(LOCK THREAD) The LeBron James- 23-24 NBA Thread - 40K POINTS+(Part 1)(NO INSULTING)

[Mos_Heat]

LeGone James babyyyy. Can't wait for our boy to leave this incompetent piece of s*** franchise. Gonna be amazing to see them turn into Knicks West over the years and these undeserving inbred fans get what they deserve.

He's gonna pick up his option for the next year, you know it

[Ian Scuffling]

Well, when one of your only two very good players plays like ****, you'll have what happened last night. Didn't see the game, but the box score told a bad story for Lebron. Oh well. This team is flawed as hell. To me, this is truly an "enjoy the journey" cliche. Bad games like this notwithstanding . As someone else astutely said, he may have given up on Championships (because he, as smart as he is, can't believe THIS is a championship team) and just wants to play with Bronny and catch 40,000 points. Pelinka has detroyed this team.

[Heej]

LeGone James babyyyy. Can't wait for our boy to leave this incompetent piece of s*** franchise. Gonna be amazing to see them turn into Knicks West over the years and these undeserving inbred fans get what they deserve.

He's gonna pick up his option for the next year, you know it

Why are you like this

[Heej]

Well, when one of your only two very good players plays like ****, you'll have what happened last night. Didn't see the game, but the box score told a bad story for Lebron. Oh well. This team is flawed as hell. To me, this is truly an "enjoy the journey" cliche. Bad games like this notwithstanding . As someone else astutely said, he may have given up on Championships (because he, as smart as he is, can't believe THIS is a championship team) and just wants to play with Bronny and catch 40,000 points. Pelinka has detroyed this team.

At this point I think they're officially checked out on Ham. Bron didn't even do media session lol

[Mos_Heat]

LeGone James babyyyy. Can't wait for our boy to leave this incompetent piece of s*** franchise. Gonna be amazing to see them turn into Knicks West over the years and these undeserving inbred fans get what they deserve.

He's gonna pick up his option for the next year, you know it

Why are you like this

He loves being a Laker, it is what it is

People like to fantasize that he's gonna jump to a more competent team in a year or two. He won't, I think it's pretty clear

[Colbinii]

He's gonna pick up his option for the next year, you know it

Why are you like this

He loves being a Laker, it is what it is

People like to fantasize that he's gonna jump to a more competent team in a year or two. He won't, I think it's pretty clear

Correct.

Meanwhile we all jack-off to the idea that Cam Reddish or Lonnie Walker are somehow going to turn it around next to LeBron when they put on a pathetic career showcase prior to joining the Purple and Gold.

I said it earlier, the depth of this team is just putrid. Reaves wouldn't start for half of the teams in the NBA yet is the 3rd best player on the Lakers.

I'm ready to be done rooting for the Lakers. They left my state 60 years ago then they beat us in 2004 because Sam Cassell was injured.

[JLei]

Why are you like this

He loves being a Laker, it is what it is

People like to fantasize that he's gonna jump to a more competent team in a year or two. He won't, I think it's pretty clear

Correct.

Meanwhile we all jack-off to the idea that Cam Reddish or Lonnie Walker are somehow going to turn it around next to LeBron when they put on a pathetic career showcase prior to joining the Purple and Gold.

I said it earlier, the depth of this team is just putrid. Reaves wouldn't start for half of the teams in the NBA yet is the 3rd best player on the Lakers.

I'm ready to be done rooting for the Lakers. They left my state 60 years ago then they beat us in 2004 because Sam Cassell was injured.

Reaves is better than that. I think he'd start on at least half the playoff teams and would play 30+ minutes on all of them.

But yes when D'Angelo is your 4th best player and then its a steeeeep drop off after him. And D'Angelo has sucked and got benched. They need him. Poor roster construction but he's probably the best shooter on the team on a team desperate for offense. I don't think playing him less for more defense was the right call by Ham.

Obviously they need to make a trade. But in the mean time they need to play D'Angelo, Rui, Wood more and Reddish, Vanderbilt, Hayes, Christie less.

