The Lebron Thread (Pt. 3)

[ElGee]

I had the experimental privilege of watching the entire series on TNT Overtime...which means no scoreboard! I had no idea what the score or time was throughout the series, and it was absolutely amazing. I highly \ recommend this kind of viewing experience. Furthermore, you have to fight to find the ball sometime because there are so many cameras on other players, so it's easier to appreciate off-ball positioning and movement.

One camera was always on LeBron James. And last night, he may have won my DPOY vote (I'd probably go him or Duncan this year). What he did to Paul George off the ball was dominant. And then when poor Paul caught the ball, there was nowhere to go. Granted, Paul is not a top-tier offensive player, but for most of the series he's had Wade on him, and for most of the series he averaged 22 pts 5 apg 50% FG and 5 FTA. And last night he was just utterly overmatched.

[SideshowBob]

I wonder if that footage is still available somewhere. Regret missing that considering I had to stream the game last night anyway

[Mutnt]

One camera was always on LeBron James. And last night, he may have won my DPOY vote (I'd probably go him or Duncan this year). What he did to Paul George off the ball was dominant. And then when poor Paul caught the ball, there was nowhere to go. Granted, Paul is not a top-tier offensive player, but for most of the series he's had Wade on him, and for most of the series he averaged 22 pts 5 apg 50% FG and 5 FTA. And last night he was just utterly overmatched.

Good observations ElGee. That's the main problem when people are judging LeBron defensively, they don't understand LeBron's defensive prowess doesn't come from Avery Bradley-like aggressive man to man defense, or Hibbertesque rim protection. He might flash either of the two qualities occasionally but his biggest strength defensively has always been off-ball defense (ball denial, helping, covering ground, playing the lanes) and his versatility to switch and not hurt his team. He's kinda like a mini-KG if you ask me, with a better perimeter and worse interior defense.

[Rasho_libre]

Ive been saying all season this is the best lebrons been on defense in the post season. Difference is wade and bosh finally showed up on that end. When lebron switches to a player and front he team doesnt even try to throw the ball in anymore

[SideshowBob]

I think most of us have been saying that TBH. This season is the best he's ever looked on either end of the floor.

[ronnymac2]

I don't think LeBron and the Heat are going to have any trouble in the halfcourt vs. the Spurs. To slow James or any star wing down, you need a primary defender that can slow one aspect of his game down (either quick enough to slow his drives, long enough to contest his jumpers, or strong enough to deny position in the post or midpost) and then have the team defense slow the offensive player down at the other aspects.

Green and Leonard can't really do any of that as a primary defender though. If Paul George and Thabo Sefolosha can't, these guys have no chance. And contrary to what some may think, the Spurs don't have the interior defense to shut down LBJ's drives into the paint.

I'm expecting big things from Miami's offense.

[colts18]

The Spurs are going to kill Miami with the ball movement and 3 point shooting. I still think that 3 point defense is a bigger weakness for the Heat than Defensive Rebounding. The Spurs will hit those open 3's that the Heat allow. They are a good enough passing team that they can create a lot of open looks from 3. Maybe Miami will be less aggressive in this series especially in the PnR. They can't trap Parker, so maybe Bosh lags behind the pick the same way Hibbert always does.

[microfib4thewin]

I had the experimental privilege of watching the entire series on TNT Overtime...which means no scoreboard! I had no idea what the score or time was throughout the series, and it was absolutely amazing. I highly \ recommend this kind of viewing experience. Furthermore, you have to fight to find the ball sometime because there are so many cameras on other players, so it's easier to appreciate off-ball positioning and movement.

I also agree that it's a surprisingly pleasnt experience. Without the commentations and the overlay there is much less noise and it allowed you to focus more on the game.

[Massamba]

do you still believe Melo is a better scorer? 7 games for LBJ and 6 for Melo

ppg: 28.5 vs 29.0
fg% : 43% vs 51%
3p%: 34% vs 44%
3pm: 8 vs 15
Mid-range % : 47% vs 37%
restricted area: 16/40 vs 32/47
In the paint( non-RA): 8/17 vs 9/17

Melo is a volume shooter and a better mid range shooter, but LeBorn is a better scorer than Melo.

[JulesWinnfield]

Bosh head to head against Duncans' Spurs has had some massive performances in recent years. Since 2010 head to head with Duncan in the lineup... 24.4 pts 11.6 rpg 55.8% FG in 5 games

I don't expect anything like that in this series of course, but I think Lebron gets a better Bosh riding with him next round. All in all I think this is a good matchup for Miami given SA's complete mediocrity on the boards, they aren't equipped to just consistently pound Miami in that area the way Indy did. This will be more of a Miami type of series where they can play to their identity. Styles make fights and even though SA may be better than Indiana, I like this matchup for the Heat

[therealbig3]

do you still believe Melo is a better scorer? 7 games for LBJ and 6 for Melo

ppg: 28.5 vs 29.0
fg% : 43% vs 51%
3p%: 34% vs 44%
3pm: 8 vs 15
Mid-range % : 47% vs 37%
restricted area: 16/40 vs 32/47
In the paint( non-RA): 8/17 vs 9/17

Melo is a volume shooter and a better mid range shooter, but LeBorn is a better scorer than Melo.

