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[QUOTE=1~Gibson~1]the article is about lebron playing the 4 in a small lineup. Like when the Celtics had Pierce, Posey, Ray, Eddie, and KG when they made that huge comeback in the finals last year.[/QUOTE]
oh. thanks.
doesn't he do that already? from time to time?
[QUOTE=bleedinpurpleTwo]offensively, imo, it doesn't matter which position he plays...he will be a mismatch.
however, defensively, I just don't see him defending KG...or Gasol...etc etc.
he would get posted low every time.
the guy is an all-world SF... leave him there.[/QUOTE]
For a rare instance I have to agree with a Laker fan..lol
[QUOTE=bleedinpurpleTwo]oh. thanks.
doesn't he do that already? from time to time?[/QUOTE]yea but Wally and Sasha are both gone and they were the ones that usually played the 3 when he moved to the 4 so we're looking for someone else to replace them.
Well if someone like Lewis can play PF than so can LeBron, he could be like Karl Malone but he just needs to work on his Post D
[QUOTE=Cavs2007Champs]RedBlackAttack,
Your post was spot on.
People fail to see that your position on the starting roster does not limit you to only guarding that player of the same position on the other team. LeBron guarded other positions B4. It happens. Shawn Marion guarded players everywhere from 1-4.
For LeBron and the PF situation... [B][I]it would only be for certain stretches of games [/I][/B]and he would not be disadvantaged by the majority of PF's in the league. At the SF position LeBron just dominates anyone, and matches well on the Defensive end with basically every other SF in the league. At the PF position LeBron would have the advantage versus nearly every PF on the offensive end, but on the defensive end he could be exploited by a limited number of players.
Cleveland could have the luxury of playing matchups also, by playing LeBron at the 4 for portions of certain games. [B][I]Cleveland could have that luxury of TRUE versatility[/I][/B].
There are a lot of pending things with Cleveland and a lot hinges on their PF position. What Cleveland could do is resign Varejao and then sign a solid tall wing, and for stretches they could have LeBron be the PF who can stretch the offense, while having a Matt Barnes play SF, which could keep players 1-4 on the perimeter for Shaq, and LeBron can still drive.
David West, Dirk, Bosh, Rashard, KG, Pau, Lamarcus Aldridge, Amar'e, Rasheed, and a number more of PF's don't always play back to the basket, there really aren't to many true back to the basket big men anymore. LeBron is quicker than most, and he could be strong enough for all of them also. So for stretches, YES, LeBron could man the PF position. It would hinge on them having a solid back up Wing player.
Cleveland would have done this last year if Wally wasn't the player he was on defense. It would have been a horrible mismatch for Wally vs. any other SF, but Wally could at least lean his body into a posted up PF, or a PF who wasn't as quick as that teams SF.
Cleveland could resign Varejao and then sign a tall wing player, so they could have versatility, and then have Varejao be Center during Small Ball and then play PF when they need him to pester the another player.
LeBron could handle the 4 for stretches, and he DOES NOT have to be in the post on the offensive end.
I'd like for someone to name me a team who has their 4 and 5 primarily posted up on both blocks, and always down low on the offensive end? One team I can think of now Memphis, and we haven't seen it yet, but Memphis with Gasol and Thabeet since neither is considered a jump shooting big will have that problem with 2 big men crowding the paint, so we'll see how that turns out.[/QUOTE]Not really true he does not dominate SF's that post up he has trouble guarding them,like Melo he fries him everytime they match up.
[QUOTE=niko]Both of those guys could take teams with less talent and make something of them. [/QUOTE]
Really ?
D'Antoni couldn't get to the Finals with Nash, Amar'e, Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Barbosa and Shaq.
Nelson couldn't do it either with Dirk, Finley, Nash, Van Exel, Antoine Walker, Antawn Jamison. Even worse, he got fired, Avery Johnson took over and they won the West right after that.
Nelson and D'Antoni had way better talent than what Mike Brown had to work with, and they've got nothing to show for it. Their style of play is horrible, that style will never get you anywhere. But still, they keep teaching the same horrible stuff.
Mike Brown's teams play championship ball.
[QUOTE=niko]What has Brown done that doesn't involve the word LEBRON in it?[/QUOTE]
His team took Boston to 7 games even though LeBron was struggling all series. Because of our defense on Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.
[QUOTE=ZHAKIDD532]They're looking at Rashard Lewis in Orlando and thinking they can duplicate that in some way I think.[/QUOTE]Yeah but Lewis is 6'10 and 1 of the very best 3pt shooters in the league and his post game is beter than Lebrons.
