Joined: 15 Mar 2002 Posts: 7276 Location: Sovngarde
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 8:04 pm Post subject:
JPaulK0n wrote:
adkindo wrote:
JPaulK0n wrote:
Quote:
Jerry West: "All due respect to the Lakers, who handled everything well, but, as these things go, LeBron was not a tough free-agent signing. LeBron wanted to come to L.A. and he wanted to come to the Lakers. Period. He has a family he's thinking about. He has a home here."
First Zach Lowe, West, and now the media are saying that everyone knew that LeBron was going to the Lakers, so its not even an accomplishment. The lengths the media and the rest of the league goes out their way to discredit the Lakers is something else.
I partially agree in a sense....I think Jeanie, Magic and Pelinka were extremely important through both reputation and an improved perception of the organization.....for that they deserve a ton of credit. I do not think we get Lebron without them. That being said, I think LA was his choice, and the Lakers just had to be acceptable to him.
It's just funny because if you use the logic West used, than Jerry West's whole Lakers run can be viewed the same way, as Shaq went to LA because of all the off the court Hollywood opportunities, Kobe forced his way as a rookie to play in LA, Magic wasn't going to declare for the 1979 draft if the Bulls ended up with the number one pick instead of the Lakers, Kareem demanding to be traded to the Lakers to play in LA, etc. I just think its sour grapes by West and the media to now say its all because of Lakers exceptionalism when the league and media have been boasting for the past 5 years that being a big market doesn't matter anymore in today's social media age, and now crying foul of LeBron joining the Lakers because it's in LA.
LAbron would not have come to the Lakers if Maginka did not have a draft that netted potentially 3 all star players. Yes, he wanted to be here, but he was never coming to a losing situation. _________________ The great Laker Center Tradition continues.....Mikan, Wilt, Kareem, Shaq, Gasol, AD....Gasol.
Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 31789 Location: Anaheim, CA
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 8:09 pm Post subject:
trablos wrote:
ChickenStu wrote:
Dammit, Pincus just corrected himself, it's a player option. I guess Stephen A was wrong lol.
Eric Pincus
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LeBron James has a straight up max deal starting at $35.7 mil w/a player option on the final year, 15% trade kicker - last year earns $41 mil @BBallInsiders LA Lakers
I mean, of course we would all do this again 10 out of 10 times, but that 41 mil for a 37 y.o Lebron is gonna be pretty ugly.
Kareem finished 4th in the MVP vote in his age-37 season (1984-85). Let's hope that LeBron stays healthy and can age like Cap.
Think people are being a bit overly ambitious with Lebron at center but we'll see how it turns out.
Ambitious with his ability to play it, or ambitious with his willingness to play it?
Both, although he clearly has the ability. Will he be willing to do the dirty work required defensively to keep other teams honest? Will Luke even want to put him at center?
Think people are being a bit overly ambitious with Lebron at center but we'll see how it turns out.
Ambitious with his ability to play it, or ambitious with his willingness to play it?
Both, although he clearly has the ability. Will he be willing to do the dirty work required defensively to keep other teams honest? Will Luke even want to put him at center?
There are so many teams that play their fowards at center for extended periods of time, I even remember 5 guard lineups from last season, only a few teams go big anymore and when they do Mcgee will make them pay for doing so.
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 40345 Location: Dirty South
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 9:03 pm Post subject:
Lucky_Shot wrote:
defense wrote:
ChickenStu wrote:
adkindo wrote:
defense wrote:
Think people are being a bit overly ambitious with Lebron at center but we'll see how it turns out.
Ambitious with his ability to play it, or ambitious with his willingness to play it?
Both, although he clearly has the ability. Will he be willing to do the dirty work required defensively to keep other teams honest? Will Luke even want to put him at center?
There are so many teams that play their fowards at center for extended periods of time, I even remember 5 guard lineups from last season, only a few teams go big anymore and when they do Mcgee will make them pay for doing so.
more in the playoffs.....during the season, most teams have a legit big on the court most of the game for the first 3.5 Quarters.
LeBron at center to close games is something that is definitely going to happen this year if he's willing. He can't play the 5 for long stretches but for the last 3 minutes of a game he can definitely get the job done.
Rondo-KCP-BI-LeBron-McGee
Lonzo-Hart-Lance-Kuzma-Zubac (Caruso-the other 2way-Svi-Bonga-Mo)
Lonzo/Rondo might be flipped but that 2nd unit might be one of the best in the league, up there with GS and Celtics
I would start Lonzo but either way, that bench is insane once you sub Moe for Zubac.
unless Ball is terrible in camp....I would start him....just think in the big picture, Ball's confidence and development are much more important. That is why it makes me uneasy about telling Rondo it is an open competition...because chances are high he will not be "cool with it" if he feels slighted or cheated.
Same.
Rondo running the 2nd unit feels right while Lonzo can get live action with LeBron and then guys he's familiar with in KCP and BI.
What if magic plans on using lebron in that Julius Randle role. Lebron as the small ball 5 would change the game. I think you are forced to go small and match up with him.
Lebron
Kuzma
Ingram
KCP
Lonzo
Lebron + Lonzo PnR
Lebron + Kuzma PnR
Lebron running the PnR from the 5
We could force teams to play our way if lebron is ok with it.
Teams with players like embiid would be pissed. You can’t hide embiid anywhere defensively against that lineup. No matter what he’s out of the paint
A lot of his defensive highlights are in the paint
No way they start games with that lineup against teams that start a C with traditional size. They'd practically be begging him to wear himself out and get injured.
Not to begin games, no, but definitely to end most games.
That is CLEARLY the best lineup (with Rondo and Hart able to supplant Ball and Pope), and it is CLEARLY the lineup the front office has eyed as the game changing lineup like the OP has stated.
The idea is completely reasonable, and it really shouldn’t be fought like it’s being fought. I suppose people really do have to see it to believe before they get on board.
I don't think LeBron wants oris the best choice to close games at C. Can he match on the glass or defend in the post guys like with A. Davis, Cousins, Capela, Jokic, Aldrige Towns or even Nurkic? These are likely the other centers that will be in the playoffs in the west.
He is against the Warriors when Green is at C. That would also give him time off on defense.
Not if Cousins replaces Igoudala in that lineup.
Cousins is coming off a major injury and most certainly won't be the same guy anymore. I would expect him to be a lot easier to deal with next season.
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