"The Brotherhood" (CP3, Wade, LeBron, Melo)

[LAD]

I do find it fascinating the rap Mello gets when he has never played with anyone in New York, while CP3 gets a lot of love for leading All Star Rosters to quick postseason exits his entire career

I think the rap he gets is more due to his inability to play team ball and he's yet to really develop beyond what he was doing in Denver.

 

[LAD]

if you think KI dominates the ball- Lebron would despise playing with CP3

What? Are you kidding me? Obviously you haven't watched many Clippers games.

 

[LAD]

listen to wht Windhorst said yesterday on his podcast

he said- if you think LEbron gets mad at Kyrie for always having the ball HED HATE playing with Paul--- and that Pauls teammates cant stand the guy half the time ...i was actually a little surprised at the tone he took with it too...it was a good listen though.

Yet on this very thread we can read LBJ's quote for ourselves-stating how he'd take a pay cut to play with CP3. My goodness those homer goggles are getting foggier by the minute.

 

[LAD]

Looks like they're wearing Nets jerseys..

Or Spurs....

 

[Mecca]

Yet on this very thread we can read LBJ's quote for ourselves-stating how he'd take a pay cut to play with CP3. My goodness those homer goggles are getting foggier by the minute.

Girl on fire!

 

[WiggyRuss]

Yeah, you are probably correct with that point.

I think that swap would benefit every player on that roster. But, if Bron is insistent on controlling the ball, that would be problematic.

Even if it were a possibility, I still don't think the Cavs could beat a Healthy Spurs or Warriors.

So, no point in mortgaging your future post Lebron.

Even as close friends in Miami, James and Wade were an uneasy alliance on the court because both operate best with the ball in their hands. By the end of James' time in South Beach, the Heat were a better team with James running the show and Wade on the bench. As he ages, Wade makes even less sense from a basketball standpoint alongside so many other stars.

Paul would need to adapt too. He's used to constantly directing the Clippers' offense. According to SportVU tracking on NBA.com/Stats, only Damian Lillard(8.4 minutes per game) has had more time of possession with the basketball per game this season than Paul (8.3).

Based on that figure, Paul has the ball in his hands almost exactly half the time the Clippers are on offense. By contrast, Irving's time of possession suggests he has the ball barely a third of the time when the Cavaliers are on offense, with James possessing it more than a quarter of the time.


LeBron's superteam better than Warriors?

 

[Malibu]

Go Lakers!! Get that top 3 pick.

 

[tlance]

Even as close friends in Miami, James and Wade were an uneasy alliance on the court because both operate best with the ball in their hands. By the end of James' time in South Beach, the Heat were a better team with James running the show and Wade on the bench. As he ages, Wade makes even less sense from a basketball standpoint alongside so many other stars.

Paul would need to adapt too. He's used to constantly directing the Clippers' offense. According to SportVU tracking on NBA.com/Stats, only Damian Lillard(8.4 minutes per game) has had more time of possession with the basketball per game this season than Paul (8.3).

Based on that figure, Paul has the ball in his hands almost exactly half the time the Clippers are on offense. By contrast, Irving's time of possession suggests he has the ball barely a third of the time when the Cavaliers are on offense, with James possessing it more than a quarter of the time.


LeBron's superteam better than Warriors?

this is why people have a hard time with you Wiggy.

Your analysis in other teams is often valid. Wade and LeBron were not good together. Neither are Bron and Kyrie. Regardless of whether he has the ball as much as he wants it, Kyrie does not play well without the ball. He is actually a much worse for Bron than Wade was, because at least Wade gives you one side of the court with his great defense.

Irving's efforts in offense are redundant because LeBron can do all the same things, only better.

 

[WiggyRuss]

this is why people have a hard time with you Wiggy.

Your analysis in other teams is often valid. Wade and LeBron were not good together. Neither are Bron and Kyrie. Regardless of whether he has the ball as much as he wants it, Kyrie does not play well without the ball. He is actually a much worse for Bron than Wade was, because at least Wade gives you one side of the court with his great defense.

Irving's efforts in offense are redundant because LeBron can do all the same things, only better.

