AD: 32 PPG, 13 RPG, 2 BPG on 62% FG

[IllegalD]

https://x.com/lalakersmuse/status/1783717827779678294

Anthony Davis this series:

32.3 PPG
13.3 RPG
1.7 BPG
61.5% FG

Down 0-3.


Imagine your 2nd option averaging these numbers and you're about to get swept out of the playoffs in the 1st round...

:kobe:

[StrongLurk]

https://x.com/lalakersmuse/status/1783717827779678294

Anthony Davis this series:

32.3 PPG
13.3 RPG
1.7 BPG
61.5% FG

Down 0-3.


Imagine your 2nd option averaging these numbers and you're about to get swept out of the playoffs in the 1st round...

:kobe:

So you are saying Lebron at 39 years old is BETTER than Anthony Davis? Damn Bron must be goat then.

[tpols]

People always shit on AD but the dude literally averages Hakeem or Kareem numbers in his entire playoff career.

[tpols]

So you are saying Lebron at 39 years old is BETTER than Anthony Davis? Damn Bron must be goat then.

You guys have shit on AD all the time. There's really nothing more he can do. Unless you want him to average 50 a game.

[ShawkFactory]

He and Bron have both played very well. Problem is that the role players have not pulled their weight at all and Denver is way too good of a team for that to be the case.

Reaves was pretty good last night but he Russell, Rui, Prince, and the others have been very poor. Nuggets size is really bothering them.

As things are they probably could beat 26-27 of teams but Denver isn’t one of them.

[SouBeachTalents]

He and Bron have both played very well. Problem is that the role players have not pulled their weight at all and Denver is way too good of a team for that to be the case.

Reaves was pretty good last night but he Russell, Rui, Prince, and the others have been very poor. Nuggets size is really bothers them.

As things are they probably can beat 26-27 of teams but Denver isn’t one of them.
This is obvious to anyone, but it's no fun letting logic get in the way of an agenda.

[3ba11]

He and Bron have both played very well. Problem is that the role players have not pulled their weight at all and Denver is way too good of a team for that to be the case.

Reaves was pretty good last night but he Russell, Rui, Prince, and the others have been very poor. Nuggets size is really bothers them.

As things are they probably could beat 26-27 of teams but Denver isn’t one of them.


After all this time you still don't get it, smh

AD's gaudy numbers mean nothing within an inferior brand of ball, and this inferior brand of ball and chemistry also hinders role player performance..

2 decades of Bron-ball and you don't know what to expect??.. still blaming it on needing more help?..

Lmao

Lebron literally lowers teammates ' assists and increases their assisted rate (turns them into spot-up shooter)... How can that brand win??. It doesn't - it mostly loses with every cast

[StrongLurk]

The Nuggets have really only won by massively outrebounding the Lakers and killing them in the clutch. That's literally it. This has not been a series determined solely by the two best players on each team. These nuggets/lakers matchups have been really battles at the "edges" of team ball, coaching, and clutch play.

I mean, the Nuggets should have not won game 2 at all. Lakers had a 96% chance at winning that game, so literally the Lakers would've won 24 out of 25 scenarios in game 2.

Lakers have lost 7 in a row to the Nugs in the playoffs, but the matchups are very close and based on stats, Lakers really should have won at least 2 of these 7 games, but hey that's why sports are so great. Hype and statistical percentages don't matter. What matters is what happens on the court.

[3ba11]

The Nuggets have really only won by massively outrebounding the Lakers and killing them in the clutch. That's literally it. This has not been a series determined solely by the two best players on each team. These nuggets/lakers matchups have been really battles at the "edges" of team ball, coaching, and clutch play.

I mean, the Nuggets should have not won game 2 at all. Lakers had a 96% chance at winning that game, so literally the Lakers would've won 24 out of 25 scenarios in game 2.

Lakers have lost 7 in a row to the Nugs in the playoffs, but the matchups are very close and based on stats, Lakers really should have won at least 2 of these 7 games, but hey that's why sports are so great. Hype and statistical percentages don't matter. What matters is what happens on the court.


After all this time you still don't get it, smh

AD's gaudy numbers mean nothing within an inferior brand of ball, and this inferior brand of ball and chemistry also hinders role player performance..

