The LeBron Thread 2021 Off-Season Edition

[Mos_Heat]

Actual basketball fit and Westbrook being washed aside, I don't see how this works from a personality standpoint. Westbrook has dog **** shot selection and is the lowest IQ MVP point guard of all time. I can see him JR Smithing from time to time and pissing LeBron the **** off.

That's my dream scenario tbh. LeBron subtweets so hard that Westbrook gets retraded before the deadline lmao.

They are very good friends, that won't happen. No one gonna trade for Westbrook anyways. That's his last stop on the current contract

[Slava]

Lebron was hosting Westbrook for wine since he arrived in LA and him and Davis started following his wife on social media since last year. This is a recruitment that Lebron started long ago, so spare me the idea that Westbrook is somehow being foisted on Lebron. This is completely happening at lebrons behest and with his full blessing.

[LikeABosh]

LeBron definitely signed off on it. LA Times just released this:

About two weeks ago, Russell Westbrook went to LeBron James’ home and together they and Anthony Davis had a conversation about the All-Star guard joining James and Davis on the Lakers.

They talked about putting their egos aside and playing as one in their quest to bring the Lakers another NBA championship. Westbrook talked about how his only intention was winning and coming back home to Los Angeles to become a champion.

James and Davis talked about the two of them changing positions if that was best for the team — James moving from small forward to power forward and Davis from power forward to center.

[McBubbles]

Yup, thought so. LeBron you silly bastard.

[dcstanley]

Well, Lebron and AD embracing their natural positions is some good that comes from this.

[Mos_Heat]

Lebron was hosting Westbrook for wine since he arrived in LA and him and Davis started following his wife on social media since last year. This is a recruitment that Lebron started long ago, so spare me the idea that Westbrook is somehow being foisted on Lebron. This is completely happening at lebrons behest and with his full blessing.

Poor guy thebigbird trying to convince himself that it's not Lebron's idea

[Mos_Heat]

I think it will hurt them more defensively. Westbrook is a huge downgrade compared to Schroder, his presense is also reduces Caruso's role if he still on the team. KCP is a big loss, Kuzma is at least a big wing, who can move on D a little. Hard to expect that TMLE guy will be a positive defensive player. They will probably slip into 5-12 range defensively

[Slava]

Vogel can coach a defence with spare parts, so I’m the least bit worried about that end of the floor with Lebron and AD playing 4/5 and rotating for help even if Westbrook gets blown by. The bigger issue is what to do with Westbrook when Lebron has the ball when it matters. Houston had him in the dunker spot and that worked for a while but ironically it’s the Lakers and Vogel that showed the limitations of that when they beat them in the 2nd round in 2020. Lebron is a lot more useful off the ball than Harden though, so maybe there’s some room for better results.

[Dupp]

Lebron was hosting Westbrook for wine since he arrived in LA and him and Davis started following his wife on social media since last year. This is a recruitment that Lebron started long ago, so spare me the idea that Westbrook is somehow being foisted on Lebron. This is completely happening at lebrons behest and with his full blessing.

Whatever it’s still a bad move. Players don’t make good gms and lebron ain’t an exception.

[Dupp]

LeBron definitely signed off on it. LA Times just released this:

About two weeks ago, Russell Westbrook went to LeBron James’ home and together they and Anthony Davis had a conversation about the All-Star guard joining James and Davis on the Lakers.

They talked about putting their egos aside and playing as one in their quest to bring the Lakers another NBA championship. Westbrook talked about how his only intention was winning and coming back home to Los Angeles to become a champion.

James and Davis talked to about the two of them changing positions if that was best for the team — James moving from small forward to power forward and Davis from power forward to center.

Davis at centre is good and a good sign he’s saying he will.


On the flip, his fragile body is always a concern. Dunno how much worse it is playing centre compared to pf is these days though...

[GSP]

LeBron definitely signed off on it. LA Times just released this:

About two weeks ago, Russell Westbrook went to LeBron James’ home and together they and Anthony Davis had a conversation about the All-Star guard joining James and Davis on the Lakers.

They talked about putting their egos aside and playing as one in their quest to bring the Lakers another NBA championship. Westbrook talked about how his only intention was winning and coming back home to Los Angeles to become a champion.