[QUOTE=IamSofaKing]Well if someone like Lewis can play PF than so can LeBron, he could be like Karl Malone but he just needs to work on his Post D[/QUOTE]So he can be like the Mailman 1 of the top 5 PF of all time? You must be smoking your nuts.
[QUOTE=bleedinpurpleTwo]oh. thanks.
doesn't he do that already? from time to time?[/QUOTE]
yeah, this article is a typical offseason article. author attempts to make something bigger than it is. Sure, bron will play the 4, probably more than last year (depending on their bigman rotation - which has a sophomore and 2 old centers currently), but he isnt lining up at the 4 for the tip off or anything like that.
[QUOTE=1~Gibson~1]the article is about lebron playing the 4 in a small lineup. Like when the Celtics had Pierce, Posey, Ray, Eddie, and KG when they made that huge comeback in the finals last year.[/QUOTE]But Pierce actually has a post game.
Hybrid PF... He'd struggle against Gasol/KG, but considering the alternatives you have to look at it as a good move. Then again, the Lakers and Celtics are the two teams the Cavaliers will have to beat in order to win a championship lol
[QUOTE=LA_Showtime]Hybrid PF... He'd struggle against Gasol/KG, but considering the alternatives you have to look at it as a good move. Then again, the Lakers and Celtics are the two teams the Cavaliers will have to beat in order to win a championship lol[/QUOTE]
I believe you mean the Spurs or Celtics. Lakers will be worse off next year with the loss of Odom and Ariza.
[QUOTE=lilgodfather1]I believe you mean the Spurs or Celtics. Lakers will be worse off next year with the loss of Odom and Ariza.[/QUOTE]
:roll: :roll:
We aren't losing both kid.
Lakers still have Gasol and a healthy Bynum to combat any frontocurt...not to mention the best player(IMO) in Kobe Bryant.
[QUOTE=lilgodfather1]I believe you mean the Spurs or Celtics. Lakers will be worse off next year with the loss of Odom and Ariza.[/QUOTE]
They'll match up fine with the Spurs.
[QUOTE=MaxFly]You mean this one?
[IMG]http://www.onemanfastbreak.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/usa_basketball_team.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]
lebron is clearly slouching while howard is standing tall and neck stretched
[QUOTE=D-Rose]:roll: :roll:
We aren't losing both kid.
Lakers still have Gasol and a healthy Bynum to combat any frontocurt...not to mention the best player(IMO) in Kobe Bryant.[/QUOTE]
How do you know you are not losing both? Seriously have either signed yet?
[QUOTE=T-bomb 25]But Pierce actually has a post game.[/QUOTE]So.....you dont HAVE to play in the post to be a PF. And when LeBron posts up he actually does pretty good.
[QUOTE=lilgodfather1]How do you know you are not losing both? Seriously have either signed yet?[/QUOTE]
They've had like 14 hours to make a deal... and considering both of them are unrestricted free agents the chances of them signing right away are low.
[QUOTE=lilgodfather1]How do you know you are not losing both? Seriously have either signed yet?[/QUOTE]
Use common sense kiddo.
There isn't a huge market out there this summer.
Suppose someone takes Ariza for 9 mill. Lakers can pay Odom 1 or 2 mill more then to keep him and offer him the most, fill in the SF spot with the MLE.
IF they get a good SF he can play some PF, then shift to SF when Varejo is on the floor. The problem they had was they slotted Lebron at SF and acted like he couldn't be moved around to take advantages of matchups. He doesn't necessarily need to be one position all the time.
And regardless, Lebron should work on his post game because he is a super beast, and could post up almost anyone.
If he becomes a PF, Prince James new nickname will be LeBron "Foul Trouble" James. because regardless what everyone says I HIGHLY doubt LeBron is 27o like he claims maybe 250-255 but, no way he is like 270-275 like he says he is especially watching the BET awards this weekend no way...
[QUOTE=KKittles30]I HIGHLY doubt LeBron is 27o like he claims maybe 250-255 but, no way he is like 270-275 like he says he is especially watching the BET awards this weekend no way...[/QUOTE]
Rookie LeBron, 240 :
[IMG]http://www.quizilla.com/user_images/N/nelly25/1059119795_mes_030626.jpg[/IMG]
Now :
[IMG]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1155/3168564762_dc6c9efda2_o.jpg[/IMG]
Puting LeBron at PF is a panic move.
LeBron has no back to the basket offense and can't handle big post threats.
If I saw LeBron gaurding my PF the first thing I would do is run a low post screen and switch, then let my biggest player go to work.
