Bron has been underwhelming these playoffs

[StrongLurk]

Honestly this is his best chance to prove he is on Curry's level this year, but so far he has just been solid, maybe even disappointing.

I am a big Bron fan and have high expectations, but he is really cementing the fact that he is on the back end of his prime.

To me he has been played like a slightly better version of Peak Pippen, which is great but below Lebron's normal level.

I mean he has been efficient with good ast/turnover numbers, but only averaging 23.8 points a game in 39 minutes is unimpressive for him.

I will say that the refs have been atrocious on not calling obvious fouls. He should have 3-4 more free throws every game, but even so he is only shooting 68% for free throws, so again disappointing.

[SouBeachTalents]

24/8/7/3/1 on 51%, 6-0 in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Curry's team is 6-1 with him playing 38 minutes total

[lilteapot]

OP is pretty stupid

[ScalsFan21]

Honestly this is his best chance to prove he is on Curry's level this year, but so far he has just been solid, maybe even disappointing.

I am a big Bron fan and have high expectations, but he is really cementing the fact that he is on the back end of his prime.

I mean he has been efficient with good ast/turnover numbers, but only averaging 23.8 points a game in 39 minutes is unimpressive for him.

I will say that the refs have been atrocious on not calling obvious fouls. He should have 3-4 more free throws every game, but even so he is only shooting 68% for free throws, so again disappointing.

I don't think he feels like he needs to prove that at all. He knows he doesn't need to go full LeBeast in these playoffs and he can afford to save a little gas in the tank. Curry will probably continue to sit out games where he's questionable for the same reason; he knows his supporting cast will demolish Portland on their own. Statistically, yeah. 24 PPG in 40 minutes is nothing to write home about, but why should he push himself? There's no need.

[NBAGOAT]

Bron's been fine but not spectacular and he's not going all out even though he's trying harder than he did during the rs. Still, you could pretty easily argue that Kawhi and LMA have been the best players in the playoffs so far even though some of that has to do with playing Memphis.

[StrongLurk]

24/8/7/3/1 on 51%, 6-0 in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Curry's team is 6-1 with him playing 38 minutes total

Yeah maybe I just have high expectations from Lebron, really the difference may seem small but his scoring has not been impressive. He should be at 28 or so points a game based on those minutes.

[StrongLurk]

Bron's been fine but not spectacular and he's not going all out even though he's trying harder than he did during the rs. Still, you could pretty easily argue that Kawhi and LMA have been the best players in the playoffs so far even though some of that has to do with playing Memphis.

It does seem like Bron is going only 80-90 percent, but a part of me thinks it's because he CANT dominate and score like he used too. That's why he has the ball less and has been really hesitant at shooting the ball.

[StrongLurk]

OP is pretty stupid

Care to elaborate?

[PP34Deuce]

It does seem like Bron is going only 80-90 percent, but a part of me thinks it's because he CANT dominate and score like he used too. That's why he has the ball less and has been really hesitant at shooting the ball.

Lebron is a major reason the defense has improved in the front court. Love simply is not a good help defender at all. He spends more time doing the intangibles while still putting up stats.

I don't think he can dominate and score 35 points on high efficiency like he used to but I also don't think he cares about high scoring stats. He's actually more dangerous now scoring because teams are disrespecting that part of his game.

[StrongLurk]

Lebron is a major reason the defense has improved in the front court. Love simply is not a good help defender at all. He spends more time doing the intangibles while still putting up stats.

I don't think he can dominate and score 35 points on high efficiency like he used to but I also don't think he cares about high scoring stats. He's actually more dangerous now scoring because teams are disrespecting that part of his game.

You know, this is a good point. He has been a monster on D all year and in the playoffs. I guess the main point is that for superstars, scoring is a big factor. I just expected way more from him scoring wise than what I have seen.

[NBAGOAT]

It does seem like Bron is going only 80-90 percent, but a part of me thinks it's because he CANT dominate and score like he used too. That's why he has the ball less and has been really hesitant at shooting the ball.

well ofc that's true. Bron's most likely not going able to shoot like Miami Lebron ever again and doesn't have the athleticism of young Lebron. You might have to lower your expectations a little but he's still a top 3 player in the league.

[StrongLurk]

well ofc that's true. Bron's most likely not going able to shoot like Miami Lebron ever again and doesn't have the athleticism of young Lebron. You might have to lower your expectations a little but he's still a top 3 player in the league.

