Would you rather have LeBron or KD play the 4?

[Texas Chuck]

It's a PNR league. It really doesn't matter. Both Lebron and KD are going to switch the PNR. Neither is likely to be a primary target of opposing ball-handlers with likely easier options available. And then its team dependent. For most teams the 3 is generally the more physical player these days and the 4 is more of a stretch guy. So generally you want Lebron on the more physical player, But if you are playing say the Wolves with Towns a nominal 4, you'd flip it.

But seriously this just isn't an issue worth worrying about. If you have both, play both. Then its somewhat matchup based, but mostly meaningless as nobody guards one guy any more anyway.

[Colbinii]

assume you have both players

Then it isn't relevant. You play both of them.

I think what was meant here is which one would you play at the 4 and which one at the 3?

Is not that relevant in practice for offense but whoever is the 3 will be further out to the perimeter defending wings and less likely to roam for help defense inside than the guy playing 4 in defense

1) LeBron is better at both defending the perimeter and a rim protector [Any year from 2007-2013 in the RS and PS, through 2020 during the PS]

2) I would prefer LeBron on the perimeter as KD against smaller guys will get cooked while LeBron had the strength and lateral quickness to keep smaller guards in front of him or, if he couldn't, recover and beat the guard to the rim

[henshao]

Pulling teeth to get cop-out answers. Get off the fence!

Although I agree we basically have to engineer a situation in which this question requires an answer, such as both on the same team or coaching two hypothetical teams in which only one of the two can be listed at the 4...at gunpoint I think I'd force Durant to power forward. Lebron is even more valuable if you can move him around and Durant's length makes him less wasted at a permanent "big" position

[cupcakesnake]

I would go with Durant, he is a better rim protector, better shooter and post up player. LBJ is a better point forward, but at the 4, I want different characteristics.

There is zero way durant is a better rim protector than lebron

But the Blocks!

I get where this narrative came from. KD was super fun in the Warriors playoff runs in the death lineup, next to Draymond, in that rim-protector role. But that was more about fitting perfectly into a lineup rather than KD being a very good rim protector. He does have a center's length (Lebron does not). But KD has always been unimpressive in terms of his rotations and consistency. Lebron has long been a very proactive help defender. He's more explosive vertically, and his speed has always helped him swoop in for some surprising contests.

Lebron has a much better horizontal game than KD. KD has length, Lebron has vertical explosiveness. But even if you take an older Lebron with less of the athletic advantage, he's still a smarter, more focused help defender.

[Gooner]

There is zero way durant is a better rim protector than lebron

But the Blocks!

I get where this narrative came from. KD was super fun in the Warriors playoff runs in the death lineup, next to Draymond, in that rim-protector role. But that was more about fitting perfectly into a lineup rather than KD being a very good rim protector. He does have a center's length (Lebron does not). But KD has always been unimpressive in terms of his rotations and consistency. Lebron has long been a very proactive help defender. He's more explosive vertically, and his speed has always helped him swoop in for some surprising contests.

Lebron has a much better horizontal game than KD. KD has length, Lebron has vertical explosiveness. But even if you take an older Lebron with less of the athletic advantage, he's still a smarter, more focused help defender.

Watch on YouTube

[70sFan]

But the Blocks!

I get where this narrative came from. KD was super fun in the Warriors playoff runs in the death lineup, next to Draymond, in that rim-protector role. But that was more about fitting perfectly into a lineup rather than KD being a very good rim protector. He does have a center's length (Lebron does not). But KD has always been unimpressive in terms of his rotations and consistency. Lebron has long been a very proactive help defender. He's more explosive vertically, and his speed has always helped him swoop in for some surprising contests.

Lebron has a much better horizontal game than KD. KD has length, Lebron has vertical explosiveness. But even if you take an older Lebron with less of the athletic advantage, he's still a smarter, more focused help defender.

Watch on YouTube

Wow, you convinced everyone. I thought Durant isn't capable of blocking a shot inside...

