The Lebron Thread (2015-16 Pt. 3)

[JulesWinnfield]

Lebrons personal history with OKC is what it is. It doesn't guarantee anything, but it does inspire confidence. That plus home court obviously makes the Thunder the more desirable matchup. But I absolutely think Cleveland could beat the Warriors as well. I wouldn't concede whatsoever that it's a forgone conclusion that GS beats them. Can't overlook the level the Cavs are operating on right now offensively, and they'll see a taxed Warrior team if they get there. Lebron is actually having one of his better playoff runs, they've found their identity offensively and he's never had this much shooting around him (nor has he had a sidekick the caliber of '16 playoff Kyrie save for 2011 Wade). Irving is now fully past the rust and during this postseason has at least performed roughly on the same level as Steph Curry.

Things are breaking so well right now. I hope they get it done

[GSP]

How do u guys rank the conference finals series with 09 Orlando, 12 Boston and 13 Indy? I liked his defense this series much more than in the Orlando one personally (and Toronto is much better offensively than that Orlando team was and Torontos offense was like 90% based on their perimeter game specially with Jv out almost whole series). Obviously his offensive production in that one is unparalleled but i love the diversity of his offensive game in this one.

13 Indy was just an insane two way performance specially on defense. Obviously he had alot going against him against with Boshs injury but he still came up at massive on both ends and had prolly his Goat game. Is it crazy that i like this series a bit more than 09 Orlando tho and only behind 13 Indy/12 Boston? And i dont think its far behind TBH. His performance on both ends was nothing short of incredible. And a great perimeter defender in Caroll got destroyed all series. Really anyone guarding him. He was great last year as well but that Hawks team just fell off hard at a certain point and wasnt the same team in the playoffs (plus Korver/Carroll injuries).

[GSP]

Lebrons personal history with OKC is what it is. It doesn't guarantee anything, but it does inspire confidence. That plus home court obviously makes the Thunder the more desirable matchup. But I absolutely think Cleveland could beat the Warriors as well. I wouldn't concede whatsoever that it's a forgone conclusion that GS beats them. Can't overlook the level the Cavs are operating on right now offensively, and they'll see a taxed Warrior team if they get there. Lebron is actually having one of his better playoff runs, they've found their identity offensively and he's never had this much shooting around him (nor has he had a sidekick the caliber of '16 playoff Kyrie save for 2011 Wade). Irving is now fully past the rust and during this postseason has at least performed roughly on the same level as Steph Curry.

Things are breaking so well right now. I hope they get it done

Do u think 16 Kyrie is better offensively than 16 Wade? For playoffs i mean. Wade did have that one terrible series against Chicago offensively. He was spectacular against Boston tho and very good against Dallas despite their defensive gameplan to stop Lebron. Overall i think Wade was better due to his great defense but offensively i really what Kyries been doing.

[Dupp]

Lebrons defense was pretty bad in 09 conf finals but was set up to fail by poor coaching tactics. Had no impact at all and brown never made adjustments.

[JulesWinnfield]

Lebrons personal history with OKC is what it is. It doesn't guarantee anything, but it does inspire confidence. That plus home court obviously makes the Thunder the more desirable matchup. But I absolutely think Cleveland could beat the Warriors as well. I wouldn't concede whatsoever that it's a forgone conclusion that GS beats them. Can't overlook the level the Cavs are operating on right now offensively, and they'll see a taxed Warrior team if they get there. Lebron is actually having one of his better playoff runs, they've found their identity offensively and he's never had this much shooting around him (nor has he had a sidekick the caliber of '16 playoff Kyrie save for 2011 Wade). Irving is now fully past the rust and during this postseason has at least performed roughly on the same level as Steph Curry.

Things are breaking so well right now. I hope they get it done

Do u think 16 Kyrie is better offensively than 16 Wade? For playoffs i mean. Wade did have that one terrible series against Chicago offensively. He was spectacular against Boston tho and very good against Dallas despite their defensive gameplan to stop Lebron. Overall i think Wade was better due to his great defense but offensively i really what Kyries been doing.

