The LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Reaves - 25-26 Thread

Mazter · Post #141 » by **Mazter** » Mon Nov 3, 2025 3:35 pm

While everybody is focussing on Doncic, Reaves and LaRavia...

             Smart on   Smart off
---------------------------------
Reaves          +60        -14   
Doncic          +37        -15   
LaRavia         +14        -30

Code: Select all

             DefRtg
-------------------
Doncic        117.7 
LaRavia       114.4 
Reaves        113.6 
Smart         103.4

ShotCreator · Post #142 » by **ShotCreator** » Mon Nov 3, 2025 3:50 pm

ShotCreator wrote:
LikeABosh wrote:What is Luka's PPG even gonna be this season? He's scoring +40 plus every game and it doesn't even seem like he's sweating

2020 to 2023 Luka waned as the games went on. If he really fixed his gas tank, he’ll probably be in the high 30’s until the league makes it point to get his usage down. And once that happens, it’ll become the new meta of defending him.

Very similar to peak Harden.

Annnnd, it took 3 games.

Read on Twitter

Harden scored at peak Jordan and Wilt rates with this type of attention for about 150 games.

- Sorry I had to get my Harden propaganda in.

On another side note, the league has also adjusted to Wemby if last night is any indication. Forget guarding him vertically, use small guys and guard him horizontally.

Djoker · Post #143 » by **Djoker** » Mon Nov 3, 2025 6:35 pm

Still early but Luka so far looks like the best player in the NBA...

Bob8 · Post #144 » by **Bob8** » Mon Nov 3, 2025 7:47 pm

ShotCreator wrote:
ShotCreator wrote:
LikeABosh wrote:What is Luka's PPG even gonna be this season? He's scoring +40 plus every game and it doesn't even seem like he's sweating

2020 to 2023 Luka waned as the games went on. If he really fixed his gas tank, he’ll probably be in the high 30’s until the league makes it point to get his usage down. And once that happens, it’ll become the new meta of defending him.

Very similar to peak Harden.

Annnnd, it took 3 games.

Read on Twitter

Harden scored at peak Jordan and Wilt rates with this type of attention for about 150 games.

- Sorry I had to get my Harden propaganda in.

On another side note, the league has also adjusted to Wemby if last night is any indication. Forget guarding him vertically, use small guys and guard him horizontally.

With normal shooting for 3, he would have still scored around 40. Bad shooting game for Luka means 29 points triple double and a win.

nzahir · Post #145 » by **nzahir** » Mon Nov 3, 2025 8:10 pm

Mazter wrote:While everybody is focussing on Doncic, Reaves and LaRavia...
Code: Select all
Smart on Smart off --------------------------------- Reaves +60 -14 Doncic +37 -15 LaRavia +14 -30

Code: Select all
DefRtg ------------------- Doncic 117.7 LaRavia 114.4 Reaves 113.6 Smart 103.4

A defensive minded guy who can actually hit 3s and make plays on 4v3 or 3v2s is huge

Now we need a 3/4 version of him. Who are some guys? Jaden Mcdaniels is one, but not available I assume (or at least not for a guy like AR)

Hook_Em · Post #146 » by **Hook_Em** » Mon Nov 3, 2025 8:21 pm

This team is more fun without LBJ.

eminence · Post #147 » by **eminence** » Mon Nov 3, 2025 8:56 pm

nzahir wrote:
Mazter wrote:While everybody is focussing on Doncic, Reaves and LaRavia...
Code: Select all
Smart on Smart off --------------------------------- Reaves +60 -14 Doncic +37 -15 LaRavia +14 -30

Code: Select all
DefRtg ------------------- Doncic 117.7 LaRavia 114.4 Reaves 113.6 Smart 103.4

A defensive minded guy who can actually hit 3s and make plays on 4v3 or 3v2s is huge

Now we need a 3/4 version of him. Who are some guys? Jaden Mcdaniels is one, but not available I assume (or at least not for a guy like AR)

The money/contract situation could make it non viable for Minnesota, but on talent/fit with Ant I think Minnesota would consider it.

Ian Scuffling · Post #148 » by **Ian Scuffling** » Mon Nov 3, 2025 8:59 pm

Hook_Em wrote:This team is more fun without LBJ.

Maybe if one is an actual Laker fan, they don't miss the distractions that having James on the team causes. Those are real. From a basketball stand point, it's pretty weird, though. Unless, one doesn't want the best product out there. There are odd people out there, who may want that, I suppose.

nzahir · Post #149 » by **nzahir** » Mon Nov 3, 2025 9:48 pm

Hook_Em wrote:This team is more fun without LBJ.

