakKid]

Something that keeps him in the action and keeps him engaged. However, you're not going to do that until really big moments. If we have one possession to close a game and need a stop, he's obviously the guy I'd put on any sort of wing player. And that's probably across the league. I'll never forget that opening game in the bubble when he shut down Kawhi and then switched over to PG13 on the last possession and did the same thing.

But it can't and won't happen for extended stretches throughout a game.

Yup. The one thing that should be avoided is putting Lebron on off ball shooters, even if they aren't necessarily snipers. It's a perfect recipe for allowing the other team to get hot from a non-threatening source while lowering defensive morale.

Ideally, I want Lebron involved in P&R action defensively, not playing free safety which I'm sure he prefers.

Obviously with a lot of matchups you simply can't avoid it, but atleast let's not embrace it. Unpopular opinion, but if we are playing a "big" lineup, I would rather have AD guard the least threatening perimeter players and do the free safety thing, while putting Lebron on a screen setter.


Just an example to illustrate what I mean; Let's say we are playing the Hawks and they start a G/G/Hunter/Collins/Capella lineup, and we start with a G/G/LBJ/AD/C lineup; I rather have Lebron guarding the bigger Collins and AD guarding the more perimeter oriented Hunter.

[stan francisco]

PF, no doubt.

But with AD as an SF wing on offense, LBJ will have to switch over to guard SFs on defense.

We need to trade Westbrook for a defensive anchor at C, or this team will be a defensive ****.

[TheHartBreakKid]

PF, no doubt.

But with AD as an SF wing on offense, LBJ will have to switch over to guard SFs on defense.

We need to trade Westbrook for a defensive anchor at C, or this team will be a defensive ****.

But other than Turner, there are literally zero other options available for Westbrook to fit that role, and I honestly don't think Turner cuts it.


Like you said, this team as it stands has some noticeable weaknesses/flaws defensive, that you realistically can't fix personnel wise. I don't think anything short of Bam or Gobert could solve it if we are looking at centers.

I think the only thing to do is hope for organized team d and efforts, while trading RW for perimeter/wing pieces that can thrive in a "switch everything" type defense.

Then, if by some off chance you manage to get the playoffs with a a competitive team, AD at the 5 and Lebron at 4, and finger's crossed that they stay healthy.

Don't get me wrong, someone like Turner would obviously improve our defense, without a doubt, if he is getting minutes over Bryant/Jones, But the fundamental defensive flaw that you mentioned would still be there.

[stan francisco]

PF, no doubt.

But with AD as an SF wing on offense, LBJ will have to switch over to guard SFs on defense.

We need to trade Westbrook for a defensive anchor at C, or this team will be a defensive ****.

But other than Turner, there are literally zero other options available for Westbrook to fit that role, and I honestly don't think Turner cuts it.


Like you said, this team as it stands has some noticeable weaknesses/flaws defensive, that you realistically can't fix personnel wise. I don't think anything short of Bam or Gobert could solve it if we are looking at centers.

I think the only thing to do is hope for organized team d and efforts, while trading RW for perimeter/wing pieces that can thrive in a "switch everything" type defense.

Then, if by some off chance you manage to get the playoffs with a a competitive team, AD at the 5 and Lebron at 4, and finger's crossed that they stay healthy.

Don't get me wrong, someone like Turner would obviously improve our defense, without a doubt, if he is getting minutes over Bryant/Jones, But the fundamental defensive flaw that you mentioned would still be there.

I couldn’t agree more. Unless this group plays stellar team defense, it spells first round exit.

[Landsberger]

He's a PF/C on D... He's not quick enough laterally anymore to effectively face-up 1-3s...

He's actually pretty flat-footed and slow to react on the perimeter. His best defensive play is still the come-from-behind block... But he's not doing that as much lately either.

He plays a lot of 'I'm LeBron James, Bitch..." defense on shooters too... Daring them to shoot. And they do... Quite effectively.

That's when he actually engages on D... Which is getting pretty rare.

Even when he "locks in" he's not able to sustain it any more.

His "best" defensive position at this point is probably on the sideline.

[stan francisco]

He's a PF/C on D... He's not quick enough laterally anymore to effectively face-up 1-3s...

He's actually pretty flat-footed and slow to react on the perimeter. His best defensive play is still the come-from-behind block... But he's not doing that as much lately either.

He plays a lot of 'I'm LeBron James, Bitch..." defense on shooters too... Daring them to shoot. And they do... Quite effectively.

That's when he actually engages on D... Which is getting pretty rare.

Even when he "locks in" he's not able to sustain it any more.

His "best" defensive position at this point is probably on the sideline.

Ouch. I agree, with the following caveat.

LBJ is a very intelligent defender. When he gives full defensive effort, he can still guard PFs efficiently one on one, and he’s a very bright team defensive mind. Sure, he’s slower and his knees are worn and his lateral quickness has diminished a bit.

But should any star player with 20 years of playing heavy minutes (thanks Mr Potato head etc) be expected to be a defensive beast in every game in November and December? I’d say that’s not a healthy expectation, unrealistic. Bench him? Good luck coach Ham.

I hope our team defense takes some of that load off of LBJ because we’ll need him fresh if we even make it to the playoffs.

Remember the last ring? He’ll turn it up defensively if he smells another championship. If not, he’ll preserve his body for next season, and personally, I don’t like that at all. Wish he had more of that Kobe hate-to-lose spirit and gave his all every game, but that is seriously abnormal and it’s not a wise approach long term.

Team defense needs to be stellar.

[Eric Bieniemy]

PF, no doubt.

But with AD as an SF wing on offense, LBJ will have to switch over to guard SFs on defense.

We need to trade Westbrook for a defensive anchor at C, or this team will be a defensive ****.

