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Four Decade Bandwagon
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 02, 2020 7:59 am    Post subject:

I’m not too concerned with the rhythm now. They still have six games to work on the adjustments of losing Bradley and Rondo, incorporating Waiters, Smith an Morris into the rotations and the intensity of playoff basketball taking them out of rhythm and the easy lobs they thrive on.

How well the Lakers make those adjustments and get into a “playoff mode” will dictate how the season ends.

The time management concerns are over. Time to play every play like it could be your last because that is how every other player is going to be playing it. Every rebound, close out, box out and drive to the basket counts.

The Toronto game may be a blessing in disguise. There will be no easy games or series.
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PenG_
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:28 am    Post subject:

Four Decade Bandwagon wrote:
PenG_ wrote:
Brawn13 wrote:
His scoring ability has declined a lot from even 2 years ago. Doesn’t finish around the rim as well and shooting horribly...compared to his Heat/Cavs days


His numbers are still really good this season, but he doesn't get to the line near as often.


Because he doesn’t drive to the basket with the same relentless purpose. Also why he is at career highs for 3pt attempts even though he is average at it.

James is an amazing player having an amazing year but he is all at the twilight of his career. He has the ability to pick and choose his efforts on offense and defense, just can’t consistently do it all game long as he did as a younger player.

Lakers rely on him so much the way the roster is constructed. He somehow has to find the energy and resolve for 16 more playoff games. The Toronto game shows how tough it is going to be.

He and Davis “must” play like the two superstars they are every game to win. James and Davis coasting or having bad nights isn’t going to work against the Western Conference gauntlet they have to work through. Going hope James can find that inner resolve and relentless player they need.


He's having to exert much more energy on the defensive end without AB. If Green and crew are going to brick all the wide open threes he's facilitating, there's not much he can do. Clippers made 25 threes yesterday.
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:59 am    Post subject:

PenG_ wrote:
Four Decade Bandwagon wrote:
PenG_ wrote:
Brawn13 wrote:
His scoring ability has declined a lot from even 2 years ago. Doesn’t finish around the rim as well and shooting horribly...compared to his Heat/Cavs days


His numbers are still really good this season, but he doesn't get to the line near as often.


Because he doesn’t drive to the basket with the same relentless purpose. Also why he is at career highs for 3pt attempts even though he is average at it.

James is an amazing player having an amazing year but he is all at the twilight of his career. He has the ability to pick and choose his efforts on offense and defense, just can’t consistently do it all game long as he did as a younger player.

Lakers rely on him so much the way the roster is constructed. He somehow has to find the energy and resolve for 16 more playoff games. The Toronto game shows how tough it is going to be.

He and Davis “must” play like the two superstars they are every game to win. James and Davis coasting or having bad nights isn’t going to work against the Western Conference gauntlet they have to work through. Going hope James can find that inner resolve and relentless player they need.


He's having to exert much more energy on the defensive end without AB. If Green and crew are going to brick all the wide open threes he's facilitating, there's not much he can do. Clippers made 25 threes yesterday.


they made those many 3s because their front office did amazing job in finding the right players.
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 7:07 am    Post subject:

Four Decade Bandwagon wrote:
I’m not too concerned with the rhythm now. They still have six games to work on the adjustments of losing Bradley and Rondo, incorporating Waiters, Smith an Morris into the rotations and the intensity of playoff basketball taking them out of rhythm and the easy lobs they thrive on.

How well the Lakers make those adjustments and get into a “playoff mode” will dictate how the season ends.

The time management concerns are over. Time to play every play like it could be your last because that is how every other player is going to be playing it. Every rebound, close out, box out and drive to the basket counts.

The Toronto game may be a blessing in disguise. There will be no easy games or series.
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PenG_
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 6:28 pm    Post subject:

The more cold our shooters, obviously the more teams will swarm Lebron on the drive. It's compounding his already rusty offense. Ugly game
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:29 pm    Post subject:

He did say prior to restart that the long layoff was gonna be hard on his body at his age.

I really hope his body acclimates soon. He looks like he needs another 20 games to get into the full swing of things smh
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dries
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 9:06 pm    Post subject:

Second season, still not impressed. Only see greatness on a stat sheet with this dude.
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miggz23
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 9:19 pm    Post subject:

dries wrote:
Second season, still not impressed. Only see greatness on a stat sheet with this dude.