???


that whole post was a quote.

 

[Heatles84]

Even as close friends in Miami, James and Wade were an uneasy alliance on the court because both operate best with the ball in their hands. By the end of James' time in South Beach, the Heat were a better team with James running the show and Wade on the bench. As he ages, Wade makes even less sense from a basketball standpoint alongside so many other stars.

Paul would need to adapt too. He's used to constantly directing the Clippers' offense. According to SportVU tracking on NBA.com/Stats, only Damian Lillard(8.4 minutes per game) has had more time of possession with the basketball per game this season than Paul (8.3).

Based on that figure, Paul has the ball in his hands almost exactly half the time the Clippers are on offense. By contrast, Irving's time of possession suggests he has the ball barely a third of the time when the Cavaliers are on offense, with James possessing it more than a quarter of the time.


LeBron's superteam better than Warriors?

An article by Tom Habestroh, what a joke. Yes, Wade and Lebron aren't an ideal fit. But the Heat would go on to winning that series. I like how he titles it (Wade-Lebron Not Working). That combo won two titles and had 4 Finals appearances in a 4-year span.

But then again, the same could be said about Irving and Lebron. We don't know how their 4-year run will look given that their only in year 2.

 

[Mecca]

Even as close friends in Miami, James and Wade were an uneasy alliance on the court because both operate best with the ball in their hands. By the end of James' time in South Beach, the Heat were a better team with James running the show and Wade on the bench. As he ages, Wade makes even less sense from a basketball standpoint alongside so many other stars.

Paul would need to adapt too. He's used to constantly directing the Clippers' offense. According to SportVU tracking on NBA.com/Stats, only Damian Lillard(8.4 minutes per game) has had more time of possession with the basketball per game this season than Paul (8.3).

Based on that figure, Paul has the ball in his hands almost exactly half the time the Clippers are on offense. By contrast, Irving's time of possession suggests he has the ball barely a third of the time when the Cavaliers are on offense, with James possessing it more than a quarter of the time.


LeBron's superteam better than Warriors?

Cleveland's star trio has been good, but certainly not irreplaceable. As well as James, Love and Irving have played together, they're not even close to being the top three-man lineup this season. With a plus/minus rating of plus-9.5 per 100 possessions, the Big Three comes in at just 48th in the NBA. Cleveland actually has seven three-man combos with a higher plus/minus rating, led by James, Love and Matthew Dellavedova (plus-21.4).

Irving may be the first name for opposing GMs to call about. Players have supposedly grumbled about the guard's ball-hogging tendencies as of late. General manager David Griffin would sensibly consider bringing aboard a pass-first point guard, someone who also provides an upgrade on the defensive end.

Such a person does exist, and he has a good relationship with James.





Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images


Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul seems to check all the boxes that Cleveland needs. He's a hungry veteran that's never been to the Finals. He's also a far, far better distributor and defender than Irving.

For all the excitement surrounding the Cavs' Big Three and the massive expectations bestowed upon them, we still have no idea if they can win a title together. We at least have to give them a shot.

It's true that Paul would be a better fit for Cleveland in the present tense, but there's no ignoring the near seven-year age difference between he and Irving. The last time the NBA saw an oft-injured, shoot-first point guard with massive potential was in Golden State, and it seems to be working out for them.

While Irving won't make a gargantuan leap like Steph Curry, he does carry similar qualities in terms of ball-handling and offensive repertoire. Paul should have at least three or four good years left. Irving could enjoy 10 to 12.

 

[Heatles84]

Cleveland's star trio has been good, but certainly not irreplaceable. As well as James, Love and Irving have played together, they're not even close to being the top three-man lineup this season. With a plus/minus rating of plus-9.5 per 100 possessions, the Big Three comes in at just 48th in the NBA. Cleveland actually has seven three-man combos with a higher plus/minus rating, led by James, Love and Matthew Dellavedova (plus-21.4).

Irving may be the first name for opposing GMs to call about. Players have supposedly grumbled about the guard's ball-hogging tendencies as of late. General manager David Griffin would sensibly consider bringing aboard a pass-first point guard, someone who also provides an upgrade on the defensive end.

