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Do you think that LeBron is still the best player in the world? |
Yes |
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42% |
[ 56 ] |
No |
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57% |
[ 75 ] |
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Total Votes : 131 |
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quartzcharm Starting Rotation
Joined: 30 Mar 2016 Posts: 551
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:35 am Post subject: |
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Currently = no.
Can he get back to it? It's possible, but unlikely. |
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loslakersss Franchise Player
Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 11853 Location: LA
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:36 am Post subject: |
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Right now (not looking past this season) the only player better the Lebron is Kawhi. But that could change. |
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governator Retired Number
Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 25092
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:36 am Post subject: |
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Sentient Meat wrote: | governator wrote: | Sentient Meat wrote: | I would say that a motivated LBJ would have one last chance at being the greatest player in the world this season.
However, I have a feeling that Lakers fans all across Los Angeles will absolutely abuse Kawhi and Paul George everywhere they go, and this will create incredible motivation among both of them to prove the world wrong.
We are playing into their hands feeding this us against the world mentality.
What we should do, is simply ignore them as the Clippers are normally ignored... but we won't.
People will laugh at them, mock them, taunt them.
They will either rise to challenge and play like they've never played before... or perhaps fold under the pressure.
I'm not saying no one will love them or be excited to see them... they are stars so of course people will still flock to take selfies or get their autographs... but for every one of those... there will be two who crap on them and give them sh*t.
I'm not sure of the outcome but LBJ, PG, Kawhi will all be playing with a vengeance... AD, I'm not so sure... but he will need to find that motivation too.
It will be great theater though whatever happens. |
So we're not doing the Ha Hah Ha Hah Ha Hah (in Kawhi) everytime he touch the ball? |
Paul George was visibly shaken when we booed him after he joined OKC.
You could tell it was really important he was vindicated
Kawhi is just bad ass period.
Angering those two, is not good strategy... but it will happen, what can you do.
LBJ has been blasted all season for playing God with the team, so you know he will also be motivated.
My only question is whether AD will be at the same psychological intensity as the other three.
If he is, it will be incredible to watch. |
Title or bust |
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av3773 Star Player
Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 3752
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:40 am Post subject: |
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I think LeBron is going to win MVP this year, I think the Lakers are going to be very good next year, and be "better than expected"....
Our team is older, but they are basically all solid vets, which is exactly the kind of team Bron needs to excel at this point in his career. |
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Halflife Franchise Player
Joined: 15 Aug 2015 Posts: 16754
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:46 am Post subject: |
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By numbers maybe but imo kL surpasses him, but I always thought it would be AD. So maybe that happens this year |
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LakerSD Franchise Player
Joined: 10 Nov 2016 Posts: 23788
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:50 am Post subject: |
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No. He can in spurts.
Nothing wrong with it. Hard to dominate at 35 years of age in a young league. |
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deal Franchise Player
Joined: 17 Aug 2008 Posts: 14912 Location: Earth
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:53 am Post subject: |
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No, but he's still one of the better players in the league. _________________ Lakers need to build a freaking team ! |
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Sentient Meat Franchise Player
Joined: 04 Jul 2014 Posts: 12978
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:54 am Post subject: |
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LakerSD wrote: | No. He can in spurts.
Nothing wrong with it. Hard to dominate at 35 years of age in a young league. |
Michael Jordan was the best player in the world in 1998 and won the title at 35.
It's possible but probably his last shot.
Jordan retired after that for the second time so we don't know if he could have done it at 36. |
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MJST Retired Number
Joined: 06 Jul 2014 Posts: 26389
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:54 am Post subject: |
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ringfinger wrote: | If someone told you, you had to trade Lebron ... right now ... and whoever you traded him for would leave in 2 years no matter what...
Who would you trade him for? |
Kawhi Leonard, Giannis, Anthony Davis(but he's here) and a healthy Kevin Durant. _________________ How NBA 2K18 failed the All-Time Lakers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxMBYm3wwxk |
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LakerSD Franchise Player
Joined: 10 Nov 2016 Posts: 23788
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 7:00 am Post subject: |
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Sentient Meat wrote: | LakerSD wrote: | No. He can in spurts.
Nothing wrong with it. Hard to dominate at 35 years of age in a young league. |
Michael Jordan was the best player in the world in 1998 and won the title at 35.
