MYTH: Lebron struggles against single coverage defense

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This is a myth

He absolutely killed San Antonio in 2014 and 2013. It was not his inability to take advantage of the single coverage, more that he did not have sufficient help. 2015 his team lost 3 starters and he had to play insane minutes, and shoulder a massive load... The fatigue was evident by the finals. Not to mention his shot was off too but he was so fatigued and had an interrupted season.

Just go watch Lebron in 2014 finals

And don't give me that "he didn't score when the lead was 10 or less... That's because he is a team player and he was always bringing the lead back to single digits, but his teammates weren't hitting the shots Lebron was passing to them.

Adequate spacing + Good supporting cast + no fatigue = 2012-2014 Lebron with a jump shot, destroying single coverage while still getting his team involved

[poido123]

Locked down by fat boy Boris.




Next.


P.S. stop making stupid Lebron threads you retard

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19tmNPz8c9I

When he gets the shot back next season after an uninterrupted off season he'll be back to his best

[dubeta]

Can someone post Kobe's single coverage finals fg%?

[JT123]

Can someone post Kobe's single coverage finals fg%?
It's bad. Very very bad.:(

[3ball]

This is a myth

He absolutely killed San Antonio in 2014 and 2013.


False.. Lebron's 2013 Finals average was 25 ppg on 44.8% shooting - that isn't killing SA... In that series, he scored less than 20 points in each of the first 3 games (18, 17, and 18 points).

In 2014 Finals, Lebron only attempted 17 shots per game on mostly 3-and-D to protect his fg%... He barely went 1-on-1 at all in the 2014 Finals.

Otoh, in 2015 Finals, he took 33 shots per game, which required far more 1-on-1 and midrange - you simply can't get 33 fga on all 3-and-D... Unfortunately, it's a statistical FACT that Lebron has horrible efficiency at the additional midrange and isolations required of high volume shooting, which means he isn't capable of good efficiency at high volume.. His poor efficiency at high volume doomed any chance of his team winning the Finals.
.

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False.. Lebron's 2013 Finals average was 25 ppg on 44.8% shooting - that isn't killing SA... In that series, he scored less than 20 points in each of the first 3 games (18, 17, and 18 points).

In 2014 Finals, Lebron only attempted 17 shots per game on mostly 3-and-D to protect his fg%... He barely went 1-on-1 at all in the 2014 Finals.

Otoh, in 2015 Finals, he took 33 shots per game, which required far more 1-on-1 and midrange - you simply can't get 33 fga on all 3-and-D... Unfortunately, Lebron's has horrible efficiency at the additional midrange and isolations required of high volume shooting, which means he isn't capable of good efficiency at high volume.. His poor efficiency at high volume doomed any chance of his team winning the Finals.. Certainly, if he had 50% on the wide open clearouts he got over and over again, the Cavs would've won easily.

[/QUOTE]
Wrong

Lebron's jumper was off in 2013 for the first few games

It happens

Jordan shot below 50% in the 96 finals too

2014 was 99% single coverage

2015 was massive fatigue which cause for tired legs and inconsistent jumper

He was up against a team that played 12 deep, compared to 6-8 deep

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MJ shot 40% 27 points in 1996 finals

This was with the #1 ranked supporting cast of all time, all of which were healthy

[3ball]

2014 was 99% single coverage


you're not getting it - if Lebron is only going to take 17 shots per game, you don't need to double team him.. He's not a threat for a big game..

so OF COURSE he was single-covered in the 2014 Finals - Popovich isn't an idiot... he isn't going to double someone that only takes 17 shots per game.. Pop EXPLOITED Lebron's low shot attempts/efficiency-protecting approach by not doubling and staying at home on teammates to shut them down.

also, since Lebron only took 17 shots, he was able to get them all on 3-and-D... He didn't need to go 1-on-1 at such a low volume - he waited for open 3's and used screen-roll.





2015 was massive fatigue which cause for tired legs and inconsistent jumper


So, you're saying he sucked... I agree..

He employed the most stat-friendly, clearout, playground style I've ever seen and still only shot 39%, including 27% outside of 5 feet... That might be the worst of all time.

