2018 NBA offseason

[Wamu]

I could see him scoring around the same, but being more efficient at it (not that he was inefficient last year). Lebron's presence may mean fewer shots, but the shots he gets will be better looks.

A lot will be determined by how much scoring Lebron feels like he wants/needs to do.

Couple LeBron average a trip-dub for the season?

 

[trojanfan12]

i know, but i hated it when they did it with Julius Randle...

cats like Joel Embiid would eat him alive...

Not too worried about it. It would be mostly when the Lakers went to small ball.

 

[trojanfan12]

Couple LeBron average a trip-dub for the season?

If he wants to. I wouldn't want to see him expending that kind of energy this year though.

 

[tlance]

Who do you see playing the 4 primarily?

I am not sure it matters that much anymore.

How many teams play two legit post threats at the same time? Shoot, how many play 1?

Davis and Randle will be tough, but I think LBJ could guard either well enough. He would hate it, but he could do it.

 

[tlance]

NOT crazy about a 6'8" CENTER, but i guess we'll see where it goes...

Is it that you don't want a 6'8" center?

Or that you don't want THAT 6'8" center?

Or both?

 

[Black Adam]

Is it that you don't want a 6'8" center?

Or that you don't want THAT 6'8" center?

Or both?

Hmm...

In general, but yeah THAT one has something to do with it, too...

 

[Wamu]

If he wants to. I wouldn't want to see him expending that kind of energy this year though.

If he averaged 20+ points, 10+ assists & 10+ turnovers that wouldn't waste alotta energy.

 

[LAD]

I disagree...sort of.

I don't think the Lakers are as strong offensively as the Rockets. But I think that the Rockets are far worse defensively than they were last year.

I think the Lakers should have much better perimeter defense than they did last year, which is important vs. the Rockets.

I also think the Lakers will be better offensively than many seem to think because, just Lebron's presence on the floor will mean more open looks for the other guys. That's not even factoring in what a great passer he is.

Also, CP3 isn't THAT CP3 anymore. He's still very good, but he's not taking over games like he used to and likely can't play as many minutes.

If the Lakers and Rockets were to meet in the playoffs. I still think the Rockets would have the better team, but the Lakers would have the best player in the series.

We'd likely see the Rockets win in 6 or 7 games, but I don't think it would be a big shock if the Lakers pulled off the upset.

the problem I see the Lakers having in this match up is Hou wouldn't even need CP3 to be great. If they manage to keep Capela especially. I think the lakers perimeter defense that you mentioned would be greatly tested against this team - they shoot more 3's per game than many teams not named the Warriors combined. Having to defend that for 48 minutes makes for some heavy legs in the 2nd half of the game.

 

[flyerhawk]

I am not sure it matters that much anymore.

How many teams play two legit post threats at the same time? Shoot, how many play 1?

Davis and Randle will be tough, but I think LBJ could guard either well enough. He would hate it, but he could do it.

Regardless of all this discussion about positionless basketball, you still need guys to bang around in the paint. Call them a 4 or a 5 or a ham sandwich but you need to have some physicality. Unless you are the Warriors and you have 3 of the greatest shooters of all time.

This is especially true for the regular season where you have to grind out the games.

If Lebron is put into the paint regularly he is going to take a tremendous physical toll that he's never really been required to do in the past.

 

[LAD]

I could see him scoring around the same, but being more efficient at it (not that he was inefficient last year). Lebron's presence may mean fewer shots, but the shots he gets will be better looks.

A lot will be determined by how much scoring Lebron feels like he wants/needs to do.

I'm wondering if he will get better shots. The teams that defend well don't typically double LBJ & there aren't other shooters around him that would demand a double or triple team so...

 

[LAD]

If he averaged 20+ points, 10+ assists & 10+ turnovers that wouldn't waste alotta energy.

lol @ the 10+ turn overs

 

[msgkings322]

ehh.. not much of a bet in my opinion....add a 26 point scorer, AT A MINIMUM, and add other vets to the mix and I doubt Ingram gets the shots he got last year. Its just a simple numbers game.

I meant that this is like the 3rd bet you've offered today or something like that

 

[LAD]

If Lebron is put into the paint regularly he is going to take a tremendous physical toll that he's never really been required to do in the past.

Personally, I like that idea.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Is it that you don't want a 6'8" center?

Or that you don't want THAT 6'8" center?

Or both?

having lebron get beat up playing center is an incredibly stupid idea in the first place unless it is on a super-limited basis

 

[Kold]

lol...10 months from now when the Lakers strike out on Kawhi and Klay, they are going to be dying to give Kemba Walker a more expensive contract than Love--- and if they cant get Kemba they will be calling the Cavs about Love.

I think you have zero clue how much allstars are/will be getting paid in the NBA.

One of the main reasons why the Spurs wanted DeRozan was because he was signed up for 3 more years at 28M a year. That is going to look like a piss in a bucket compared to what a lot of guys are going to get next offseason.

Well, it's not just Klay, and Kawhi next year, there's alot of people out there. Whatever happens, happens with that situation. Even if we strike out, we're still in better position than the Cavs.

The Cavs have hamstrung themselves. Gave up the cap flexibility to try to save face for Lebron leaving, and now they'll have a team that may or may not end up being just good enough to keep them out of the lottery for years to come. Unless you think Love is bringing another star to Cleveland, it makes no sense whatsoever to do that deal. Instead of having Kevin Love as a trade piece for atleast something, he's pretty much there to stay. I mean, even you said that maintaining cap flexibility, and bottoming out was the way to go

 

[WiggyRuss]

Well, it's not just Klay, and Kawhi next year, there's alot of people out there. Whatever happens, happens with that situation. Even if we strike out, we're still in better position than the Cavs.

The Cavs have hamstrung themselves. Gave up the cap flexibility to try to save face for Lebron leaving, and now they'll have a team that may or may not end up being just good enough to keep them out of the lottery for years to come. Unless you think Love is bringing another star to Cleveland, it makes no sense whatsoever to do that deal. Instead of having Kevin Love as a trade piece for atleast something, he's pretty much there to stay. I mean, even you said that maintaining cap flexibility, and bottoming out was the way to go

1. most of what you are saying is correct- and it was ALL worth it- the last 5 years when the Lakers were licking the Clippers boots in their own arena, the Cavs were making finals and winning a title---- of course at the end of a run like that there is going to be some pain.

2. Love has more trade value today then he did 2 days ago without a doubt and its not even debatable.

They could get off that contract TOMORROW if they really wanted to and get value for it.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Not much, based on your posts.

 

[Black Adam]

1. most of what you are saying is correct- and it was ALL worth it- the last 5 years when the Lakers were licking the Clippers boots in their own arena, the Cavs were making finals and winning a title---- of course at the end of a run like that there is going to be some pain.

2. Love has more trade value today then he did 2 days ago without a doubt and its not even debatable.

They could get off that contract TOMORROW if they really wanted to and get value for it.

I have my doubts...

You're overvalueing Love I'm...

 

[DJ Fieri]

having lebron get beat up playing center is an incredibly stupid idea in the first place unless it is on a super-limited basis

I bet it won't be more than 7-8mpg in 2 minute intervals probably....

 

[DJ Fieri]

I have my doubts...

You're overvalueing Love I'm...

This.