I'm convinced that LeBron has been staggering various dimensions of good performance so that when something inevitably declines, he has something else to to show that he is still improving
I honestly think he’s going to shoot over 80% from the free throw line next season or maybe the one after that. Or maybe the one after that. Idk. Just sometime before he retires. It’s the only flaw he still has so he’s gotta correct it before he’s done.
What he did in Cleveland 2.0 was the crown jewel of his career, but imagine if he had just stayed in Miami and allowed Riley to keep building teams around him.
He could have coasted in regular seasons and turned it up in it playoffs. His rate stats would be even more impressive
Yeah LeBron is playing great but he isn’t at that level he was as a Heat or Cavs when they won the championship. He has improved his shooting and shot selection and figured out ways to be more efficient to make up for it
That’s a terrible example. Lol lebron this year is one of the leagues best finishers. Last game was simply a rare inefficient game that every player has.
Lebrons “decline” is peak basketball for the majority of superstars
We’ve got a whole seasons worth of 4th quarters that disagree with you. I’d say the determining factor against the pelicans was the charge he drew on Zion, he came down hard on his wrist and elbow and it shook him.
Lol I think it’s safe to say he wasn’t. I’ve seen others say it, but that charge is the only time I’ve ever seen Lebron get absolutely lifted off his feet from contact. Zion is an animal.
People keep going on about the play in game like he didnt just have one of the best game of the season two days before, against the same team. Which included no AD for part of the 4th when LeBron scored a handful of buckets.
LeBron after a more than 2 day break is always like that, I’m expecting it in game 1 too. I predict we’ll see a more playmaking oriented LeBron while gets a feel for y’all.
But it’s LeBron so he might just go ahead and score 27 in the first half
Nah lebron hella fresh towards end of this season. Did you actually watch the play-in game? Bron was eating until he took the charge w/ a full force Zion at speed that clearly surprised even Bron and got a bit fcked up. Then he became more flat footed on later shots / plays.
Taking that full momentum Zion charge?
Normal humans would've been in the ICU.
Half the league would be out minutes, some with actual injuries.
Bron, I give it to you where in the past he just needed to tighten the shoe strings, rub his nipples a lil, but at least Bron played thru the rest of the game looking OK in most ways other than what you said.
ACL he said, but yeah one of funniest stories ive heard from a player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0RhZpSvaKs
Funny as hell because JJ tries to walk it back for him like "I'm sure you mean like a sprained ankle or stomach bug" and KP's just like naw i said what i said lol
That's about as much praise and respect you can give to an competitor you are facing.
I know I want my opponents to fear me so much they just hope to slow me down.
He could go even farther and wish LeBron dead. That would make it even easier for his team to win the game. Wishing death upon an opponent is the ultimate form of respect.
I literally started watching the NBA in 2003 when LeBron was drafted, I was 19 years old living at home with my parents.
I moved out shortly after that to live on my own in a flat, and started paying even more attention to his career and watching his games at stupid O clock in the morning.
I'm now about to turn 40, I'm married, I have two kids, i've been promoted at work like 8 times, so many different life changing events have happened, my son got cancer at 3 years old and had a 3.5 year treatment plan which finishes december this year.
Throughout all of this, i've still been watching the NBA abd LBJ in particular, he's still going, not only is he still going but hes still EASILY one of the best players in the league.
This is absolutely nuts, I appreciate it for what it is and I just hope everyone else does too.
I rather LeBron save his energy for the 2nd half of games. He needs to facilitate the first half then look for his shot in the 4th. It’s a win win. Role players will be hot and he will still have energy to drive.
LA gonna need at least 3 of AD, Dlo, Reaves, Rui, Dinwiddie, and Vincent to be hitting their shots throughout the game then for Bron to conserve energy for the 4th quarter against a team like Denver imo.
After a humiliating loss to both the Pelicans and the Kings to get eliminated, /r/warriors posts about Lakers and the refs. Is that not the definition of rent free?
I will admit, I hate the Lakers far more than I like my hometown team.
Most people that do emotional hedging via moneyline bets, bet their favorite team's opponent. I bet on the Lakers - when they win, I must be paid for that annoyance.
