2018-2019 NBA Regular Season Thread

[flyerhawk]

First, I think he did want it in Cleveland. But they never really got it. Either LeBron wasn't patient/trusting enough or the coaches didn't do their job well enough, or both, but things always evolved into LeBron pounding the rock and controlling every posession. (Which honestly isn't a terrible thing).

If you keep reverting to the same behavior, it's hard to argue that you want to do something different.

I want to go to the gym everyday. At least I tell myself that. But my actions suggest I don't really want to go to the gym everday.

In terms of LeBron being older... it might be counter-intuitive but I think a free-flowing transition offense is much less taxing on him than one where LeBron holds the ball, iso-ing and pick-and-rolling every trip down the floor. It also makes keeping LeBrons minutes down MUCH more doable, as we've already seen.

It is more than counter-intuitive, it is counter-factual based on the play of every other star that got older. Players in their 30s lose burst speed and energy levels first. Strength they can maintain for sometime. Sprinting up and down the court is a huge wear on players.

 

[Mecca]

I have a question.

Given how well the Twolves have played since they traded Butler and given how average the Spurs have been would Pop have been better off taking a trade of Saric, Covington and change for Kawhi instead of DeRozan?

Demar is their #1.

So, I don't think so.

Aldridge, Saric, Covington.....

I'd probably not watch a single Spurs game with that lineup.

Don't misunderstand:

I'm not saying they would be worse.

Just way more boring.

 

[shopson67]

Everything that Lonzo does well, LeBron does better.

So, he's redundant.

Who can't you say that about?

 

[flyerhawk]

I'm not a fan of Derozan. Do the Spurs get to keep Danny Green in this scenario? Also, Poeltl is being ignored here (who has been solid for them) and the Spurs also got a protected 1st.

Well the Sixers would have had the cap space to take on Kawhi so they wouldn't have needed Green to balance the money. I forgot about Poetl who you can include as well.

 

[WiggyRuss]

What makes you say that?

I disagree, I think a fast, ball movement offense is exactly what Magic, Luke, and LeBron all want.

In key moments, and at the end of games, of course, you use LeBron's ability to control the game and you can revert to Cleveland offense. But for the rest of the game, I think a fast, moving offense is what they want.

i think he was alluding to the fact that LeBron prob. doesnt want to be running up and down the court with a million miles on his odometer and turning 34 this month.

 

[shopson67]

Just way more boring.

...which is when they typically have been at their best?

 

[WiggyRuss]

Who can't you say that about?

cryrie

 

[Shanemansj13]

all that he may be, but i'll STILL take him on MY squad...

Thanks for the obvious

 

[gordontrue]

Shams reporting that the Rockets are emerging partner in a possible 4-team Ariza-KCP deal.

KCP to Houston

Ariza to LAL

Knight and a pick to unnamed 4th team

Its unclear to me what PHX would be getting back. Salary filler plus a pick I guess?

 

[shopson67]

cryrie

What does Kyrie do better than Lebron? A slight edge in 3%?

 

[Shanemansj13]

He has IMPRESSIVE athleticism at 275, but I'm not putting him in a class with Lebron. Already being 275 at that height could be a red flag. Blake Griffin is a closer comparison IMO, and still that weight is an outlier (and not necessarily in a good way; he could continuously deal with knee/ankle/foot injuries).

Athleticism wise AT HIS SIZE he is off the charts. Griffin is a pretty good comprarison actually but he is 4” shorter. Like I said, I have never seen a player at 6’6” 275 with his athleticism, some mentioned Larry Johnson and that’s about as close as it gets imo

 

[gordontrue]

i think he was alluding to the fact that LeBron prob. doesnt want to be running up and down the court with a million miles on his odometer and turning 34 this month.

But what if it means that the offense can survive without him and he can average a career-low in minutes? He comes out on top in terms of "mileage".

 

[Mecca]

Similarly, Lebron wouldn't have to handle the ball as much if they deferred that to Lonzo and let him set up the offense, making Lebron more of scorer instead of setting up the offense. That Lonzo CAN do right now, but everyone makes it sound like sacrilege to take the ball out of Lebron's hands ever.

Why sign Lebron if you are gonna take the ball out of his hands?

Like, seriously....

Did you really believe LeBron was gonna play off the ball?

I know that's what the Lakers want.

But, did you think LeBron would be amenable?

Everything Lonzo is good at, LeBron is GREAT at.


It was inevitable that LeBron would revert back to dominating the ball.

If he wouldn't give it up to Kyrie or Wade, it's not surprising that he won't let Lonzo be the primary ball handler.

 

[msgkings322]

Seattle Suns does not work at all as a team name. Almost as bad as Utah Jazz

 

[LAD]

Similarly, Lebron wouldn't have to handle the ball as much if they deferred that to Lonzo and let him set up the offense, making Lebron more of scorer instead of setting up the offense. That Lonzo CAN do right now, but everyone makes it sound like sacrilege to take the ball out of Lebron's hands ever.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this was the original plan - LBJ to play more off the ball. If it was, it certainly didn't last long.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Shams reporting that the Rockets are emerging partner in a possible 4-team Ariza-KCP deal.

KCP to Houston

Ariza to LAL

Knight and a pick to unnamed 4th team

Its unclear to me what PHX would be getting back. Salary filler plus a pick I guess?

Giving up KCP for Ariza would be a HUGE win for the Lakers. It’s exactly what they need

 

[Mecca]

But what if it means that the offense can survive without him and he can average a career-low in minutes? He comes out on top in terms of "mileage".

Yeah, agree 100%

 

[Mecca]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this was the original plan - LBJ to play more off the ball. If it was, it certainly didn't last long.

Yes, that was always the plan.

Magic even reiterated it last week.

LeBron is still doing him.

Is this shocking?

They were struggling, he took over.

Now they aren't.

 

[gordontrue]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this was the original plan - LBJ to play more off the ball. If it was, it certainly didn't last long.

There are times when LeBron reverts and the offense stalls.

Sometimes thats good - like at the end of game and in key moments. This is deliberate by the whole team.

Other times its not good.

Time will tell what wins out, but I see no indication that the plan has changed or won't ultimately suceed. If anything, things are going in the right direction. Lakers currently rank #4 in pace.

 

[LAD]

What does Kyrie do better than Lebron? A slight edge in 3%?

Better shooter, closes games & shoots F/Ts better.