Offense only I would take 16 playoff Kyrie over 11 playoff Wade pretty clearly to this same point in the postseason. Wade was playing stiffer defenses though and his series vs Boston without checking the stats was probably better than any series Kyrie has had so far. Of most importance though Kyrie is always going to fit better with Lebron on the offensive end than Wade ever did because of his ability to shoot it. He is getting his shot back in these playoffs after not being himself all year dealing with the rust

[RSCD3_]

Passed Jordan in Playoff Win Shares!!!

40.07 to 39.76 according to bballref.

[BasketballFan7]

4th best postseason by PER, 2nd by WS48, 2nd by BPM

[SideshowBob]

How do u guys rank the conference finals series with 09 Orlando, 12 Boston and 13 Indy? I liked his defense this series much more than in the Orlando one personally (and Toronto is much better offensively than that Orlando team was and Torontos offense was like 90% based on their perimeter game specially with Jv out almost whole series). Obviously his offensive production in that one is unparalleled but i love the diversity of his offensive game in this one.

13 Indy was just an insane two way performance specially on defense. Obviously he had alot going against him against with Boshs injury but he still came up at massive on both ends and had prolly his Goat game. Is it crazy that i like this series a bit more than 09 Orlando tho and only behind 13 Indy/12 Boston? And i dont think its far behind TBH. His performance on both ends was nothing short of incredible. And a great perimeter defender in Caroll got destroyed all series. Really anyone guarding him. He was great last year as well but that Hawks team just fell off hard at a certain point and wasnt the same team in the playoffs (plus Korver/Carroll injuries).

What about 14 vs. Indy? I've always thought that was one of his best series offensively.

And yeah Offense + Defense, I would take 13 vs. Indy and 16 vs. Tornoto. Cavs were +18.0 with him on the floor in this series (122.2 ORTG, 104.2 DRTG) and put up nearly +16 SRS. He was pretty dominant.

[te887848]

LeBron will have a very legitimate argument for remaining King / the best player in the league despite Curry's clearly superior regular season. He is easily the best player in the playoffs thus far.

While I believe Curry is "struggling" purely due to injury and don't view his playoffs this year as an accurate reflection of his true dominance when healthy (no doubt he'd be putting up 32/6/6 on 50/44/90 if he was 95-100% healthy), LeBron absolutely didn't have a fair shot last year as well with Kyrie and Love both out.

Will be interesting to see if LeBron can seal the deal in the Finals. If so, he's still #1.

[rich316]

If it is OKC, Roberson is likely the primary Lebron defender. He's a really good wing stopper - strong, long, and quick. Lebron won't have much luck trying to get by him on drives, but he will likely be able to post him up successfully. That leaves Westbrook guarding Kyrie, and KD on JR - JR's off-ball activity will be super duper important.

[GSP]

How do u guys rank the conference finals series with 09 Orlando, 12 Boston and 13 Indy? I liked his defense this series much more than in the Orlando one personally (and Toronto is much better offensively than that Orlando team was and Torontos offense was like 90% based on their perimeter game specially with Jv out almost whole series). Obviously his offensive production in that one is unparalleled but i love the diversity of his offensive game in this one.

13 Indy was just an insane two way performance specially on defense. Obviously he had alot going against him against with Boshs injury but he still came up at massive on both ends and had prolly his Goat game. Is it crazy that i like this series a bit more than 09 Orlando tho and only behind 13 Indy/12 Boston? And i dont think its far behind TBH. His performance on both ends was nothing short of incredible. And a great perimeter defender in Caroll got destroyed all series. Really anyone guarding him. He was great last year as well but that Hawks team just fell off hard at a certain point and wasnt the same team in the playoffs (plus Korver/Carroll injuries).

What about 14 vs. Indy? I've always thought that was one of his best series offensively.

And yeah Offense + Defense, I would take 13 vs. Indy and 16 vs. Tornoto. Cavs were +18.0 with him on the floor in this series (122.2 ORTG, 104.2 DRTG) and put up nearly +16 SRS. He was pretty dominant.

