The LeBron James Thread

[wwharton]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

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If Chalmers moves in a few steps, you have 3 open shots there off that PnR. More off the penetration but the PnR helped, notice Rondo stayed on James.

That's actually not one of the two I remembered so thanks for reminding me about that one.

If that were something they did more regularly it would be defended differently bc the D would expect it. Honestly, anybody on the team could've set that pick... it did absolutely nothing for James. Rondo didn't stay on James, he was effectively picked... but notice James did nothing. He didn't roll, he didn't pop, he didn't flare. He didn't even open up and seal properly.

If you're saying they should use that a couple of times a game (like they currently do) then I agree. But it's far from an unstoppable play, and limits the effectiveness of having the two on the floor at the same time if a team shuts down the drive and you go to plan B. If I have Anthony setting that screen, Wade does the same thing... but lets say the guy guarding Anthony cuts off the lane and the wing sinks. Would you rather have Chalmers there for an outlet while Anthony is trailing the play (or standing there like James is), or James there for the outlet? Or what if they trap cutting off the angle to the screener. You want that to be James, or do you want James in a different spot to get the outlet out of the trap?

They do that more than a handful of times sprinkled throughout the game and it doesn't make sense (imo). It's not like James sets better screens or rolls better than the big men that have been only doing that for most of their careers.

[BringTheHeat]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Yeah I was just posting a notable example, I'm off the unstoppable thing lol.

Like I said, the penetration is what made that play happen, not the screener.

And honestly it depends on the situation. If we need a three I'd rather have Rio or Mike Miller out there. But if LeBron was in Chalmers' position, he'd have a wide open lane to either get the pass or cut there, assuming Wade could pass out of the double, I remember last night he had a late turnover off a double team cross court pass.

[BlastX21]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I'm gonna bring up a discussion I've thought about for a while.

How much rest should LeBron get?

I dont have the exact numbers, but I'm pretty sure LeBron averages 42-43 minutes a game since the postseason. He just played 47 last night. In game 1, he played 44 even though it was a blowout in the 4th quarter. Similar story in the Pacers series, and that was even more taxing because he had to play power forward at certain intervals, and carry the team in a couple games.

I'm sure we all saw an article a while ago where he said that playing power forward against the Pacers was "taxing". Maybe it was an excuse, maybe it wasn't. But either way, he's admitted to being tired.

I understand he's an athletic monster in his prime. But he's not superman. I thought in last year's finals, fatigue also played a role in his performance. Obviously a lot of it was just bad play on his part, and I'm not defending it, but I would say the long term fatigue of his minutes last year could have accounted up to 25% of his struggles in the 4th quarter.

So if you're Eric Speolstra, how much do you consider long-term fatigue for LeBron in your gameplan, and how many minutes do you play him a game? I'd like to hear some opinions.

For me personally, I would run him 39 a game. I would rest him for 4 during the first half, saving 5 of them for the late third and mid 4th quarters so that he can be effective late. He can do more obviously if the opposing team makes a run.

In the Finals I'd go 42.

[BlastX21]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

^ I'm particularly interested in 23's opinion since he's expressed similar concern.

[ojandpizza]

As for the pick and roll discussion, wouldn't work because Wade wouldn't pass, he would shoot a running fade away over a double team, fall down and hope for a foul, he plays more and more like Kobe every time I watch him, when he's on fire he looks amazing, when he's not he looks stupid, he just forces way to much, that's why the team runs much smoother when offense is going through LeBron

[wwharton]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Yeah I was just posting a notable example, I'm off the unstoppable thing lol.

Like I said, the penetration is what made that play happen, not the screener.

And honestly it depends on the situation. If we need a three I'd rather have Rio or Mike Miller out there. But if LeBron was in Chalmers' position, he'd have a wide open lane to either get the pass or cut there, assuming Wade could pass out of the double, I remember last night he had a late turnover off a double team cross court pass.

Yeah, and that's a good example you posted there also. I'd prefer they put role players in the best position for them to contribute so like you said, if they need a 3, they should be trying to set up Chalmers, Battier or Miller. In the same sense, that's why I think a 4 or 5 should be working that PnR. I'll see if I can find the two I was talking about on youtube and post them.

[utexas]

He is putting on a clinic right now. Nice to see this performance in a clutch situation.

[DW3]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

He is putting on a clinic right now. Nice to see this performance in a clutch situation.

Lebron balled out of his mind tonight. I'm still trying to figure out where Wade is

[jeebs9]

Actually didn't see this kind of game coming from him.

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[wwharton]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Actually didn't see this kind of game coming from him.

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He caught the ball in perfect position all game. His iso's were foul line extended instead of behind the 3 point line... no pounding the air out of the ball; one or two dribbles and at the rim or pull up for an easier jumper if the defender fades off. And when he didn't get the ball there he did a great job moving without the ball so he was catching it in the paint.

IMO, this was the best important game he's ever played. Very efficient, and he wanted and took the shots the team needed but without that stupid 1-4 iso set.

[Perfect 10]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

He played an excellent game last night and he will need to repeat his performance tomorrow night if the Heat wish to move forward and play the Thunder next week. Not a Lebron James fan one bit but last night he showed when he needs to take over a game he could easily accomplish that feat.

[jeebs9]

He caught the ball in perfect position all game. His iso's were foul line extended instead of behind the 3 point line... no pounding the air out of the ball; one or two dribbles and at the rim or pull up for an easier jumper if the defender fades off. And when he didn't get the ball there he did a great job moving without the ball so he was catching it in the paint.

IMO, this was the best important game he's ever played. Very efficient, and he wanted and took the shots the team needed but without that stupid 1-4 iso set.

Totally agree with assessment! That exactly how I felt. It was sort of like watching Carmelo to a point.

Now the question is will he keep it up.

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[da ThRONe]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

He caught the ball in perfect position all game. His iso's were foul line extended instead of behind the 3 point line... no pounding the air out of the ball; one or two dribbles and at the rim or pull up for an easier jumper if the defender fades off. And when he didn't get the ball there he did a great job moving without the ball so he was catching it in the paint.

IMO, this was the best important game he's ever played. Very efficient, and he wanted and took the shots the team needed but without that stupid 1-4 iso set.

This.

He is so good he can play a style of ball that's inefficient and be crazy productive. Yesterday was an efficient styke of play and attitude and it showed.

[wwharton]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Totally agree with assessment! That exactly how I felt. It was sort of like watching Carmelo to a point.

Now the question is will he keep it up.

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Carmelo's actually not a bad comparison... but did it while also being active all over the boards, on defense and still looking for his teammates on occasion, lol.

I think Spo needs some credit for this too. The movement without the ball is on James, and it's gradually improved throughout the playoffs (starting around when they turned the Pacers series around) but yesterday I think was the best I've seen him. His cuts were confident and he was very decisive when he got the ball in the paint. But there was an obvious effort to get him the ball foul line extended more against the man to man D. I personally wouldn't let him go iso ever behind the 3 point line. Every time he has the ball out there I would make somebody run up to set a screen... otherwise, try to get to that Paul Pierce/Dirk spot, or hard cuts when on the other side of the court.

Boston will do a better job of defending it, but if he can keep the mentality and not give up on it when it's not as insanely successful as it was yesterday, he should be that guy we all expected (stats be damned).

[BringTheHeat]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Players with at least 45 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists in NBA playoff history


Wilt Chamberlain April 10, 1964 St. Louis Hawks 50 15 6 68.8

LeBron James June 7, 2012 Boston Celtics 45 15 5 73.1