Such a person does exist, and he has a good relationship with James.



View attachment 101598

Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images


Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul seems to check all the boxes that Cleveland needs. He's a hungry veteran that's never been to the Finals. He's also a far, far better distributor and defender than Irving.

For all the excitement surrounding the Cavs' Big Three and the massive expectations bestowed upon them, we still have no idea if they can win a title together. We at least have to give them a shot.

It's true that Paul would be a better fit for Cleveland in the present tense, but there's no ignoring the near seven-year age difference between he and Irving. The last time the NBA saw an oft-injured, shoot-first point guard with massive potential was in Golden State, and it seems to be working out for them.

While Irving won't make a gargantuan leap like Steph Curry, he does carry similar qualities in terms of ball-handling and offensive repertoire. Paul should have at least three or four good years left. Irving could enjoy 10 to 12.

I agree with that article. Say Cleveland doesn't win this year, and the Cavs and Clips do a straight up trade of CP3 for Irving, it would definitely raise an eyebrow. The thing is, you essentially say you now only have a 2-3 year window to win a title. As much as Wiggy likes to point out, Kyrie still has about a decade of all-star ball left (so long as he can stay healthy). But Irving is a mediocre defender while CP3 is one of the best defensive guards in the league and is better suited to play next to Lebron.

 

[tlance]

I agree with that article. Say Cleveland doesn't win this year, and the Cavs and Clips do a straight up trade of CP3 for Irving, it would definitely raise an eyebrow. The thing is, you essentially say you now only have a 2-3 year window to win a title. As much as Wiggy likes to point out, Kyrie still has about a decade of all-star ball left (so long as he can stay healthy). But Irving is a mediocre defender while CP3 is one of the best defensive guards in the league and is better suited to play next to Lebron.

This is true, but a decade of all star ball is not getting the Cavs a title. When LeBron is on your roster, you have to think about today. That is why I will not knock them for the Wiggins/Love trade. It was a move they had to make regardless of how well it works.

 

[Mecca]

I agree with that article. Say Cleveland doesn't win this year, and the Cavs and Clips do a straight up trade of CP3 for Irving, it would definitely raise an eyebrow. The thing is, you essentially say you now only have a 2-3 year window to win a title. As much as Wiggy likes to point out, Kyrie still has about a decade of all-star ball left (so long as he can stay healthy). But Irving is a mediocre defender while CP3 is one of the best defensive guards in the league and is better suited to play next to Lebron.

You get it, Heatles.

That was exactly my point.

They would be mortgaging their future by trading for Paul.

But, he is better suited for that Team than Kyrie.

Plus, their window closes when Bron has a significant decline or hangs them up.

So, the 3 good years that Paul has left is a non issue.

 

[CodeBreaker]

this is why people have a hard time with you Wiggy.

Your analysis in other teams is often valid. Wade and LeBron were not good together. Neither are Bron and Kyrie. Regardless of whether he has the ball as much as he wants it, Kyrie does not play well without the ball. He is actually a much worse for Bron than Wade was, because at least Wade gives you one side of the court with his great defense.

Irving's efforts in offense are redundant because LeBron can do all the same things, only better.

And Wade knows how to move without the ball with those cuts through the baseline. Irving knows none of that.

 

[trojanfan12]

You get it, Heatles.

That was exactly my point.

They would be mortgaging their future by trading for Paul.

But, he is better suited for that Team than Kyrie.

Plus, their window closes when Bron has a significant decline or hangs them up.

So, the 3 good years that Paul has left is a non issue.

It's unlikely they will do it, but mortgaging the future may be exactly what they have to do to win a title while Lebron is there. It certainly doesn't look like they are going to be good enough to beat the Warriors or Spurs any time soon and other teams aren't going to stop trying to improve. With Lebron on the team, it's championship or bust.

They are in a similar situation to the Lakers when they made the Dwight/Nash trade to try and get at least one more title for Kobe. They had to go all in, even though they knew they were potentially screwing themselves for the foreseeable future if it didn't work.