LeBron James 2021-22 Regular Season Thread - Part ?

[Mos_Heat]

Team sucks. Blow it up. I hope we trade Lebron and AD hopefully getting a decent package in return. I do not want to watch a decade of us being a joke again. Start over with some young talent and fire Pelinka and Vogel. Get someone with actual brains to work the FO. Give us a coach who can be developed. This is just a joke at this point. Fans deserve better than this.

And somebody call Roy Keane to tackle WB.

You don't want to go through a decade of being a joke but want to start over with young talent? Sounds like you're running headlong into the thing you want to avoid.

This is only one season, they have the offseason to correct mistakes and go again next season and even this season they still likely get into the playoffs. It's not doom and gloom yet.

Not if we get a good return on the assets we have. We make the playoffs and then what? Get bounced in the first round because Westbrook will be a negative on the court with how teams will defend him.

We get a good package in return for the assets we have. Get some talent and i'd take that over watching this train wreck of a team.

We just lost by 40 against a nuggets team that is decent at best. It's not doom and gloom it's seeing this team for what it is.

The goal this season was to contend for a title. Not make the playoffs. Unless a miracle happens and Lebron becomes 10 years younger and AD getting titanium legs i dont see us making it past the first round.

Again. This team was cooked as soon as we let go of every bit of defense we had because they thought AD was the big eraser.

Add Westbrook to that and this is the product we are getting.

But do you really trust Jeanie Buss, Rob Pelinka, Kurt and Linda Rambis to go through rebuilding process? They were in great position in the begining of 2018 and still stumbled into the championship mostly by accident.

BTW, I agree they should trade AD after next season

[Fadeaway_J]

You don't want to go through a decade of being a joke but want to start over with young talent? Sounds like you're running headlong into the thing you want to avoid.

This is only one season, they have the offseason to correct mistakes and go again next season and even this season they still likely get into the playoffs. It's not doom and gloom yet.

Not if we get a good return on the assets we have. We make the playoffs and then what? Get bounced in the first round because Westbrook will be a negative on the court with how teams will defend him.

We get a good package in return for the assets we have. Get some talent and i'd take that over watching this train wreck of a team.

We just lost by 40 against a nuggets team that is decent at best. It's not doom and gloom it's seeing this team for what it is.

The goal this season was to contend for a title. Not make the playoffs. Unless a miracle happens and Lebron becomes 10 years younger and AD getting titanium legs i dont see us making it past the first round.

Again. This team was cooked as soon as we let go of every bit of defense we had because they thought AD was the big eraser.

Add Westbrook to that and this is the product we are getting.

But do you really trust Jeanie Buss, Rob Pelinka, Kurt and Linda Rambis to go through rebuilding process? They were in great position in the begining of 2018 and still stumbled into the championship mostly by accident.

BTW, I agree they should trade AD after next season

Man, I was just about to post this.

The last decade showed what happens when an incompetent front office has to carry out a rebuild. Give them a couple of superstars (acquired almost entirely because of the franchise's built-in advantages) and they might at least stumble into another championship.

[Freighttrain]

I know LeBron is also to blame for the roster, but let's also not forget he tried to lobby for Dame instead of Russel first. Obviously keeping our roster or taking Hield would've been the best option B/C, but he went with option D instead. Not sure we can get anything in return for Westbrook at this point that will really help us. Unless he wants to go back to OKC and there's some sentimental trade with the Thunder, but I'm not seeing them giving anything decent in return. He only has one year on his contract in 2023 for 47 million and then he's an UFA, might be a bitter pill to swallow but I just don't see any other viable trade for RW.

[tone wone]

Russ is a sunk cost at this point. The only way he gets traded is if something awful happens behind the scenes and he demands it. Moving him is more of an off-season thing.

The goal now is to clear the dead weight. Try all over again with a new cast.

On some level its unfair due to how little Lebron and AD have played together but this team needs a 2018 Cavs like mini reset.

[MisterHibachi]

KD might miss enough games to disqualify for the stats leadership boards. Increases LeBron's chances of winning the scoring title

[D.Brasco]

KD might miss enough games to disqualify for the stats leadership boards. Increases LeBron's chances of winning the scoring title

Anyone know the latest season to win a scoring title is? I know MJ won it in year 13 on the Bulls.

[zimpy27]

Russ is a sunk cost at this point. The only way he gets traded is if something awful happens behind the scenes and he demands it. Moving him is more of an off-season thing.

The goal now is to clear the dead weight. Try all over again with a new cast.

