Lebron/Luka are too redundant

[StrongLurk]

Hell lets throw in Reaves too. Luka/Lebron/Reaves is WILDLY redundant. They will not come close to maximizing each other as a trio on offense and none of them are good at defense either.

Lebron/AD is a better 1-2 pairing than Lebron/Luka in my opinion when factoring in offense and defense.

Lebron/Luka have the biggest combination of ball dominance/unassisted scoring in the league as far as duos go.

Lebron would need to get his assisted scoring rate from 42% up to like 62% if he wants to get Luka/Reaves incorporated into an efficient offense. It would be a big change, Lebron would essentially have to be a full-time power forward/screener/3-point shooter, but can he really do that at 40 years old? Luka and Reaves would NEED to be the ones bringing up the ball/setting the offense.

Luka is even more ball dominant than Lebron and has a worse assisted scoring rate (34.7%). There is just no room for Lebron-ball at all when Luka is on the court. Lebron is much better off the ball and as a cutter than Luka, but he's never fully dedicated himself to basically playing like a KD-type player or a screening/floor spacing power forward.

[Ghost1]

Reaves needs to come off the bench, Finney-Smith should start. Then in the summer the Lakers should trade Reaves for a big.

[Neal Romer]

Lebron and Reaves can play off ball and they can both shoot. Theyve been terrific playing off each other the last few years, theres no reason they cant do the same thing around Luka.

The big thing for Doncic is gonna be that he HAS to keep the turnovers down, because transition defense is going to be the kryptonite of all kryptonites for this team. But I dont think theyll struggle to score.

[tpols]

How many threads are you going to make about this my dude? You've said it 1000x and many many other people have too.

With FTs the Lakers will still have an elite offense. It's their defense that's the problem.

[SouBeachTalents]

How many threads are you going to make about this my dude? You've said it 1000x and many many other people have too.

With FTs the Lakers will still have an elite offense. It's their defense that's the problem.
Don't forget he called Jokic was going to have a GOAT peak in 2023.

[90sgoat]

If Lebron actually plays like a power forward, sets screens, rebounds, plays defense, then they will be fine.

If Lebron needs to drive and kick, then that's bad news because Luka hates playing off ball.

[ImKobe]

Thing is Bron & Luka can both shoot 3s, so it's not like a spacing issue like the Heat had in their first season with Bron & Wade. Bron can cut to the basket off-ball and get easy points off that, or an open catch & shoot 3 which he can make at a good rate as well.

When you have two great passers who have a high BBIQ you can make anything work. Just see how Jokic and Russ have fit together when Russ looked hopeless last season. You'd think it'd have been a disaster because WB is not a good shooter and he won't have the ball as much, but they found ways to make it work because they're great players.

[StrongLurk]

Don't forget he called Jokic was going to have a GOAT peak in 2023.

Uh...he kind of did do that in 2023 :confusedshrug:

[AlternativeAcc.]

Lakers went from no shot and no discussion of them making a finals run to all of a sudden people holding them to to the highest possible standards. It's almost like they stole a generational superstar near his peak in the middle of the season and it drastically has altered their narrative. :lol

[StrongLurk]

Thing is Bron & Luka can both shoot 3s, so it's not like a spacing issue like the Heat had in their first season with Bron & Wade. Bron can cut to the basket off-ball and get easy points off that, or an open catch & shoot 3 which he can make at a good rate as well.

It's not about what they "can" theoretically do. It's what they are willing to do. Lebron will have to drastically adjust his offensive approach to fully incorporate Luka and Reaves. He'll have to actively go against his offensive instincts that he has had his whole life. Maybe he is willing to do that since the guy he is giving the ball up to is Luka freaking Doncic. If I'm JJ Reddick, I'm telling Lebron that every game where his scoring has less than a 55% assisted rate is a "bad" offensive game, and any defensive game where is isn't playing like a defensive big is also a "bad" game.

I'd fully trust 2012/2013 Lebron if he was on the Lakers right now, idk about 40 year old Bron.

