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

[TheGOATRises007]

The Denver matchup is so confusing because they are one of the few with 3 big wings (MPJ, Gordon and Braun) to put on Lebron and Luka but their best player is the kind of slow footed 5 Luka thrives on cooking. On the other other hand Lakers now have even less big bodies to throw on Jokic. I can't imagine how that matchup plays out. Still think Lakers need a more disciplined big than Hayes for the postseason. That dude aint it when the tallies matter.

Well the Lakers weren't stopping Jokic at all even with AD.

This time, they have an offensive weapon that might go off just like Jokic and I'd trust LeBron over Murray 100 times out of 100.

They match up much better with the Nuggets now.

OKC is the toughest match-up by far. They have loads of bodies to put on Luka and LeBron. SGA + Chet + J-dub is a very good top 3. Arguably the most athletic team in the league too.

If the Lakers got to the WCF(which I think they will), I think that's a great season for them. They'll need Luka and LeBron magic vs OKC.

[nzahir]

The Denver matchup is so confusing because they are one of the few with 3 big wings (MPJ, Gordon and Braun) to put on Lebron and Luka but their best player is the kind of slow footed 5 Luka thrives on cooking. On the other other hand Lakers now have even less big bodies to throw on Jokic. I can't imagine how that matchup plays out. Still think Lakers need a more disciplined big than Hayes for the postseason. That dude aint it when the tallies matter.

Well the Lakers weren't stopping Jokic at all even with AD.

This time, they have an offensive weapon that might go off just like Jokic and I'd trust LeBron over Murray 100 times out of 100.

They match up much better with the Nuggets now.

OKC is the toughest match-up by far. They have loads of bodies to put on Luka and LeBron. SGA + Chet + J-dub is a very good top 3. Arguably the most athletic team in the league too.

If the Lakers got to the WCF(which I think they will), I think that's a great season for them. They'll need Luka and LeBron magic vs OKC.

How is Denver gona even get Luka when Jokic is forced into every pick and roll action?

Switch Jokic onto him

Can double him and blitz, but with Lebron as an outlet, this will be very hard to guard

Also MPJ and Braund cant guard Luka or Bron

MPJ is too thin and not aware, just screen him as well and put him in actions

Bruan is just too small

I actually liked us vs OKC with AD (and a couple trades), but we got a 2-3 year legit window with Luka and Bron

[Homer38]

It would be only the 4th game LeBron is out this year

Read on Twitter

[Slava]

If LeBron is playing as he is now and Luka comes back like Luka, the only team I’m bothered about is the Celtics. We need some injury luck to the likes of Vanderbilt to keep the defense intact but you could say that for about any team.

[parapooper]

If LeBron is playing as he is now and Luka comes back like Luka, the only team I’m bothered about is the Celtics. We need some injury luck to the likes of Vanderbilt to keep the defense intact but you could say that for about any team.

You're only bothered about the Celtics?

OKC has easily the best SRS in NBA history and close to best defense in NBA history even with their 2nd best player out.
And basically their entire team is just entering their prime or peak years, so it's going to be rough for anyone else the next few years.

[trickshot]

The Denver matchup is so confusing because they are one of the few with 3 big wings (MPJ, Gordon and Braun) to put on Lebron and Luka but their best player is the kind of slow footed 5 Luka thrives on cooking. On the other other hand Lakers now have even less big bodies to throw on Jokic. I can't imagine how that matchup plays out. Still think Lakers need a more disciplined big than Hayes for the postseason. That dude aint it when the tallies matter.

Well the Lakers weren't stopping Jokic at all even with AD.

This time, they have an offensive weapon that might go off just like Jokic and I'd trust LeBron over Murray 100 times out of 100.

They match up much better with the Nuggets now.

OKC is the toughest match-up by far. They have loads of bodies to put on Luka and LeBron. SGA + Chet + J-dub is a very good top 3. Arguably the most athletic team in the league too.

If the Lakers got to the WCF(which I think they will), I think that's a great season for them. They'll need Luka and LeBron magic vs OKC.

How is Denver gona even get Luka when Jokic is forced into every pick and roll action?

Switch Jokic onto him

Can double him and blitz, but with Lebron as an outlet, this will be very hard to guard

Also MPJ and Braund cant guard Luka or Bron

MPJ is too thin and not aware, just screen him as well and put him in actions

Bruan is just too small

I actually liked us vs OKC with AD (and a couple trades), but we got a 2-3 year legit window with Luka and Bron

Was honestly just trying to be objective and not get carried away or downplay the OG season contenders. Subjectively I don't see anyone stopping luka-lebron offense. Matchups don't mean jack if one team's bread and butter play is so good

I want to see how teams adjust first because once Luka unlocks LedraymondPippen it's byebye drop coverage and whoever gets the easier defender on switches gets to cook.