I think Lebron would be goat if he was actually a great two-footed jumper. Watching Jordan was like a freakin pogo stick and Wade is a great two footed jumper as well. Lebron is good in the post but he does not get good elevation unless he runs or has momentum. If he could jump of two feet at an elite level he would literally be unstoppable at getting good post shots.

[90sgoat]

To me he has been played like a slightly better version of Peak Pippen, which is great but below Lebron's normal level.

And yet the team plays better than ever.

This is what people don't get. Lebron is most valuable when he plays like a better Pippen. He would have been even better had played this role in his prime Miami days.

Lebron's lack of a reliable mid range jumper means he simply is not cut out to be the 'dagger' man.

I think Lebron's ego compromised his career and had he focused on being the Pippen guy he would have been a lot more liked and respected and he would have won more championships.

[StrongLurk]

And yet the team plays better than ever.

This is what people don't get. Lebron is most valuable when he plays like a better Pippen. He would have been even better had played this role in his prime Miami days.

Lebron's lack of a reliable mid range jumper means he simply is not cut out to be the 'dagger' man.

I think Lebron's ego compromised his career and had he focused on being the Pippen guy he would have been a lot more liked and respected and he would have won more championships.

That's not true at all. All of Lebron's history suggests when he plays bad or has the ball less, his teams play worse and lose WAY MORE.

See literally ALL of the Heat playoff games from 2011-2014.

It's just this year that he hasn't played great competition, but if he plays like this against the Spurs/Warriors and maybe OKC, then the Cavs won't win.

[inclinerator]

looks like he's relying on the others until the finals wherer he'll go beastmode

[stephanieg]

LeBron's jumper has been broken for a long time. What happened? There was a time in Miami when it was almost respectable.

[Baller1986]

He scored 27 points in 28 minutes last game. It's not his fault that the Hawks sucks, and he only played in less than 3 quarters.

[livinglegend]

well ofc that's true. Bron's most likely not going able to shoot like Miami Lebron ever again and doesn't have the athleticism of young Lebron. You might have to lower your expectations a little but he's still a top 3 player in the league.
He is more athletic now than he was in miami.

[Suguru101]

He is more athletic now than he was in miami.No.....

Maybe if you're talking 2014. Maybe that year compared to now.

Even then, it's mostly because he's lighter in weight now that he seems a bit faster. In Miami he got way more lift on dunks/jumpshot. His head was near the rim on some plays, and now it seems like he can't even get close.

That's just 2014... 13 and 12 blow what he's doing now out of the water. Take a look at his 2012 Finals highlights. Dude was a monster.

[StrongLurk]

I'm telling you guys, Lebron just ain't playing up to his standards so far for scoring. He is very solid everywhere else, but man his scoring his been disappointing these playoffs. Looks like he won't crack 25 a game.

[tmacattack33]

:oldlol:

Lebron's been the playoff MVP so far.

[StrongLurk]

Seriously though, not ONE 30-point game these playoffs. AND he is only shooting 65 percent from free throws...Jesus.

He really needs to step up his scoring if they make the finals. 23 points a game won't cut it vs the West.

[CTbasketball92]

I think LeBron is just taking advantage of everyone else's outstanding play, so he isn't forced to carry the offensive load the way he used to even in Miami.

Wade was inconsistent in Miami after 2011, but Kyrie has proven himself to be a legitimate closer because of his insane one-on-one skills and lethal jumper. Add that in with the fact that JR Smith, Frye and Love have been knocking down almost all of their three-pointers, and you don't need 2009 LeBron production. LeBron's stats come from his ability to do everything for his team efficiently, and when it results in wins, there is simply nothing to complain about. But with the other stars and the rest of the cavs playing so well, why not get the most out of it?

LeBron's player efficiency rating has still been at around 26 during these playoffs, and that's awesome. When the Cavs need LeBron to score more points he most certainly will get them. He didn't shoot efficiently against the Warriors last year, but imo, 37 points per game on 40% shooting might mean he's capable of averaging 30 points per game on 45-47% shooting with Kyrie there to take the load off.

[masonanddixon]

24/8/7/3/1 on 51%, 6-0 in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Curry's team is 6-1 with him playing 38 minutes total

lmao, yes it was a HUGE EFFORT by GS to beat a team that was 1 game above 500 and now a team that was a mighty 4 games above 500...lmao.

Lebron's been getting carried by Love and Irving, plain and simple.

[ArbitraryWater]

Why would he feel the need to prove that? :oldlol:

[Bigsmoke]

At this point, I'm sure its about team success than Lebron going for 40 a night.