What do you expect from a 36 yrs old with shooters who can barely hit the ocean right now if they try to throw a rock in it?


Last edited by miggz23 on Wed Aug 05, 2020 11:55 pm; edited 1 time in total
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 11:54 pm    Post subject:

miggz23 wrote:
dries wrote:
Second season, still not impressed. Only see greatness on a stat sheet with this dude.


What do you expect from a 36 yrs old with a shooters who can barely hit the ocean right now if they to throw a rock in it?


for real

this game and the Raptors game were def. tough to watch but not sure how you can't be impressed with his last few games against the Clips, Bucks etc. which will be the true Contenders come Playoff time. Also, pretty obvious how well he controls the game when he goes to the bench and the movement just dies many times. You can't really blame him when guys are wide open and can't hit a shot perimeter shot to save there lives lately.
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 11:59 pm    Post subject:

His scoring hasn't looked right in the bubble. I'm chalking it up to the fact that he doesn't have his team with him there.
They should be able to come after the 1st round though once teams are eliminated and a bunch of rooms in the bubble open up. Each player can get 1 room for family/friends/whatever. He should jack one or two of the rookie's rooms too. So he can move in his nutritionist, his personal trainers, whomever he pays millions of dollars to. To maintain the physical prowess he had even up to this season (pre-pandemic).

That's really been the key to his superstar success, particularly in his 30s. He pays buckets of money to have the best technology and science. And that gives him a leg up over anybody else.
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:51 am    Post subject:

He need to stop doing politics and do what he know the best. Stop with all this crap kneeling/not kneeling and play basketball. This is your job to do. Leave politics to politicians.
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dries
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:38 am    Post subject:

blackmamba08 wrote:
He need to stop doing politics and do what he know the best. Stop with all this crap kneeling/not kneeling and play basketball. This is your job to do. Leave politics to politicians.


That's his problem, a lot of talking, lots of media hype and cuddling, excuses (he's just coasting, warming up, help teammates find rythm), ringchasing, never plays with true scoring responsibility, zero moves, no footwork, unreliable jumper, bad free throws, barely 3 superteam rings in 18 prime seasons in the East, can't adjust to a system because of weaknesses and stats. It's the Luka Doncic type numbers in his own system that had many people thinking he was better than Kobe as early as 08. Too much hiding, too much "more than a player".. Mike and Kobe let their games speak for itself, they're even trying to give the man mvp with AD on the team? Kobe wasn't getting crap with Shaq. And those "normal" triangle offense stats.
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dries
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:39 am    Post subject:

miggz23 wrote:
dries wrote:
Second season, still not impressed. Only see greatness on a stat sheet with this dude.


What do you expect from a 36 yrs old with shooters who can barely hit the ocean right now if they try to throw a rock in it?

Talking about lebron's game.
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Brawn13
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:06 am    Post subject:

Lol Lebron is basically at the tail end of his career. Expecting him to dominate the way he did when he was a few years younger isn’t realistic. He has clearly declined as a player.

I still believe we can win, but the days of “hey Lebron take over and will us to a victory please” look like they’re coming to an end. And it’s not because of him being overrated or playing in the West etc. it’s very clearly because he’s gonna be 36 years old soon. That’s it. It is what it is.
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PenG_
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:17 am    Post subject:

dries wrote:
blackmamba08 wrote:
He need to stop doing politics and do what he know the best. Stop with all this crap kneeling/not kneeling and play basketball. This is your job to do. Leave politics to politicians.


That's his problem, a lot of talking, lots of media hype and cuddling, excuses (he's just coasting, warming up, help teammates find rythm), ringchasing, never plays with true scoring responsibility, zero moves, no footwork, unreliable jumper, bad free throws, barely 3 superteam rings in 18 prime seasons in the East, can't adjust to a system because of weaknesses and stats. It's the Luka Doncic type numbers in his own system that had many people thinking he was better than Kobe as early as 08. Too much hiding, too much "more than a player".. Mike and Kobe let their games speak for itself, they're even trying to give the man mvp with AD on the team? Kobe wasn't getting crap with Shaq. And those "normal" triangle offense stats.