[StrongLurk]

How many threads are you going to make about this my dude? You've said it 1000x and many many other people have too.

With FTs the Lakers will still have an elite offense. It's their defense that's the problem.

Defense is for sure a bigger problem, but it's hilarious seeing how many people think Luka/40-year Lebron automatically = a championship contender. To me, they would've been better off with their original team before Luka joined (only considering THIS year).

[Full Court]

Defense is for sure a bigger problem, but it's hilarious seeing how many people think Luka/40-year Lebron automatically = a championship contender. To me, they would've been better off with their original team before Luka joined (only considering THIS year).

Lakers should be a championship contender even WITHOUT Luka.

[StrongLurk]

Lakers should be a championship contender even WITHOUT Luka.

Only if you think LeBron is the GOAT and playing at a GOAT level at age 40.

[3ba11]

Ball-handlers clash with other ball-handlers, while bigs can sometimes clash with other bigs, so the only skillset that fits with everyone is jumpshooters, such as the goat 2-point jumpshooter (Jordan ) or the goat 3-point jumpshooter (Curry).. These guys fit with everyone, so they produce the best chemistry and win with low-producers like Klay and Pippen (barely 15-20 ppg).. Jordan had the only dynasty that wasn't a super-team.

[90sgoat]

Thing is Bron & Luka can both shoot 3s

Yes, if they do them from a dribble step back, both on the same position (left outside 3 pointer).

None of them can catch and shoot.

[90sgoat]

Defense is for sure a bigger problem, but it's hilarious seeing how many people think Luka/40-year Lebron automatically = a championship contender. To me, they would've been better off with their original team before Luka joined (only considering THIS year).

Nah, Luka can drag anyone deep into the playoffs and this team is better than a lot of the Mavs teams.

Reaves is better than the Brunson that Luka played with. Lebron will still have some games going off, particularly if they stagger him against benches. Rui is a very decent small forward on offense, DFS is a good defender, Kleber provides spacing. Vanderbilt is a good rebounder and will get some easy buckets.

This team is much better than what Luka has been used to playing with. If the can get into shape in time, then they can make a push.

[ShawkFactory]

Yes, if they do them from a dribble step back, both on the same position (left outside 3 pointer).

None of them can catch and shoot.

Bron is taking almost 3 catch and shoot 3s per game this year and making 41% of them.

[90sgoat]

Bron is taking almost 3 catch and shoot 3s per game this year and making 41% of them.

Would like to see what counts as catch and shoot, but if he actually hits catch and shoots, then that's obviously great.

[ArbitraryWater]

Would like to see what counts as catch and shoot, but if he actually hits catch and shoots, then that's obviously great.

I think its when you catch the ball, and shoot it right away.

[ShawkFactory]

I don’t know if it’s necessarily right away but I think it qualifies if there are no dribbles.

[3ba11]

The "assisted rate" stat began in 1997 when possession-tracking began, which allowed tracking of how often field goals were assisted by teammates (assisted), versus unassisted field goals/solo missions (unassisted)...

Solo missions or unassisted field goals require dribbling, and the dribbling component is why point guards are the position/skillset that is rarely assisted on their field goals (low assisted rate)... Every player in history with a career assisted rate below 40% is a primary ball-handler, such as Lillard, Luka, Lebron, etc... These unassisted buckets are harmless at lower scoring levels like Magic, Nash or Haliburton... However, high-scoring ball-dominators like Luka, Lebron and Harden have high volume of unassisted buckets that make teammates stand in spot-up roles more often, which lowers their assists and causes low assist teams.

Since high-scoring ball-dominators like Lebron have scoring style and skillset that turns everyone into spot-up shooter, they prevent elite roster construction and therefore can't be the leading scorer for the best basketball (dynasty or dominant champion).. Since high-scoring ball-dominators can't produce the best basketball, they're inferior to the best of other skillsets that can (bigs & jumpshooters), which puts all high-scoring ball-dominators like Lebron outside the top 10 all-time.

