The LeBron James All-NBA (2nd) and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread

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Hindsight: Would you trade Luka back to Dallas for Anthony Davis?

Yes
2
8%
No
23
92%
 
Total votes: 25

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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1441 » by dcstanley » Tue Feb 4, 2025 4:25 am

EmpireFalls wrote:Lebron Luka Reaves perimeter defense lol lol lol lol

The Mavs were probably the second best team in the West when healthy and they were starting Luka/Kyrie/Klay.

Defensively, Lebron/Reaves' baseline level is probably similar to Kyrie/Klay but they have a much higher ceiling. In high leverage games Lebron can actually be a plus defender.
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1442 » by eminence » Tue Feb 4, 2025 4:43 am

I'd look at Manuing Reaves. Still get him ~4th man minutes, but more staggered off the bench, with 2 of the 3 on at all times.
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1443 » by GSP » Tue Feb 4, 2025 8:46 am

dcstanley wrote:
EmpireFalls wrote:Lebron Luka Reaves perimeter defense lol lol lol lol

The Mavs were probably the second best team in the West when healthy and they were starting Luka/Kyrie/Klay.

Defensively, Lebron/Reaves' baseline level is probably similar to Kyrie/Klay but they have a much higher ceiling. In high leverage games Lebron can actually be a plus defender.


Mavs were 12-8 w/ Luka and Kyrie this season......they werent looking good at all. Defense was 15-20th. Last year post trade when they got Pj and Gafford they were a top 5 defense the rest of the way to the finals. Derrick Jones Jr prolly was a massive part too as weve seen w/ Clippers defense this season and they dont have someone like him anymore.

Didnt see enough of Luka, Kyrie, Klay but signs were showing defense was a problem actually. Last season w/ Luka and Kyrie it wasnt a problem w/ Pj, Derick and Lively/Gafford............Lakers have Dorian who is the exact type of player youd want w/ Luka and 40yo Bron but they still prolly need 2 other elite defenders and rim protector for 1
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1444 » by trickshot » Tue Feb 4, 2025 11:39 am

EmpireFalls wrote:The Lakers are very obviously worse. I don’t know why you guys are talking about them as if they are some sort of serious playoff team. I’d put much more on them losing in the play-in and missing the playoffs than actually winning a playoff series.

Because there's upside. I think everyone is operating on the same common truths that they became even more lopsided, lost every positive defender in the starting lineup and will probably get blown out 30 unless some elite defenders are traded, the defensive priority was probably already underperforming starting guys like Rui over DFS. But there are so many ways this thing can go that improve the now without wrecking the future, especially if Lebron gets his head out and stops conserving energy on defense to run the offense. They also have as good of a salary situation as you can hope to have with two max contracts. They can even cheap out and still end up more competitive than now.
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1445 » by trickshot » Tue Feb 4, 2025 4:36 pm

Rob needs to move Rui before this trade makes it obvious just how limited of a player he is. I fear when that happens you're going to have a huge premium to pay just to get someone to take on the rest of his salary. Already screwed up with the bigman situation.
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1446 » by parsnips33 » Tue Feb 4, 2025 4:38 pm

I assume you guys have all filled out your Rob Pelinka apology forms :lol:
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1447 » by trickshot » Tue Feb 4, 2025 4:44 pm

parsnips33 wrote:I assume you guys have all filled out your Rob Pelinka apology forms :lol:

A recent GM survey voted Lakers the worst front office in the league and the general sentiment across rival fans was they were clueless. Everyone is filling that form. At least till the next time the team loses. Here, take two.
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1448 » by nzahir » Tue Feb 4, 2025 4:44 pm

parsnips33 wrote:I assume you guys have all filled out your Rob Pelinka apology forms :lol:

Not yet, this was gifted to him by Niko

Pelinka seems to get incredibly lucky

If he’s able to get at least 1 good C and at least a Max replacement POA defender, then yes
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1449 » by Fadeaway_J » Tue Feb 4, 2025 5:02 pm

nzahir wrote:
parsnips33 wrote:I assume you guys have all filled out your Rob Pelinka apology forms :lol:

Not yet, this was gifted to him by Niko

Pelinka seems to get incredibly lucky

If he’s able to get at least 1 good C and at least a Max replacement POA defender, then yes

That man has 9 lives I swear
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1450 » by AEnigma » Tue Feb 4, 2025 5:12 pm

Fadeaway_J wrote:
nzahir wrote:
parsnips33 wrote:I assume you guys have all filled out your Rob Pelinka apology forms :lol:

Not yet, this was gifted to him by Niko

Pelinka seems to get incredibly lucky

If he’s able to get at least 1 good C and at least a Max replacement POA defender, then yes

That man has 9 lives I swear

Lakers privilege.
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1451 » by nzahir » Tue Feb 4, 2025 5:56 pm

Pelinka: "We know we have a need for a big." He says the market is "dry" for big men and expects a "move around the margins" between now and Thursday. A bigger move in the offseason. Pelinka says he will consult with JJ Redick on roster moves that fit his coaching vision.