How predictable. This guy is gonna finish top 2 in MVP voting while leading the team to the #1 seed, but here come the Skip Bayless lines because of something neither Kobe nor MJ ever had to deal with, much less at 35. And "superteam" relative to your conference (Miami) is not a superteam relative to the league (GSW). It's possible to praise Kobe and MJ without trashing Lebron. Give it a shot.


Last edited by PenG_ on Thu Aug 06, 2020 12:46 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Four Decade Bandwagon
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:29 am    Post subject:

Brawn13 wrote:
Lol Lebron is basically at the tail end of his career. Expecting him to dominate the way he did when he was a few years younger isn’t realistic. He has clearly declined as a player.

I still believe we can win, but the days of “hey Lebron take over and will us to a victory please” look like they’re coming to an end. And it’s not because of him being overrated or playing in the West etc. it’s very clearly because he’s gonna be 36 years old soon. That’s it. It is what it is.


The contradiction is that despite the reality of his aging and diminishing efforts the Lakers overall plan, roster makeup, systems and expectations rely on James being a “dominant James” to win. Lakers are not built to win with anything less.

He has to find a way to recapture “that” Lebron James and the playoff dominance and intensity they are paying him for. He has had a great season. Time to cap it off with one more playoff run for the ring.

The last two years of FO and Klutch planning has led to this moment. No more excuses, just win!
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:08 am    Post subject:

Four Decade Bandwagon wrote:
Brawn13 wrote:
Lol Lebron is basically at the tail end of his career. Expecting him to dominate the way he did when he was a few years younger isn’t realistic. He has clearly declined as a player.

I still believe we can win, but the days of “hey Lebron take over and will us to a victory please” look like they’re coming to an end. And it’s not because of him being overrated or playing in the West etc. it’s very clearly because he’s gonna be 36 years old soon. That’s it. It is what it is.


The contradiction is that despite the reality of his aging and diminishing efforts the Lakers overall plan, roster makeup, systems and expectations rely on James being a “dominant James” to win. Lakers are not built to win with anything less.

He has to find a way to recapture “that” Lebron James and the playoff dominance and intensity they are paying him for. He has had a great season. Time to cap it off with one more playoff run for the ring.

The last two years of FO and Klutch planning has led to this moment. No more excuses, just win!


The other 4 players on the court have to make shots. If LBJ is the facilitator and they are bricking WIDE OPEN shots (35-133 from beyond the arc), that's not on LeBron.
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:08 am    Post subject:

Guys didn't play NBA ball for nearly 4 months. Everyone is looking rusty as well as LBJ. That folks are writing his obituary after his amazing season this year is hilarious. Keep hating.
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:42 am    Post subject:

dries wrote:
miggz23 wrote:
dries wrote:
Second season, still not impressed. Only see greatness on a stat sheet with this dude.


What do you expect from a 36 yrs old with shooters who can barely hit the ocean right now if they try to throw a rock in it?

Talking about lebron's game.


What about his game you're not impress with? Guy is coming from almost 5 months lay off with barely any practice or gameplay. Usually in the offseason they are able to still play and run scrimmage. Lebron did not have any of that in almost 5 months. Pretty sure rhythm and stamina right now is all out of wack.
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:25 am    Post subject:

LeBron will go to another level in the playoffs. I’m not too worried about him. His defense has been great and he looks engaged but his legs aren’t under him, his stamina is poor and focus offensively is off. He should play as much as possible the next 2-3 games. The bigger concern is our shooters. If they can’t hit anything then it will be that much easier neutralizing an aging LeBron. At this point in his career, he will find it much tougher to score with a packed paint. The younger version of him would score regardless. It’s imperative that guys like Green, KCP, Kuz and Dion shoot better to open up the floor for him.
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Four Decade Bandwagon
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:39 am    Post subject:

Any thoughts on why the Lakers are the only team suffering from the long lay off and no practices? Why the Lakers?

Multiple teams in the bubble have overcome the exact same situations and are playing with intensity, rhythm, and stamina. Most games I have watched have been pretty competitive and they are making shots.

Luckily they have four games to get focused. It is understandable why the Bucks and Lakers have had stinkers. They really have nothing to play for.

But once the playoffs start the margin for error is not going to allow this uninspired play from the Lakers team. The 8th seed is not going to care about James’ past accomplishments , they are going to focused on sending the Lakers home early.

