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

[Mavrelous]

Still a streak shooter. But when he's got it going... he is dangerous.

He can't, however, blow past anyone anymore. Anytime he drives he's relying on upper body strenght.

Father time has caught with LeBron, don't fool yourselves, averages will go down. But on the right day he can be as good as anybody, cause he's too smart and skilled. Also he's big, so most of the time he can get his own shot.

He's still one of the best passers in the game, and top 2 play reader with Jokic.
Smart players contribute in this league, LeBron is one of the smartest ever.

[dcstanley]

Ayton is a fascinating character. He will be the best available C on the free agency market. He's also not good enough defensively for Luka/Reaves backcourt. In general I find their 2026 free agency plan to be nonsensical. 55M in cap space is not enough money to fill 3 spots in the starting lineup

But hes a really solid offensive big and can rebound

I want to see us with Smart or a defensive wing we trade for in the starting lineup

Thoughts on Tari Eason btw? Is Gabe, DK, Thiero, 2031 1st, and a swap in 28/30 for Eason and a 2nd fair? It is a lot to pay up for a guy who will get paid soon though tbh. Salaries may be tough though, but that framework basically

Use that 2nd and our 2nd plus Kleber and salary filler if possible for RW3?

Luka, AR, Eason, Bron, Ayton
Smart, Laravia, Rui, Rw3

Nick Smith, Gabe, Vando, Hayes

He is, but he puts a cap how good their defense can be. And with those 3 their ceiling is not very high to begin with

Eason gonna cost a 1st rounder and LAL fron office won't trade it until they have a chance for Giannis. I was thinking about Highsmith Clowney package. Like trade Rui to Pistons for a top-15 protected 1st and use it for Brooklyn guys

I would do the Rui trade and then package the pick with their 2031 pick and swaps for Herb Jones and Saadiq Bey.

[Ian Scuffling]

Still a streak shooter. But when he's got it going... he is dangerous.

He can't, however, blow past anyone anymore. Anytime he drives he's relying on upper body strenght.

Father time has caught with LeBron, don't fool yourselves, averages will go down. But on the right day he can be as good as anybody, cause he's too smart and skilled. Also he's big, so most of the time he can get his own shot.

I don't think anybody is fooling themselves. Father time caught up with him a few years ago as you could see he didn't have the motor or the jets he used to have. But, he's in uncharted territory in year 23 and at almost 41 yrs old, he's going to have ups and downs. It's just that his ups are going to be way better than anyone else's ups at a similar age. And as somebody said, his bball IQ is way up there, so he is still going to be dangerous as a playmaker. In my opinion, he's just adding to his legacy and GOAT/Mt Rushmore resume.

[oaktownwarriors87]

according to fantasy labs

LeBron/Luka/Reaves
off 114.78
def 123.72
net -8.93

Luka/Reaves without LeBron
off 123.35
def 108.38
net +14.98

LeBrons on/off differential
off -8.57
def -15.34
net -23.91

LeBron/Reaves without Luka +7.99
LeBron/Luka without Reaves +12.08
Luka/Reaves without LeBron +14.98
LeBron/Luka/Reaves -8.93

[IG2]

Watch on YouTube

On his Mind The Game podcast today LeBron picked 2017-2018 as his peak (@ 1:33). Said it was the most complete his game has ever been.

Up until 2.5 years ago I would've totally agreed with this. But nba.com has all games in their entirety from 2013 onward and having watched a lot of his career from 2013-2020 again, I would say 2018 would barely make my Top 5 versions of him during that span. Which isn't to say he wasn't great that season (mostly after AS break), but he was clearly better in 2013, 2014 and maybe even 2015 and 2016 if I factor in 2-way impact. Just a noticeably better athlete (first step and shiftiness mainly), at least just as skilled (especially Miami) and much higher 2-way motor due to being younger. Now, I can see why LeBron would pick 2018 because from a shot-making standpoint, it's arguably his best season, but I don't think it's quite enough to make up for simply being better overall the years before.