[Gooner]

I get where this narrative came from. KD was super fun in the Warriors playoff runs in the death lineup, next to Draymond, in that rim-protector role. But that was more about fitting perfectly into a lineup rather than KD being a very good rim protector. He does have a center's length (Lebron does not). But KD has always been unimpressive in terms of his rotations and consistency. Lebron has long been a very proactive help defender. He's more explosive vertically, and his speed has always helped him swoop in for some surprising contests.

Lebron has a much better horizontal game than KD. KD has length, Lebron has vertical explosiveness. But even if you take an older Lebron with less of the athletic advantage, he's still a smarter, more focused help defender.

Watch on YouTube

Wow, you convinced everyone. I thought Durant isn't capable of blocking a shot inside...

KD is always a presence in the paint when he plays 4 or 5. LBJ is an embarassment defensively these days.

[Homer38]

But the Blocks!

I get where this narrative came from. KD was super fun in the Warriors playoff runs in the death lineup, next to Draymond, in that rim-protector role. But that was more about fitting perfectly into a lineup rather than KD being a very good rim protector. He does have a center's length (Lebron does not). But KD has always been unimpressive in terms of his rotations and consistency. Lebron has long been a very proactive help defender. He's more explosive vertically, and his speed has always helped him swoop in for some surprising contests.

Lebron has a much better horizontal game than KD. KD has length, Lebron has vertical explosiveness. But even if you take an older Lebron with less of the athletic advantage, he's still a smarter, more focused help defender.

Watch on YouTube

Great play but overall the Nets give up 130 points in this game....

[Gooner]

I get where this narrative came from. KD was super fun in the Warriors playoff runs in the death lineup, next to Draymond, in that rim-protector role. But that was more about fitting perfectly into a lineup rather than KD being a very good rim protector. He does have a center's length (Lebron does not). But KD has always been unimpressive in terms of his rotations and consistency. Lebron has long been a very proactive help defender. He's more explosive vertically, and his speed has always helped him swoop in for some surprising contests.

Lebron has a much better horizontal game than KD. KD has length, Lebron has vertical explosiveness. But even if you take an older Lebron with less of the athletic advantage, he's still a smarter, more focused help defender.

Watch on YouTube

Great play but overall the Nets give up 130 points in this game....

Yes, Nash sucks and Pelicans are really good when healthy.

[70sFan]

Watch on YouTube

Wow, you convinced everyone. I thought Durant isn't capable of blocking a shot inside...

KD is always a presence in the paint when he plays 4 or 5. LBJ is an embarassment defensively these days.

No, Durant isn't "a presence", he's extremely inconsistent shotblocker why shies away from contact.

LeBron is 38 years old at this point, name me one 6'8 player who still was a presence inside at age.

[Homer38]

Watch on YouTube

Great play but overall the Nets give up 130 points in this game....

Yes, Nash sucks and Pelicans are really good when healthy.

Nash is a weak excuse.KD just don't have Draymond and even Ibaka next to him

[Gooner]

Wow, you convinced everyone. I thought Durant isn't capable of blocking a shot inside...

KD is always a presence in the paint when he plays 4 or 5. LBJ is an embarassment defensively these days.

No, Durant isn't "a presence", he's extremely inconsistent shotblocker why shies away from contact.

LeBron is 38 years old at this point, name me one 6'8 player who still was a presence inside at age.

Disagree on Durant.

LBJ is not 38 yet, and athletes these days last longer. It's not impossible to play top level basketball even in late 30's. And he has been awful defensively for a long time. KD himself is 34 and he had achilles injury. We could make same excuses for him.

[70sFan]

KD is always a presence in the paint when he plays 4 or 5. LBJ is an embarassment defensively these days.

No, Durant isn't "a presence", he's extremely inconsistent shotblocker why shies away from contact.

LeBron is 38 years old at this point, name me one 6'8 player who still was a presence inside at age.

Disagree on Durant.

LBJ is not 38 yet, and athletes these days last longer. It's not impossible to play top level basketball even in late 30's. And he has been awful defensively for a long time. KD himself is 34 and he had achilles injury. We could make same excuses for him.

If athletes last longer, then you shouldn't have any problems mentioning an elite 6'8 rim protector at 37/38 years old.