James and Davis talked to about the two of them changing positions if that was best for the team — James moving from small forward to power forward and Davis from power forward to center.

Davis at centre is good and a good sign he’s saying he will.


On the flip, his fragile body is always a concern. Dunno how much worse it is playing centre compared to pf is these days though...

It's far more taxing maybe more than ever even. Most power forwards today are downsized wings many Pfs are literally small forwards even. Might as well just call them forwards. There used to be a term for soft power forwards - flower forwards. That's what the position is now

Roco, Batum/Morris, Royce, Kd, Crowder, Tatum, Tobias, Gordon, Kyle Anderson, Finney Smith, Ariza - these are all starting "power forwards" from these last playoffs. Can you imagine any of them beside Kd even thinking about playing the 4 in the golden age of the position in the 00?

Giannis, Zion, Sabonis, Collins, Randle, Dray and Ad are the only true Pfs today at least among the good ones. Bron fits the bill too. In the West Zion is the only true Pf they have to worry about besides Dray on defense

[thebigbird]

Lebron was hosting Westbrook for wine since he arrived in LA and him and Davis started following his wife on social media since last year. This is a recruitment that Lebron started long ago, so spare me the idea that Westbrook is somehow being foisted on Lebron. This is completely happening at lebrons behest and with his full blessing.

Poor guy thebigbird trying to convince himself that it's not Lebron's idea

Because I didn’t think that LeBron was that stupid, but looks like I was wrong about that. Pelinka still shouldn’t have done it though. He’s the GM, and as GM he should’ve saved his players from such a stupid decision. But oh well. Can’t wait to watch the Staples Center turn into a construction zone.

[Slava]

Lebron was hosting Westbrook for wine since he arrived in LA and him and Davis started following his wife on social media since last year. This is a recruitment that Lebron started long ago, so spare me the idea that Westbrook is somehow being foisted on Lebron. This is completely happening at lebrons behest and with his full blessing.

Poor guy thebigbird trying to convince himself that it's not Lebron's idea

Because I didn’t think that LeBron was that stupid, but looks like I was wrong about that. Pelinka still shouldn’t have done it though. He’s the GM, and as GM he should’ve saved his players from such a stupid decision. But oh well. Can’t wait to watch the Staples Center turn into a construction zone.

Pelinka's mandate when he got the job was to take care of the day to day business of running the team but when it came to big decisions, whatever LeBron and AD wanted done, it will be his job to execute those moves. He's doing exactly what the ownership and LeBron agreed would be his role as a GM, at least until LeBron is around.

Jeannie's re-modeling of the franchise is centred around getting stars and catering to them.

[kayess]

I guess if you're a consensus top 3-5 player all-time there's almost literally nobody who can go against your opinion credibly.

Who is even available?

[Dupp]

LeBron definitely signed off on it. LA Times just released this:

Davis at centre is good and a good sign he’s saying he will.


On the flip, his fragile body is always a concern. Dunno how much worse it is playing centre compared to pf is these days though...

It's far more taxing maybe more than ever even. Most power forwards today are downsized wings many Pfs are literally small forwards even. Might as well just call them forwards. There used to be a term for soft power forwards - flower forwards. That's what the position is now

Roco, Batum/Morris, Royce, Kd, Crowder, Tatum, Tobias, Gordon, Kyle Anderson, Finney Smith, Ariza - these are all starting "power forwards" from these last playoffs. Can you imagine any of them beside Kd even thinking about playing the 4 in the golden age of the position in the 00?

Giannis, Zion, Sabonis, Collins, Randle, Dray and Ad are the only true Pfs today at least among the good ones. Bron fits the bill too. In the West Zion is the only true Pf they have to worry about besides Dray on defense

Sure but is there really that many taxing matchups at centre? Joker, Embiid, guys like adams I guess. Sure there’s a bunch


I dunno. I have no faith org this Lakers fo to build a team around ad and lebron

[Dupp]

Lebron was hosting Westbrook for wine since he arrived in LA and him and Davis started following his wife on social media since last year. This is a recruitment that Lebron started long ago, so spare me the idea that Westbrook is somehow being foisted on Lebron. This is completely happening at lebrons behest and with his full blessing.