[Mos_Heat]

according to fantasy labs

LeBron/Luka/Reaves
off 114.78
def 123.72
net -8.93

Luka/Reaves without LeBron
off 123.35
def 108.38
net +14.98

LeBrons on/off differential
off -8.57
def -15.34
net -23.91

LeBron/Reaves without Luka +7.99
LeBron/Luka without Reaves +12.08
Luka/Reaves without LeBron +14.98
LeBron/Luka/Reaves -8.93

Interesting way to use on/off

[nzahir]

according to fantasy labs

LeBron/Luka/Reaves
off 114.78
def 123.72
net -8.93

Luka/Reaves without LeBron
off 123.35
def 108.38
net +14.98

LeBrons on/off differential
off -8.57
def -15.34
net -23.91

LeBron/Reaves without Luka +7.99
LeBron/Luka without Reaves +12.08
Luka/Reaves without LeBron +14.98
LeBron/Luka/Reaves -8.93

Interesting way to use on/off

Do we think Smart/a high impact defender would be good enough?

I wonder if we can get Herb at a buy low price an

Or can we somehow get OG in a deal if NY moves him for Giannis. Rui+Vando+Kleber+Thiero+1st as the main trade pieces?

Do you guys think its wise to use our assets now like our 1st, swaps, Thiero, and even Knecht (little value at this point) or wait until the offseason to package 3 1sts for a hgiher calibar guy like Trey Murphy for example?

[Mos_Heat]

according to fantasy labs

LeBron/Luka/Reaves
off 114.78
def 123.72
net -8.93

Luka/Reaves without LeBron
off 123.35
def 108.38
net +14.98

LeBrons on/off differential
off -8.57
def -15.34
net -23.91

LeBron/Reaves without Luka +7.99
LeBron/Luka without Reaves +12.08
Luka/Reaves without LeBron +14.98
LeBron/Luka/Reaves -8.93

Interesting way to use on/off

Do we think Smart/a high impact defender would be good enough?

I wonder if we can get Herb at a buy low price an

Or can we somehow get OG in a deal if NY moves him for Giannis. Rui+Vando+Kleber+Thiero+1st as the main trade pieces?

Do you guys think its wise to use our assets now like our 1st, swaps, Thiero, and even Knecht (little value at this point) or wait until the offseason to package 3 1sts for a hgiher calibar guy like Trey Murphy for example?

Healthy Smart + another guy isn't enough

Herb won't be cheap and I don't think LA will trade a 1st until Giannis is on the table

Lakers won't be a 1st tier contender regardless when they use their assets. Luka/Reaves paring is inherently flawed and they don't have enough to get high end rim protection + 2 way wings

[Ian Scuffling]

Interesting way to use on/off

Do we think Smart/a high impact defender would be good enough?

I wonder if we can get Herb at a buy low price an

Or can we somehow get OG in a deal if NY moves him for Giannis. Rui+Vando+Kleber+Thiero+1st as the main trade pieces?

Do you guys think its wise to use our assets now like our 1st, swaps, Thiero, and even Knecht (little value at this point) or wait until the offseason to package 3 1sts for a hgiher calibar guy like Trey Murphy for example?

Healthy Smart + another guy isn't enough

Herb won't be cheap and I don't think LA will trade a 1st until Giannis is on the table

Lakers won't be a 1st tier contender regardless when they use their assets. Luka/Reaves paring is inherently flawed and they don't have enough to get high end rim protection + 2 way wings

I agree with all that you said, but that last sentence is exactly my thought as well. With those two guards, yes they are great offensively, but equally as dismal defensively, you need rim protection. The Lakers just don't have it.

[Homer38]

Read on Twitter

[Caneman786]

LeBron/Reaves without Luka +7.99
LeBron/Luka without Reaves +12.08
Luka/Reaves without LeBron +14.98
LeBron/Luka/Reaves -8.93

This has to be an artifact of low sample size.