And my comments are the same I have had all year. This team, this roster, this year is built for James and with his input and approval. It relies on his skills to balance attack, facilitate and make shots too. He can’t be a role player. He is the centerpiece they all focus and rely on.

He has had a tremendous year that exceeded my expectations. But success in the playoffs is based on him being the dominant MVP type player. Not the facilitator that gets to point the finger at other players.

If he’s the man, be The Man and lead this team to a ring. Only four useless games left to get the team dialed in then sixteen wins. He has sixteen dominant games left in the tank, right?
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:49 am    Post subject:

Unless this is deflection, this is no bueno.

https://twitter.com/joevardon/status/1291406560539926539?s=21

I hope this isn’t anything to do with Dwight or Waiters/JR.

Could be LBJ deflecting or it could be something. Cryptic...

Vogel had a cryptic comment too:

https://twitter.com/lalinsiders/status/1291413890949996544?s=21
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:53 am    Post subject:

Four Decade Bandwagon wrote:
Any thoughts on why the Lakers are the only team suffering from the long lay off and no practices? Why the Lakers?

Multiple teams in the bubble have overcome the exact same situations and are playing with intensity, rhythm, and stamina. Most games I have watched have been pretty competitive and they are making shots.

Luckily they have four games to get focused. It is understandable why the Bucks and Lakers have had stinkers. They really have nothing to play for.

But once the playoffs start the margin for error is not going to allow this uninspired play from the Lakers team. The 8th seed is not going to care about James’ past accomplishments , they are going to focused on sending the Lakers home early.

And my comments are the same I have had all year. This team, this roster, this year is built for James and with his input and approval. It relies on his skills to balance attack, facilitate and make shots too. He can’t be a role player. He is the centerpiece they all focus and rely on.

He has had a tremendous year that exceeded my expectations. But success in the playoffs is based on him being the dominant MVP type player. Not the facilitator that gets to point the finger at other players.

If he’s the man, be The Man and lead this team to a ring. Only four useless games left to get the team dialed in then sixteen wins. He has sixteen dominant games left in the tank, right?


Possibly because the teams playing hard have to do so to make the playoffs. Once we clinched the 1st in the West I actually expected to see most of our starters not play. But perhaps they still need their rhythm back.
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 9:40 am    Post subject:

Dr. Laker wrote:
Four Decade Bandwagon wrote:
Brawn13 wrote:
Lol Lebron is basically at the tail end of his career. Expecting him to dominate the way he did when he was a few years younger isn’t realistic. He has clearly declined as a player.

I still believe we can win, but the days of “hey Lebron take over and will us to a victory please” look like they’re coming to an end. And it’s not because of him being overrated or playing in the West etc. it’s very clearly because he’s gonna be 36 years old soon. That’s it. It is what it is.


The contradiction is that despite the reality of his aging and diminishing efforts the Lakers overall plan, roster makeup, systems and expectations rely on James being a “dominant James” to win. Lakers are not built to win with anything less.

He has to find a way to recapture “that” Lebron James and the playoff dominance and intensity they are paying him for. He has had a great season. Time to cap it off with one more playoff run for the ring.

The last two years of FO and Klutch planning has led to this moment. No more excuses, just win!


The other 4 players on the court have to make shots. If LBJ is the facilitator and they are bricking WIDE OPEN shots (35-133 from beyond the arc), that's not on LeBron.


Lebron shooting 40% isn’t really helping much though. The team is getting shots, 4 games in and they are still struggling. At least they have 4 more games to settle in before the tournament begins.
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Four Decade Bandwagon
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 11:09 am    Post subject:

There is more to it the. James’ shooting percentage. It is just as much about his shot selection.

James has adjusted his game this year. By design to best use his teammates or a way to load manage can both be reasons. But the fact remains he is at a career high for 3pt attempts and career low for FT attempts. He is settling and not driving to the basket as much or with the same relentless manner.

No arguing he can still be phenomenal on defense or dominate a game for short durations. But what we will see in the playoffs is if he can elevate his game and sustain his defensive efforts and drives to the basket for 40 mins a game.

IMO the Lakers will need nothing less then a dominant James ( and Davis) every Playoff game to survive. We will find out next week.

To be a bit snarky... will we “witness” the King or be listening to another off-season of that old tune of “James didn’t have enough help”. It’s his choice.
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