[Mos_Heat]

He loves being a Laker, it is what it is

People like to fantasize that he's gonna jump to a more competent team in a year or two. He won't, I think it's pretty clear

Correct.

Meanwhile we all jack-off to the idea that Cam Reddish or Lonnie Walker are somehow going to turn it around next to LeBron when they put on a pathetic career showcase prior to joining the Purple and Gold.

I said it earlier, the depth of this team is just putrid. Reaves wouldn't start for half of the teams in the NBA yet is the 3rd best player on the Lakers.

I'm ready to be done rooting for the Lakers. They left my state 60 years ago then they beat us in 2004 because Sam Cassell was injured.

Reaves is better than that. I think he'd start on at least half the playoff teams and would play 30+ minutes on all of them.

But yes when D'Angelo is your 4th best player and then its a steeeeep drop off after him. And D'Angelo has sucked and got benched. They need him. Poor roster construction but he's probably the best shooter on the team on a team desperate for offense. I don't think playing him less for more defense was the right call by Ham.

Obviously they need to make a trade. But in the mean time they need to play D'Angelo, Rui, Wood more and Reddish, Vanderbilt, Hayes, Christie less.

Reaves at least can pretend that he is a top 100 player in the league, but the next 4 guys are very mid for the current league. Vincent barely played, Dlo and Rui are empty colories and Vando is borderline unplayable even in the regular season

[Colbinii]

He loves being a Laker, it is what it is

People like to fantasize that he's gonna jump to a more competent team in a year or two. He won't, I think it's pretty clear

Correct.

Meanwhile we all jack-off to the idea that Cam Reddish or Lonnie Walker are somehow going to turn it around next to LeBron when they put on a pathetic career showcase prior to joining the Purple and Gold.

I said it earlier, the depth of this team is just putrid. Reaves wouldn't start for half of the teams in the NBA yet is the 3rd best player on the Lakers.

I'm ready to be done rooting for the Lakers. They left my state 60 years ago then they beat us in 2004 because Sam Cassell was injured.

Reaves is better than that. I think he'd start on at least half the playoff teams and would play 30+ minutes on all of them.

But yes when D'Angelo is your 4th best player and then its a steeeeep drop off after him. And D'Angelo has sucked and got benched. They need him. Poor roster construction but he's probably the best shooter on the team on a team desperate for offense. I don't think playing him less for more defense was the right call by Ham.

Obviously they need to make a trade. But in the mean time they need to play D'Angelo, Rui, Wood more and Reddish, Vanderbilt, Hayes, Christie less.

Reaves wouldn't start for these teams:

Minnesota
Denver
Sacramento
Clippers
Pelicans
Mavericks
Rockets
Warriors
Celtics
76ers
Bucks
Heat
Pacers
Magic
Cavaliers
Knicks
Hawks

Sure, maybe he starts over Jalen Green in Houston or Grayson Allen in Phoenix, or even Malik Beasley in Milwaukee [Shooting 47% on 3P this year] but my point is he is a low-end starter/high-end bench piece masquerading as a 3rd best player on a team with title hopes.

[The High Cyde]

He’s gonna be joining the Clips at the brisk age of 40, we all know it!

Harden
Kawhi
George
LeBron
Zu

Make it happen Steve!!

Lmao I kid but that’s be pretty dope to see haha but yeah he’s LeGonezo. No idea what he does from here.

[Ian Scuffling]

Comes back to Cleveland to be the old head on an extremely young team I know. Pipe dream. It just seems odd that he chose LA, where still to this day, I think most Lakers fans will always call another player their favorite Laker ever. He seems to love challenges and maybe that was the greater challenge than bringing titles back to LA. But, obviously his life, his decisions.

[Joao Saraiva]

Haven't seen much NBA besides highlights of games this year... what's happening with the Lakers and Bron? Thought they were ok after the in season tournament... not the biggest title contender but things looked ok.

From there on LA has lost almost every time, even against the Spurs... and now Bron with 12 points? Just a bad shooting night?

What's up with Ham and the players? Anybody can fill me in?

