The Lebron Thread

[JordansBulls]

It really depends on how much scoring he does really. I think his assists will go up to maybe 8 to 9. He will probably average 24-25 ppg with the squad they have now. They just have too many weapons for him to average near 28-30 ppg on that squad. Hell in 2008 on Cleveland he barely even averaged 30 ppg and that was playing 40 mpg.

Outside of his rookie season and 2011, he's never been under 27. Even that's misleading as from January-April in 2011, after the team had settled in a little bit, he put up 28.5 on 60.4% TS over 45 games. He's not going to fall under 27 now, and certainly not in the 24-25 ppg range. It's just not going to happen.

2008 was before he made the progression he did in 09 and 10, so I'm not sure why you're even bringing that up. He had no one to take any offensive pressure off of him, had close to ZERO spacing, and was still putting up a league-leading 30.0 per game on 57% TS with 7.2 assists. Take out his 1 and only game off the bench and the game in December where he injured himself and played only 19 minutes, and he was at 30.4 a game with 7.3 assists on 57% TS in 73 games.

Again, I don't see what point you're trying to make by bringing that season up, especially since the next two years we see him put up 28.5 in 37.7 minutes a game (a career-low at the time) on 59% TS with 7.2 assists again, then the season after, he puts up 29.7 a game on 60% TS with 8.6 assists a game, which was 30.0 on 61.1% TS through the 63 games prior to his injury in early March.

I think we can expect ~28 points a game again from him this season

Well it was that high because he didn't have that many scoring weapons. Last year it was higher because of the nagging injuries to Wade and Bosh at times. This year even if Wade or Bosh are banged up you now got Ray Allen and Lewis to help with the scoring. Just look at the Lakers in 2004 compared to 2003.
Kobe and Shaq went from 30 ppg and 27.5 ppg to 24.0 ppg and 21.5 ppg once they added in more talent.

[jjgp111292]

It really depends on how much scoring he does really. I think his assists will go up to maybe 8 to 9. He will probably average 24-25 ppg with the squad they have now. They just have too many weapons for him to average near 28-30 ppg on that squad. Hell in 2008 on Cleveland he barely even averaged 30 ppg and that was playing 40 mpg.

Outside of his rookie season and 2011, he's never been under 27. Even that's misleading as from January-April in 2011, after the team had settled in a little bit, he put up 28.5 on 60.4% TS over 45 games. He's not going to fall under 27 now, and certainly not in the 24-25 ppg range. It's just not going to happen.

2008 was before he made the progression he did in 09 and 10, so I'm not sure why you're even bringing that up. He had no one to take any offensive pressure off of him, had close to ZERO spacing, and was still putting up a league-leading 30.0 per game on 57% TS with 7.2 assists. Take out his 1 and only game off the bench and the game in December where he injured himself and played only 19 minutes, and he was at 30.4 a game with 7.3 assists on 57% TS in 73 games.

Again, I don't see what point you're trying to make by bringing that season up, especially since the next two years we see him put up 28.5 in 37.7 minutes a game (a career-low at the time) on 59% TS with 7.2 assists again, then the season after, he puts up 29.7 a game on 60% TS with 8.6 assists a game, which was 30.0 on 61.1% TS through the 63 games prior to his injury in early March.

I think we can expect ~28 points a game again from him this season

Well it was that high because he didn't have that many scoring weapons. Last year it was higher because of the nagging injuries to Wade and Bosh at times. This year even if Wade or Bosh are banged up you now got Ray Allen and Lewis to help with the scoring. Just look at the Lakers in 2004 compared to 2003.
Kobe and Shaq went from 30 ppg and 27.5 ppg to 24.0 ppg and 21.5 ppg once they added in more talent.

You're ignoring his point about how after a shaky start in 2010-11, he was putting up 28.5 PPG. LeBron's always been extremely adept at both getting teammates involved and scoring. The bastard averaged 8.6 APG in 2009-10, and during one stretch where Mo Williams was injured, he averaged 31.7 PPG and 10.8 assists. Having capable weapons around him isn't gonna stop him from scoring. And hell, his 2011-12 scoring numbers and FG%'s were dragged down by a mid-March elbow injury.

And not only that, but Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen aren't gonna be able to replace Wade and Bosh's offensive production in the event that they're injured. I don't know why you'd even bring that up in 2012.

[toodles23]

Found it: http://gothicginobili.com/?p=3188. I'm watching the game btw, and I don't see the "closer to Cleveland athleticism". It felt like on 3 or so of those drives in the first half, Cleveland LeBron would've simply gotten the bucket and the foul. I don't know, I'm no expert (and am not completely sold on his drop in athleticism. I know that's not tantamount to saying he's regressed as a player, but given what he's been able to accomplish, and how well he's done despite this decline in athleticism, that's pretty scary). The jumper suddenly looks incredible compared to preseason though.

I actually didn't see the improved athleticism as much tonight as I did in the preseason games (though it was still there on a few drives), I'm thinking it has something to do with his ankle + cramps. I expect him to look better on Friday.

[IG2]

Miami got their ass kicked tonight, but....

