The LeBron James All-NBA (2nd) and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread

[Homer38]

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[TroubleS0me]

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[Mos_Heat]

Man, Pelinka really fumbled post Luka period of the deadline. They are one big short. Don't see how they will survive 4 rounds with Hayes and no one else

[xb3at band1tx]

these guys are literally averaging video game numbers rn

[homecourtloss]

LeBron has played off the ball on the fly and has been incredibly effective.

Notice that his overall shot frequency at the rim is down, but the % of shots he’s assisted at the rim has skyrocketed as has the overall % of FGs he’s been assisted on, both 2P shots and 3 pt shots.

He’s getting fewer defensive rebounds (this is a top 3 season for defensive rebounds in career, btw) and getting out in transition. He’s not not taking more FTs, either. 3/4 of all his shots with Luka on court are threes or at the rim. His shot midrange fg% and long midrange fg% has jumped though he’s obviously taking fewer shots from there.

[Ian Scuffling]

I have to say, I was wrong on this one. I didn't think these two would mesh this well this quickly. Fantastic chemistry, already. The whole, "It won't work with two ball dominant guys" crap, was just that, crap. Most of the same people saying that are the same people who still discount James at every turn. It's like the Miami years never happened. And especially, at this age, he has so welcomed this. I don't know. I've said before that I have a Mt. Rushmore for NBA players, because choosing a GOAT between eras is just too difficult, imo. However, I think his head may be a little bigger than the three others, now.

[Fadeaway_J]

I have to say, I was wrong on this one. I didn't think these two would mesh this well this quickly. Fantastic chemistry, already. The whole, "It won't work with two ball dominant guys" crap, was just that, crap. Most of the same people saying that are the same people who still discount James at every turn. It's like the Miami years never happened. And especially, at this age, he has so welcomed this. I don't know. I've said before that I have a Mt. Rushmore for NBA players, because choosing a GOAT between eras is just too difficult, imo. However, I think his head may be a little bigger than the three others, now.

I'm not all that surprised by them meshing offensively (I mean this version of LeBron even had some positive lineups with post-prime Russell Westbrook for Christ's sake), but maintaining such strong defensive performance with this roster has been nothing short of a miracle from Redick and crew.

[CKRT]

Unless something changes, it's looking like we're getting Lakers/Nuggets IV.

[rk2023]

Unless something changes, it's looking like we're getting Lakers/Nuggets IV.

Time to even the score

[AEnigma]

Unless something changes, it's looking like we're getting Lakers/Nuggets IV.

Do not discount Lakers/Warriors III (Lebron/Warriors VII).

[dcstanley]

Unless something changes, it's looking like we're getting Lakers/Nuggets IV.

Do not discount Lakers/Warriors III (Lebron/Warriors VII).

Would have love to see Denver fall to the 4th seed so we could enjoy OKC/DEN in round 2 but DEN/GSW as the 3/6 matchup is a worthy consolation prize.

I think the Warriors have a real shot in that series.

[magicman1978]

I've said before that I have a Mt. Rushmore for NBA players, because choosing a GOAT between eras is just too difficult, imo. However, I think his head may be a little bigger than the three others, now.

I'm the same. My personal criteria for GOATs focuses mainly on how good they were at their best. But what LeBron is doing is so incredible from multiple facets that I think I need to adjust my criteria.

[tone wone]

I'm not all that surprised by them meshing offensively (I mean this version of LeBron even had some positive lineups with post-prime Russell Westbrook for Christ's sake), but maintaining such strong defensive performance with this roster has been nothing short of a miracle from Redick and crew.

It's not that miraculous. LA is a fairly talented defensive team now. Unlike last years team; there's actually legit plus defenders in the rotation (who dont kill you offensively). As a matter of fact, outside of Knect and Rui, all their role players lean defense (I consider Reaves to be a something more than a role player). Swapping D'lo for DFS, Vincent not being the worst offensive player in the league (allowing him play more) and Vando's return added a ton of defensive talent to their rotation. Also, people forget Hayes even missed 21 games.

LA's been a solid to strong halfcourt defensive team pretty much all year. Their issue was through the first 20-25 games they were damn near the worst transition defensive team in the league. They obviously cleaned that up.

Honestly, if Hayes could give them more than 24mpg none of this would feel surprising. Doing this with less than 25mpg of nominal center play is whats impressive.

[xb3at band1tx]

LeBron has played off the ball on the fly and has been incredibly effective.

Notice that his overall shot frequency at the rim is down, but the % of shots he’s assisted at the rim has skyrocketed as has the overall % of FGs he’s been assisted on, both 2P shots and 3 pt shots.

He’s getting fewer defensive rebounds (this is a top 3 season for defensive rebounds in career, btw) and getting out in transition. He’s not not taking more FTs, either. 3/4 of all his shots with Luka on court are threes or at the rim. His shot midrange fg% and long midrange fg% has jumped though he’s obviously taking fewer shots from there.

genuinely feels like he's turn into this kind of Malone/Pippen hybrid

incredible transformation at age 40

[homecourtloss]

I have to say, I was wrong on this one. I didn't think these two would mesh this well this quickly. Fantastic chemistry, already. The whole, "It won't work with two ball dominant guys" crap, was just that, crap. Most of the same people saying that are the same people who still discount James at every turn. It's like the Miami years never happened. And especially, at this age, he has so welcomed this. I don't know. I've said before that I have a Mt. Rushmore for NBA players, because choosing a GOAT between eras is just too difficult, imo. However, I think his head may be a little bigger than the three others, now.

I'm not all that surprised by them meshing offensively (I mean this version of LeBron even had some positive lineups with post-prime Russell Westbrook for Christ's sake), but maintaining such strong defensive performance with this roster has been nothing short of a miracle from Redick and crew.

They actually were doing well paired together in 2023.

Lakers in 2022-2023 with Westbrook

Westbrook + LeBron ON court (all games): 114.2 ORtg, 108.2 DRtg, +6.0 NET
Westbrook + LeBron ON court after 2-10 start: 117.8 ORtg, 108.7 DRtg, +9.1 NET
Westbrook + LeBron ON court, AD OFF court (all games): 119.8 ORtg, 111.8 DRtg, +8.0 NET
Westbrook + LeBron ON court after AD’s injury in December (24 games): 118.7 ORtg, 103.9 DRtg, +14.8 NET

Westbrook ON court, LeBron and AD OFF court (all games): 106.6 ORtg, 120.6 DRtg, -14.0 NET
Westbrook + LeBron + AD ON Court (all games): 113.8 ORtg, 112.0 DRtg, +1.8 NET
Westbrook + AD ON court, LeBron OFF court: 119.2 ORtg, 120.2 DRtg, -1.

[trickshot]

Gonna need one of these nbatubers to compile every Luka assist to Lebron. The connection is already looking too damn efficient. 2-4 every night excluding hockey assists. Luka could legit average a double double. The other surprise is how good of a partnership he has with Vanderbilt. Reaves and Knecht are up next

[Fadeaway_J]

Can't wait for this shooting to regress to the mean. Luka is creating soooooo many wide open threes that nobody is knocking down consistently.

[IG2]

Luka has a bad habit of pump faking after having the edge on his defender and the defender never goes for it. He needs to stop doing that.

[Ainosterhaspie]

James hitting front rim on every three attempt.

[IG2]

Totally outclassed

They have quality defenders at every position and are making Luka and LeBron look slow as F.