Also, if Power Forwards are gaurding LeBron, they are going to sag way off him (because they have to). With Shaq already occupying the post, you're going to consistantly have a packed defense, turning LeBron into a jumpshooter.
Cavs are going in the wrong direction with this move. If anythign they should be looking to find a PF who can shoot the midrange J, so the paint isn't packed with players constantly.
[QUOTE=Mikaiel]Rookie LeBron, 240 :
[IMG]http://www.quizilla.com/user_images/N/nelly25/1059119795_mes_030626.jpg[/IMG]
Now :
[IMG]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1155/3168564762_dc6c9efda2_o.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]
I've seen pictures of before and after, but these two pictures are amazing. This guy is a ****ing beast.
Yea I buy him being every bit of 270. I remember clearly in the 04 olympics they said he was 252 and he is a lot bigger now. 20 pounds with 5 years of weight training isnt hard to believe. He came into the league like 12 pounds off Hakeems prime weight. Id buy 6'9''270 from him right now. Hes about the same size as Zo was in Miami as disturbing as it is to think about.
[QUOTE=bdreason]Also, if Power Forwards are gaurding LeBron, they are going to sag way off him (because they have to). With Shaq already occupying the post, you're going to consistantly have a packed defense, turning LeBron into a jumpshooter.[/quote]
First, a PF would have to sag all the way into the paint to have any chance of staying in front of LeBron. Regardless of where he is listed, a big PF cannot and will not guard him. This isn't NBA Live... You don't have to be matched against whomever is across from you on the official roster.
It would be suicide for a big PF to try and defend LeBron. You are vastly underestimating his jumpshot. He certainly isn't automatic with it at this point in his career, but if you sag off of him and let him step into his rhythm, he will hit medium-range or even long-range jumpers with great regularity.
You didn't see Pietrus playing off of LeBron... Maybe you could do that three years ago, but LeBron's jumper is much better now than it was then. If you don't crowd him or at least get a hand in his face, you are asking for trouble.
LeBron is a matchup nightmare regardless of where he is listed or who is guarding him. This should be obvious by now.
[QUOTE=bdreason]Cavs are going in the wrong direction with this move. If anythign they should be looking to find a PF who can shoot the midrange J, so the paint isn't packed with players constantly.[/QUOTE]
You need to read through the thread. These points have been addressed.
Guys, just because the friggin article says that he's going to be playing PF doesnt mean that he'll be the starting Power Forward next year, nor does it mean he has to bang in the post.
Basically, we just lost Sasha via the Shaq trade, we lost Wally to free agency, and now we're looking to sign someone to play the 3 when we run our small lineup which was actually effective last year.
[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]Yea I buy him being every bit of 270. I remember clearly in the 04 olympics they said he was 252 and he is a lot bigger now. 20 pounds with 5 years of weight training isnt hard to believe. He came into the league like 12 pounds off Hakeems prime weight. Id buy 6'9''270 from him right now. Hes about the same size as Zo was in Miami as disturbing as it is to think about.[/QUOTE]
I don't really understand anyone that argues against LeBron being every bit as big as 6-foot-9, 270. First, he has publicly said that he is 6-foot-9. I'm not sure why he would lie about that and he definitely looks every bit that tall when standing next to the likes of Dwight Howard.
Second, as you noted, he weighed over 250 pounds in the Olympics coming off of his rookie season. There is a massive difference between the LeBron of 2003-04 and the LeBron of 2008-09... If it is this obvious just by sight, you can pretty much guarantee that the scale reflects it, as well.
I'm not sure why he keeps his weight such a secret.
Following in the footsteps of Tim Duncan, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and Kevin Garnett.
:applause: :applause: :applause:
[QUOTE=Lebron23]LeBron James
[B]Height:[/B] 6'9"
[B]Weight:[/B] 270 lbs
[B]Wing Span:[/B] 7'1"
[/QUOTE]
Wait, that better be with shoes and a stomach full of steaks. Isn't he 6'8 and 250? Had to check for that. Anyway, I think they should keep him at the 3. Bigger PFs might wear him down midway through the season.
Why don't the Cavs try to get Rasheed with their MLE? I personally think Rasheed would help the Cavs more than Celtics because of his range. With the Celtics, KG likes to take mid-range shots so if Rasheed is in there, he really wouldn't be able to move out to 3pt line much. With the Cavs, Rasheed can move out to the 3pt line whenever he wants with Shaq inside the paint. I dunno but I am baffled. Rasheed would be more successful with Cavs, and he can definitely get the full MLE with both Cavs and Celtics..