Another artifact of low sample size which has begun to rear its head is the Lakers' record outperforming how good they actually are. The Nuggets and Rockets are gaining ground, though, being within striking distance in the standings.



Regression to the mean is likely to occur soon. Tonight they face the second-fakest team in the league, the Spurs.

[Archx]

LeBron/Reaves without Luka +7.99
LeBron/Luka without Reaves +12.08
Luka/Reaves without LeBron +14.98
LeBron/Luka/Reaves -8.93

This has to be an artifact of low sample size.

Another artifact of low sample size which has begun to rear its head is the Lakers' record outperforming how good they actually are. The Nuggets and Rockets are gaining ground, though, being within striking distance in the standings.



Regression to the mean is likely to occur soon. Tonight they face the second-fakest team in the league, the Spurs.

So what is your argument? That teams like TOR, SAS, ORL and even PHX are overall better teams than them? You know how good Lakers are? They are 17-6 good until otherwise... They also have league best 8-0 clutch record. They had a lot of close games so far, that's why their point and net differences aren't exactly where you would expect them to be. Everything is in the context.

[Caneman786]

LeBron/Reaves without Luka +7.99
LeBron/Luka without Reaves +12.08
Luka/Reaves without LeBron +14.98
LeBron/Luka/Reaves -8.93

This has to be an artifact of low sample size.

Another artifact of low sample size which has begun to rear its head is the Lakers' record outperforming how good they actually are. The Nuggets and Rockets are gaining ground, though, being within striking distance in the standings.

...

Regression to the mean is likely to occur soon. Tonight they face the second-fakest team in the league, the Spurs.

So what is your argument? That teams like TOR, SAS, ORL and even PHX are overall better teams than them? You know how good Lakers are? They are 17-6 good until otherwise... They also have league best 8-0 clutch record. They had a lot of close games so far, that's why their point and net differences aren't exactly where you would expect them to be. Everything is in the context.

ORL is easily better. As the season progresses, TOR should easily separate itself, I'm moved by their core. PHX and SAS may be due to small sample size (and SAS is another fake team).

But yeah, we all know how good the Lakers are. They are 17-6 good, but they are also only +2 net rating good. They're not a real threat, likely the 7th or 8th best team in the West, or worse (OKC, HOU, DEN, MIN all have firmly separated themselves, and GSW likely will do so as well soon, then one of the MEM, DAL, SAS, PHX surely is better). The main factor contributing to their record differing so much from their net rating has to do with luck.

The fact that they keep getting into close games shows that they're not significantly better than the middle-of-the-pack teams.

Even worse for the Lakers is their SRS, which is not as polished as net rating, but adjusts for their weak strength-of-schedule so far.

[Archx]

This has to be an artifact of low sample size.

Another artifact of low sample size which has begun to rear its head is the Lakers' record outperforming how good they actually are. The Nuggets and Rockets are gaining ground, though, being within striking distance in the standings.

...

Regression to the mean is likely to occur soon. Tonight they face the second-fakest team in the league, the Spurs.

So what is your argument? That teams like TOR, SAS, ORL and even PHX are overall better teams than them? You know how good Lakers are? They are 17-6 good until otherwise... They also have league best 8-0 clutch record. They had a lot of close games so far, that's why their point and net differences aren't exactly where you would expect them to be. Everything is in the context.

ORL is easily better. As the season progresses, TOR should easily separate itself, I'm moved by their core. PHX and SAS may be due to small sample size (and SAS is another fake team).

But yeah, we all know how good the Lakers are. They are 17-6 good, but they are also only +2 net rating good. They're not a real threat, likely the 7th or 8th best team in the West, or worse (OKC, HOU, DEN, MIN all have firmly separated themselves, and GSW likely will do so as well soon, then one of the MEM, DAL, SAS, PHX surely is better). The main factor contributing to their record differing so much from their net rating has to do with luck.

