The LeBron James Thread

**Slater James** · 11-07-2013, 07:49 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

The only "weakness" I see in LBJs game is his lateral quickness. Its most apparent when he is in the triple threat. His first step is the only part of his game that isn't above average or "good" if you like.Not the really sure there's anything he can do about.

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**ojandpizza** · 11-07-2013, 10:01 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Originally posted by Slater James

The only "weakness" I see in LBJs game is his lateral quickness. Its most apparent when he is in the triple threat. His first step is the only part of his game that isn't above average or "good" if you like.Not the really sure there's anything he can do about.

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I think he just hesitates too much. He doesn't just explode to the rim anymore the way he did in Cleveland.. Too often it looks as if he's looking for the skip pass before he even makes his first step..

I wouldn't say he doesn't have good lateral quickness. He's one of the quickest guys in the league at that size.

**Slater James** · 11-07-2013, 10:53 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Originally posted by ojandpizza

I think he just hesitates too much. He doesn't just explode to the rim anymore the way he did in Cleveland.. Too often it looks as if he's looking for the skip pass before he even makes his first step..

I wouldn't say he doesn't have good lateral quickness. He's one of the quickest guys in the league at that size.

He does hesitate but often he's beating his man to the basket because he's stronger and/or more athletic even when he makes a decisive move. The best guys off the pivot in today's game to me are Melo and KB. Even when they take longer than usual sizing up they can still get clean separation off the first step. LBJ rarely gets that.

Also, when he does get beaten defensively out on the perimeter its by guys who launch into the drive with a quick burst instead of having to take time to set themselves up. Once you let him dig in you're toast though.

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**The 24th Letter** · 11-07-2013, 11:06 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Originally posted by Slater James

The only "weakness" I see in LBJs game is his lateral quickness. Its most apparent when he is in the triple threat. His first step is the only part of his game that isn't above average or "good" if you like.Not the really sure there's anything he can do about.

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Agreed...

He used to have a quick first step but maybe the added bulk has slowed that...doesn't help that he doesn't really have a crossover to go to...

BTW, that isn't "lateral quickness"

**jeebs9** · 11-07-2013, 11:28 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Just about to say that lol

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**Slater James** · 11-08-2013, 07:14 AM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Originally posted by The 24th Letter

Agreed...

He used to have a quick first step but maybe the added bulk has slowed that...doesn't help that he doesn't really have a crossover to go to...

BTW, that isn't "lateral quickness"

They seem to be functionally tied together. I can't recall seeing an athlete with one and not the other.

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KG · 11-08-2013, 11:51 AM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I usually associate "lateral quickness" with the defensive side of the ball.

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**jeebs9** · 11-08-2013, 12:11 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

That's what I was about to say. LeBron doesn't have that great lateral quickness that we're talking about. Especially when he Man's up. If you have a great dribble fakes you can get by him. But because he kind of plays off you. It's kind of smart. Because he wants you to to set on a jumper. Problem is he never contest it well enough. So guys can hit that jumper.

**ojandpizza** · 11-08-2013, 04:06 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Are you guys just speaking on this season?? Because LeBrons lateral quickness has been fine the past couple years staying in front of Rose, Parker, Durant, PG, etc... And it's been fine on the other end of the court getting by those guys too..

We likely won't see a full-out LeBron till post all star break, and he's dealing with back issues right now.

**jeebs9** · 11-08-2013, 04:27 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Originally posted by ojandpizza

Are you guys just speaking on this season?? Because LeBrons lateral quickness has been fine the past couple years staying in front of Rose, Parker, Durant, PG, etc... And it's been fine on the other end of the court getting by those guys too..

We likely won't see a full-out LeBron till post all star break, and he's dealing with back issues right now.

He stays in front of them by playing off. Never playing too tight. So it's safe. But not effective. The only person he plays honest is Durant.

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**ojandpizza** · 11-08-2013, 04:57 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Originally posted by jeebs9

He stays in front of them by playing off. Never playing too tight. So it's safe. But not effective. The only person he plays honest is Durant.

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Not effective? He's effectively shut down all of them lol.

I agree with him not having a great first step, or a good quick go to move on the offensive end..

But his defensive lateral quickness is by no means lacking in my opinion. He's also one of the quickest in the league to slide into the passing lanes as well.

**wwharton** · 11-08-2013, 05:11 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Originally posted by ojandpizza

Not effective? He's effectively shut down all of them lol.

I agree with him not having a great first step, or a good quick go to move on the offensive end..

But his defensive lateral quickness is by no means lacking in my opinion. He's also one of the quickest in the league to slide into the passing lanes as well.

I think Jeebs went too far when he said "not effective" but James doesn't have great lateral quickness. For his size, he does, but in general for his position and who he guards, he doesn't. As Jeebs said, he gives them space. This works because he's so long and athletic, he can afford to play off more than someone else. I think it proves true with what both of you are saying. Closing out is just a matter of effort bc he has the size and athleticism to do it. He puts in more effort with it in the playoffs than the regular season.

Slater James, lateral quickness is side to side. Good point on the 1st step though. It might be the extra weight, but I think he's not completely out of his own head just yet. When he zones in you see a burst here and there. Since he doesn't have to rely on it, I don't think he's focused on it consistently.

**The 24th Letter** · 11-08-2013, 05:28 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Pretty much agree with all of your posts wwhart on...

One example would be how Paul George ate him alive during the regular season last year, but when he dug in in the playoffs he gave George fits at times...same thing with Durant...he he's locked in I think he's as good of a defender as anyone.... on average though he does tend to give a lot of space..

One thing I do disagree with is that he's still I his own head...I think that's just LeBron James...that's how he operates...you could call it flaw...the same way a score first superstar may take some plain bad shots at the worst times, he as a playmaker scopes way too long to make a play sometimes...I think that's just the way he is...

**jeebs9** · 11-08-2013, 05:34 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

ojandpizza... I'm not saying he not a great defender. But you can see in his steps as he defends someone who is really quicker than he is. He backs off of them. Most of the players who are quicker then him can't shoot pull-ups that well. Guys like Durant that can shoot the ball very well off the bounce. He sticks to them as hard as he can.

http://youtu.be/pBcZbKvVknI?t=27s

http://youtu.be/XDGlfO28hDw?t=2m32s

http://youtu.be/XDGlfO28hDw?t=2m47s

edit: Not effective isn't a good word there.

**ojandpizza** · 11-08-2013, 06:34 PM

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I get what y'all are saying and I know he gives the space... Btw can't really watch the clips now, on my phone with no wifi..

But I just don't think he lacks lateral quickness.. Is he as quick side-to-side as the quickest guys in the league?? No not at all, I'm not saying he has elite lateral quickness.. But at the same time it's not like it's bad enough for me to call it a flaw or an issue..

For a SF/PF position player he still as above average lateral quickness.

I think all this pressure for him to develop a post game, and to need to size/strength to defend inside and lead his team in rebounds has hindered his all-around athleticism overall... Not so much his speed or jumping, but his quickness and explosiveness...

But in my opinion ever asking him to do all that was a mistake all along.

The LeBron James Thread

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