Interestingly, Phil/Tex didn't know about assisted rate in the 90's because the stat didn't exist - I believe this was part of the reason they thought that MJ wouldn't be scoring champ in the triangle.. They figured that Jordan's 37 ppg meant that he had the ball too much and the triangle would take it out of his hands, but they didn't realize that the majority of MJ's buckets were already assisted, so his game suited the triangle quite well.. Not surprisingly, MJ won with the triangle basically right away and was scoring champ 7 of 7 times in the triangle... Otoh, it's the low-assisted players (primary ball-handler skillsets) that had no role in the triangle and were never used in the triangle - they're the ones that would have issues taking the ball out of their hands and turning their unassisted/solo missions into assisted buckets

[ShawkFactory]

The "assisted rate" stat began in 1997 when possession-tracking began, which allowed tracking of how often field goals were assisted by teammates (assisted), versus unassisted field goals/solo missions (unassisted)...

Solo missions or unassisted field goals require dribbling, and the dribbling component is why point guards are the position/skillset that is rarely assisted on their field goals (low assisted rate)... Every player in history with a career assisted rate below 40% is a primary ball-handler, such as Lillard, Luka, Lebron, etc... These unassisted buckets are harmless at lower scoring levels like Magic, Nash or Haliburton... However, high-scoring ball-dominators like Luka, Lebron and Harden have high volume of unassisted buckets that make teammates stand in spot-up roles more often, which lowers their assists and causes low assist teams.

Since high-scoring ball-dominators like Lebron have scoring style and skillset that turns everyone into spot-up shooter, they prevent elite roster construction and therefore can't be the leading scorer for the best basketball (dynasty or dominant champion).. Since high-scoring ball-dominators can't produce the best basketball, they're inferior to the best of other skillsets that can (bigs & jumpshooters), which puts all high-scoring ball-dominators like Lebron outside the top 10 all-time.

Interestingly, Phil/Tex didn't know about assisted rate in the 90's because the stat didn't exist - I believe this was part of the reason they thought that MJ wouldn't be scoring champ in the triangle.. They figured that Jordan's 37 ppg meant that he had the ball too much and the triangle would take it out of his hands, but they didn't realize that the majority of MJ's buckets were already assisted, so his game suited the triangle quite well.. Not surprisingly, MJ won with the triangle basically right away and was scoring champ 7 of 7 times in the triangle... Otoh, it's the low-assisted players (primary ball-handler skillsets) that had no role in the triangle and were never used in the triangle - they're the ones that would have issues taking the ball out of their hands and turning their unassisted/solo missions into assisted buckets

Lol yea I'm sure that one of the greatest offensive minds ever didn't know Jordan's game in 1987 the way you do.

[3ba11]

Lol yea I'm sure that one of the greatest offensive minds ever didn't know Jordan's game in 1987 the way you do.


It's 2025, so we all know basketball better than Phil and Tex - we have literally 28 years of possession data about games they were yet to play

If they knew then what we know now, they could win billions in the gambling markets.

But again, they were so clueless about assisted rate that they thought MJ wouldn't be scoring champ anymore in the triangle - let that sink in - think about how dumb it was to think that.... Jordan was scoring champ 7 of 7 times in the triangle.. Again, we can see now why it was so dumb of them to think that, but at the time, how would they know???? They didn't have access to what we have access to now (possession data and 30 years of history that had yet to unfold)

But carry on lacking understanding about how the world works and thinking that I'M the one that is misguided (the guy stating the facts)

[ShawkFactory]

It's 2025, so we all know basketball better than Phil and Tex - we have literally 28 years of possession data about games they were yet to play

If they knew then what we know now, they could win billions in the gambling markets.

But again, they were so clueless about assisted rate that they thought MJ wouldn't be scoring champ anymore in the triangle - let that sink in - think about how dumb it was to think that.... Jordan was scoring champ 7 of 7 times in the triangle.. Again, we can see now why it was so dumb of them to think that, but at the time, how would they know???? They didn't have access to what we have access to now (possession data and 30 years of history that had yet to unfold)

But carry on lacking understanding about how the world works and thinking that I'M the one that is misguided (the guy stating the facts)

That existed in 1987? Good point.