We were pretty fun last year too until the playoffs, calm down

Minny exposed us for not having any size and Luka wasnt right clearly

Lets see how we look with Lebron back

Hopefully he takes on a bigger load on D and focuses more on cutting, easy baskets, and being a spacer

EmpireFalls · Post #150 » by **EmpireFalls** » Mon Nov 3, 2025 10:13 pm

ShotCreator wrote:
ShotCreator wrote:
LikeABosh wrote:What is Luka's PPG even gonna be this season? He's scoring +40 plus every game and it doesn't even seem like he's sweating

2020 to 2023 Luka waned as the games went on. If he really fixed his gas tank, he’ll probably be in the high 30’s until the league makes it point to get his usage down. And once that happens, it’ll become the new meta of defending him.

Very similar to peak Harden.

Annnnd, it took 3 games.

Read on Twitter

Harden scored at peak Jordan and Wilt rates with this type of attention for about 150 games.

- Sorry I had to get my Harden propaganda in.

On another side note, the league has also adjusted to Wemby if last night is any indication. Forget guarding him vertically, use small guys and guard him horizontally.

Harden is forever going to be the most underrated player in my lifetime I think.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #151 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Mon Nov 3, 2025 11:30 pm

EmpireFalls wrote:
ShotCreator wrote:
ShotCreator wrote:2020 to 2023 Luka waned as the games went on. If he really fixed his gas tank, he’ll probably be in the high 30’s until the league makes it point to get his usage down. And once that happens, it’ll become the new meta of defending him.

Very similar to peak Harden.

Annnnd, it took 3 games.

Read on Twitter

Harden scored at peak Jordan and Wilt rates with this type of attention for about 150 games.

- Sorry I had to get my Harden propaganda in.

On another side note, the league has also adjusted to Wemby if last night is any indication. Forget guarding him vertically, use small guys and guard him horizontally.

Harden is forever going to be the most underrated player in my lifetime I think.

Too young for Reggie Miller?

TroubleS0me · Post #152 » by **TroubleS0me** » Tue Nov 4, 2025 12:07 am

here we go...

Read on Twitter

TroubleS0me · Post #153 » by **TroubleS0me** » Tue Nov 4, 2025 5:45 am

Read on Twitter

O_6 · Post #154 » by **O_6** » Tue Nov 4, 2025 6:56 am

Olympic Melo is just him shooting and scoring. Olympic LeBron is just him being a beast all across the board.

If Bron comes back as a Super Iggy type beast, this team could be very tough. They need to flip Rui for a rotation big though

Post #155 » by **Slava** » Tue Nov 4, 2025 1:57 pm

Rui is the most consistent role player on the team. They need to figure out a way to flip Kleber, Vando and Knecht for a back up big or a wing.

PistolPeteJR · Post #156 » by **PistolPeteJR** » Tue Nov 4, 2025 3:44 pm

Slava wrote:Rui is the most consistent role player on the team. They need to figure out a way to flip Kleber, Vando and Knecht for a back up big or a wing.

I agree. He's been solid for them since the start of last season. You know what you're going to get out of him on offense and defensively, he's serviceable. I would pursue something else.

I like the idea of Looney from NO once he can be traded. That franchise isn't going anywhere this year.

eminence · Post #157 » by **eminence** » Tue Nov 4, 2025 3:49 pm

I love Looney, but my first thoughts for backup bigs are guys who can be lob targets for Luka.

PistolPeteJR · Post #158 » by **PistolPeteJR** » Tue Nov 4, 2025 3:52 pm

eminence wrote:I love Looney, but my first thoughts for backup bigs are guys who can be lob targets for Luka.

They don't have a single big that can semi-reliably anchor the paint on defense. I guess they can go the offense route, but I think the gap on defense is larger. While Looney isn't this otherworldly rim protector, he'd serve very well as a backup.

LikeABosh · Post #159 » by **LikeABosh** » Tue Nov 4, 2025 5:02 pm

PistolPeteJR wrote:
Slava wrote:Rui is the most consistent role player on the team. They need to figure out a way to flip Kleber, Vando and Knecht for a back up big or a wing.

I agree. He's been solid for them since the start of last season. You know what you're going to get out of him on offense and defensively, he's serviceable. I would pursue something else.

I like the idea of Looney from NO once he can be traded. That franchise isn't going anywhere this year.

Better yet, call about Trey Murphy and Herb Jones. They have one of the dumbest front offices in the league so it's worth a shot

PistolPeteJR · Post #160 » by **PistolPeteJR** » Tue Nov 4, 2025 5:09 pm

LikeABosh wrote:
PistolPeteJR wrote:
Slava wrote:Rui is the most consistent role player on the team. They need to figure out a way to flip Kleber, Vando and Knecht for a back up big or a wing.

I agree. He's been solid for them since the start of last season. You know what you're going to get out of him on offense and defensively, he's serviceable. I would pursue something else.

I like the idea of Looney from NO once he can be traded. That franchise isn't going anywhere this year.

Better yet, call about Trey Murphy and Herb Jones. They have one of the dumbest front offices in the league so it's worth a shot

Was thinking about it after I posted actually, they should try and swing a bigger deal and include one of those guys in there with Looney.