14 has that one strangely officiated game tho. But i agree it was one of his best on offense.

[JulesWinnfield]

Highest career 3pfg% in NBA playoff history (minimum 100 attempts). 3 of the top 10 on this team right now

1. Raja Bell .466 (174 att)
2. M. Dunleavy .454 (108 att)
3. K. Irving .453 (139 att)
4. BJ Armstrong .451 (113 att)
5. Kenny Smith .448 (261 att)
6. Kevin Love .442 (113 att)
7. Danny Green .440 (364 att)
8. Tim Thomas .436 (202 att)
9. J. Hornacek .433 (282 att)
10. Channing Frye .427 (131 att)

[Heej]

How do u guys rank the conference finals series with 09 Orlando, 12 Boston and 13 Indy? I liked his defense this series much more than in the Orlando one personally (and Toronto is much better offensively than that Orlando team was and Torontos offense was like 90% based on their perimeter game specially with Jv out almost whole series). Obviously his offensive production in that one is unparalleled but i love the diversity of his offensive game in this one.

13 Indy was just an insane two way performance specially on defense. Obviously he had alot going against him against with Boshs injury but he still came up at massive on both ends and had prolly his Goat game. Is it crazy that i like this series a bit more than 09 Orlando tho and only behind 13 Indy/12 Boston? And i dont think its far behind TBH. His performance on both ends was nothing short of incredible. And a great perimeter defender in Caroll got destroyed all series. Really anyone guarding him. He was great last year as well but that Hawks team just fell off hard at a certain point and wasnt the same team in the playoffs (plus Korver/Carroll injuries).

What about 14 vs. Indy? I've always thought that was one of his best series offensively.

And yeah Offense + Defense, I would take 13 vs. Indy and 16 vs. Tornoto. Cavs were +18.0 with him on the floor in this series (122.2 ORTG, 104.2 DRTG) and put up nearly +16 SRS. He was pretty dominant.

14 has that one strangely officiated game tho. But i agree it was one of his best on offense.

https://youtu.be/NWB07LYB-M8

Yup ruined what I considered Peak Lebron's run at the time. People underrate this year because his defense feel off in the RS but I'll always believe this was true peak LBJ. Offensive mastery and in the playoffs with adequate rest he was carrying the load and defending at a high level again. This Lebron would've taken those Warriors to 7 last year

[BasketballFan7]

If it is OKC, Roberson is likely the primary Lebron defender. He's a really good wing stopper - strong, long, and quick. Lebron won't have much luck trying to get by him on drives, but he will likely be able to post him up successfully. That leaves Westbrook guarding Kyrie, and KD on JR - JR's off-ball activity will be super duper important.

Yeah, but Roberson being out there will allow LeBron to do his help defense to the maximum. Roberson is knocking down open shots right now, but that is surely the route Cleveland will go as well.

[Heej]

I think Roberson and waiters specially will regress to the mean in the finals

[Greatness]

and Toronto is much better offensively than that Orlando team was

Curious as to why you think that

[MisterHibachi]

6 straight finals.

**** incredible. I hate to say it but it's almost routine now. It's under appreciated right now by the general fan base, but what an achievement. What a player.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

6 straight finals.

**** incredible. I hate to say it but it's almost routine now. It's under appreciated right now by the general fan base, but what an achievement. What a player.

Its pretty awesome, though I think its getting less talk because this was arguably his weakest path to the Finals of all of them, even including 2007. The Raptors were a terribly flawed team that got pushed to 7 by the 7th seed and a Heat team with no healthy big men (starting a 6'7'' rookie at center!).

Still, if they win the Finals, the weak path to get there will be forgotten (except by people sore at LeBron and Western Conference fans).

[J Shuttlesworth]

LeBron is looking fresh as hell right now. I feel like he didn't even look this good going into the 2014 finals. Any thoughts on this? His FG% is off the charts this year, and he didn't look this physically comfortable during the ECF of 2015.

[MisterHibachi]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/AdiJoseph/status/736391207899811840[/tweet]