[inclinerator]

trust me, he;s saving himself for gsw

[JebronLames]

trust me, he;s saving himself for gsw
:applause: never seen LeBron coast like this in the playoffs. Can't wait to see him unleash in the finals. He's going to destroy.

[bluechox2]

Holy fuc k, and that while elevating 3 players to allstar level who are not all stars whatsoever by bran fans

[RRR3]

Playoffs have been Bron these underwhelming IMO.

[StrongLurk]

So Lebron is saving himself...is that why he is shooting 65 percent from free throws? Come on guys, we have to admit that Bron is slipping hard and he won't ever reach his peak days again.

It's pretty disappointing since I am a big fan and thought he would still have a few more years as a dominant scorer.

At this rate Curry is cemented as the best player for sure now and moving forward, and Lebron will have to compete with Durant as second best.

[tmacattack33]

LOL at this. Lebron's team is 8-0 in the playoffs. He did what he could to get his team the W...if that meant giving the ball to Love when he was hot then that's what he did. It doesn't mean he couldn't score 5 more ppg if he needed to.

Now, if Cleveland lost and he was only getting 23.5 ppg, I would look at it closer.

[StrongLurk]

LOL at this. Lebron's team is 8-0 in the playoffs. He did what he could to get his team the W...if that meant giving the ball to Love when he was hot then that's what he did. It doesn't mean he couldn't score 5 more ppg if he needed to.

Now, if Cleveland lost and he was only getting 23.5 ppg, I would look at it closer.

Lol at what you just said. You could use that logic for any player on a winning team.

The Cavs are ALWAYS a better team when Lebron scores more. If you have watched the games, you would "see" using the "eye test" that Lebron has not easily gotten those 23.5 ppg. He is doing his damn hardest.

[3ball]

The Cavs are ALWAYS a better team when Lebron scores more.


No way - the Cavs are dominating because Love and Kyrie are playing closer to their full capacity, while Lebron's stats are lower.

His stats are lower because he's playing more off-ball, which allows Love and Kyrie to play to full capacity.. But his off-ball play also sacrifices his OWN production because he isn't a good enough off-ball player to get 30 ppg, LIKE JORDAN DID.

With Jordan-led teams, EVERYONE played to full capacity because he could get 30 ppg playing off-ball.. But with Lebron, it's one or the other (either Lebron plays to full capacity, OR his teammates do... never both).. That's why Jordan's teams were way better.

[tmacattack33]

Lol at what you just said. You could use that logic for any player on a winning team.

The Cavs are ALWAYS a better team when Lebron scores more. If you have watched the games, you would "see" using the "eye test" that Lebron has not easily gotten those 23.5 ppg. He is doing his damn hardest.

Yes, if any other player was scoring 20% less than usual but doing so efficiently plus dishing out a lot of assists, and his team was undefeated in the playoffs (or even 8-1), i would not start to question his scoring ability.

You are correct.

[StrongLurk]

So Lebron is saving himself...is that why he is shooting 65 percent from free throws? Come on guys, we have to admit that Bron is slipping hard and he won't ever reach his peak days again.

It's pretty disappointing since I am a big fan and thought he would still have a few more years as a dominant scorer.

At this rate Curry is cemented as the best player for sure now and moving forward, and Lebron will have to compete with Durant as second best.

I've seen enough, after last night Lebron has NO shot at best player in the NBA. Nothing to be ashamed of as he had a great run as best player from 2008/09-2015. Let's hope Lebron, Kyrie, and Love stay healthy so the Finals can be somewhat competitive.

[jlip]

Nah. Lebron is doing whatever it takes to have his team win. His playoff career averages are

28.0ppg 8.8rpg 6.7rpg 1.7spg 0.9bpg 47.3fg% 75.0fg% in 42.3mpg

So far this season he is averaging

23.5ppg 8.8rpg 7.3apg 2.4spg 0.6bpg 49.7fg% 64.9ft% in 38.8mpg

For all intents and purposes he's doing everything of consequence as good or better in fewer minutes, apart from volume scoring and shooting free throws. It's worth noting that while his ft% is pretty bad, he is also attempting a career low 4.6 fts per game. His previous career low in attempts is 7.4 in 2011. If he were getting calls while shooting his previous career low in attempts and still shooting his abysmal 64.9ft%, he would be averaging over 25 ppg.

Also, Lebron understands, at this stage of his career, that it is far more important to the success of the Cavs that both Irving and Love feel as if they are part of the offense than for him to just "get his" offensively.