Poor guy thebigbird trying to convince himself that it's not Lebron's idea

Because I didn’t think that LeBron was that stupid, but looks like I was wrong about that. Pelinka still shouldn’t have done it though. He’s the GM, and as GM he should’ve saved his players from such a stupid decision. But oh well. Can’t wait to watch the Staples Center turn into a construction zone.

Did you not see last season? Construction was well under way. They’ve just doubled their order now.

[BladeDaywalker]

Honestly, I don't really get why people are so obsessed with how a player fit on a team over talent.

From what I am reading, it seem the only reason why people believe the Lakers should have traded for Buddy Hield over Westbrook is because Hield can shoot perimeter shots without taking anything else into consideration.

Based on what I have seen from Hield over the past 3 years, I wouldn't be confident that adding him to the team would be a major improvement especially if Schröder was to remain the starter and primary ball handler in this scenario.

I would much rather have Westbrook who can initiate the offense and take pressure off Lebron having to be the primary handler, lead the second unit when Lebron sit down, set up AD and other big men for easy buckets, and help pace both Lebron and AD for the entire season.

Beside, if you look at Hield's performance, you will see that his ppg, FG%, 3 point shooting have declined over the past 3 years.






Basically, if Schröder still remained the point guard or the Lakers couldn't find a better replacement for Schröder in free agency, then Hield is a nonfactor to me.


Now, if you add Hield to the current team with Lebron, AD, and Westbrook, then it would make sense to me and the Lakers clearly get better.

[McBubbles]

Honestly, I don't really get why people are so obsessed with how a player fit on a team over talent.

From what I am reading, it seem the only reason why people believe the Lakers should have traded for Buddy Hield over Westbrook is because Hield can shoot perimeter shots without taking anything else into consideration.

Based on what I have seen from Hield over the past 3 years, I wouldn't be confident that adding him to the team would be a major improvement especially if Schröder was to remain the starter and primary ball handler in this scenario.

I would much rather have Westbrook who can initiate the offense and take pressure off Lebron having to be the primary handler, lead the second unit when Lebron sit down, set up AD and other big men for easy buckets, and help pace both Lebron and AD for the entire season.

Beside, if you look at Hield's performance, you will see that his ppg, FG%, 3 point shooting have declined over the past 3 years.






Basically, if Schröder still remained the point guard or the Lakers couldn't find a better replacement for Schröder in free agency, then Hield is a nonfactor to me.


Now, if you add Hield to the current team with Lebron, AD, and Westbrook, then it would make sense to me and the Lakers clearly get better.

Westbrook existing has meant that AD and LeBron have moved to the 4 and 5 for the sake of spacing, thereby increasing their defensive responsibilities (and just increasing AD's workload in general) on a team that tries very hard on defence. Not sure how much they'll be paced in the regular season.

Biggest thing though, Westbrook has been extremely reluctant to change who he is as a player his entire career. He's now 32. I don't see him suddenly improving his shot selection, off ball movement, defensive motor and BBIQ in one season. Not to mention he's a point guard exclusively reliant on his athleticism that's had several knee issues recently and is only getting older.

Unless Westbrook literally transforms into the player he should have been his entire career overnight, I don't see him being a better signing than even Lonzo let alone Buddy Hield.

[zimpy27]

I think it will hurt them more defensively. Westbrook is a huge downgrade compared to Schroder, his presense is also reduces Caruso's role if he still on the team. KCP is a big loss, Kuzma is at least a big wing, who can move on D a little. Hard to expect that TMLE guy will be a positive defensive player. They will probably slip into 5-12 range defensively

Imma say it.. Kuzma sucked and KCP seemed like his confidence was held together by paperclips. Not much was lost here imo. The real danger is the Westbrook fit not working.

[dcstanley]

Is Westbrook a worse fit than Schroeder? Russ is considerably worse as a defender, worse as a shooter, significantly better as a playmaker, and slightly better as a scorer. In terms of fit, Schroeder for Westbrook is essentially a 1 for 1 swap.