Series Thread: 2) Phoenix Suns vs 7) LA Lakers

[fightinfunbags]

I think no AD means the appearance of Playoff LeBron even earlier than expected. I think he wanted to coast a bit and let the other pieces get comfortable before he went into take over mode. The need to win 2 of 3 minus AD and two of them being on the road says LeBron goes next level from here on out.

 

[DJ Fieri]

If AD doesn’t play i would be glad to make one for you

It wouldn't be impossible for the Lakers to win but James would have to dial it back to when he was 28-30 and we'd need several others to play well....but I'm not taking your bait.

 

[DJ Fieri]

I think no AD means the appearance of Playoff LeBron even earlier than expected. I think he wanted to coast a bit and let the other pieces get comfortable before he went into take over mode. The need to win 2 of 3 minus AD and two of them being on the road says LeBron goes next level from here on out.

AD isn't ruled out for the next 2-3 games, just the next one.

 

[fightinfunbags]

AD isn't ruled out for the next 2-3 games, just the next one.

It’s a groin dude. If they rush him back too early he won’t be effective and he can exacerbate the issue further.

 

[DJ Fieri]

However, for those that want to write us off....there's this.

1-James has never lost a series in the first round of the playoffs.

2-"When I competed against the Miami Heat, and either [Dwyane] Wade or [Chris] Bosh was out, that meant more touches for Bron," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. "And that wasn't always a good thing for my Pacers teams."

 

[DJ Fieri]

It’s a groin dude. If they rush him back too early he won’t be effective and he can exacerbate the issue further.

He's day to day.

 

[fightinfunbags]

He's day to day.

Is he really though? Or is that playoff gamesmanship so Phoenix has to deflect some of their prep for with AD or without AD? I guess there’s the possibility that the report is wrong and it isn’t a groin strain.

 

[Sparhawk]

He's day to day.

Aren't we all????

 

[DJ Fieri]

Aren't we all????

LOL.

 

[dtgold88]

What happened to AD?

Did his Kevin Love impersonation?

Happy, @Stakesarehigh ?

 

[dtgold88]

Its obviously still extremely early in the post season

but-

LeBron so far--- 20.7, 9.3, 5.7 on 50% shooting. 16 shots per game

last year 27.6, 8.8, 10.8 56% 18.2 shots per game

previous year 34.0, 9.0, 9.0 53.9% 23.2 shots per game

previous year 32.8, 7.8, 9.0 56.5% 21.3 shots per game

previous year 26.3, 7.6, 9.8 52.5% 19.9 shots per game

previous year 30.1, 8.5, 11.3 41.7% 27.2 shots per game

LeBron is obviously still great. But I no longer think this is top of his game LeBron. You used to be terrified to face LeBron in the post season. That feeling of invincibility and that he can just do ridiculous things doesnt seem to be there right now.

Yep...even with AD down he wouldn't just take over like he has in the past. Maybe he's a little more hurt than we are being told, as well.

 

[dtgold88]

However, for those that want to write us off....there's this.

1-James has never lost a series in the first round of the playoffs.

2-"When I competed against the Miami Heat, and either [Dwyane] Wade or [Chris] Bosh was out, that meant more touches for Bron," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. "And that wasn't always a good thing for my Pacers teams."

This could be true....but he needed to take over and shoot more yesterday if he can be that guy still. and he didn't. Maybe knowing he needs to do it from the start and he has a different mindset.

 

[Black Adam]

Aren't we all????

lmao helluva good point...

 

[DJ Fieri]

This could be true....but he needed to take over and shoot more yesterday if he can be that guy still. and he didn't. Maybe knowing he needs to do it from the start and he has a different mindset.

He had 21 FGA's.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Schroder and Kuzma were a combined 7 of 24.....that's the reason we lost.

We lost by 8 points.

 

[tlance]

However, for those that want to write us off....there's this.

1-James has never lost a series in the first round of the playoffs.

2-"When I competed against the Miami Heat, and either [Dwyane] Wade or [Chris] Bosh was out, that meant more touches for Bron," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. "And that wasn't always a good thing for my Pacers teams."

This isn’t the same LeBron.

He is 36 and doesn’t appear close to 100% either.

I don’t expect him to be able to will the Lakers to victory. He is going to need a lot of help.

Maybe he proves me wrong, but he doesn’t look like the same player who was top MVP candidate prior to getting hurt.

 

[Black Adam]

Schroder and Kuzma were a combined 7 of 24.....that's the reason we lost.

We lost by 8 points.

double K's has definitely not been all that good lately to say the least, but Schroeder for sure needs to step his game up...

 

[trojanfan12]

Is he really though? Or is that playoff gamesmanship so Phoenix has to deflect some of their prep for with AD or without AD? I guess there’s the possibility that the report is wrong and it isn’t a groin strain.

Depends on the severity of the strain.

To be fully healed, it takes about 4-8 weeks of rest.

But with lots of treatment, rest in between and some pain meds, he should be able to play. It likely would effect his perimeter game the most. Particularly his ability to use quick bursts to beat someone off the dribble. Running straight ahead or even sliding side to side should be fine as long as he doesn't have to stretch his legs out too far.

The biggest concern is that he could aggravate it to the point where he's lost for the rest of the playoffs.

With some adjustments and an earlier than planned appearance from "Playoff Lebron", they can probably use their size to get past the Suns and either Denver or Portland...but they're not getting out of the West without AD.

 

[trojanfan12]

double K's has definitely not been all that good lately to say the least, but Schroeder for sure needs to step his game up...

Now would be a good time for KCP to recover from the knee contusion and remember that he was a 41% shooter from 3 this season.

 

[Black Adam]

Now would be a good time for KCP to recover from the knee contusion and remember that he was a 41% shooter from 3 this season.

Yup. KC3 mode would be very helpful right now...