Lakers would be better with KD instead of Lebron

[StrongLurk]

Luka ball is basically forcing Lebron to play the "KD" role, but that's not Lebron's game. The Lakers are legit taking away Lebron's strengths and playing to his secondary skills (scoring/shooting). Lebron's BIGGEST strength is his PG/Floor general capabilities.

It would be like the Phoenix Suns making KD play the point guard role. KD could do that, but it wouldn't make sense because then you aren't playing to KD's strengths.

Lebron as the PG/Floor General is a top 7 player in the league, but I'm not sure Lebron is even a top 15 player in the league if he's forced to play a "KD" role.

[Real Men Wear Green]

That's true offensively. Not sure about defensively. LA is badly lacking size and Durant is taller but James is actually the only one blocking shots. Also James is the Lakers' leader. If he wasn't there someone else may be able to step up but Durant doesn't seem to be that kind of personality. The Suns fiasco does have to be taken into account.

[StrongLurk]

That's true offensively. Not sure about defensively. LA is badly lacking size and Durant is taller but James is actually the only one blocking shots. Also James is the Lakers' leader. If he wasn't there someone else may be able to step up but Durant doesn't seem to be that kind of personality. The Suns fiasco does have to be taken into account.

Lol no to all of this. Durant can replace Lebron's defense, and LUKA is the leader of the Lakers, not Lebron.

Imagine taking Magic Johnson and saying hey, we are moving you from PG to floor spacing Power Forward for half the game now. It's just not efficient.

[John8204]

Hold on hold on wait up...

you mean to tell me KD's team would look better on paper than another team in the league.

you don't say

[Real Men Wear Green]

Lol no to all of this. Durant can replace Lebron's defense, and LUKA is the leader of the Lakers, not Lebron.

Imagine taking Magic Johnson and saying hey, we are moving you from PG to floor spacing Power Forward for half the game now. It's just not efficient.
Doncic is the best player. But the guy with his hands up complaining to the refs while the other team is running the break in the other direction is not a leader. Doncic needs to mature past that kind of thing before he is a true team captain-type.

James' new role means he doesn't use his full offensive talents but there's more to the game than just offense. You're still ignoring the defensive side of the floor.

[StrongLurk]

Doncic is the best player. But the guy with his hands up complaining to the refs while the other team is running the break in the other direction is not a leader. Doncic needs to mature past that kind of thing before he is a true team captain-type.

James' new role means he doesn't use his full offensive talents but there's more to the game than just offense. You're still ignoring the defensive side of the floor.

Bro if you argument is "what about 40 year old Lebron's defense", then your argument sucks. Neither Lebron or KD are elite defenders at this point, so it's strictly down to offense.

KD on this Lakers team with Luka/AR is a better fit than Lebron is.

[Lebron23]

The guy that missed the playoffs in the west.

[StrongLurk]

The guy that missed the playoffs in the west.

Lebron on the Suns also misses the playoffs this year. Suns have awful roster construction.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Bro if you argument is "what about 40 year old Lebron's defense", then your argument sucks. Neither Lebron or KD are elite defenders at this point, so it's strictly down to offense.

KD on this Lakers team with Luka/AR is a better fit than Lebron is.
You not understanding that defense matters doesn't mean that it doesn't matter.

[90sgoat]

It worked well before Lebron got injured. Luka would ball out in the 1st quarter, then Lebron and Reaves did most of the work in the 2nd and 3rd quarter and then Luka or Lebron would take over in the 4th depending on who had the best momentum.

[SouBeachTalents]

LeBron didn’t have his best game, but KD isn’t doing anything to prevent the Wolves from shooting nearly 60% from 3 most of the game.

I know OP is the king of the hot take, but it’s only one game, let’s see how the rest of the series goes.

[StrongLurk]

You not understanding that defense matters doesn't mean that it doesn't matter.

I didn't say defense doesn't matter in basketball. I said KK and Lebron are the same level of defenders, so using Lebron's defense as your argument doesn't matter. So what does matter is offense, and yes, KD would be better for the Lakers offense.

[StrongLurk]

LeBron didn’t have his best game, but KD isn’t doing anything to prevent the Wolves from shooting nearly 60% from 3 most of the game.

I know OP is the king of the hot take, but it’s only one game, let’s see how the rest of the series goes.

KD and Lebron are the same level of defenders, so what does matter is offense, and yes, KD would be better for the Lakers offense.

[ImKobe]

That's true offensively. Not sure about defensively. LA is badly lacking size and Durant is taller but James is actually the only one blocking shots. Also James is the Lakers' leader. If he wasn't there someone else may be able to step up but Durant doesn't seem to be that kind of personality. The Suns fiasco does have to be taken into account.

Lebron is not a good TEAM defensive player and hasn't been for years. He has his moments but if you watch the Lakers often he takes nights off on that end of the court. They wouldn't miss a beat defensively. Suns were 3 - 17 in the games KD didn't play so when he was healthy they were good enough to make the Playoffs at least but they had bigger issues. I will say I wouldn't really want KD on the team over James either because I don't think you can rely on him to play 65-70+ games a season. Luka needs a younger co-star.

[Real Men Wear Green]

I didn't say defense doesn't matter in basketball. I said KK and Lebron are the same level of defenders, so using Lebron's defense as your argument doesn't matter. So what does matter is offense, and yes, KD would be better for the Lakers offense.
The Lakers are often playing James at center. He's not a great defensive presence but he is giving an honest effort there and occasionally makes a play. I've never seen Durant do that. When he was younger he was a great defender largely on the perimeter but he's never been a guy that muscles yup in the paint.

This season we saw Durant come to work... and that's all. He wasn't being a leader for Phoenix the way that James is for the Lakers and doesn't strike me as likely to play center for them and at least try to give them a presence in the paint. He let Phoenix misses the playoffs. Really not much defending his season or reason to believe he helps Ant team more than James who is an actual leader.

[FKAri]

Doncic is the best player. But the guy with his hands up complaining to the refs while the other team is running the break in the other direction is not a leader. Doncic needs to mature past that kind of thing before he is a true team captain-type.

James' new role means he doesn't use his full offensive talents but there's more to the game than just offense. You're still ignoring the defensive side of the floor.

JB was whining all game today while getting torched on D. He's still called a "leader" and "mature". Luka's not a natural leader but it's not because of those reasons. He may eventually become a leader in the lead by example kind of way.

[Real Men Wear Green]

JB was whining all game today while getting torched on D. He's still called a "leader" and "mature". Luka's not a natural leader but it's not because of those reasons. He may eventually become a leader in the lead by example kind of way. Every vet player complains to the refs, that's not the problem. The problem is not getting back on D, being so wrapped up in his emotions that he forgets to help his team play D. His terrible conditioning which makes his lack of dedication to staying in shape obvious. He's clearly not a leader when it comes to setting an example. Is he a verbal leader? I could be wrong but it seems to me that that's definitely James for the Lakers. So what makes Doncic a leader? His abilities as a scorer, passer and rebounder make him a great player but that's not the same thing as being a leader.

[Wally450]

LeBron at 40 is still a better player than Durant overall. Not just his play, but his leadership as well.