The fact that they keep getting into close games shows that they're not significantly better than the middle-of-the-pack teams.

Even worse for the Lakers is their SRS, which is not as polished as net rating, but adjusts for their weak strength-of-schedule so far.

What you are doing here is gambling. You're banking on almost 6 or 7 teams that will be better than the Lakers. That's pure speculation... Lakers had many injury problems so far and they are still 17-6. I'm not saying injures can't derail their season but if healthy, saying almost half of the West will overtake them is weird to me.

This is remaining SOS for the Lakers, they are dead in the middle. Teams which you say will have it easier, according to this, is literally everything opposite of what you say.

https://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength

[Caneman786]

So what is your argument? That teams like TOR, SAS, ORL and even PHX are overall better teams than them? You know how good Lakers are? They are 17-6 good until otherwise... They also have league best 8-0 clutch record. They had a lot of close games so far, that's why their point and net differences aren't exactly where you would expect them to be. Everything is in the context.

ORL is easily better. As the season progresses, TOR should easily separate itself, I'm moved by their core. PHX and SAS may be due to small sample size (and SAS is another fake team).

But yeah, we all know how good the Lakers are. They are 17-6 good, but they are also only +2 net rating good. They're not a real threat, likely the 7th or 8th best team in the West, or worse (OKC, HOU, DEN, MIN all have firmly separated themselves, and GSW likely will do so as well soon, then one of the MEM, DAL, SAS, PHX surely is better). The main factor contributing to their record differing so much from their net rating has to do with luck.

The fact that they keep getting into close games shows that they're not significantly better than the middle-of-the-pack teams.

Even worse for the Lakers is their SRS, which is not as polished as net rating, but adjusts for their weak strength-of-schedule so far.

What you are doing here is gambling. You're banking on almost 6 or 7 teams that will be better than the Lakers. That's pure speculation... Lakers had many injury problems so far and they are still 17-6. I'm not saying injures can't derail their season but if healthy, saying almost half of the West will overtake them is weird to me.

This is remaining SOS for the Lakers, they are dead in the middle. Teams which you say will have it easier, according to this, is literally everything opposite of what you say.

https://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength

It's not gambling or speculation. 6 or 7 teams already have been better than the Lakers. Net ratings and SRS are much more reliable long term than records are. Nothing has to be banked on, it's almost inevitable.

It's like when Jaylen Brown begins the season shooting 70% from three over the first few games. You know it will cool down sooner or later, and regression to the mean will strike. And even if the improbable happens and it lasts throughout the season, you know the playoffs will show something new. That's what keeping track of Los Angeles is like.

For a more relevant example, how about when Luka Doncic is averaging 35 points per game with Jokic numbers around the paint? We all know that won't last.

[Mos_Heat]

There's not enough talanted athletic teams to keep them away from a 50W season. But once the playoffs start it's over

[EmpireFalls]

That’s the worst defensive team I’ve watched all year

[Mos_Heat]

How hilarious that poster was tho

[Ian Scuffling]

That’s the worst defensive team I’ve watched all year

They are. Fun to watch, though. They will be an entertaining regular season team to watch, but as Mos_Heat said, once the playoffs start, it is over. I'm not sure how you make yourself into a good defensive team with those guards, Lebron at 41 and no rim protection. Seems like a tough hill to climb.

[Caneman786]

LeBron James, after a short hot streak to begin the season, falls back to his normal area in the red. We can expect it to remain there.

His plus-minus for the season has fallen to -4, and his net rating for the season has fallen to -1.8!

LeBron has an offensive rating of 119.6 and a defensive rating of 121.4.

The Lakers net rating on the season falls to +1.3, ranking #15 in the league.

Their offensive rating is 118.0 (#7 in the league), and their defensive rating is 116.7 (#21 in the league).