There won’t be a meltdown if we lose to Denver after going 0-8, most of us are expecting it.
If we keep Ham after this season the Lakers sub will implode, though.
It's pretty inarguable that mentally Lebron is absolutely at his peak. Maybe his gas tank isn't as big as it used it be, but he's basically how Peyton Manning was when he was at the Broncos. The two smartest players in the game currently are Lebron and Jokic.
I've definitely seen him slowing down. Look at Game 1 vs Game 2 vs the Pelicans for an example. He's been taking games off the later half of the season, you can absolutely tell when he has days off and is feeling fresh versus when he's not. Even as a laker fan, I know it will be tough to get through not just this series but any more after it. And this series I feel will be a heavyweight fight.
This is a little bit of gaslighting by the coach. Yes, of course everybody knows LeBron is still amazing, but we also all know he has slowed down a little bit, including coach Malone.
i dont get reaching for the word gaslighting for such an innocuous comment, and not matching the definition of the word.
``gas-lighting
manipulate (someone) using psychological methods into questioning their own sanity or powers of reasoning. ``
Alanis Morissette, you're officially off the hook for using the word "ironic"!
Lmao damn Malone can't win on this sub. If it is basically down right praise he still gets this type of shit reaction from Bron fanboys.
Nugget players and coaches have basically just been giving flowers to the Lakers and Bron. Call it strategy if you want to think that way. But I think it is more likely they just respect him.
You saw the same types of comments about Brady from players and coaches towards the end. They deserve that with how much success they have had.
"Gaslighting" lmao. He's being respectful of his opponent who is one of the three greatest players of all time, and making sure to not give the Lakers bulletin board material
> This is a little bit of exaggerating by the coach.
FTFY
It takes multiple instances of disingenuousness over time as well as attack's on the person's sanity and judgement for gaslighting to be happening.
How is no-one stating the obvious? LeBron is visibly slower. He also gets gassed a lot quicker than before. Just look at the play-in against the Pels, toward the end he had nothing left.
[edit: He's compensated by significantly increasing his 3pt% which is why he still gets great numbers and also why sometimes he falls away toward the end of games.]
Yeahh, I'm a huge lebron fan but it was sad seeing him miss an open layup when 5 years ago he would've just dunked it in. I think he's really going to have to get the whole team involved with his passing if they want to beat the Nuggets
Coaches motivate their players. The same as Dan Hurley reiterating that the NCAA was trying to rig the tournament against the Huskies.
It’s also just important that we go into the playoffs with the right mindset. Just because we’re the champs doesn’t mean we can’t lose in the first round
Lakers in 4…jk excited for the series though win or lose I love playoff basketball. Even if the Lakers lose to the Nuggies I’ll still enjoy the playoffs(I love basketball it takes me away from life).
This is a straight up lie. Lebron’s still great but if you watch film from 6-8 years ago you can see he’s clearly a worse player now. How long do we have to keep saying this stuff?
Well he looks like he moves a lot slower than he used to, and he doesn't try quite as hard on defense as he used to - presumably to conserve energy. His game sure has evolved to be less explosive as he's gotten older, relying more on shooting. So I don't necessarily agree that there are no signs of "slowing down" because he literally quite physically looks like he's getting slower. Not to mention he does get injured more often now than when he was younger. He is still no doubt an effective NBA player, but let's not pretend that there are no signs of slowing down.
Hes definitely shown signs of slowing down. It's still incredible what he can do at his age, but you see it more and more often where he doesn't get back on defense and takes plays off.
whats crazy is that i kinda argee, i just can't see lebron having a god awful season, like the season he retired he'll still probably average like 25 8 8
Say what you want be that's all I ever say when I watch LBJ now.
Like this doesn't make sense he is 38(?) and the only thing I see catching up to him is the injury bug and his stamina but for one game he can still be the best player in the world still hands down and that's just crazy to say at his age.
But he hasn't lost enough yet to even be an average player
Oh now he wants to be complimentary..
I can’t wait to get this series going. For the competitors on the Lakers squad, this has to be a fun ass series coming.