(the guy stating the facts)

That Didn't exist in 1987.

[Neal Romer]

One thing to mind is altho LA will be a bit vulnerable at center, they're gonna have a pretty big starting 5 overall.

I always thought it limited Lebron that he played with so many short guards in his career, instead of lining up at pg like Magic and playing with another full sized small forward. He always had Gibson and Chalmers and D'Lo types. Since Lebron handles the ball I always thought his teams should just put another 3&D wing out there like a Trevor Ariza or Shane Battier in addition to having Bron the de facto point guard at the small forward. He's always had these small guards and I just never saw any advantage to it.

Now he's gonna have a 6'8 point guard who rebounds the ball very well. Defense is the obvious concern but at least in terms of rebounding and passing lanes and so on, more size is better. Reaves has decent size for a shooting guard, Lebron is big and rebounds well at the 3. Hachimura is a roughly standard sized 4 by today's standards I think and then Hayes at center. So the potential to bully teams is there. They'll just have to play super scheme-disciplined defense, which isnt gonna solve all their problems but clearly they're not gonna coast on talent at that end.

[Im Still Ballin]

It's going to be funny watching teams trap/blitz Doncic 25-30 feet from the basket, passing to LeBron on the short roll taking advantage of a 3-on-4.

[ImKobe]

Yes, if they do them from a dribble step back, both on the same position (left outside 3 pointer).

None of them can catch and shoot.

You can look up the stats and see that both of them are good at catch & shoot 3s. Doncic started taking more of those once he got Kyrie and he was efficient at it. They're going to play small ball with Bron at the 5 quite a bit with the roster they have this season so I think the fit won't be an issue at all offensively. The Luka/Bron P&R gonna go crazy.

[3ba11]

You can look up the stats and see that both of them are good at catch & shoot 3s. Doncic started taking more of those once he got Kyrie and he was efficient at it. They're going to play small ball with Bron at the 5 quite a bit with the roster they have this season so I think the fit won't be an issue at all offensively. The Luka/Bron P&R gonna go crazy.


For Luka and Lebron to have an elite PNR together, one or both must play like an elite big with a 60-80% assisted rate.

Unfortunately, neither has ever been above 45%, so they will play your-turn-my-turn, and the PNR's will be reserved for true bigs like Jaxon Hayes, or a shooter off-the-bench like Knecht..... Lakers actually lack shooting

[coin24]

Letiny may wrap it up after this year or next.. donthicc is the lakers main guy for the next decade..
Does it matter when they flame out this year?

It’s hard to rebuild properly with that LeAlbatros contract on the books while he hangs around like a no d playing bad smell..
Once that loser is gone they can add better pieces to complement luka

[ILLsmak]

Uh...he kind of did do that in 2023 :confusedshrug:

I fux w/ u. Keep rollin homie.

-Smak

[StrongLurk]

For Luka and Lebron to have an elite PNR together, one or both must play like an elite big with a 60-80% assisted rate.

Unfortunately, neither has ever been above 45%, so they will play your-turn-my-turn, and the PNR's will be reserved for true bigs like Jaxon Hayes, or a shooter off-the-bench like Knecht..... Lakers actually lack shooting

This is a decent hypothetical. It pretty much requires Lebron to be the screen/roll guy (which he is fantastic at), but he doesnt often pop from the screen and then immediately pull a jumper unless it's a 3-point shot. I haven't looked at the numbers, but I imagine Luka is not a good screener/action player himself.

I still think the Luka/Lebron pick and roll will be really good, but it could be a little predictable in a playoff series.

Either way, there is no way Lebron and Luka are both putting up their usual statlines if they don't adjust their playstyles. Lebron, to me, is simply the more versatile player so he should be the one to adjust when he is on the court with Luka. It will be interesting to see. Lebron SHOULD want to try it considering he is playing off of Luka, he is 40 years old, and Reaves has proven himself capable as a secondary ball handler as well.

[Xiao Yao You]

Trouble in paradise?