On some level its unfair due to how little Lebron and AD have played together but this team needs a 2018 Cavs like mini reset.

Yeah this is it. Russ is here to stay unless OKC want to take a flyer on him and that seems very unlikely.

I actually think Vogel has to shoulder more blame than roster construction recently.

The fact that he is still playing Bradley when you have much better players to start.

[trickshot]

LeBron ok-ing the Westbrook trade is one of the biggest black marks of his career imo. One of the few decisions he's made that's actively pissed me off. Imo even him wanting the Cavs to trade for Kevin Love instead of someone like Paul Millsap was a mistake, but one that fortunately worked out. He just doesn't have an understanding of redundancy or fit for whatever reason.

By pure coincidence, I was ranting extensively about how **** NBA legends Off The Court BBIQ is before it happened. So let this be another reminder that no, your favourite player would not be good at X just because they have a good on court BBIQ. On court BBIQ does not translate elsewhere. Magic, Zeke, Kidd, MJ and Lebron have now been wonderful examples of this.

The sad thing is though is that Lebron shouldn't have even been put in a position where he could make that decision. Players recommend stupid **** all the time and the competent GM's just tell them to sit down and stfu.

Damn shame. It's tenfold significant for Lebron because unlike other legends who lost their final years he isn't actually losing it to father time. He closed his window or at least let it get closed with a decision many called wouldn't work. We also knew Westbrook would be untradeable if it flopped.

His value was pretty beat up already, there was no coming back for failing beside Lebron and AD. Shocking as I thought those two guys were foolproof when health permitted but have now confirmed there are different levels to what fool there refers to.

[nzahir]

Really wish Vogel played Reaves more. He's better than Bradley

Even Stanley should get more minutes than Bradley

Vogel is so frustrating at times

Sadly Fizdale is much worse

Unless we have a legit good option, not worth firing him

[nzahir]

Read on Twitter

?t=SfsqYwIrl8p0wV-n1OUfNA&s=19

Would be a lot better with less of him

When healthy:

Russ, Monk, Johnson/Ariza, Bron, AD
Nunn, Reaves, Johnson/Ariza, Melo, Dwight
Avery, THT

I don't know if any trade makes us good enough to really compete unless its moving Russ

Yeah I'm all the way out on Bradley. He should be backup PG while Nunn is out and then third tier PG when he's back.

I think Lakers need to try get a starting SF/PF with THT+LAL27FRP and keep Nunn.

Idk if that starting forward makes us good enough if we still have Russ

Also hard to find one while keeping Nunn b/c of salaries

Pelinka has 3.5 weeks to figure this out

[GSP]

KD might miss enough games to disqualify for the stats leadership boards. Increases LeBron's chances of winning the scoring title

And another missed Bron and Kd matchup. They wont have played against each other since Christmas of 2018.....

[zimpy27]

Read on Twitter

?t=SfsqYwIrl8p0wV-n1OUfNA&s=19

Would be a lot better with less of him

When healthy:

Russ, Monk, Johnson/Ariza, Bron, AD
Nunn, Reaves, Johnson/Ariza, Melo, Dwight
Avery, THT

I don't know if any trade makes us good enough to really compete unless its moving Russ

Yeah I'm all the way out on Bradley. He should be backup PG while Nunn is out and then third tier PG when he's back.

I think Lakers need to try get a starting SF/PF with THT+LAL27FRP and keep Nunn.

Idk if that starting forward makes us good enough if we still have Russ

Also hard to find one while keeping Nunn b/c of salaries

Pelinka has 3.5 weeks to figure this out

The team doesn't need more guys who think they are a star that needs to get their money. The guys that you need to include Nunn in for salary seem to be those types to me.

What's the concern with Russ? I like the Russ/Monk backcourt. I think a starting wing that can defend and score efficiently as a glue guy. They need to be able to defend the SF position.

Yeah Pelinka is on the clock for sure.

[Greyhound]

I like the Westbrook/ Monk backcourt, but I only think it works in a big lineup. A lineup that steers offensive players into the shot blockers.

The problem with that (Westbrook/Monk) alignment is you are going to have two subpar defenders in your backcourt. That works if the plan is to have them push up on their man, then protect them with back line shot blocking. It does not work if the plan is to play small and switch assignments.

The reason Bradley is in the lineup is because the coaching staff does not trust Westbrook with defending opposing PG’s consistently. They would rather stash him on a wing player and have a more reliable point of attack defender take that assignment.

Monk is not that guy. As much as I believe he deserves that starting spot, Westbrook is the problem.