LeBron looks **** awesome. His explosiveness off the dribble is just light years ahead of what it's been the last 2 seasons. And he has clearly changed the form on his jumper again. He's stretching out his arm fully on his release, the elbow not sticking out as much....and the results have been great so far. Hope he sticks with it.

[jjgp111292]

Everybody on Miami looked like they really didn't want to be there, but Lebron and Wade showed up and looked pretty good.

[SideshowBob]

Yeah, Lebron continues to look great. Wish we saw more of the MSG swag from him tonight though, but otherwise, once he gets this ankle thing sorted out, it looks like everything's going to be clicking at once for him.

[IG2]

but otherwise, once he gets this ankle thing sorted out, it looks like everything's going to be clicking at once for him.

That was a weak ago, is it really still bothering him? Haven't read anything about it.

[SideshowBob]

Dunno. I figured it was, he looked a little hesitant to do much creation late in the third and in the fourth.

[MisterWestside]

Dunno. I figured it was, he looked a little hesitant to do much creation late in the third and in the fourth.

That plus road blowout with b2b games for the Heat could have a bit to do with it.

[toodles23]

I haven't seen the game yet because I was at work, but looking at the boxscore, Lebron had 11 assists with zero TOs? Very encouraging sign, he didn't turn the ball over in the first game either. I have a feeling Lebron will be a triple double machine this year, he's racking up rebounds easier than ever, and probably will do the same with assists now that he has a band of elite shooters around him.

[jjgp111292]

LeBron's shooting form looked good, but almost all of his jumpers were either hasty end-of-shot-clock plays or contested, so he didn't really have success with it.

[SideshowBob]

Start of the season is giving me 2009 vibes.

Didn't catch the game yet, but the lack of turnovers is highly encouraging. He's had a difficult time with keeping those under control for the past 3 seasons, particularly in his two Miami years, during both of which he put up a TO rate (including assists) of >10%, after staying well under the 6 of the 7 seasons prior.

From what I've seen, it looks like he's fixed his jumper. If he can keep some consistency with it, I can see him back at his 2011 level with the midrange shot, and maybe even 09 and 10 level with the three-ball.

Athletically, I'm starting to believe that perhaps the only reason he isn't equal to his 09/10 self is the weight at this point. Quickness looks excellent, mobility looks excellent, and he was able to get into the lane almost at will yesterday against New York, a pretty strong perimeter-based defensive team with a solid inside presence in Chandler.

All good signs going forward. Add to that him looking as focused as ever and we could really be in a for a special season here.

[MisterWestside]

Thoughts on his focus? He looks kinda disinterested, just hanging out on the perimeter alot. Still his impact on games is huge ,and of course Bosh was killing the Nuggets so you can't really complain much I suppose.

Can't complain with a 132 ortg/22 usg game. He played more "Magic" in this game and the Heat got their buckets.

Should play better defensively though.

[toodles23]

3 games into the season now, and I'm actually expecting Lebron to have his best season this year. He just looks phenomenal, possibly the best he's ever been, but I'll wait for a bigger sample size to say that.

I don't think he'll break the record for PER or WS anymore though, because it looks like his scoring is going to be too low. Seems like he'll finish the season at more like 25 ppg this year. Despite only scoring 20 on 17 shots yesterday, I thought it was the right move to milk Bosh and only look to score when he had to - their offense has been terrific in all 3 games, it's their absolutely pathetic defense that's been letting them down.

[rrravenred]

Early days, but is this the "New Wade" as well?

After all, Magic got better when they shipped Nixon out of town.

[IG2]

Thoughts on his focus? He looks kinda disinterested, just hanging out on the perimeter alot.

I actually find it refreshing to see him so willing to take the jumper. Last season, the only time he looked to do anything was when something easy came his way. He's far more aggressive this season in making himself a threat at all times.

I still would like to see him attack more off the dribble. He's so much more mobile than the last 2 seasons(not Cleveland-level though), no reason why he shouldn't be creating more.

[jjgp111292]

3 games into the season now, and I'm actually expecting Lebron to have his best season this year. He just looks phenomenal, possibly the best he's ever been, but I'll wait for a bigger sample size to say that.

I don't think he'll break the record for PER or WS anymore though, because it looks like his scoring is going to be too low.

It's only been three games, you can't make a prediction like that so soon. Last year notwithstanding, LeBron's always started seasons kinda slow - he only averaged 19 PPG in his first three games of the '08-09 season, for example.

[SideshowBob]

Everything looks effortless for him right now. I'm really buying into the idea that this may be his best season

[jjgp111292]

Everything looks effortless for him right now. I'm really buying into the idea that this may be his best sesaon

Hopefully we can start getting some closer games so he can get more than 23 PPG

[IG2]

Everything looks effortless for him right now. I'm really buying into the idea that this may be his best sesaon

He's undoubtedly better than the last 2 seasons, but I've to see more(especially off-the-dribble) to start thinking 09/10 level. Miami's so loaded and their chemistry looks so strong that pretty much everything is coming easy for everyone on that team. I want to see them in a tight game against a good defensive opponent, where LeBron's teammates aren't playing so well. I want to see how he fares(stylistically) then.