2 decades of Bron-ball and you don't know what to expect??.. still blaming it on needing more help?..

Lmao

Lebron literally lowers teammates ' assists and increases their assisted rate (turns them into spot-up shooter)... How can that brand win??.. of course it doesn't - it mostly loses with every cast

[ShawkFactory]

This is obvious to anyone, but it's no fun letting logic get in the way of an agenda.

Yea by and large the offense has been fine. They’re moving the ball and playing smart. DLo can’t go off platform unless he’s hitting and he hasn’t been. I like Rui but he is completely overmatched in this series. Ham needs to figure out something else to do with him or bench him.

Someone like Vanderbilt could have been so useful to matchup with the size.

[3ba11]

Yea by and large the offense has been fine. They’re moving the ball and playing smart. DLo can’t go off platform unless he’s hitting and he hasn’t been. I like Rui but he is completely overmatched in this series. Ham needs to figure out something else to do with him or bench him.

Someone like Vanderbilt could have been so useful to matchup with the size.


Are you tired yet of making the exact same excuses every year

Lebron's role players always play bad per his brand of ball - it's standard per his brand of ball

To sit there and type the same tired excuses... to act like Aaron Gordon wasn't once a complete REJECT - but role players look great in a great brand of ball and developed chemistry.. I guess your brain isn't capable of handling this concept

[90sgoat]

Empty stats?

AD just doesn't have the impact that his stats suggest and he can't guard Jokic at all, too small, not physical enough.

He's also more of a play finisher than a play maker.

[ShawkFactory]

Gordon isn’t really a different player than he was 5 years ago. He’s just asked to do different things and his skill set is valuable for a 3rd or 4th guy on a great team. Size/rebounding/defense/finishing. He’s flourishing because he can focus on the things he’s good at and not be asked to do more.

[tpols]

He and Bron have both played very well. Problem is that the role players have not pulled their weight at all and Denver is way too good of a team for that to be the case.

Reaves was pretty good last night but he Russell, Rui, Prince, and the others have been very poor. Nuggets size is really bothering them.

As things are they probably could beat 26-27 of teams but Denver isn’t one of them.

But that's what chemistry does.

What would Aaron Gordon be on the Lakers? He was a nobody before he came to Denver outside a dunk contest, and he can't shoot at all. He'd be seen as a bum on LA but with denvers ball movement offense and chemistry he looks like a star. And on the flip side Dlo would probably look like Jamal Murray junior with Yolk constantly setting picks for him and setting him up.

The chemistry and teamwork is winning Denver this shit. Jokic is egoless and he's constantly quarterbacking "the other guys" perfectly and not just spamming kickouts for 3s.

[hold this L]

https://x.com/lalakersmuse/status/1783717827779678294

anthony davis this series:

32.3 ppg
13.3 rpg
1.7 bpg
61.5% fg

down 0-3.


Imagine your 2nd option averaging these numbers and you're about to get swept out of the playoffs in the 1st round...

:kobe:

66% ts

[ShawkFactory]

But that's what chemistry does.

What would Aaron Gordon be on the Lakers? He was a nobody before he came to Denver outside a dunk contest, and he can't shoot at all. He'd be seen as a bum on LA but with denvers ball movement offense and chemistry he looks like a star. And on the flip side Dlo would probably look like Jamal Murray junior with Yolk constantly setting picks for him and setting him up.

The chemistry and teamwork is winning Denver this shit. Jokic is egoless and he's constantly quarterbacking "the other guys" perfectly and not just spamming kickouts for 3s.

Again, the Lakers offense other than a few random spurts throughout the game has been very good. They’ve moved the ball well. I mean they were 5th in team assists this year for you guys who want to talk about low assists or whatnot.

Russell is playing bad basketball. He’s being hunted on defense, is going off-platform and taking terrible shots. Not hitting open ones. Etc

Gordon would provide tremendous value for the Lakers in this series. They’re getting dominated on the boards and he’s a great play-finisher.

[hold this L]

Empty stats?

AD just doesn't have the impact that his stats suggest and he can't guard Jokic at all, too small, not physical enough.