[zimpy27]

I like the Westbrook/ Monk backcourt, but I only think it works in a big lineup. A lineup that steers offensive players into the shot blockers.

The problem with that (Westbrook/Monk) alignment is you are going to have two subpar defenders in your backcourt. That works if the plan is to have them push up on their man, then protect them with back line shot blocking. It does not work if the plan is to play small and switch assignments.

The reason Bradley is in the lineup is because the coaching staff does not trust Westbrook with defending opposing PG’s consistently. They would rather stash him on a wing player and have a more reliable point of attack defender take that assignment.

Monk is not that guy. As much as I believe he deserves that starting spot, Westbrook is the problem.

Westbrook, Monk, LeBron, Covington, Davis
I find this to be ideal since the 3 bigs can all get up and block shots and move on to the perimeter. There are 4 players that can get their own shot and 3 of the players are decent 3 shooters.

Nunn, Reaves, Ariza, Johnson, Melo
This bench is nice too, some decent size on the wings.

Bradley, Howard
These are the add in players for matchups where you have an elite PG or big C.


They are right about Westbrook and opponent PGs.. Westbrook should be defending SG/SF really. Maybe Bradley should swap with Monk when they go against elite PGs?

[falcolombardi]

man, lakers fans are spoiled lol

Read on Twitter

?t=Cz6YUFySZ1Bsix6eVzZ_7g&s=19

[Fadeaway_J]

man, lakers fans are spoiled lol

Read on Twitter

?t=Cz6YUFySZ1Bsix6eVzZ_7g&s=19

I'm arguing with people on YouTube (my mistake I know) saying similar nonsense. "LeBron ruined the team", no **** way you sat through the last decade talking that garbage. And they want me to believe the same fans who want everyone traded now would be willing to sit patiently through a rebuild while Ingram and Randle "led" them to 30 wins. It's just asinine.

[falcolombardi]

[url][/url]

man, lakers fans are spoiled lol

Read on Twitter

?t=Cz6YUFySZ1Bsix6eVzZ_7g&s=19

I'm arguing with people on YouTube (my mistake I know) saying similar nonsense. "LeBron ruined the team", no **** way you sat through the last decade talking that garbage. And they want me to believe the same fans who want everyone traded now would be willing to sit patiently through a rebuild while Ingram and Randle "led" them to 30 wins. It's just asinine.

honestly, if i am a lakers fan i would be happy for any ring even if it doesnt come in dinasty form

league has changed a lot, more attractive big markets than ever for the foreseeable future (warriors, miami, clippers, nets, even knicks if they get their **** together)

and their current owner seems cheap tbh

the likely hood that the franchise can continúe getting 5 rings every other decade is unlikely going forward

[zimpy27]

I think that 2020 ring might be the last the Lakers see for 50+ years at this rate.

The same complaining about it will be dead before they ever see another without LeBron.

[RCM88x]

Lakers "fans" are clowns and have been for a long time.

This Lebron to Cleveland thread on the GB is pretty funny to me though.

[nzahir]

I like the Westbrook/ Monk backcourt, but I only think it works in a big lineup. A lineup that steers offensive players into the shot blockers.

The problem with that (Westbrook/Monk) alignment is you are going to have two subpar defenders in your backcourt. That works if the plan is to have them push up on their man, then protect them with back line shot blocking. It does not work if the plan is to play small and switch assignments.

The reason Bradley is in the lineup is because the coaching staff does not trust Westbrook with defending opposing PG’s consistently. They would rather stash him on a wing player and have a more reliable point of attack defender take that assignment.

Monk is not that guy. As much as I believe he deserves that starting spot, Westbrook is the problem.

Westbrook, Monk, LeBron, Covington, Davis
I find this to be ideal since the 3 bigs can all get up and block shots and move on to the perimeter. There are 4 players that can get their own shot and 3 of the players are decent 3 shooters.

Nunn, Reaves, Ariza, Johnson, Melo
This bench is nice too, some decent size on the wings.

Bradley, Howard
These are the add in players for matchups where you have an elite PG or big C.


They are right about Westbrook and opponent PGs.. Westbrook should be defending SG/SF really. Maybe Bradley should swap with Monk when they go against elite PGs?

RoCo works here because he does have shot blocking ability, he is an avg ish 1 on 1 defender though, not going to be a wing stopper

RoCo may be able to be had since his value has dropped and Portland is falling apart

But would they trade with us?

And for what? THT and some 2nds? Def not doing THT and our 2027 1st for RoCo