[Joao Saraiva]

Comes back to Cleveland to be the old head on an extremely young team I know. Pipe dream. It just seems odd that he chose LA, where still to this day, I think most Lakers fans will always call another player their favorite Laker ever. He seems to love challenges and maybe that was the greater challenge than bringing titles back to LA. But, obviously his life, his decisions.

He might go back to Cleveland one day. To play a game, even for a year just to retire there (I doubt it but I don't know the guy so...)

The day he does that you can bank on the fact retirement is coming.

[Ian Scuffling]

I think you're right. If he comes back to Cleveland, it's most likely on that one day contract to retire as a Cavalier. Hope, we're wrong, though. As, he obviosuly still has some left in the tank.

[Joao Saraiva]

I think you're right. If he comes back to Cleveland, it's most likely on that one day contract to retire as a Cavalier. Hope, we're wrong, though. As, he obviosuly still has some left in the tank.

He's a proven family type of guy. His wife enjoys being in LA. Probably they want to be estabilished there as a family. With his wife wanting it and being good for his kids, Bron won't go anywhere.

He definitely loves his legacy. He cares about public opinion. But I think his family matters even more.

That's why I believe he'll be with the Lakers no matter how incompetent they are.

[zimpy27]

I think he leaves when Bryce finishes high school. Zhuri is like 6 years younger so not in high school, moving her wouldn't be an issue.

Bryce is leaving high school in June 2025.
LeBron will pick up his option but won't extend and will leave in 2025.

Cavs will be the best bet IMO

[nzahir]

I think he leaves when Bryce finishes high school. Zhuri is like 6 years younger so not in high school, moving her wouldn't be an issue.

Bryce is leaving high school in June 2025.
LeBron will pick up his option but won't extend and will leave in 2025.

Cavs will be the best bet IMO

I can see this, so this season and then 1 more

I feel like Bron opts out and takes a 1+1 in case of injury or just to have in case

I also feel like Bronny plays 1 more year in college

So the window here is this year and next (unless the Lakers draft Bronny)

What is the best move?

The issue with making a deal now for someone like Lavine is that you will need to use some assets now and wont have as much left over in the summer to make a deal for someone better who may ask out. For ex: Donovan Mitchell

Remember in the summer we can have a package of 2024 1st, 2029 1st, 2031 1st, 2026 swap, 2028 swap, 2030 swap, JHS, Reaves, Christie, Lewis

Best bet right now is hope Kyrie asks out

If not, then you have to determine if its worth making some smaller moves for a backup C and swapping Dlo for another pg or making a larger move for Lavine

[zimpy27]

I don't think Lakers team is that bad, the coach/rotations and lack of practice is an issue I think.

Starters: Reaves, Rui, LeBron, Davis
Bench: DLo, Prince, Vando, Wood

Guard defender rotation: Vincent/Reddish/Christie

Team should be playing better than it has and DLo should be the bench leader like above.
I highlight guard defender rotation because Lakers have 3 options to choose from.

[tone wone]

Ham did lose a couple of guys from his staff this summer. I have no idea what their roles were and exactly how important they were but it's odd how much trouble this team is having getting to things that were automatic last year.

For mulitple offseasons people practically screamed in Laker fans faces about the importance of continuity. They bring back the core of a WCF team; add some ancillary pieces and all that continuity has gotten them nowhere. Zero margin for error.

D'lo and Reaves not being able play together has had huge ramifications. It seems crazy now, but heading into the season most really thought LA could be really good offensively. The team clearly thought they would (and that failure is at the heart of the frustration). At the heart of this belief was Reaves and Dlo. Two pull-up threats. Two pick n roll ball-handlers who can both play with Lebron and AD or be paired off.

Who knows. If Vando weren't hurt to start the season we get last years starting 5. And if Reaves-D'lo have to be broken up they got with Vincent instead of Reddish and the team has bit more offense-defence balance.

[zimpy27]

Doc Rivers will be the best coaching choice.. I can't believe I'm saying that because I've given him a lot of **** over the years.

But Doc Rivers coaching talent is culture setting and I think the Lakers need a culture change. He's used to handling superstar players.
He also reveres LeBron and would probably let LeBron do in-game coaching.