But other than Turner, there are literally zero other options available for Westbrook to fit that role, and I honestly don't think Turner cuts it.


Like you said, this team as it stands has some noticeable weaknesses/flaws defensive, that you realistically can't fix personnel wise. I don't think anything short of Bam or Gobert could solve it if we are looking at centers.

I think the only thing to do is hope for organized team d and efforts, while trading RW for perimeter/wing pieces that can thrive in a "switch everything" type defense.

Then, if by some off chance you manage to get the playoffs with a a competitive team, AD at the 5 and Lebron at 4, and finger's crossed that they stay healthy.

Don't get me wrong, someone like Turner would obviously improve our defense, without a doubt, if he is getting minutes over Bryant/Jones, But the fundamental defensive flaw that you mentioned would still be there.

The notion that playing Davis at PF is somehow preserving him and keeping him from injury is the silliest notion on this baron board.

The Lakers aren't at liberty to be cute and leave bullets in the chamber; they need to play guys at their best positions for team success and CLEARLY that's Davis and James at 4/5.

Playing games half-cocked and scared of injuries is an asinine strategy for a team trying to find their identity.

[Landsberger]

He's a PF/C on D... He's not quick enough laterally anymore to effectively face-up 1-3s...

He's actually pretty flat-footed and slow to react on the perimeter. His best defensive play is still the come-from-behind block... But he's not doing that as much lately either.

He plays a lot of 'I'm LeBron James, Bitch..." defense on shooters too... Daring them to shoot. And they do... Quite effectively.

That's when he actually engages on D... Which is getting pretty rare.

Even when he "locks in" he's not able to sustain it any more.

His "best" defensive position at this point is probably on the sideline.

Ouch. I agree, with the following caveat.

LBJ is a very intelligent defender. When he gives full defensive effort, he can still guard PFs efficiently one on one, and he’s a very bright team defensive mind. Sure, he’s slower and his knees are worn and his lateral quickness has diminished a bit.

But should any star player with 20 years of playing heavy minutes (thanks Mr Potato head etc) be expected to be a defensive beast in every game in November and December? I’d say that’s not a healthy expectation, unrealistic. Bench him? Good luck coach Ham.

I hope our team defense takes some of that load off of LBJ because we’ll need him fresh if we even make it to the playoffs.

Remember the last ring? He’ll turn it up defensively if he smells another championship. If not, he’ll preserve his body for next season, and personally, I don’t like that at all. Wish he had more of that Kobe hate-to-lose spirit and gave his all every game, but that is seriously abnormal and it’s not a wise approach long term.

Team defense needs to be stellar.

Individual defense is so overrated. A team of below average individual defenders dedicated to playing a scheme will be 5 "above average defenders" every time.

Bron is old.... father time is undefeated. This isn't going to improve with him.

[Ballerhogger]

He’s PF at this point of his career

[SweetTouch]

obviously PF

team defense he can guard any position.

[NRSV]

PF

[SK21209]

If he's not really trying then sure he should probably defend PFs, where he can get by on strength. LeBron is still perfectly capable of defending SFs well, if he had AD and Myles Turner behind him and actually believed this team could contend I have no doubt you'd see him defending on the perimeter at a plus level in the regular season and an elite level in the regular season. He was shutting down the Kawhis and PGs of the world in 2020 and I don't see much of a physical drop off.

[Kilroy]

The bench...

[Michael Jackson]

He's a PF/C on D... He's not quick enough laterally anymore to effectively face-up 1-3s...

He's actually pretty flat-footed and slow to react on the perimeter. His best defensive play is still the come-from-behind block... But he's not doing that as much lately either.

He plays a lot of 'I'm LeBron James, Bitch..." defense on shooters too... Daring them to shoot. And they do... Quite effectively.

That's when he actually engages on D... Which is getting pretty rare.

Even when he "locks in" he's not able to sustain it any more.

His "best" defensive position at this point is probably on the sideline.

Ouch. I agree, with the following caveat.

LBJ is a very intelligent defender. When he gives full defensive effort, he can still guard PFs efficiently one on one, and he’s a very bright team defensive mind. Sure, he’s slower and his knees are worn and his lateral quickness has diminished a bit.

But should any star player with 20 years of playing heavy minutes (thanks Mr Potato head etc) be expected to be a defensive beast in every game in November and December? I’d say that’s not a healthy expectation, unrealistic. Bench him? Good luck coach Ham.

I hope our team defense takes some of that load off of LBJ because we’ll need him fresh if we even make it to the playoffs.

Remember the last ring? He’ll turn it up defensively if he smells another championship. If not, he’ll preserve his body for next season, and personally, I don’t like that at all. Wish he had more of that Kobe hate-to-lose spirit and gave his all every game, but that is seriously abnormal and it’s not a wise approach long term.

Team defense needs to be stellar.

LeBron's D is annoying these days yet totally understood. That being said so was Kobe's late in his career. It just happens. While Jordan kept it up at a decent level, it really was Pippen's job and Harpers to take the toughest assignments and he saved more for offense.

[scoobs07]

No doubt James is a PF at this point in his career. The sad part is, AD constantly contradicts that with his whining about not wanting to play center. I mean they have the same agent for crying out loud and they agreed to play together, so they should really get on the same page with that ****. Therfore , the Lakers should not look to aquire a center such as Turner or a PF like say, PJ Washington for example. Maybe not even a Bojan. Lakers would be better off spending their assets/money on the guard and wing positions. They should have it in their mind that power forward and center are already vacated by their two stars. But they are known to try to fit square pegs in round holes, so who knows what they will do.

[Kilroy]

I change my vote... He's actually a great defender... When he's on the court, AD is virtually useless.