He's also more of a play finisher than a play maker.
AD is one of the best defenders in the league. Him not being able to guard the most unguardable offensive player in the league doesn't diminish that, nobody is able to slow Jokic down except for maybe Minny who has two centers on the court at once. Asking him to playmake and create his own shot for the best defensive player on the team who is averaging 33/13 on 66% TS is comical.

[tpols]

Again, the Lakers offense other than a few random spurts throughout the game has been very good. They’ve moved the ball well. I mean they were 5th in team assists this year for you guys who want to talk about low assists or whatnot.

Russell is playing bad basketball. He’s being hunted on defense, is going off-platform and taking terrible shots. Not hitting open ones. Etc

Gordon would provide tremendous value for the Lakers in this series. They’re getting dominated on the boards and he’s a great play-finisher.

Gordon would be sitting on the wing or in the corner with LA bricking wide open jumpers. And you guys would say he's trash.

The Lakers don't have any mastery of the hockey assist. Lebron teams in general don't. It's just physical domination and when too much help comes one off passes to the open guy. It's checkers. The Nuggets are playing chess and breaking down the defense with an extra dimension.

That's why AG is always so wide open under the hoop when they KNOW that his only offense is catching it around the rim and finishing. The problem is they have to worry about 3 or 4 different dimensions before that action is executed but with LA you only have to worry about 2 dimensions. Lebron or AD are gonna force a bucket or there's gonna be a kickout. That's it.

[j3lademaster]

Empty stats?

AD just doesn't have the impact that his stats suggest and he can't guard Jokic at all, too small, not physical enough.

He's also more of a play finisher than a play maker.He’s done a fantastic job on Jokic this series. What do you want him to do, stop one of the greatest offensive players the game has ever seen?

[j3lademaster]

Gordon would be sitting on the wing or in the corner with LA bricking wide open jumpers. And you guys would say he's trash.

The Lakers don't have any mastery of the hockey assist. Lebron teams in general don't. It's just physical domination and when too much help comes one off passes to the open guy. It's checkers. The Nuggets are playing chess and breaking down the defense with an extra dimension.

That's why AG is always so wide open under the hoop when they KNOW that his only offense is catching it around the rim and finishing. The problem is they have to worry about 3 or 4 different dimensions before that action is executed but with LA you only have to worry about 2 dimensions. Lebron or AD are gonna force a bucket or there's gonna be a kickout. That's it.
This. Before Denver AG was seen as an undersized big who can’t shoot or anchor a defense, which is a death sentence in the current league. Jokic has an uncanny ability to fit into any system a la Steph, allowing AG to do what he’s best at. Lakers tried to answer by putting Rui on him, an average rebounder at best for his position. Complete misuse of personnel, of course Rui’s gonna look like a lost scrub. Should have tried Jaxon Hayes, honestly. He would have helped to clog the lane on Jokic, too.

[FultzNationRISE]

Empty stats?

AD just doesn't have the impact that his stats suggest and he can't guard Jokic at all, too small, not physical enough.

He's also more of a play finisher than a play maker.

Have to agree.

Also, Jokic basically doesnt play one on one defense for most of the game. Hes giving AD free buckets by design. He knows that if the Nuggets win the turnover battle and the three point battle and the easy points at the rim battle, they’re ultimately gonna score more than the Lakers will by riding AD’s post game. So I give AD credit for making the shots but he’s getting very little resistance. It’s not like if he was going against Bam or someone specifically looking to limit him 1 on 1. What AD’s doing is nice, but it’s not huge, it’s not gutsy. If he went out and exploited this set up to get 50 then you could say hes going above and beyond and putting his stamp on it. But the way the Nuggets are setting up 30 is the minimum he should be doing. Nobody’s even contesting his shots. And still in the fourth quarter hes a straight ghost.

Thats why just using stats for everything without explaining things is pointless. Stats never tell the whole story.

[90sgoat]

AD is one of the best defenders in the league. Him not being able to guard the most unguardable offensive player in the league doesn't diminish that, nobody is able to slow Jokic down except for maybe Minny who has two centers on the court at once. Asking him to playmake and create his own shot for the best defensive player on the team who is averaging 33/13 on 66% TS is comical.

Embiid can play him well head to head and has done so.