KD hismelf has been mediocre defensively since he left Warriors. LeBron's last good defensive season was in 2021, not that long ago...

[henshao]

I'm not going to argue KD is some defensive stalwart but at 6'11 he really doesn't have to do as much inside

[HeartBreakKid]

KD is always a presence in the paint when he plays 4 or 5. LBJ is an embarassment defensively these days.

No, Durant isn't "a presence", he's extremely inconsistent shotblocker why shies away from contact.

LeBron is 38 years old at this point, name me one 6'8 player who still was a presence inside at age.

Disagree on Durant.

LBJ is not 38 yet, and athletes these days last longer. It's not impossible to play top level basketball even in late 30's. And he has been awful defensively for a long time. KD himself is 34 and he had achilles injury. We could make same excuses for him.

That's why so many players from Lebron's draft class are still around.

[Gooner]

No, Durant isn't "a presence", he's extremely inconsistent shotblocker why shies away from contact.

LeBron is 38 years old at this point, name me one 6'8 player who still was a presence inside at age.

Disagree on Durant.

LBJ is not 38 yet, and athletes these days last longer. It's not impossible to play top level basketball even in late 30's. And he has been awful defensively for a long time. KD himself is 34 and he had achilles injury. We could make same excuses for him.

That's why so many players from Lebron's draft class are still around.

He was the youngest from that draft class.

[HeartBreakKid]

Disagree on Durant.

LBJ is not 38 yet, and athletes these days last longer. It's not impossible to play top level basketball even in late 30's. And he has been awful defensively for a long time. KD himself is 34 and he had achilles injury. We could make same excuses for him.

That's why so many players from Lebron's draft class are still around.

He was the youngest from that draft class.

Youre right, if he was one in done he would be in the 2004 draft class.

Dwight Howard. Ht/Wt:6-10 240. ...
Emeka Okafor. Ht/Wt:6-10 257. Position:PF/C. ...
Ben Gordon. Ht/Wt:6-2 190. Position:PG. ...
Shaun Livingston. Ht/Wt:6-7 185. Position:PG. ...
Devin Harris. Ht/Wt:6-3 170. Position:PG. ...
Josh Childress. Ht/Wt:6-7 195. ...
Luol Deng. Ht/Wt:6-8 220. ...
Rafael Araujo.

None of those guys are in the NBA right now, and except for Dwight they've been out of the NBA or even retired for years.

In fact, glancing at this the only player who is on a team right now is Iggy who has been a 15 minute per game player for years now.



Where are all the guys who are Lebron's age? Chris Paul is pretty much the only one and he declined more than Lebron did. No one else is from their era is even a remotely productive player or even in the NBA.

[Gooner]

That's why so many players from Lebron's draft class are still around.

He was the youngest from that draft class.

Youre right, if he was one in done he would be in the 2004 draft class.

Dwight Howard. Ht/Wt:6-10 240. ...
Emeka Okafor. Ht/Wt:6-10 257. Position:PF/C. ...
Ben Gordon. Ht/Wt:6-2 190. Position:PG. ...
Shaun Livingston. Ht/Wt:6-7 185. Position:PG. ...
Devin Harris. Ht/Wt:6-3 170. Position:PG. ...
Josh Childress. Ht/Wt:6-7 195. ...
Luol Deng. Ht/Wt:6-8 220. ...
Rafael Araujo.

None of those guys are in the NBA right now, and except for Dwight they've been out of the NBA or even retired for years.

In fact, glancing at this the only player who is on a team right now is Iggy who has been a 15 minute per game player for years now.

None of these guys are great players. Apart from Dwight Howard, who is a traditional center, and the NBA has moved on from them. Great players last longer. Look at Chris Paul, he is about the same age as LBJ, and he actually impacts winning still.

[HeartBreakKid]

He was the youngest from that draft class.

Youre right, if he was one in done he would be in the 2004 draft class.