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/279241/Lakers-Seeking-Luka-Doncics-Feedback-On-Trades-Wasnt-Lost-On-LeBron-James

[rawimpact]

Trouble in paradise?

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/279241/Lakers-Seeking-Luka-Doncics-Feedback-On-Trades-Wasnt-Lost-On-LeBron-James

Where is the trouble noted in that article? The article merely states they're catering to Luka... pretty sure Lebron at 40 understands he can't be the centerpiece of a team.

[3ba11]

This is a decent hypothetical. It pretty much requires Lebron to be the screen/roll guy (which he is fantastic at), but he doesnt often pop from the screen and then immediately pull a jumper unless it's a 3-point shot. I haven't looked at the numbers, but I imagine Luka is not a good screener/action player himself.

I still think the Luka/Lebron pick and roll will be really good, but it could be a little predictable in a playoff series.

Either way, there is no way Lebron and Luka are both putting up their usual statlines if they don't adjust their playstyles. Lebron, to me, is simply the more versatile player so he should be the one to adjust when he is on the court with Luka. It will be interesting to see. Lebron SHOULD want to try it considering he is playing off of Luka, he is 40 years old, and Reaves has proven himself capable as a secondary ball handler as well.


Pick n pop is much more nuanced and complicated than just popping and getting a spot-up.. Normally there's some finesse involved, like a headfake, footwork or popping the type of quick/sudden jumper that Lebron doesn't have... And truthfully , Luka will not be off-ball, so Lebron must literally have a 60-80% assisted rate, which is impossible for him

Lebron stinks as the role man and you're just thinking about the occasional one-off - he lacks the skill and nuance to do it repeatedly and live off it .. And even if Luka and Lebron alternate as the role man, both still need to be elite at it, which requires 60-80% assisted capability.

Btw, you're dumb because 1) you don't think assisted rate is anything, and 2) you don't think assisted rate is anything because you haven't heard anyone on TV mention it

[Xiao Yao You]

Where is the trouble noted in that article? The article merely states they're catering to Luka... pretty sure Lebron at 40 understands he can't be the centerpiece of a team.

Never catered to him. Cant like that

[StrongLurk]

Pick n pop is much more nuanced and complicated than just popping and getting a spot-up.. Normally there's some finesse involved, like a headfake, footwork or popping the type of quick/sudden jumper that Lebron doesn't have... And truthfully , Luka will not be off-ball, so Lebron must literally have a 60-80% assisted rate, which is impossible for him

Lebron stinks as the role man and you're just thinking about the occasional one-off - he lacks the skill and nuance to do it repeatedly and live off it .. And even if Luka and Lebron alternate as the role man, both still need to be elite at it, which requires 60-80% assisted capability.

Btw, you're dumb because 1) you don't think assisted rate is anything, and 2) you don't think assisted rate is anything because you haven't heard anyone on TV mention it

What a weird post. Lebron is indeed good as a role man, so you got that wrong. 2) My OP literally references assisted rate, yet the bolded claims I don't know it?

I would call you the actual dumb one, but really your issue is your psychological illness to obsess and cry over Lebron simply overrides any logic you are attempting. You and Trump would have a fantastic one-on-one to see who could cry the most :cry:

[StrongLurk]

I'm also curious at what the hell Reddick and the Lakers coaching stuff will come up with.

Switching AD for Luka midseason is a drastic change. I really think this team will need to finish this season, then have an offseason together, and then try to put together a real offensive game plan/build chemistry starting next year.

[3ba11]

Lebron is indeed good as a role man





No, Lebron isn't a good role man, which is why he almost never does it

If Lebron was a good role man, he would've fit with Westbrook instead of historic underachievement ...

Ditto Wade, Hughes, Ingram, IT, Rose, D-Lo, Dinwiddie and many other ball-handlers.. Virtually everyone with a career assisted rate below 40% is a primary ball-handler - just go watch 90 seconds of Karl Malone PNR's to see what is required of role men to have a elite fit with a ball-handler.. Lebron ain't got that

[StrongLurk]

No, Lebron isn't a good role man, which is why he almost never does it

If Lebron was a good role man, he would've fit with Westbrook instead of historic underachievement ...

