Re: **11/7 games thread**
LeBron, for all his gifts, doesn't move well laterally, never has, and will never be more than an average ball defender unfortunately. It is what it is, and has been in his scouting report from day 1. He's got the length and quicks to play good positional defense and work angles, but he's not gonna be any more than adequate on D. The FT's are a strange thing on the other hand. LeBron likes to come off as aloof to detractors, but most folks close to the Cavs say he really does take criticisms personally, and has worked pretty hard at the line. It's more mental than anything, and at 22, I chalk it up to just another thing he has to improve, but its pretty tough to watch some nights, lol. Before last season, LeBron didn't have a single post move, or get many blocks at all...can't knock him on either anymore. He'll develop his stroke as well...hopefull sooner than later cuz 50% from the line aint gonna cut it.
As far as other guys, they can do what they do, but they will never have LeBron's physical tools, and it's not even close. Deron isn't going to develop a 44-inch vertical and Melo is never going to be able to outrun most PG's on the break. Conversly, there isn't anything in any of those guys games that Lebron can't learn with practice. Obviously, potential doesn't always amount to a mound of fresh doo doo...but Bron has shown what he can do when things fall into place, ala dropping 40 points in a row on one of the top defenses in the league, lol. I don't think anyone you mentioned there could do as much with as little. IE, everyone was saying how much better Wade was until they saw how sh*tty the Heat were without Shaq last season.
LeBron, for all his gifts, doesn't move well laterally, never has, and will never be more than an average ball defender unfortunately. It is what it is, and has been in his scouting report from day 1. He's got the length and quicks to play good positional defense and work angles, but he's not gonna be any more than adequate on D. The FT's are a strange thing on the other hand. LeBron likes to come off as aloof to detractors, but most folks close to the Cavs say he really does take criticisms personally, and has worked pretty hard at the line. It's more mental than anything, and at 22, I chalk it up to just another thing he has to improve, but its pretty tough to watch some nights, lol. Before last season, LeBron didn't have a single post move, or get many blocks at all...can't knock him on either anymore. He'll develop his stroke as well...hopefull sooner than later cuz 50% from the line aint gonna cut it.
As far as other guys, they can do what they do, but they will never have LeBron's physical tools, and it's not even close. Deron isn't going to develop a 44-inch vertical and Melo is never going to be able to outrun most PG's on the break. Conversly, there isn't anything in any of those guys games that Lebron can't learn with practice. Obviously, potential doesn't always amount to a mound of fresh doo doo...but Bron has shown what he can do when things fall into place, ala dropping 40 points in a row on one of the top defenses in the league, lol. I don't think anyone you mentioned there could do as much with as little. IE, everyone was saying how much better Wade was until they saw how sh*tty the Heat were without Shaq last season.
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