BETTER BE POSTURING ROB

If you’re giving up a 1st, Center should be young

Not giving up a 1st for Jakob

Claxton is worth a 1st, but a big contract and costs Rui and Gabe. Idk if we can lose Gabe rn, we already need a Max replacement

Capela makes sense for Rui and a 2nd

Kessler is still the best target. Dalton, draft capital, swaps

Rui+salaries?for guard defender. Kcp would be great

Then move Maxi+2nd for anything
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1452 » by Mos_Heat » Tue Feb 4, 2025 6:08 pm

parsnips33 wrote:I assume you guys have all filled out your Rob Pelinka apology forms :lol:

I think it's more likely that he's gonna fumble Luka era as well
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1453 » by PistolPeteJR » Tue Feb 4, 2025 6:25 pm

parsnips33 wrote:I assume you guys have all filled out your Rob Pelinka apology forms :lol:


What did he do right that warrants an apology for the most mediocre job done in professional basketball in the last 5-6 years? An 8-year old boy receiving a call offering him Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, a role player and a pick would have done the same thing Rob did.
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1454 » by tsherkin » Tue Feb 4, 2025 6:26 pm

parsnips33 wrote:I assume you guys have all filled out your Rob Pelinka apology forms :lol:


/s ?
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1455 » by nzahir » Tue Feb 4, 2025 6:49 pm

Well remove Caleb Martin from your wishlists…he’s out to Dallas

We need to start making moves fast

2 more days left

Rui has to be moved

Knecht should be moved for a young player that fits better

Vincent in a right deal should go

Vando has negative value looks like, so better keeping him

Not moving Reaves unless we’re getting another great deal where we clearly win
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1456 » by trickshot » Tue Feb 4, 2025 6:50 pm

nzahir wrote:Pelinka: "We know we have a need for a big." He says the market is "dry" for big men and expects a "move around the margins" between now and Thursday. A bigger move in the offseason. Pelinka says he will consult with JJ Redick on roster moves that fit his coaching vision.

BETTER BE POSTURING ROB

If you’re giving up a 1st, Center should be young

Not giving up a 1st for Jakob

Claxton is worth a 1st, but a big contract and costs Rui and Gabe. Idk if we can lose Gabe rn, we already need a Max replacement

Capela makes sense for Rui and a 2nd

Kessler is still the best target. Dalton, draft capital, swaps

Rui+salaries?for guard defender. Kcp would be great

Then move Maxi+2nd for anything

He's posturing but he's also kind of right and it's part his fault because he left too much to too late. Some possibilities died with the trade, like the picks no longer project high. Ainge isn't giving up for Kessler for garbage picks and they've also made it clear taking on higher longer term salary isn't happening. Unless another steal is sent the biggest conventional trades left are Rui+SRP, Gabe plus srp type standalone deals.
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1457 » by Fadeaway_J » Tue Feb 4, 2025 6:50 pm

nzahir wrote:Pelinka: "We know we have a need for a big." He says the market is "dry" for big men and expects a "move around the margins" between now and Thursday. A bigger move in the offseason. Pelinka says he will consult with JJ Redick on roster moves that fit his coaching vision.

BETTER BE POSTURING ROB

If you’re giving up a 1st, Center should be young

Not giving up a 1st for Jakob

Claxton is worth a 1st, but a big contract and costs Rui and Gabe. Idk if we can lose Gabe rn, we already need a Max replacement

Capela makes sense for Rui and a 2nd

Kessler is still the best target. Dalton, draft capital, swaps

Rui+salaries?for guard defender. Kcp would be great

Then move Maxi+2nd for anything

9 lives
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1458 » by PistolPeteJR » Tue Feb 4, 2025 7:01 pm

I actually like Grimes on this team. Would Philly move him for a second and matching?
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1459 » by oaktownwarriors87 » Tue Feb 4, 2025 7:25 pm

dcstanley wrote:
EmpireFalls wrote:Lebron Luka Reaves perimeter defense lol lol lol lol

The Mavs were probably the second best team in the West when healthy and they were starting Luka/Kyrie/Klay.

Defensively, Lebron/Reaves' baseline level is probably similar to Kyrie/Klay but they have a much higher ceiling. In high leverage games Lebron can actually be a plus defender.



They also has guys like Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford cleaning up the glass and protecting the rim. The Lakers don't have an inside presence.

Also, LeBron and Luke don't move on defense. Top 5 slowest players on defense in the NBA (minimum 20 MPG):

1. James Harden
t2. Chris Paul
t2. Nikola Jokic
4. Luka Doncic
t5. LeBron James
t5. Joel Embid

Luka and LeBron are going to have to work a lot harder on defense than they are used to.
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Re: The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread 

Post#1460 » by parsnips33 » Tue Feb 4, 2025 7:44 pm

PistolPeteJR wrote:
parsnips33 wrote:I assume you guys have all filled out your Rob Pelinka apology forms :lol:


What did he do right that warrants an apology for the most mediocre job done in professional basketball in the last 5-6 years? An 8-year old boy receiving a call offering him Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, a role player and a pick would have done the same thing Rob did.


Fine we'll trade you Mike Dunleavy for him lol. You'd think this guy hasn't delivered 3 future hall of famers in his very short tenure

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