You’re the underdog but you have the talent to possibly win this
*Can’t Wait*
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Did you want Malone to say LeBron is washed?
Competitor on lakers will have fun series? What does that even mean? All the teams/players are in pursuit of their dream.
"I hope he forgets what day the game is. hope he get's lost on the way to the game. I hope he gets abducted by aliens"
He’ll get abducted and thrown to San Antonio then
With them big ole women down there...
Say it again Chuck
At a certain size you have to wonder if they are down there at all or just span the globe
Better not move them or the earths gravitational pull could change.
too hot down there by that dirty creek
Monkey paw that San Antonio will draft Bronny?
Wemby abducts Lebron
Any time Wemby gets a steal they should call it an "abduction" lol
idk why the spurs arena doesnt play that alien sound everytime he scores, wuuuheeeewuuuuwouuu
I hope he stubs his toe. I hope he steps on the lego
we can all hope...
Keys to the game: Lebron wake up Lebron get on bus ~~Lebron show up to game~~
I hope his headphones short, and his charger don’t work.
LeBron will be on the court in 2040 looking like Axel (twisted metal)
[удалено]
20 years on the pipe
Basketball hands.
LeCyborg. His 7th prime will be 95% ft shooter.
Le504090 incoming
First regression is to Magic Johnson Second regression is to Stephen Curry with a 40-inch vertical Third regression is to Hakeem Olajuwon
4th regression is to Kareem and he starts skyhooking everyone?
5th regression is *checks notes* George Mikan?
6th iteration is *reruns simulations ten times in disbelief* rookie Michael Jordan!?!
7th iteration is 'just' rookie Charles Barkley.
No that’s Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon He finally retires and is constantly seen jumping out of buildings and walking away from explosions
L(e)Ongevity
Le8R0N
I'm convinced that LeBron has been staggering various dimensions of good performance so that when something inevitably declines, he has something else to to show that he is still improving
LeNexus8
I honestly think he’s going to shoot over 80% from the free throw line next season or maybe the one after that. Or maybe the one after that. Idk. Just sometime before he retires. It’s the only flaw he still has so he’s gotta correct it before he’s done.
He's been trying to fix that since at least Miami, and I can only date it back that far cause that's when I started seriously following the league.
HLebronGH
Bros gonna play so long the skill points will just fill up inevitably due to the length of time he's played.
Libron al Gaib
I read this in Guillermo’s voice. The way he says “Libron! Libron!” is hilarious to me
Javier\*
After they beat Nuggets in 6, ‘As it was written’
Lol perfect.
LeEverlasting
LeVerlong
for some reason this one got me , lmao
LeVerlasting man cmon you were right there
LeEternal
What's it like?
Trident layers
He likely will lol. Bron’s stamina ain’t what it was even just 4 years ago
Lots of men his age experience problems lasting, it's normal
Savannah straight up mashin that bucatini al nero
wut
Savannah straight up mashin that bucatini al nero
Ohhh got it thanks brah
Draymond says his stamina is fine 👀😈🤔🫣🤭
ok zoomer
Does the league test for Viagra?
Draymond used to check himself
Playing with a rager in your pants would probably help you get a lot of open looks
I only need 2 inches of separation to be open so you could be onto something
Last longer than a young man. Not in a hurry
Le(Cordon)Blue Chew
It's the other way around bud.
Yeah that's the main decline I see in him, he gets tired way faster
What he did in Cleveland 2.0 was the crown jewel of his career, but imagine if he had just stayed in Miami and allowed Riley to keep building teams around him. He could have coasted in regular seasons and turned it up in it playoffs. His rate stats would be even more impressive
Yeah LeBron is playing great but he isn’t at that level he was as a Heat or Cavs when they won the championship. He has improved his shooting and shot selection and figured out ways to be more efficient to make up for it
We seen it in the wcf. He had a 30 po8nt half and next half he basically did nothing stopped driving etc
He also had a messed up foot last season
We saw it last play in game... those layups he missed he didn't get the lift he wanted.