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39% for 36 points 2015 finals

40% for 27 points 1996 finals

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

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Age - 33 years, 4 months

27.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 41.5 FG%, 31.6 3P%, 83.6 FT%, 3 TO


Kobe Bryant's stats through 7 games in the 2010 NBA Finals:

Age - 31 years, 10 months

28.6 PPG, 8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 40.5 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 88.3 FT%, 3.9 TO

[3ball]

MJ shot 40% 27 points in 1996 finals


Sure, let's compare each player's worst Finals:


*MJ 1996: 27 ppg on 42%

Kobe 2000: 15 ppg on 35%
Kobe 2004: 22 ppg on 39%

Lebron 2007: 22 ppg on 35%
Lebron 2011: 17 ppg on 47%


* MJ's #2 option Pippen averaged 15 ppg on 34% shooting, which is the worst all-time for a 2nd option

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ESPN Stats & Info ✔@ESPNStatsInfo
LeBron James Leads Both Teams - NBA Finals
PPG 35.8
APG 8.8
RPG 13.3
>>1st to lead in all categories in Finals history

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Tom Haberstroh ✔@tomhaberstroh
Without LeBron James on the floor this series.
JR Smith 0/9 FG
Delly 0/7 FG
J. Jones 0/3 FG
Shumpert 0/2 FG
Total 0/21 FG

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Tom Haberstroh ✔@tomhaberstroh
Highest Pct of Team Points Finals History.
1993 Michael Jordan 38.4%
2015 LeBron James 38.3%

[dubeta]

Not only was MJ's 27 points bad, but he only shot 40%


LeBron in 2014 outscored AND was MUCH more efficient than MJ


LeBron in 2015 scored 33% more, and got TWICE the amount of rebounds and assists than MJ, while shooting the SAME efficiency






Overall LeBron VASTLY outperformed MJ in 2014 and 2015 its not even close

[kennethgriffin]

Age - 33 years, 4 months

27.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 41.5 FG%, 31.6 3P%, 83.6 FT%, 3 TO


Kobe Bryant's stats through 7 games in the 2010 NBA Finals:

Age - 31 years, 10 months

28.6 PPG, 8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 40.5 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 88.3 FT%, 3.9 TO



the difference is kobe shot 41% on mostly long jumpers

while lebron shot 27% from beyond 5 feet

[3ball]

Tom Haberstroh ✔@tomhaberstroh
Highest Pct of Team Points Finals History.
1993 Michael Jordan 38.4%
2015 LeBron James 38.3%
Right, except MJ won his series because he shot 51% against double-teams, while Lebron shot 39% against single-coverage and wide open clearouts.

[GIF REACTION]

Sure, let's compare each player's worst Finals:


*MJ 1996: 27 ppg on 42%

Kobe 2000: 15 ppg on 35%
Kobe 2004: 22 ppg on 39%

Lebron 2007: 22 ppg on 35%
Lebron 2011: 17 ppg on 47%


* MJ's #2 option Pippen averaged 15 ppg on 34% shooting, which is the worst all-time for a 2nd option
Lebron played a 2nd option role in 2011, evident by his efficiency and USG numbers

Compare Jordan's supporting casts to Lebron's in 2007/2014/2015

It's easier to score with a better team around you

It's also better to make the finals than to not

2007 is to be celebrated for the one man carry, just like 2015

Jordan never got to the finals without a strong supporting cast

[LiLharvard]

I believe it is fact, through 2006-2010, Old Paul Pierce was effectively a Lebron stopper.

[dubeta]

the difference is kobe shot 41% on mostly long jumpers

while lebron shot 27% from beyond 5 feet


So what?


LeBron shot like 60% in the paint, while Kobe shot like 40% in the paint.


Why isnt Kobe skilled enough to shoot a high percentage in the paint?


He's the same size as lebron, yet shoots 20% worse in the paint :biggums:

[Bankaii]

Sure, let's compare each player's worst Finals:


*MJ 1996: 27 ppg on 42%

Kobe 2000: 15 ppg on 35%
Kobe 2004: 22 ppg on 39%

Lebron 2007: 22 ppg on 35%
Lebron 2011: 17 ppg on 47%


* MJ's #2 option Pippen averaged 15 ppg on 34% shooting, which is the worst all-time for a 2nd option
It's adorable how you cherry pick every single post.
In what world does MJ's 41.5% round up to 42%, but Lebron's 17.8 on 47.8% not round up to 18 on 48%?
You didn't round up for Kobe either.
It's such a small difference but you're a Sneaky little bastard.

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Right, except MJ won his series because he shot 51% against double-teams, while Lebron shot 39% against single-coverage and wide open clearouts.
MJ won his series because he had a strong supporting cast around him which helped him play to the best of his abilities

Just like every other championship winner

But we don't have any evidence of MJ succeeding with subpar supporting casts

[3ball]

LeBron in 2014 outscored AND was MUCH more efficient than MJ


Nobody cares about your erroneous assessments - we can all just look at the FACTS:


Playoffs Thru Age 30:

Jordan: 34.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 6.6 APG, 2.3 SPG, 1.0 BLK, 25.4 FGA, 50.1 FG%, 29.6 PER
Lebron: 28.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.9 BLK, 20.8 FGA, 47.3 FG%, 27.4 PER


Finals Thru Age 30:

Jordan: 36.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 7.9 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.76 BPG, 52.6% FG, 40.7% 3 PT
Lebron: 26.4 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.54 BPG, 44.6 FG%, 31.9% 3 PT



Career Playoff Averages:

Jordan: 33.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.7 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.9 BLK, 25.1 FGA, 48.7 FG%, 28.6 PER
Lebron: 28.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.9 BLK, 20.8 FGA, 47.3 FG%, 27.4 PER


Career Finals Averages:

Jordan: 33.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.65 BPG, 48.1% FG, 36.8% 3 PT
Lebron: 26.4 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.54 BPG, 44.6 FG%, 31.9% 3 PT


Source: basketball-reference.com



4th Quarter Scoring:


MJ 1997 Playoffs: 9.6
MJ 1998 Playoffs (http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/893/stats/?Season=1997-98&SeasonType=Playoffs&Period=4): 9.0

MJ 1993 Finals: 10.7
MJ 1997 Finals: 10.4
MJ 1998 Finals: 10.3

FYI: MJ 1988 Regular Season (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=380784): 12.1


Lebron 2013 Playoffs: 7.4
Lebron 2014 Playoffs: 5.8
Lebron 2015 Playoffs: 8.1

Lebron 2011 Finals: 2.2
Lebron 2014 Finals: 3.6

[3ball]

But we don't have any evidence of MJ succeeding with subpar supporting casts


Truthfully, from a talent standpoint, ALL of MJ's supporting casts had less talent than Lebron's, Magic's, Bird's, Kobe's, Duncan's.

But MJ was a SG who led the league in scoring by playing off-ball - like, imagine someone averaging 32+ ppg within the Spurs or Warriors-type system (equal-opportunity)... This extremely optimal style allowed teammates to play to full capacity and his teams to perform better despite having worse talent.

Anyone who knows basketball can easily see that MJ's supporting casts were devoid of talent compared to the aforementioned players.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

It's adorable how you cherry pick every single post.
In what world does MJ's 41.5% round up to 42%, but Lebron's 17.8 on 47.8% not round up to 18 on 48%?
You didn't round up for Kobe either.
It's such a small difference but you're a Sneaky little bastard.
It doesnt really make a difference anyways. MJs worst finals (by far) against an alltime great defense he still played great defense himself. Bran played horrible D in the finals of 07, 11, 14 and 15.

in 07 it was the Cavs team defense and rebounding that carried them all playoffs and finals. Even with Bran having 30% shooting 6 turnover games they still barely lost games by a couple points because of the stacked defense and Cavs being the best offensive rebounding team and 2nd best defensive rebounding team

[dubeta]

Truthfully, from a talent standpoint, ALL of MJ's supporting casts had less talent than Lebron's, Magic's, Bird's, Kobe's, Duncan's.

But MJ was a SG who led the league in scoring by playing off-ball - like, imagine someone averaging 32+ ppg within the Spurs or Warriors-type system (equal-opportunity)... This extremely optimal style allowed his teams to perform better despite having worse talent.

Anyone who knows basketball can easily see that MJ's supporting casts were devoid of talent compared to the aforementioned players.

Nobody cares about your erroneous assessments - we can all just look at the FACTS:



Before Pippen

Jordan 1-9 in the playoffs




Once Jorrdan leaves


Bulls win 55 games (only 2 less than with Jordan)


oh and...


https://espnfivethirtyeight.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/paine-datalab-lebron-cast-2.png

[dubeta]

No Player in NBA HISTORY, had as much help as Jordan, not Bill Russell, not Duncan, not BIrd nobody.




Jordan's teams were literally better without him


:biggums:

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Truthfully, from a talent standpoint, ALL of MJ's supporting casts had less talent than Lebron's, Magic's, Bird's, Kobe's, Duncan's.

But MJ was a SG who led the league in scoring by playing off-ball - like, imagine someone averaging 32+ ppg within the Spurs or Warriors-type system (equal-opportunity)... This extremely optimal style allowed teammates to play to full capacity and his teams to perform better despite having worse talent.

Anyone who knows basketball can easily see that MJ's supporting casts were devoid of talent compared to the aforementioned players.
Wrong

Scottie Pippen
Orlando Wooldridge
George Gervin
Horace Grant
Charles Oakley
Dennis Rodman
Tony Kukoc

He's played with some of the best

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MJ has only ONCE beaten a team with a better supporting cast than his

5 out of the 6 times he had the superior team

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Lebron has only ONCE beaten a team with a better supporting cast than his

He's had the worse team 4/6 times

He has 2 rings

[20Four]

Lebron has only ONCE beaten a team with a better supporting cast than his

He's had the worse team 4/6 times

He has 2 rings
Don't you have something better to do with your life instead of arguing online about someone who doesn't even care if you exist...like seriously are you mentally challeged?'