[90sgoat]

Have to agree.

Also, Jokic basically doesnt play one on one defense for most of the game. Hes giving AD free buckets by design. He knows that if the Nuggets win the turnover battle and the three point battle and the easy points at the rim battle, they’re ultimately gonna score more than the Lakers will by riding AD’s post game. So I give AD credit for making the shots but he’s getting very little resistance. It’s not like if he was going against Bam or someone specifically looking to limit him 1 on 1. What AD’s doing is nice, but it’s not huge, it’s not gutsy. If he went out and exploited this set up to get 50 then you could say hes going above and beyond and putting his stamp on it. But the way the Nuggets are setting up 30 is the minimum he should be doing. Nobody’s even contesting his shots. And still in the fourth quarter hes a straight ghost.

Thats why just using stats for everything without explaining things is pointless. Stats never tell the whole story.

Yeah, AD's offensive game to me is like with KG, it just doesn't seem to create big moments in games. It's a putback there, a lob finish here, a semi open midrange there. It's basically mostly shots that role players can make.

If you compare to Dirk and why he is better than both, it's because you throw him the ball in the post, early game, midgame or clutch and he hits those fadeaways at rates that only MJ has done better. And you could have him run the break, pull up, hit a 3 pointer.

Even someone like Duncan, you could always feed him the ball in the post for a high probability bank shot in a tough stretch of game.

To me, AD seems to dissappear not take over, when the game gets through tough stretches.

[hold this L]

Embiid can play him well head to head and has done so.
Ahh yes, the same Embiid that ducks out of Denver every single season for half a decade only to be fit some bum team the next day. What a warrior.

[ImKobe]

Putting up peak Shaq numbers and Bron can't win a game??? A game??

I thought Bron stans told me that rookie Bron would win 5 with Shaq from '97-'04

this mfer a fraud

[3ba11]

Gordon would provide tremendous value for the Lakers in this series.





You can't possibly think this.

So just give Lebron another rebounder and dunker and it should be all good?

How about Drummond, one of the best rebounders ever.. oh wait.. Lebron already had him and was lottery.

Only elite shooters look good next to Lebron, or elite-producing franchise players that can lead the team in scoring if needed (AD, Wade, Kyrie).. Virtually everyone else will underperform expectation in Lebron-ball - that's the historical record.

[FKAri]

Empty stats. A product of LeGOAT. He'll be hooping in Fiji after Bron retires.

[j3lademaster]

Empty stats. A product of LeGOAT. He'll be hooping in Fiji after Bron retires.He'd be long retired before Lebron. I'm convinced James is playing until he's 57.

[ShawkFactory]

You can't possibly think this.

So just give Lebron another rebounder and dunker and it should be all good?

How about Drummond, one of the best rebounders ever.. oh wait.. Lebron already had him and was lottery.

Only elite shooters look good next to Lebron, or elite-producing franchise players that can lead the team in scoring if needed (AD, Wade, Kyrie).. Virtually everyone else will underperform expectation in Lebron-ball - that's the historical record.

Correct. They’re getting dominated on the boards and are smaller at almost every position. A big athletic rebounder, defender, and finisher would do wonders for the Lakers right now.

Their offense isn’t the problem.

[3ba11]

Correct. They’re getting dominated on the boards and are smaller at almost every position. A big athletic rebounder, defender, and finisher would do wonders for the Lakers right now.

Their offense isn’t the problem.


Denver is shooting 27% from three in this series but they aren't sitting there saying "we need more 3-point shooting"... So you're just making overused excuses at this point that you've used for decades with every cast Lebron has ever had (aka it's the defense) - it isn't the ever-changing cast that is the problem - history shows that lebron is the constant presence to the bad chemistry seen on both ends of the floor, while his teammates change by the weather.

Regarding Aaron Gordon - Lebron cratered ready-made stars like Love or Bosh, so what do you think he does to young studs like Rui, Kuzma, or even Drummond, Vanderbilt or Wood - what happened to all these guys - he had a million Gordon's on this Laker team but his horrible chemistry didn't develop anyone just like his entire career.. Zero young players went from low producer to meaningful producer on his watch in 21 years.. Ball-dominators like Luka and Lebron have bad fits with Porzingas, Brunson, Wood, Rui, Kuxma Bosh or Jamison, while jumpshooters that allow the ball to move like MJ or Curry have great fits with everyone.