I figured everyone realized this debate was dead a long time ago?

LeBron is very clearly a better scorer than Melo.

[E-Balla]

do you still believe Melo is a better scorer? 7 games for LBJ and 6 for Melo

ppg: 28.5 vs 29.0
fg% : 43% vs 51%
3p%: 34% vs 44%
3pm: 8 vs 15
Mid-range % : 47% vs 37%
restricted area: 16/40 vs 32/47
In the paint( non-RA): 8/17 vs 9/17

Melo is a volume shooter and a better mid range shooter, but LeBorn is a better scorer than Melo.

And this is totally on topic because?

[JulesWinnfield]

The Spurs are going to kill Miami with the ball movement and 3 point shooting. I still think that 3 point defense is a bigger weakness for the Heat than Defensive Rebounding. The Spurs will hit those open 3's that the Heat allow. They are a good enough passing team that they can create a lot of open looks from 3. Maybe Miami will be less aggressive in this series especially in the PnR. They can't trap Parker, so maybe Bosh lags behind the pick the same way Hibbert always does.

The Heat were above average statistically at least defending the three this year in terms of % allowed.

And on the flip side, the Spurs defend the three worse than any team Miami has played in this postseason. They should get the best looks they've gotten yet in these playoffs from deep.

To me it's pretty clear, Miami's biggest weakness is on the boards. If you can't pound them there, you are going to have an uphill climb. Heat in 6

[GetItDone]

No one on SAS can guard LeBron. Not even remotely able to contain him.

[JordansBulls]

No one on SAS can guard LeBron. Not even remotely able to contain him.

The game they played this year Lebron had 23/9/7. But it was against the bench of the Spurs. No Duncan, Parker nor Manu nor Green. But most importantly of all, the Spurs when they played the Heat did not have the x-factor, the secret weapon for the series, the guy who will be unleashed vs Miami.

Tracy Mcgrady.

[therealbig3]

do you still believe Melo is a better scorer? 7 games for LBJ and 6 for Melo

ppg: 28.5 vs 29.0
fg% : 43% vs 51%
3p%: 34% vs 44%
3pm: 8 vs 15
Mid-range % : 47% vs 37%
restricted area: 16/40 vs 32/47
In the paint( non-RA): 8/17 vs 9/17

Melo is a volume shooter and a better mid range shooter, but LeBorn is a better scorer than Melo.

And this is totally on topic because?

LeBron just played a series against the same team Melo played. A comparison between how they did seems relevant in a LeBron thread.

[colts18]

No one on SAS can guard LeBron. Not even remotely able to contain him.

The game they played this year Lebron had 23/9/7. But it was against the bench of the Spurs. No Duncan, Parker nor Manu nor Green. But most importantly of all, the Spurs when they played the Heat did not have the x-factor, the secret weapon for the series, the guy who will be unleashed vs Miami.

Tracy Mcgrady.

What happens when Tracy McGrady plays a minute past the 1st round

[SideshowBob]

No one on SAS can guard LeBron. Not even remotely able to contain him.

The game they played this year Lebron had 23/9/7. But it was against the bench of the Spurs. No Duncan, Parker nor Manu nor Green. But most importantly of all, the Spurs when they played the Heat did not have the x-factor, the secret weapon for the series, the guy who will be unleashed vs Miami.

Tracy Mcgrady.

I hope Mcgrady has the series of his life

[SideshowBob]

do you still believe Melo is a better scorer? 7 games for LBJ and 6 for Melo

ppg: 28.5 vs 29.0
fg% : 43% vs 51%
3p%: 34% vs 44%
3pm: 8 vs 15
Mid-range % : 47% vs 37%
restricted area: 16/40 vs 32/47
In the paint( non-RA): 8/17 vs 9/17

Melo is a volume shooter and a better mid range shooter, but LeBorn is a better scorer than Melo.

The only time Anthony was better was their rookie year. Probably 07 as well.

[JordansBulls]

No one on SAS can guard LeBron. Not even remotely able to contain him.

The game they played this year Lebron had 23/9/7. But it was against the bench of the Spurs. No Duncan, Parker nor Manu nor Green. But most importantly of all, the Spurs when they played the Heat did not have the x-factor, the secret weapon for the series, the guy who will be unleashed vs Miami.

Tracy Mcgrady.

What happens when Tracy McGrady plays a minute past the 1st round

The New Spurs Big 2



What can the Heat do to stop this man?