The LeBron James and Luka Doncic - 25-26 Thread

[TroubleS0me]

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I don't remember LeBron playing in season openers prior to 2003.

??

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[ReggiesKnicks]

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I don't remember LeBron playing in season openers prior to 2003.

??

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I was making a joke about the wording of the tweet and me remembering LeBron not playing opening night.

[Ian Scuffling]

Damn, you have to be a special kind of stupid to use a Hennessey ad as a reason to bag on James. tHInK oF tHE kiDS!11!1!1!! I would have seen some reason for derision if it would have been a retirement announcement, though. Bad optics given the goofy first decision and all.

[TroubleS0me]

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[eminence]

They won't be particularly good, but Luka can float them until LeBron comes back, see what he's got to add at that point. New additions are all interesting low risk gambles, an in form Smart would fit really well with Luka - I'm somewhat interested in Reaves as a super 6th man if Smart is looking good (still 30+ minutes for Reaves).

[PistolPeteJR]

They won't be particularly good, but Luka can float them until LeBron comes back, see what he's got to add at that point. New additions are all interesting low risk gambles, an in form Smart would fit really well with Luka - I'm somewhat interested in Reaves as a super 6th man if Smart is looking good (still 30+ minutes for Reaves).

Reaves in a Manu role is definitely what this team needs while they have LeBron, maybe even post-LeBron, but we’ll see. This has been said since acquiring Luka, though I kind of get why last year that didn’t happen.

[nzahir]

They won't be particularly good, but Luka can float them until LeBron comes back, see what he's got to add at that point. New additions are all interesting low risk gambles, an in form Smart would fit really well with Luka - I'm somewhat interested in Reaves as a super 6th man if Smart is looking good (still 30+ minutes for Reaves).

Reaves in a Manu role is definitely what this team needs while they have LeBron, maybe even post-LeBron, but we’ll see. This has been said since acquiring Luka, though I kind of get why last year that didn’t happen.

While Lebron is out though I assume you are cool with AR starting?

I think AR off the bench makes a lot of sense too, but not sure who are starters would be?

Smart, Luka, Lebron, Rui, Ayton?

Feels a bit slow

We have to see how Luka, Lebron, and AR mesh this year with a Ayton around them and if Smart+Laravia can be more impactful than DFS

Rui still a question fit wise with those 3 on defense sadly

[PistolPeteJR]

They won't be particularly good, but Luka can float them until LeBron comes back, see what he's got to add at that point. New additions are all interesting low risk gambles, an in form Smart would fit really well with Luka - I'm somewhat interested in Reaves as a super 6th man if Smart is looking good (still 30+ minutes for Reaves).

Reaves in a Manu role is definitely what this team needs while they have LeBron, maybe even post-LeBron, but we’ll see. This has been said since acquiring Luka, though I kind of get why last year that didn’t happen.

While Lebron is out though I assume you are cool with AR starting?

I think AR off the bench makes a lot of sense too, but not sure who are starters would be?

Smart, Luka, Lebron, Rui, Ayton?

Feels a bit slow

We have to see how Luka, Lebron, and AR mesh this year with a Ayton around them and if Smart+Laravia can be more impactful than DFS

Rui still a question fit wise with those 3 on defense sadly

Ideally, I swap LaRavia in for Rui if he can prove his worth. The other option is Gabe if he’s good as a combo guard and slot Smart at the 2.

Luka-Smart-LaRavia-LeBron-Ayton
Luka-Vincent-Smart-LeBron-Ayton

I prefer either of those assuming Vincent and LaRavia can play their roles well. Reaves and Rui coming in off the bench is real nice. I’m also hopeful Kleber can still give some quality minutes.

And yes, Reaves starting when LeBron is out:

Luka-Reaves-Smart-LaRavia-Ayton

[eminence]

I agree with the concept of LaRavia being the 5th starter, but no idea if he's good enough to do the job.

[Dr Positivity]

I was looking at where Westbrook ranked in missed field goals and he's 10th and a pretty massive 3,000 behind Lebron. A testament to Lebron's longevity.

[Mos_Heat]

18th-22nd on defense and hopefully top 5 on offense. 48-53 wins?

With Lebron's injury and unserious camp 43-48 range would be more appropriate

[Caneman786]

My prediction.

11 seed, 38 wins.

Let's roll.

[Mos_Heat]

Nothing new. Doncic and Reaves aren't a perfect fit, Doncic Reaves and Hachimura is a terrible fit and Ayton as a backline defender for these 3 is a complete joke. I'm not even sure he's an upgrade over Hayes. But Pelinka got his extension so who cares right?

[TheGOATRises007]

Should trade Reaves while his value is still high.

[nzahir]

Nothing new. Doncic and Reaves aren't a perfect fit, Doncic Reaves and Hachimura is a terrible fit and Ayton as a backline defender for these 3 is a complete joke. I'm not even sure he's an upgrade over Hayes. But Pelinka got his extension so who cares right?

Yup this was my worry

Need a defensive minded C

RW3 come on down?

Kessler still a pipe dream feels like. Dont think Knecht, a 1st and swaps are enough, but would do it. Maybe move Rui if he has value to someone

Vando and Gabe were basically useless again tonight. At least Gabe is an expiring

[nzahir]

Should trade Reaves while his value is still high.

Whats the trade?

[Mos_Heat]

Should trade Reaves while his value is still high.

Agreed. I would love him as a #3 next to AD and Lebron 4-5 years ago. But with Luka it will be impossible to build a serious defense when they make combined 80M+

[Mos_Heat]

Nothing new. Doncic and Reaves aren't a perfect fit, Doncic Reaves and Hachimura is a terrible fit and Ayton as a backline defender for these 3 is a complete joke. I'm not even sure he's an upgrade over Hayes. But Pelinka got his extension so who cares right?

Yup this was my worry

Need a defensive minded C

RW3 come on down?

Kessler still a pipe dream feels like. Dont think Knecht, a 1st and swaps are enough, but would do it. Maybe move Rui if he has value to someone

Vando and Gabe were basically useless again tonight. At least Gabe is an expiring

RW3 plays 30 games per season, he's not the answer

They lost this season in the summer. For whatever reason Rob thinks he's a genius who can build a team on the fly during the year. It doesn't work that way. But they probably decided to throw away another season even before the free agency opened up

[TroubleS0me]

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[TheGOATRises007]

Should trade Reaves while his value is still high.

Whats the trade?

I'm not the GM haha. I don't know what would be available.

I'm not a Lakers/LeBron fan either, but Reaves doesn't fit that well next to Luka.