Ditto Wade, Hughes, Ingram, IT, Rose, D-Lo, Dinwiddie and many other ball-handlers.. Virtually everyone with a career assisted rate below 40% is a primary ball-handler - just go watch 90 seconds of Karl Malone PNR's to see what is required of role men to have a elite fit with a ball-handler

Let me rephrase, I am imagining Lebron playing a 2021 Giannis type. Heavy screen action while rolling to the basket (to score or kick out), also being a heavy cutter into space. He IS good at these things. I agree with Lebron will not be an elite quick shooter/pop out player a la Karl Malone, but I do think he CAN attempt to that more with Luka. Literally just Lebron DOING that more will keep the pick and roll less predictable and yield some positive results. I literally said in my OP that ideally Lebron will increase his assisted scoring rate from 42% to something like 62% so Luka and even Reaves can do more ball handling.

[3ba11]

Let me rephrase, I am imagining Lebron playing a 2021 Giannis type. Heavy screen action while rolling to the basket (to score or kick out), also being a heavy cutter into space. He IS good at these things. I agree with Lebron will not be an elite quick shooter/pop out player a la Karl Malone, but I do think he CAN attempt to that more with Luka. Literally just Lebron DOING that more will keep the pick and roll less predictable and yield some positive results. I literally said in my OP that ideally Lebron will increase his assisted scoring rate from 42% to something like 62% so Luka and even Reaves can do more ball handling.


Here's the thing... Ball-handlers are built to either finish themselves or pass to teammates - their skillset isn't built to receive passes from teammates and quickly "close" possessions like bigs or jumpshooters - big or jumpshooters have great hook-shots (duncan), drop-step dunks (shaq), or spot-ups (mj, curry) to quickly close possessions, but this isn't lebron's wheelhouse.... and he can't be just "okay" at it to have a great fit with Luka - he needs to be great at it, and he ain't... ultimately, ball-handlers like luka and lebron need "closers" (generally bigs or jumpshooters), so they have underperforming fits with fellow ball-handlers like Westbrook, Hughes, Ingram, D-Lo, Dinwiddie, etc, etc, etc.

[tpols]

No, Lebron isn't a good role man, which is why he almost never does it

If Lebron was a good role man, he would've fit with Westbrook instead of historic underachievement ...

Ditto Wade, Hughes, Ingram, IT, Rose, D-Lo, Dinwiddie and many other ball-handlers.. Virtually everyone with a career assisted rate below 40% is a primary ball-handler - just go watch 90 seconds of Karl Malone PNR's to see what is required of role men to have a elite fit with a ball-handler.. Lebron ain't got that


I don't know... if Dray could do it off curry trap double teams why can't lebron do the same with Luka? Hes a super dray on offense x1000.

If I was a defense vs the Lakers I'd just switch everything. And live with stagnant 1v1 ball for them even if Luka gets hot.

[StrongLurk]

Here's the thing... Ball-handlers are built to either finish themselves or pass to teammates - their skillset isn't built to receive passes from teammates and quickly "close" possessions like bigs or jumpshooters - big or jumpshooters have great hook-shots (duncan), drop-step dunks (shaq), or spot-ups (mj, curry) to quickly close possessions, but this isn't lebron's wheelhouse.... and he can't be just "okay" at it to have a great fit with Luka - he needs to be great at it, and he ain't... ultimately, ball-handlers like luka and lebron need "closers" (generally bigs or jumpshooters), so they have underperforming fits with fellow ball-handlers like Westbrook, Hughes, Ingram, D-Lo, Dinwiddie, etc, etc, etc.

I understand what you are trying to say, but I still think Lebron can be good at adjusting to Luka. If anything, it's a mental change for him. I'm not saying he will be a superstar at filling this role (especially at age 40), but we will see what happens.

I expect things to go pretty average this year, but I think there is good potential for next year once the coaching staff gets a chance to understand what team they have and Lebron/Luka/Reaves should have more chemistry by then.