[LukaTheGOAT]

2024-2025 LeBron Pre-Luka

46 GP, Usage-30.1% (EPM), Net/On/Off: -7, Team Offense-1.4

26 pts per 75 (rTS% of 3.1%)

Box-Creation: 14.8

Passer Rating-9.1 (3rd)

Backpicks BPM-5.3 (8th), 3.6 OBPM

ScoreVal-0.5
PlayVal-2.2 (3rd)

EPM-2.8 (41st), 2.8 OBPM

[Fadeaway_J]

It really is hard to believe this is the same Gabe Vincent from earlier. Although I guess his previous atrocious play on the offensive end was more of an aberration.

[trickshot]

2024-2025 LeBron Pre-Luka

46 GP, Usage-30.1% (EPM), Net/On/Off: -7, Team Offense-1.4

26 pts per 75 (rTS% of 3.1%)

Box-Creation: 14.8

Passer Rating-9.1 (3rd)

Backpicks BPM-5.3 (8th), 3.6 OBPM

ScoreVal-0.5
PlayVal-2.2 (3rd)

EPM-2.8 (41st), 2.8 OBPM

It's not a contest. They are teammates now but if you want to hear more then it's true he hasn't been as impactful because he has been chronically conserving energy, a stark contrast from the games where he tries effort-wise. Team wise prior to DFS and Vanderbilt returning he had been been playing heavy minutes as the secondary rim protector. It's not exactly a combination for impactful numbers, no one is going to dispute. That's why he also needs a Luka.

The issue is also people using numbers to underrate a team that has had this much roster turnover. The team from earlier is not the same team now. Like, literally.

[Fadeaway_J]

Good to see Thomas Bryant is still a defensive stalwart...

[trickshot]

Christie is ballin on the Mavs, such a loss. Perfect player for Luka. If Williams doesn't pan out I'm not sure it wouldn't have been better to send Dalton instead and kept Max. Huge Dalton fan but it's amusing people don't know Max is currently the better young prospect. Knecht's defense means he is a long way off from becoming a consistent net positive on a contender. The decision to trade Luka was atrocious but the actual package is nowhere as equally atrocious.

[zimpy27]

Christie is ballin on the Mavs, such a loss. Perfect player for Luka. If Williams doesn't pan out I'm not sure it wouldn't have been better to send Dalton instead and kept Max. Huge Dalton fan but it's amusing people don't know Max is currently the better young prospect. Knecht's defense means he is a long way off from becoming a consistent net positive on a contender.

I'm hoping Christie was a critical piece for the Luka trade. Better not find out it was Christie or Knecht.. that would be brutal but not unexpected that Ron would fail to value defensive players on great contracts.

[zimpy27]

It really is hard to believe this is the same Gabe Vincent from earlier. Although I guess his previous atrocious play on the offensive end was more of an aberration.

He had to get back in rhythm, had a long time out.

[Fadeaway_J]

Christie is ballin on the Mavs, such a loss. Perfect player for Luka. If Williams doesn't pan out I'm not sure it wouldn't have been better to send Dalton instead and kept Max. Huge Dalton fan but it's amusing people don't know Max is currently the better young prospect. Knecht's defense means he is a long way off from becoming a consistent net positive on a contender. The decision to trade Luka was atrocious but the actual package is nowhere as equally atrocious.

I would have loved to keep Max, but considering Dallas didn't extract maximum value for Luka I can hardly complain about that. Don't think Dallas would have wanted Knecht anyway.

[thebigbird]

Mavs really getting the full AD experience in his first game. Dominant as hell in the first half and then heads to the locker room with an injury in the third quarter.

[trickshot]

Christie is ballin on the Mavs, such a loss. Perfect player for Luka. If Williams doesn't pan out I'm not sure it wouldn't have been better to send Dalton instead and kept Max. Huge Dalton fan but it's amusing people don't know Max is currently the better young prospect. Knecht's defense means he is a long way off from becoming a consistent net positive on a contender. The decision to trade Luka was atrocious but the actual package is nowhere as equally atrocious.

I would have loved to keep Max, but considering Dallas didn't extract maximum value for Luka I can hardly complain about that. Don't think Dallas would have wanted Knecht anyway.

Agree, the actual decision to trade a 25 yr old MVP candidate might have been atrocious but compensation-wise they did way more homework than people realize. It just needed an extra pick or two.

[Fadeaway_J]

It's incomprehensible how bad Shake Milton is. Just bringing the ball upcourt is an adventure with him.

[Fadeaway_J]

Reality setting in now. Indiana wasn't going to be that inept offensively the whole game.

[trickshot]

Rui can shoot but god he can't play hard to save his life. Refused to take a foul and still gave up the offensive rebound.

[trickshot]

Now Trey Jemison, that's a guy who needs to stop playing as hard. Brother plays like a construction worker with all these fouls.