It's possible but probably his last shot.
Jordan retired after that for the second time so we don't know if he could have done it at 36. |
Jordan also played in an older league due to team philosophies, rules, etc.
If anyone can it’s LeBron because the dude does invest a lot in maintaining his body and staying at peak as much as possible. He did however slack last year, at least relative to his high standards. He looked fat but he looks lean again so we will see. He seems more committed than last season and it’s probably because he is pissed off that media is not really considering him as the top player in the game anymore. |
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Sentient Meat Franchise Player
Joined: 04 Jul 2014 Posts: 12978
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 7:05 am Post subject: |
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LakerSD wrote: | Sentient Meat wrote: | LakerSD wrote: | No. He can in spurts.
Nothing wrong with it. Hard to dominate at 35 years of age in a young league. |
Michael Jordan was the best player in the world in 1998 and won the title at 35.
It's possible but probably his last shot.
Jordan retired after that for the second time so we don't know if he could have done it at 36. |
Jordan also played in an older league due to team philosophies, rules, etc.
If anyone can it’s LeBron because the dude does invest a lot in maintaining his body and staying at peak as much as possible. He did however slack last year, at least relative to his high standards. He looked fat but he looks lean again so we will see. He seems more committed than last season and it’s probably because he is pissed off that media is not really considering him as the top player in the game anymore. |
I'm not saying he will be.
Kawhi starts the season with the mantle on his head because of what he accomplished this year.
Giannis and Harden both failed pretty miserably in the playoffs. Embiid played with more heart.
So I'm not saying LBJ is the best player at this point.
I merely pointed out that after being humiliated this season and listening to millions of cracks thrown in his direction... he will be playing with a fire never seen before.
Problem is so will Kawhi and PG when the season starts and they get so much sh*t from their own city. |
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LakerSD Franchise Player
Joined: 10 Nov 2016 Posts: 23788
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 7:08 am Post subject: |
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No doubt. LBJ will be out to kill next season.
Edit: pissed off Lebron at the gym on Kobe time, 455AM today. |
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markjay Star Player
Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 3924 Location: O.C.
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:04 am Post subject: |
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I think it's entirely possible we will have the two best players in the NBA this season. AD had a monster season in 2017-2018. Last year he was affected by minutes restriction (to protect his trade value) and Pelicans drama. I wouldn't be surprised if he wins MVP this year.
LeBron may coast a bit on defense in the regular season, but will be shooting for finals MVP in the playoffs. |
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lakersboy Star Player
Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 8518 Location: Left coast
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:08 am Post subject: |
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Years ago, young Lebron scored 25 straight points against the Pistons. He used to salivate when a guy his height played him one on one away from the basket, because he knew guys his size couldn't keep up. More and more he's heaving long attempts early, or difficult fall aways at the end of shot clocks because his 1st step is now ordinary. Last season I saw him get his shot blocked by non centers far more than I've ever seen before. He can't blow past guys with his first step anymore, so to get to the rim he has to spin, or bully his way inside. He's far more dependent on his jump shot than ever, and he's beginning to resemble the way old Kobe reinvented the ways he scored before retiring.
That, and his inability to keep up with and be assigned to take on the opponent's top scorer is living proof of his decline. He's unwilling to run to open 3 pt shooter's, (perhaps because he hears the sound of the ESPN highlight music - da da da....da, da, da- in his head), and was notably shoved by Kuzma toward an open guy at one point.
I see a good player, but not the best in the world. |
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PrairieAve Star Player
Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 4209
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:27 am Post subject: |
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The best player in the world would take supporting talent like Anthony Davis, DMC and Kuzma straight to a championship. There's simply no other way around it. So we'll see what happens April-June 2020. _________________ -Avenue of the Champions- -RIP Dr Buss- #824 |
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LandsbergerRules Franchise Player
Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 11197 Location: The Other Perspective
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:35 am Post subject: |
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lakersboy wrote: | Years ago, young Lebron scored 25 straight points against the Pistons. He used to salivate when a guy his height played him one on one away from the basket, because he knew guys his size couldn't keep up. More and more he's heaving long attempts early, or difficult fall aways at the end of shot clocks because his 1st step is now ordinary. Last season I saw him get his shot blocked by non centers far more than I've ever seen before. He can't blow past guys with his first step anymore, so to get to the rim he has to spin, or bully his way inside. He's far more dependent on his jump shot than ever, and he's beginning to resemble the way old Kobe reinvented the ways he scored before retiring.