[StrongLurk]

Nah. Lebron is doing whatever it takes to have his team win. His playoff career averages are

28.0ppg 8.8rpg 6.7rpg 1.7spg 0.9bpg 47.3fg% 75.0fg% in 42.3mpg

So far this season he is averaging

23.5ppg 8.8rpg 7.3apg 2.4spg 0.6bpg 49.7fg% 64.9ft% in 38.8mpg

For all intents and purposes he's doing everything of consequence as good or better in fewer minutes, apart from volume scoring and shooting free throws. It's worth noting that while his ft% is pretty bad, he is also attempting a career low 4.6 fts per game. His previous career low in attempts is 7.4 in 2011. If he were getting calls while shooting his previous career low in attempts and still shooting his abysmal 64.9ft%, he would be averaging over 25 ppg.

Also, Lebron understands, at this stage of his career, that it is far more important to the success of the Cavs that both Irving and Love feel as if they are part of the offense than for him to just "get his" offensively.

The Cavs are absolutely going to need Lebron to score better if they want to win the Finals.

Remember, Lebron didn't have a SINGLE 40-point game this year. And his scoring so far is even worse in the playoffs. His jumper is broken and he will have even less good looks against whoever comes out of the west.

Hell, Curry scores what Lebron does these playoffs while getting hurt and playing 14 minutes less per game.

[Hey Yo]

The Cavs are absolutely going to need Lebron to score better if they want to win the Finals.

Remember, Lebron didn't have a SINGLE 40-point game this year. And his scoring so far is even worse in the playoffs. His jumper is broken and he will have even less good looks against whoever comes out of the west.

Hell, Curry scores what Lebron does these playoffs while getting hurt and playing 14 minutes less per game.
Kobe troll ^^^^^

[StrongLurk]

Kobe troll ^^^^^

Name one thing wrong about my post. You think the Cavs can win the Finals with Lebron scoring 23 points a game?

[jlip]

The Cavs are absolutely going to need Lebron to score better if they want to win the Finals.



Nah. Lebron is doing whatever it takes to have his team win.

:confusedshrug:

[ImKobe]

Lebron has played shit teams that have barely tested him on either end and his teammates have been shooting lights out


He's scoring a lot more efficiently than he did in last year's Playoffs and has had the chance to rest more with less games due to sweeps and Irving/Love carrying a big part of the load.

The Rockets/Blazers are much better than the Pistons/Hawks the Cavs faced to make the Conference Finals. Lillard/Harden could actually go off for 40 and keep games close just off the strength of their offense.

[HurricaneKid]

Lebron has played shit teams that have barely tested him on either end and his teammates have been shooting lights out


He's scoring a lot more efficiently than he did in last year's Playoffs and has had the chance to rest more with less games due to sweeps and Irving/Love carrying a big part of the load.

The Rockets/Blazers are much better than the Pistons/Hawks the Cavs faced to make the Conference Finals. Lillard/Harden could actually go off for 40 and keep games close just off the strength of their offense.

So the #2 defensive team in the NBA is pure **** but the worst two defensive teams in the league that made the playoffs (both well outside the top 20) are defensively testing teams.

Seriously, I'm amazed you managed to stay off my ignore list this long spewing stupidity like this.

[MP.Trey]

Lebron has played shit teams that have barely tested him on either end and his teammates have been shooting lights out


He's scoring a lot more efficiently than he did in last year's Playoffs and has had the chance to rest more with less games due to sweeps and Irving/Love carrying a big part of the load.

The Rockets/Blazers are much better than the Pistons/Hawks the Cavs faced to make the Conference Finals. Lillard/Harden could actually go off for 40 and keep games close just off the strength of their offense.
I don't think I've heard anything as laughable all day. Do people actually think this? Sorry buddy, team basketball and actually playing defense are more important to winning basketball games than having a guy who can drop 40.

[ImKobe]

So the #2 defensive team in the NBA is pure **** but the worst two defensive teams in the league that made the playoffs (both well outside the top 20) are defensively testing teams.

Seriously, I'm amazed you managed to stay off my ignore list this long spewing stupidity like this.

Both teams struggle to score... Hawks/Pistons had leads/close games going into the 4th quarter and simply got outscored by Irving/James/Love/JR

Harden/Lillard have the ability to take games over with their offense in the 2nd half and start runs, ATL and Detroit don't have that scoring option to go to...

Lillard and Harden have the ability to go off on big scoring runs and that gave them 1 win in each series, Hawks and Pistons didn't have that guy to give them that one win in a close game at home.


I don't think I've heard anything as laughable all day. Do people actually think this? Sorry buddy, team basketball and actually playing defense are more important to winning basketball games than having a guy who can drop 40.