Ultimately, the Lakers' offense is nowhere near Denver's, while their defensive personnel is superior as well with great athletes like AD, Rui, Prince, Vanderbilt and others - it's Lebron's fault for not working these guys in properly and developing them into impact players like the real goat candidate did, while the Bron-ball has never worn out ball movement teams more than vice versa.. Bron is just a bum and stinks at basketball compared to the goat standard.
.

[bladefd]

Correct. They’re getting dominated on the boards and are smaller at almost every position. A big athletic rebounder, defender, and finisher would do wonders for the Lakers right now.

Their offense isn’t the problem.

In 4th quarters, Lakers offense has been a big issue tbh. Once LeBron/AD are gassed, we have nobody who can go into extra gear in the 4th.

But ofc, we need better perimeter defense. We can't leave them open on the perimeter, tearing us to pieces in the 4th.

[ImKobe]

In 4th quarters, Lakers offense has been a big issue tbh. Once LeBron/AD are gassed, we have nobody who can go into extra gear in the 4th.

But ofc, we need better perimeter defense. We can't leave them open on the perimeter, tearing us to pieces in the 4th.

Dlo & Reaves just lack awareness man. Reaves took a contested middy with half the shot clock left up 10 in the last few minutes, Dlo fouled Jokic when he was in no man's land in the paint for an and-1, Reaves just completely left AG alone for the lob too which made Lebron lose his mind. Could have easily choked the lead down the stretch. At least Ham challenged the out of bounds call.

[hold this L]

Empty stats. A product of LeGOAT. He'll be hooping in Fiji after Bron retires.

Time to trade him for Draymond Green then, send those empty stats to the Warriors.

[Jasper]

last night probably his best game ,but a 39 year old out shined him....

in a meaningless series

[ImKobe]

last night probably his best game ,but a 39 year old out shined him....

in a meaningless series

Not really. AD had the better game. More assists, 5 less TOs, 5 less points but better shooting numbers. It's just he's never going to get the credit that he deserves, even if it was in a meaningless game. He's pretty much matched Jokic in the series with 30/16/4 66%TS averages & they're still down 1 - 3..

[ShawkFactory]

Not really. AD had the better game. More assists, 5 less TOs, 5 less points but better shooting numbers. It's just he's never going to get the credit that he deserves, even if it was in a meaningless game. He's pretty much matched Jokic in the series with 30/16/4 66%TS averages & they're still down 1 - 3..

It’s tough to compare them really. Lebron has done a great job of dictating the tempo and recognizing and attacking matchups.

His hoops IQ really is quite high. He’s been kinda the offensive and defensive coordinator for them.

[StrongLurk]

AD has been a monster this whole year. He is a real superstar, he just has had so many injuries in his career.

Jokic is the best player in the league and AD is completely holding his own (unlike last year).

[tpols]

AD has been a monster this whole year. He is a real superstar, he just has had so many injuries in his career.

Jokic is the best player in the league and AD is completely holding his own (unlike last year).


AD averaged 27/14 on 49/50/88 splits last year vs Denver. This year he's doing 30/15 on 62/0/83 splits vs them. Better but not really a tremendous difference at all. His playoff numbers have always been super elite.

[ShawkFactory]

AD has been a monster this whole year. He is a real superstar, he just has had so many injuries in his career.

Jokic is the best player in the league and AD is completely holding his own (unlike last year).

Yea he’s been really great. From an individual standpoint he’s holding his own but what prevents him from being truly elite is having that 3rd dimension in that he can’t really manage the game and create for others like the truly top guys.

A similar type of player like Duncan was masterful at picking his spots and knowing when to attack and what to do at all times. AD, as great as he is, doesn’t really have that. Of course Jokic does.

[beasted]

It’s tough to compare them really. Lebron has done a great job of dictating the tempo and recognizing and attacking matchups.

His hoops IQ really is quite high. He’s been kinda the offensive and defensive coordinator for them.
Are you a delusional fanboy or what? If he's constantly coordinating leaving his assignment open for baseline cuts and dunks then he's doing a great job. :oldlol:

[beasted]

Yea he’s been really great. From an individual standpoint he’s holding his own but what prevents him from being truly elite is having that 3rd dimension in that he can’t really manage the game and create for others like the truly top guys.

A similar type of player like Duncan was masterful at picking his spots and knowing when to attack and what to do at all times. AD, as great as he is, doesn’t really have that. Of course Jokic does.

You're mad that a PF/C is not a PG? You're a total fool.

[beasted]

Not really. AD had the better game. More assists, 5 less TOs, 5 less points but better shooting numbers. It's just he's never going to get the credit that he deserves, even if it was in a meaningless game. He's pretty much matched Jokic in the series with 30/16/4 66%TS averages & they're still down 1 - 3..

Spot on. Only a casual fan can think "mORe pOiNtS = bETtEr gAmE". Such a simple perspective lacking understanding.

[ShawkFactory]

You're mad that a PF/C is not a PG? You're a total fool.

Mad? No I'm not mad dude what :lol

I literally gave two examples the post you quoted of great PFs/Cs orchestrating things and setting others up. All of the greatest players ever have done this, regardless of position. Aside from perhaps the true freaks who were unstoppable scorers like Kareem and Shaq. But even both of them were great passers and knew when to pick their spots.

[tpols]

Are you a delusional fanboy or what? If he's constantly coordinating leaving his assignment open for baseline cuts and dunks then he's doing a great job. :oldlol:

Yea that was an absurd take.

AD is clearly the dominant defensive player like 10 fold over any other Laker player right now.

[beasted]

Mad? No I'm not mad dude what :lol

I literally gave two examples the post you quoted of great PFs/Cs orchestrating things and setting others up. All of the greatest players ever have done this, regardless of position. Aside from perhaps the true freaks who were unstoppable scorers like Kareem and Shaq. But even both of them were great passers and knew when to pick their spots.

So you're mad that Davis isn't as good or better than top 10 all time players? Equally asinine.

[tpols]

Mad? No I'm not mad dude what :lol

I literally gave two examples the post you quoted of great PFs/Cs orchestrating things and setting others up. All of the greatest players ever have done this, regardless of position. Aside from perhaps the true freaks who were unstoppable scorers like Kareem and Shaq. But even both of them were great passers and knew when to pick their spots.

AD is literally averaging 30/15 now on 60+% shooting. And 4 dimes a game which is more than Shaq and Kareem used to average. All your criticisms against him apply to them but he's actually a better defensive player.

[tpols]

It's amazing what the old head revisionism has had us brainwashed with. Shaq and Kareem averaged 3 assists per game. They were NOT great passers. They knew how to throw a simple kick out when they were doubled... like almost everybody. Watching Jokic really gives you an appreciation for what great big man passing is. Divac and Sabonis do as well.

[ImKobe]

It's amazing what the old head revisionism has had us brainwashed with. Shaq and Kareem averaged 3 assists per game. They were NOT great passers. They knew how to throw a simple kick out when they were doubled... like almost everybody. Watching Jokic really gives you an appreciation for what great big man passing is. Divac and Sabonis do as well.

AD did grow up playing point guard before his growth spurt. Was nice to see him do more of the playmaking this RS. Him and Bron are picking Jokic apart with the P&R, if they can stay consistent and keep attacking Joker they got a chance to at least bring this back to LA.

[ShawkFactory]

So you're mad that Davis isn't as good or better than top 10 all time players? Equally asinine.

I think you’re the angry one here so stop projecting. All the greatest current players have things he doesn’t in that sense.

I’m not talking about assist number with this either. It’s an overall IQ and feel for the game thing. This was a criticism of AD before he joined the Lakers. Now it’s apparently a sensitive subject because of Lebron but he’s never been a particularly high IQ guy nor a leader. Lebron covers up a lot of that and as triggering as that can be for some..it’s just a fact.

Great player sure. But that’s what does, and always did, prevent him from being discussed among the best handful of guys in the league.

[beasted]

I think you’re the angry one here so stop projecting. All the greatest current players have things he doesn’t in that sense.

I’m not talking about assist number with this either. It’s an overall IQ and feel for the game thing. This was a criticism of AD before he joined the Lakers. Now it’s apparently a sensitive subject because of Lebron but he’s never been a particularly high IQ guy nor a leader. Lebron covers up a lot of that and as triggering as that can be for some..it’s just a fact.

Great player sure. But that’s what does, and always did, prevent him from being discussed among the best handful of guys in the league.

Can you name any front court players who are not consensus top 15 players who bridge the gap between wherever you think AD is ranked all time and this "elite game manager" PF/C class?

[hold this L]

I think you’re the angry one here so stop projecting. All the greatest current players have things he doesn’t in that sense.

I’m not talking about assist number with this either. It’s an overall IQ and feel for the game thing. This was a criticism of AD before he joined the Lakers. Now it’s apparently a sensitive subject because of Lebron but he’s never been a particularly high IQ guy nor a leader. Lebron covers up a lot of that and as triggering as that can be for some..it’s just a fact.

Great player sure. But that’s what does, and always did, prevent him from being discussed among the best handful of guys in the league.
There isn't a single second option in the playoffs so far that's playing anywhere near as good as AD. Even with his drawbacks. If he had a better motor mentally towards the end of games, could playmake and had a better feel for the game, he would be a top 2 player in the league right now.

[beasted]

There isn't a single second option in the playoffs so far that's playing anywhere near as good as AD. Even with his drawbacks. If he had a better motor mentally towards the end of games, could playmake and had a better feel for the game, he would be a top 2 player in the league right now.

Even as a number 1 option the criticism is unrealistic. This has been an ongoing trend detached from just AD. People talk about Durant, Tatum, Giannis, etc, at times like they're bums.

Every player cannot be a top 10 player. That's not the measuring stick for "elite"

[ShawkFactory]

There isn't a single second option in the playoffs so far that's playing anywhere near as good as AD. Even with his drawbacks. If he had a better motor mentally towards the end of games, could playmake and had a better feel for the game, he would be a top 2 player in the league right now.

Agreed..

I feel like people aren't understanding what I'm actually arguing. I was simply discussing why he isn't a true elite player and it seems like you're on the same page here. Him playing with Lebron means that people are ultimately going to be triggered but my comments had nothing to do with Lebron or his help or the Lakers in general. It was purely about AD.

[j3lademaster]

Agreed..

I feel like people aren't understanding what I'm actually arguing. I was simply discussing why he isn't a true elite player and it seems like you're on the same page here. Him playing with Lebron means that people are ultimately going to be triggered but my comments had nothing to do with Lebron or his help or the Lakers in general. It was purely about AD.
AD’s a classic big In that sense. What you’re describing is what sets apart Barkley from Malone imo, but Malone’s never been exposed because he played with Stockton. AD can be the best player on a winner, he just needs to play alongside a leader like Nash or Cp3.

[beasted]

Agreed..

I feel like people aren't understanding what I'm actually arguing. I was simply discussing why he isn't a true elite player and it seems like you're on the same page here. Him playing with Lebron means that people are ultimately going to be triggered but my comments had nothing to do with Lebron or his help or the Lakers in general. It was purely about AD.

You're arguing what a current consensus top 15 player having a top 5 playoff run needs to do to become the top 2. Because only the top 2-3 players seem to be considered elite by your standard.

That's my beef with your take. This is an unreasonably high standard for "elite" in a league of 450+ players.

[ShawkFactory]

You're arguing what a current consensus top 15 player having a top 5 playoff run needs to do to become the top 2. Because only the top 2-3 players seem to be considered elite by your standard.

That's my beef with your take. This is an unreasonably high standard for "elite" in a league of 450+ players.

Yea. I think elite in any given year is a 4-5 guys tops. Sometimes maybe even less.

Jayson Tatum and Ant are really good players but I wouldn’t consider them elite. If they’re clearly a tier below the top guys then that’s the delineation for me.

[beasted]

Yea. I think elite in any given year is a 4-5 guys tops. Sometimes maybe even less.

Jayson Tatum and Ant are really good players but I wouldn’t consider them elite. If they’re clearly a tier below the top guys then that’s the delineation for me.

Ok, so literally less than 1%. Cool.