That, and his inability to keep up with and be assigned to take on the opponent's top scorer is living proof of his decline. He's unwilling to run to open 3 pt shooter's, (perhaps because he hears the sound of the ESPN highlight music - da da da....da, da, da- in his head), and was notably shoved by Kuzma toward an open guy at one point.
I see a good player, but not the best in the world. |
Yeah, his waning athleticism was pretty obvious. I remember even before his injury, he was unable to blow by Vince Carter at one point. Like pre-achilles old Kobe, he's still crafty enough to get his, but his time as the best player in the world has come and gone. I think he'll be a Top 5 player this season, a Top 10 next and be out of the elite group after that. _________________ "Chick lived and breathed Lakers basketball…but he was also fair and objective and called every game the way it was played."
-from Chick: His Unpublished Memoirs and the Memories of Those Who Knew Him |
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LandsbergerRules Franchise Player
Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 11197 Location: The Other Perspective
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:37 am Post subject: |
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Sentient Meat wrote: | LakerSD wrote: | No. He can in spurts.
Nothing wrong with it. Hard to dominate at 35 years of age in a young league. |
Michael Jordan was the best player in the world in 1998 and won the title at 35.
It's possible but probably his last shot.
Jordan retired after that for the second time so we don't know if he could have done it at 36. |
The break he had after the first three-peat helped a lot imo. He would've been beat the hell up by 35 if he kept going without that first retirement. _________________ "Chick lived and breathed Lakers basketball…but he was also fair and objective and called every game the way it was played."
-from Chick: His Unpublished Memoirs and the Memories of Those Who Knew Him |
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LandsbergerRules Franchise Player
Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 11197 Location: The Other Perspective
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:39 am Post subject: |
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UKUGA wrote: | Jordan won that last title at age 35, right?
I still think we have a shot to see 1-2 titles from Lebron forthcoming, and when he does it, people will say, "oh, yeah." |
Jordan was way more skilled and had less mileage than Lebron at 35, though. _________________ "Chick lived and breathed Lakers basketball…but he was also fair and objective and called every game the way it was played."
-from Chick: His Unpublished Memoirs and the Memories of Those Who Knew Him |
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CRoost Star Player
Joined: 21 Mar 2017 Posts: 4798
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:53 am Post subject: |
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Last year he was in a cruise mode just waiting for the playoff that never came and humbled him. So I believe he has enough motivation and put more effort especially defensively. He’s definitely not that prime Lebron but I believe he still had enough tank to get it done. |
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ringfinger Retired Number
Joined: 08 Oct 2013 Posts: 29418
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 10:58 am Post subject: |
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governator wrote: | ringfinger wrote: | If someone told you, you had to trade Lebron ... right now ... and whoever you traded him for would leave in 2 years no matter what...
Who would you trade him for? |
hmm... I would say nobody |
That’s my thought too.
Surprised there are people who would ship off Lebron for 2 years of Jimmy Butler.
Ok, well, no I’m not. |
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venturalakersfan Retired Number
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144474 Location: The Gold Coast
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:26 am Post subject: |
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I haven’t thought that for the past two seasons _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023. |
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ReaListik Star Player
Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 6569
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:26 am Post subject: |
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LeBron is the best player in the world and will remind everyone of that this season. I believe he will be on a mission to annihilate the Scissors of San Go Diego Go _________________ "We are the goodest." - Shaq ESPN interview |
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yinoma2001 Retired Number
Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:27 am Post subject: |
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I think he'll be a top 5 MVP candidate this year.
I don't think he's the top NBA player right now, but I have him probably in the top 7. I think AD will also have a monster year and be a top 10 player. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals |
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kikanga Retired Number
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29354 Location: La La Land
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:31 am Post subject: |
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I hope he's Kobe in the '09 and '10 seasons. Not the best regular season player. But definitely the best playoff player. _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better” |
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yinoma2001 Retired Number
Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:39 am Post subject: |
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kikanga wrote: | I hope he's Kobe in the '09 and '10 seasons. Not the best regular season player. But definitely the best playoff player. |
Yessir. We have a deep team that hopefully can help our guys rest better.
Get me Iggy and we have a very complete team. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals |
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