Again, I do not think the Lakers will be contenders (mostly because of defense), but they can potentially get better.

[3ba11]

I understand what you are trying to say, but I still think Lebron can be good at adjusting to Luka. If anything, it's a mental change for him. I'm not saying he will be a superstar at filling this role (especially at age 40), but we will see what happens.

I expect things to go pretty average this year, but I think there is good potential for next year once the coaching staff gets a chance to understand what team they have and Lebron/Luka/Reaves should have more chemistry by then.

Again, I do not think the Lakers will be contenders (mostly because of defense), but they can potentially get better.


If Lebron could fit with someone like Luka, he would've done it with Westbrook, Wade, Ingram and other ballhandlers - his bad fits with many ball-handlers and worst-ever fit with Westbrook shows that you're ignoring the historical record and the way basketball works.. Shaq can't just start shooting threes because you want him to, and Lebron can't fit with Westbrook or Luka just because you want it to happen.. But it's a free country, so we can agree to disagree... but then I'll gloat later on when I'm right, and you'll make up excuses.. Rinse repeat.. standard procedure at this point...

[StrongLurk]

If Lebron could fit with someone like Luka, he would've done it with Westbrook, Wade, Ingram and other ballhandlers - his bad fits with many ball-handlers and worst-ever fit with Westbrook shows that you're ignoring the historical record and the way basketball works.. Shaq can't just start shooting threes because you want him to, and Lebron can't fit with Westbrook or Luka just because you want it to happen.. But it's a free country, so we can agree to disagree... but then I'll gloat later on when I'm right, and you'll make up excuses.. Rinse repeat.. standard procedure at this point...

I'm not making excuses for Lebron here, I literally made this thread you absolute moron. My whole point is that his normal style of play won't work with Luka, but maybe Lebron is willing to make adjustments at this stage in his career. That's all I am saying.

[3ba11]

I'm not making excuses for Lebron here, I literally made this thread you absolute moron. My whole point is that his normal style of play won't work with Luka, but maybe Lebron is willing to make adjustments at this stage in his career. That's all I am saying.


.

2014 LOVE....... 26.9 PER... 8.9 BPM... 0.245 WS/48... 7.7 VORP
2025 LUKA....... 24.5 PER... 7.0 BPM... 0.174 WS/48
2024 LUKA....... 24.5 PER... 6.5 BPM... 0.170 WS/48... 8.0 VORP


It was pointed out that most guys like Wade or Love volunteered or were cool with sacrificing their legacy for bron-ball, but Luka was forced into this.

What a travesty it will be to see him look bummy alongside Lebron the way Love and so many others did

[Neal Romer]

Never catered to him. Cant like that


Oh really?

They didnt get Davis? They didnt get Westbrook? Hell, for all we know getting Luka might have ALSO been done at Lebron's request.

Just because an article says something dumb for clicks doesnt mean you have to repeat it before using your own brain to actually think if it's really true.

[StrongLurk]

Like I said, Luka/Lebron/Reaves is very redundant. Lakers were never going to make any noise in the playoffs as currently constructed.

[Wardell Curry]

Like I said, Luka/Lebron/Reaves is very redundant. Lakers were never going to make any noise in the playoffs as currently constructed.

If LeBron doesn't retire and they want one final last gasp they can deal Reaves for someone who is more capable defensively.

[StrongLurk]

If LeBron doesn't retire and they want one final last gasp they can deal Reaves for someone who is more capable defensively.

I really like Reaves, but Luka joining the team made Reaves expendable. He has a great contract too.

Idk, ideally the Lakers can get a legit playoff big man and then move Reaves to 6th man.

[90sgoat]

Like I said, Luka/Lebron/Reaves is very redundant. Lakers were never going to make any noise in the playoffs as currently constructed.

Lebron is not redundant, but his contract is.

Lebron can easily play 2 more seasons as a third option playing good defense and picking his spots to score.

The issue with Lakers is they have no center and Rui and Reaves have not shown they can deliver consistently in the playoffs.

They need a real center, someone who can score and rebound. Vucevic, Claxton.