Yeah, that works in the regular season against other medicore teams to crank out 40-50 wins but they are treadmill teams that have no chance at contending for a title against other teams who have just as many decent role players but also have a go-to scorer.

All the recent championship teams had that one guy.

[StrongLurk]

:confusedshrug:

So you're just expecting him to bump his average up by about 5 points? If you have watched the games, you would have seen that he has worked hard for those 23 points per game. I don't see him scoring even better against much better defenses.

[NBAGOAT]

Both teams struggle to score... Hawks/Pistons had leads/close games going into the 4th quarter and simply got outscored by Irving/James/Love/JR

Harden/Lillard have the ability to take games over with their offense in the 2nd half and start runs, ATL and Detroit don't have that scoring option to go to...

Lillard and Harden have the ability to go off on big scoring runs and that gave them 1 win in each series, Hawks and Pistons didn't have that guy to give them that one win in a close game at home.



Yeah, that works in the regular season against other medicore teams to crank out 40-50 wins but they are treadmill teams that have no chance at contending for a title against other teams who have just as many decent role players but also have a go-to scorer.

All the recent championship teams had that one guy.

but that point is kind of irrelevant when the Rockets and Blazers are also treadmill teams with no chance at contending... I'll give you a simple counterexample. The Pacers have one of those guys in Paul George, are actually elite defensively unlike the Blazers or Rockets, yet couldn't beat a Raptors team that everyone's calling shit right now and deservedly so. Having one of those stars go off is sometimes not enough.

[ImKobe]

but that point is kind of irrelevant when the Rockets and Blazers are also treadmill teams with no chance at contending... I'll give you a simple counterexample. The Pacers have one of those guys in Paul George, are actually elite defensively unlike the Blazers or Rockets, yet couldn't beat a Raptors team that everyone's calling shit right now and deservedly so. Having one of those stars go off is sometimes not enough.

Paul George had a terrible team around him though and is still recovering from the injury that almost kept him out an entire season...and STILL took the Raptors to 7 games as a 7 seed. That just proves my point.

Obviously both Rockets/Blazers are treadmill teams just like Pistons/Hawks but they have a star player that can win them a game while Hawks/Pistons are so bad offensively that they can't even win one game on their home court. You can build around Harden/Lillard and improve the team quick but if you're the Hawks you have to get rid of Horford and Millsap and throw max at some all-star caliber players and hope they improve under Bud, Pistons have Drummond but he's another Dwight Howard. Reggie Jackson isn't that great either.

[NBAGOAT]

Paul George had a terrible team around him though and is still recovering from the injury that almost kept him out an entire season...and STILL took the Raptors to 7 games as a 7 seed. That just proves my point.

Obviously both Rockets/Blazers are treadmill teams just like Pistons/Hawks but they have a star player that can win them a game while Hawks/Pistons are so bad offensively that they can't even win one game on their home court. You can build around Harden/Lillard and improve the team quick but if you're the Hawks you have to get rid of Horford and Millsap and throw max at some all-star caliber players and hope they improve under Bud, Pistons have Drummond but he's another Dwight Howard. Reggie Jackson isn't that great either.

you're just emphasizing one side of the ball too much. You can easily argue that the Rockets and Blazers are so bad defensively that they would get shredded by the Cavs. Pistons were above average offensively during the rs don't know why you're saying that anyway. Anyway even if you're arguing they do better which I disagree with, it still doesn't change the fact that the Pistons are better than the Rockets and have a decent argument over the Blazers. Drummond's not prime Howard yet and fyi I take prime Howard over Lillard 11/10 times.

[inclinerator]

Paul George had a terrible team around him though and is still recovering from the injury that almost kept him out an entire season...and STILL took the Raptors to 7 games as a 7 seed. That just proves my point.

Obviously both Rockets/Blazers are treadmill teams just like Pistons/Hawks but they have a star player that can win them a game while Hawks/Pistons are so bad offensively that they can't even win one game on their home court. You can build around Harden/Lillard and improve the team quick but if you're the Hawks you have to get rid of Horford and Millsap and throw max at some all-star caliber players and hope they improve under Bud, Pistons have Drummond but he's another Dwight Howard. Reggie Jackson isn't that great either.
still recovering? :facepalm

[90sgoat]

Lebron in this new role will do more for his legacy among real basketball historians than all his other wins. This is the role Lebron was meant to play, the final form of the Pippen point forward. Only he should focus more on playing D.

[inclinerator]

trust me, he;s saving himself for gsw

:bowdown: :bowdown:

[riseagainst]

:bowdown: :bowdown:


:applause: