The LeBron James - 21-22 Regular Season Thread - New Thread Soon Part 2

[TroubleS0me]

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[zimpy27]

Westbrook, Reaves, LeBron, Davis

This grouping showed me something. Just play them with Ariza/Bazemore/Nunn/Howard/THT

Yup Reaves needs to play

We are lacking decent to high IQ players and he seems like one

We replaced AC, Pope, DG, and Gasol with Russ, Monk, Melo, and DJ...

I wouldn't call KCP high IQ but the rest were. Caruso and Gasol were losses after losing Green the year prior.

Monk, Melo, Jordan seem terrible tbh.

I think Russ has been fine, honestly that trade wasn't too bad. Need to see the team with Nunn, THT, Ariza back. They were the guys I expected to be solid.

[Dr Positivity]

Success of this team depends on if they can click in as a top 3 defense again under Vogel's system. If they do I can see the theory of this team as they would score in transition off their defense.

[Gooner]

This team is a mess. LeBron is a smart basketball mind, but he made a big mistake with Westbrook. He is not the only problem, but he is the biggest. LeBron also a relies on his jumpshot at this point. It looks good when it goes in, but when it doesn't, he doesn't have the speed to blow by people anymore. This team doesn't have enbough offense and defense is also suspect with so many old guys. 5th or 6th seed is where I see them.

[Fadeaway_J]

Success of this team depends on if they can click in as a top 3 defense again under Vogel's system. If they do I can see the theory of this team as they would score in transition off their defense.

Man, Vogel's "system" is taking on mythical status at this point. Vogel is a great defensive coach, but he's also had excellent personnel with very few weak defenders the last couple of years (as was the case in Indiana). Getting this team to top 3 would be worthy of a statue outside Staples Center.

Looks like I was fortunate to be too tired to stay up for this one.

[thebigbird]

NBA discourse is so bad. Social media, the general board, ESPN, even the game commentators. I feel like I’ll almost be relieved when LeBron retires and my NBA fandom retires with him. The league is a soap opera more than it is a professional sports league. The officials officiate LeBron like an undrafted rookie instead of the GOAT. It’s all a joke. Hopefully he can catch Kareem before he’s finished.

[Slava]

The issue with Westbrook isn't just the lack of shooting on offense but the amount of bad decisions he routinely makes. Missed back door cuts, bad fouls, travels, the whole experience of awfulness.

[Mos_Heat]

That really sucks. One of the only signees I actually envisioned playing well. Expect to see more Rondo.

I don't know, they don't really need another ballhandler. Hope they trade him for House, Dort or someone like that

Is Nunn really a "ballhandler"?

He can play off the ball and has pretty good shooting stats in catch and shoot and in transition

But he can also create on the ball

He can't ever be the primary ball handler or that lineup will have issues

He should fit well next to Lebron or even Russ

Hoping we can get a guy like House for a couple expirings and some 2nds

I don't see why OKC would move Dort, but would love a lockdown defender like him

Nunn can play off the ball, but he more comfortable with the ball. Like a Will Barton type of combo guard

I can see OKC trading him for an unprotected first, I might be wrong on this tho

[Mos_Heat]

They have to rework this roster and play AD strictly at the 5, that's the only way. But as of now they don't have personal to do it, even if fully healthy

[trickshot]

somewhat hottish take but they need to push the introspection button on the roster personnel because even after they develop chemistry they still project as matchup fodder for the likes of the Suns, do you want to be that slower team getting slipper beatin out of the title picture every year by the up and comers? like the Clippers and Warriors of old. (yes I know where cp3 now plays).

In the finals the Bucks had to use every ounce of their youth defending the bread and butter sets the Suns run on every play and still got dismantled before they finally ironed out the frequent breakdowns. It's a very difficult offense to play over 7 games. Difference is Bucks actually had the tools, Lakers don't, well their best players do, it's when the lineups start getting mixed that they fall apart. The depth support is loaded with fool's gold. Outside Lebron-AD lineups everyone just falls apart.

Don't get me wrong, there's a winning formula somewhere in there but if this is the finished product I don't know if they are my favourites to come out of the west. As for the injuries Ariza fixes big rotation problems but isn't such a big difference maker in talent and let's not kid about THT, the kid is still a kid. It hasn't even been 6 months since the playoffs.

[ShotCreator]

Still can’t believe the Lakers dumped Caruso for nothing. Such a low BBIQ move.

[nzahir]

I don't know, they don't really need another ballhandler. Hope they trade him for House, Dort or someone like that

Is Nunn really a "ballhandler"?

He can play off the ball and has pretty good shooting stats in catch and shoot and in transition

But he can also create on the ball

He can't ever be the primary ball handler or that lineup will have issues

He should fit well next to Lebron or even Russ

Hoping we can get a guy like House for a couple expirings and some 2nds

I don't see why OKC would move Dort, but would love a lockdown defender like him

Nunn can play off the ball, but he more comfortable with the ball. Like a Will Barton type of combo guard

I can see OKC trading him for an unprotected first, I might be wrong on this tho

Why would OKC need him?

Also we dont need 1sts, unless its moved again for a win now guy

[trickshot]

To be fair to the Lakers they've been good with their core guys but those guys can't play the full 48 and shouldn't need to win every minute they are on the floor. Lebron played most of the 4th quarter, we already know Lebron can take most personnel combinations into the net positive especially when flanked with AD. They still badly need 2nd and 3rd units that won't get blown out without. It's been a peculiar pattern where they're always 2 to 3 subs away from getting blown out. Maybe they are right after all in thinking things change if Ariza and THT become those 2 subs. Actually makes sense it's just that title teams shouldn't be in that position. Imagine Bucks not winning last year because they couldn't cope with Divincenzo injured.

[nzahir]

Westbrook, Reaves, LeBron, Davis

This grouping showed me something. Just play them with Ariza/Bazemore/Nunn/Howard/THT

Yup Reaves needs to play

We are lacking decent to high IQ players and he seems like one

We replaced AC, Pope, DG, and Gasol with Russ, Monk, Melo, and DJ...

I wouldn't call KCP high IQ but the rest were. Caruso and Gasol were losses after losing Green the year prior.

Monk, Melo, Jordan seem terrible tbh.

I think Russ has been fine, honestly that trade wasn't too bad. Need to see the team with Nunn, THT, Ariza back. They were the guys I expected to be solid.

KCP was good enough IQ wise on defense and usually didn't try to do too much on offense with this group (sometimes even did too little and was hesitant)

You think that game 1 vs the GSW was "fine"? That was one of the worst games I have ever seen a star play

He had 6 points (dont count the 2 at the end), 4 TO to 4 assists and was getting destroyed on defense

Also made the rim packed ofc

We do need to see this team with those 3 guys though, maybe even Ellington

Why couldn't Melo, DJ, Rondo and Monk gotten hurt instead

[zimpy27]

Yup Reaves needs to play

We are lacking decent to high IQ players and he seems like one

We replaced AC, Pope, DG, and Gasol with Russ, Monk, Melo, and DJ...

I wouldn't call KCP high IQ but the rest were. Caruso and Gasol were losses after losing Green the year prior.

Monk, Melo, Jordan seem terrible tbh.

I think Russ has been fine, honestly that trade wasn't too bad. Need to see the team with Nunn, THT, Ariza back. They were the guys I expected to be solid.

KCP was good enough IQ wise on defense and usually didn't try to do too much on offense with this group (sometimes even did too little and was hesitant)

You think that game 1 vs the GSW was "fine"? That was one of the worst games I have ever seen a star play

He had 6 points (dont count the 2 at the end), 4 TO to 4 assists and was getting destroyed on defense

Also made the rim packed ofc

We do need to see this team with those 3 guys though, maybe even Ellington

Why couldn't Melo, DJ, Rondo and Monk gotten hurt instead

Yeah he looked fine just super passive and taking a back seat. I was more concerned that he'd just come in and take over. Was actually happy to see him trying defensively, setting screens and deferring to LeBron.

It will take time for him to adjust to LeBron and Davis.

[zimpy27]

I don't think losing Caruso for nothing is a salvageable move. That was a big time fail

[Mos_Heat]

I wouldn't call KCP high IQ but the rest were. Caruso and Gasol were losses after losing Green the year prior.

Monk, Melo, Jordan seem terrible tbh.

I think Russ has been fine, honestly that trade wasn't too bad. Need to see the team with Nunn, THT, Ariza back. They were the guys I expected to be solid.

KCP was good enough IQ wise on defense and usually didn't try to do too much on offense with this group (sometimes even did too little and was hesitant)

You think that game 1 vs the GSW was "fine"? That was one of the worst games I have ever seen a star play

He had 6 points (dont count the 2 at the end), 4 TO to 4 assists and was getting destroyed on defense

Also made the rim packed ofc

We do need to see this team with those 3 guys though, maybe even Ellington

Why couldn't Melo, DJ, Rondo and Monk gotten hurt instead

Yeah he looked fine just super passive and taking a back seat. I was more concerned that he'd just come in and take over. Was actually happy to see him trying defensively, setting screens and deferring to LeBron.

It will take time for him to adjust to LeBron and Davis.

According to Zach Lowe, Westbrook set 0 screens in game 1

[zimpy27]

KCP was good enough IQ wise on defense and usually didn't try to do too much on offense with this group (sometimes even did too little and was hesitant)

You think that game 1 vs the GSW was "fine"? That was one of the worst games I have ever seen a star play

He had 6 points (dont count the 2 at the end), 4 TO to 4 assists and was getting destroyed on defense

Also made the rim packed ofc

We do need to see this team with those 3 guys though, maybe even Ellington

Why couldn't Melo, DJ, Rondo and Monk gotten hurt instead

Yeah he looked fine just super passive and taking a back seat. I was more concerned that he'd just come in and take over. Was actually happy to see him trying defensively, setting screens and deferring to LeBron.

It will take time for him to adjust to LeBron and Davis.

According to Zach Lowe, Westbrook set 0 screens in game 1

But I saw several.. does he mean no screens that were useful?

[McBubbles]

The person who only controls the team because she was born into the family. Jeanie Buss is absolutely clueless and so is Rob Pelinka. They got lucky that LeBron wanted to play in LA. Otherwise they would still be toiling in the lottery.

Someone needs to tell LeBron that there's a way he can still play in LA and not have to deal with a terrible owner and the dumbest GM in the sport. Just saying.

Man people like clowning on the Clippers but their owner is rich as hell and they’re going to have a nice new arena. The Lakers just have the tradition and they’ve been living off it for a awhile. I never liked LeBron going to the Lakers, honestly. Didn’t like it in 2018 and still don’t now.

Same, although not for basketball reasons. He had a extremely, extremely unique career path / storyline. By going to the Lakers he became just like every other great who did the same thing. Shaq, Wilt, Kareem, Dwight, Nash, Malone, Grant, Payton, etc. Removes some of what made his career kinda special imo.