Dwight Howard. Ht/Wt:6-10 240. ...
Emeka Okafor. Ht/Wt:6-10 257. Position:PF/C. ...
Ben Gordon. Ht/Wt:6-2 190. Position:PG. ...
Shaun Livingston. Ht/Wt:6-7 185. Position:PG. ...
Devin Harris. Ht/Wt:6-3 170. Position:PG. ...
Josh Childress. Ht/Wt:6-7 195. ...
Luol Deng. Ht/Wt:6-8 220. ...
Rafael Araujo.

None of those guys are in the NBA right now, and except for Dwight they've been out of the NBA or even retired for years.

In fact, glancing at this the only player who is on a team right now is Iggy who has been a 15 minute per game player for years now.

None of these guys are great players. Apart from Dwight Howard, who is a traditional center, and the NBA has moved on from them. Great players last longer. Look at Chris Paul, he is about the same age as LBJ, and he actually impacts winning still.

Look at Chris7 Paul, literally the only other player who is around Lebron's age who is still good. He's the thriving example of how Lebron being great at 37 is nothing special and normal now.

And also some of those players are all-stars. EVERY player from 2003 is not in the NBA or at the end of the bench. EVERY player from 2004 is not in the NBA or at the end of the bench. EVERY player from 2005 is not in the NBA or at the end of the bench except for CP3 (where is Deron Williams?). 2006? 2007?

Carmelo?
Wade?
Bosh?
Howard?
Westbrook?
Williams?
Griffin?
Stoudimire?
Bynum?
Wall?
Noah?
Milsap?
Harden?
Thomas?
Cousins?
Gasol?
Bogut?
Walker?
Lilllard?



Some of those players even came significantly after Lebron James and are either terrible players or haven't been in the NBA in years.

If players last so long, why can't you name anyone other than CP3? And CP3 isnt' even an MVP caliber player anymore. Al Horford is not anywhere near his prime is the next closest thing.

Even Curry and Durant are 4 years younger which is an eternity in the NBA.

[Gooner]

Youre right, if he was one in done he would be in the 2004 draft class.

Dwight Howard. Ht/Wt:6-10 240. ...
Emeka Okafor. Ht/Wt:6-10 257. Position:PF/C. ...
Ben Gordon. Ht/Wt:6-2 190. Position:PG. ...
Shaun Livingston. Ht/Wt:6-7 185. Position:PG. ...
Devin Harris. Ht/Wt:6-3 170. Position:PG. ...
Josh Childress. Ht/Wt:6-7 195. ...
Luol Deng. Ht/Wt:6-8 220. ...
Rafael Araujo.

None of those guys are in the NBA right now, and except for Dwight they've been out of the NBA or even retired for years.

In fact, glancing at this the only player who is on a team right now is Iggy who has been a 15 minute per game player for years now.

None of these guys are great players. Apart from Dwight Howard, who is a traditional center, and the NBA has moved on from them. Great players last longer. Look at Chris Paul, he is about the same age as LBJ, and he actually impacts winning still.

Look at Chris7 Paul, literally the only other player who is around Lebron's age who is still good. He's the thriving example of how Lebron being great at 37 is nothing special and normal now.

And also some of those players are all-stars. EVERY player from 2003 is not in the NBA or at the end of the bench. EVERY player from 2004 is not in the NBA or at the end of the bench. EVERY player from 2005 is not in the NBA or at the end of the bench except for CP3 (where is Deron Williams?). 2006? 2007?

Carmelo?
Wade?
Bosh?
Howard?
Westbrook?
Williams?
Griffin?
Stoudimire?
Wall?
Noah?
Harden?
Thomas?
Cousins?
Gasol?
Lilllard?
Bogut?


Some of those players even came significantly after Lebron James and are either terrible players or haven't been in the NBA in years.

If players last so long, why can't you name anyone other than CP3? And CP3 isnt' even an MVP caliber player anymore.

Even Curry and Durant are 4 years younger which is an eternity in the NBA.

That's the new normal across all sports, and you will see it more and more. I always look 2-3 steps ahead.

Which Gasol are you talking about? I remember Pau leading Spanish national team to medals until the age of 37. He was an all star until 35, and he played probably his best basketball at the age of 35 when he dominated Eurobasket and destroyed young Gobert.