LeBron is no longer an elite one on one defender

[JohnMax]

it's no coincidence Deng has a big game with lebron being his primary defender

[Im so nba'd out]

BREAKING NEWS!This just in water is wet we will have more on this story as it develops

[pauk]

I named my walrus Ruby after this thread. I had to bury him last week (herpes). Every time i read this thread, I can't help but tear up.

[masonanddixon]

He was never a good or even average one on one defender. He was simply in the perfect system in Miami.

[Bandito]

He never was a good defender dum dum.

[sportjames23]

I wouldn't say Lebron isn't a good defender, but when was he ever elite?

[I.R.Beast]

he never was a good one on one defender.. Plays defense far too flat footed.

[Megabox!]

His defense has been pretty shit this year. Occasionally having a few good defensive sequences but overall he's lacking effort on that side of the floor.

[Mass Debator]

Even a 34 year old Battier was on another level than LeBron. C+ to B- type of grade. Solid from 1-3 and below average guarding 4s.

[SexSymbol]

He was never elite.
He could be solid when he turned it up, and pretty much terrible one on one for his whole career

[STATUTORY]

he was also never an elite one on one scorer

[imdaman99]

As stated 10 times already in this thread, he was never elite. Miami system was a great defense where everyone bought in, it masked some of his shortcomings such as being able to stay in front of his man. Look how bad Cleveland looks on the defensive end. Was that the problem when he was last on Cleveland? No.

When KG came to the Celtics, he single handedly brought a defensive culture to the team and forced average defenders like Pierce and Allen to play defense...KG was a great defender.

[lilteapot]

Lebron was elite in 2012, but I agree. He's not been any good this year.

[3ball]

lebron had 30 and 8 last night.. for him, that's a big offensive output.

oh wait, you were talking about defense.. nvm

in that case, yeah, his elite defense days are over - lasted less than 5 years.

[GimmeThat]

Kevin Love is trash/garbage

[HurricaneKid]

He never was a good defender dum dum.


Too many stupid people suggesting this. Time to call you all out for the idiots you are. Just last Finals LeBron would guard Parker and Pop's response was to put Parker in the corner to remove LeBron from the equation. Because that was better than having LeBron wreaking havoc defensively. And that was in a season he was pretty mediocre. His top gear is still mighty impressive.

But yes, he certainly doesn't currently appear to be as good as he was and rarely gets in to that top gear.

What he was miserable at is chasing after shooters off the ball. THAT he struggles with.

[sd3035]

Bran was never even close to being a good one on one defender. He tried to promote himself as a lockdown defender one year, and some of the BSPN writers took the bait

[nba_55]

Bran was never even close to being a good one on one defender. He tried to promote himself as a lockdown defender one year, and some of the BSPN writers took the bait

Except for when he shut down MVP Rose or Paul George or Tony Parker or Pierce...

[tpols]

Lebrons never been a truly elite one on one defender. He has a niche strength in guarding small guards who cannot shoot, but usually just very good help defense.

Jason Terry, kawhis Leonard, Joe Johnson, Paul George, Paul Pierce when he was still in his prime.. All guys who could do well to great against lebrons defense. LeBron isnt great at closing distance and sticking like glue, so it always leaves a little room to shoot that star shooters can take advantage of.. If the star player lebrons defending has a mediocre or poor shot he can just shade and use his size to block driving lanes rendering the player ineffective.. Settling for long shots they aren't great at making. Which is why his only true 'conquests' were Derrick Rose, and Tony Parker at the end of a tough series with a sprained hamstring.

[NattyPButter]

I always wondered why other forums said this forum is horrible. Most of u just say the dumbest shit about Lebron, Kobe. Ect. Nothing but trolling and no real basketball knowledge. I believe some of u actually believe the crap u say about players.

[Mass Debator]

Too many stupid people suggesting this. Time to call you all out for the idiots you are. Just last Finals LeBron would guard Parker and Pop's response was to put Parker in the corner to remove LeBron from the equation. Because that was better than having LeBron wreaking havoc defensively. And that was in a season he was pretty mediocre. His top gear is still mighty impressive.

But yes, he certainly doesn't currently appear to be as good as he was and rarely gets in to that top gear.

What he was miserable at is chasing after shooters off the ball. THAT he struggles with.
What happened last year? It's clear as day that he was never an elite man on man defender. You can't believe that he can stop Parker from 0-48. He was put on Parker because he can guard 1s solid enough to promote a change up that the other player has to adapt to on the fly. This same change up was utilized on Lebron with Kawhi, Diaw, Green, Tiago, Kidd, Marion, Terry, and even Barea. How many players have went off in the finals when Lebron was their defensive assignment? Like others have said, Lebron can't guard shooters effectively. He relies on his size and close out speed so he gives players too much space sometimes.

Team defense is another matter. He was great at that and still pretty good with flashes.

[Keno]

lebron doesn't try on defense in the regular season.

[MiseryCityTexas]

Lebron should've stuck to the post up game like he did in Miami, because he clearly can't drive past his opponent like a freak of nature like he used to do in 2006.

[Kvnzhangyay]

Lebron should've stuck to the post up game like he did in Miami, because he clearly can't drive past his opponent like a freak of nature like he used to do in 2006.

I feel like he's still fast enough but the diet must have done something because he can't finish anymore