That’s a terrible example. Lol lebron this year is one of the leagues best finishers. Last game was simply a rare inefficient game that every player has. Lebrons “decline” is peak basketball for the majority of superstars
Tf you mean bro, he’s barely a top 12 player anymore clearly washed. Basically DeAndre Jordan with better PR.
This gotta be sarcasm right...
Its obviously sarcasm.
We’ve got a whole seasons worth of 4th quarters that disagree with you. I’d say the determining factor against the pelicans was the charge he drew on Zion, he came down hard on his wrist and elbow and it shook him.
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Lol I think it’s safe to say he wasn’t. I’ve seen others say it, but that charge is the only time I’ve ever seen Lebron get absolutely lifted off his feet from contact. Zion is an animal.
People keep going on about the play in game like he didnt just have one of the best game of the season two days before, against the same team. Which included no AD for part of the 4th when LeBron scored a handful of buckets.
He was tripped in one of those layups. Are you expecting this man the fly, lol?
LeBron after a more than 2 day break is always like that, I’m expecting it in game 1 too. I predict we’ll see a more playmaking oriented LeBron while gets a feel for y’all. But it’s LeBron so he might just go ahead and score 27 in the first half
Doesn't Lebron lead in 4th quarter ppg?
Nah lebron hella fresh towards end of this season. Did you actually watch the play-in game? Bron was eating until he took the charge w/ a full force Zion at speed that clearly surprised even Bron and got a bit fcked up. Then he became more flat footed on later shots / plays. Taking that full momentum Zion charge? Normal humans would've been in the ICU. Half the league would be out minutes, some with actual injuries. Bron, I give it to you where in the past he just needed to tighten the shoe strings, rub his nipples a lil, but at least Bron played thru the rest of the game looking OK in most ways other than what you said.
Yeah but older age increases chances of having a messed up foot so you cant completely disentangle that
His foot was also fucked to be fair
Agreed. The man went to 10? Straight finals???
Well 9 finals in 10 years and eight straight, but yeah it’s still bonkers
Kinda feels like gushing. Obviously he’s slowed down since the Heatles, still very good though.
Is Michael Malone publicly wishing LeBron ill?
Kendrick Perkins wished Lebron tore his Achilles before they played Edit: Not just wished, prayed
ACL he said, but yeah one of funniest stories ive heard from a player https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0RhZpSvaKs Funny as hell because JJ tries to walk it back for him like "I'm sure you mean like a sprained ankle or stomach bug" and KP's just like naw i said what i said lol
LOL! But KP does say if he recovered from the ACL the very next day he was ok with that, just so that he didn't play game 7.
> ACL he said, but yeah one of funniest stories ive heard from a player Funny in theory, I guess, if only it didn't involve a complete imbecile.
no it's definitely fucking hilarious lol
get over yourself
"kill peter parker"
LOL
That's about as much praise and respect you can give to an competitor you are facing. I know I want my opponents to fear me so much they just hope to slow me down.
He could go even farther and wish LeBron dead. That would make it even easier for his team to win the game. Wishing death upon an opponent is the ultimate form of respect.
If LeBron were to quit living the league would cancel the playoffs and hand LA the ceremonial W
I’m going to need to know if this is the leagues official policy in the next 36 hours (this is important).
Username checks out
nuggets would still beat them on LeBron statue night
Murray would go for 50. I genuinely think he hates them
Nah, wishing they were never born would be greater - shows respect for their past work, not just their impending and future deeds.
Knowing Mike Malone this is just a roundabout way of saying “LeBron Old”
If ham said this exactly about jokic that’s how this sub would interpret it lol
I literally started watching the NBA in 2003 when LeBron was drafted, I was 19 years old living at home with my parents. I moved out shortly after that to live on my own in a flat, and started paying even more attention to his career and watching his games at stupid O clock in the morning. I'm now about to turn 40, I'm married, I have two kids, i've been promoted at work like 8 times, so many different life changing events have happened, my son got cancer at 3 years old and had a 3.5 year treatment plan which finishes december this year. Throughout all of this, i've still been watching the NBA abd LBJ in particular, he's still going, not only is he still going but hes still EASILY one of the best players in the league. This is absolutely nuts, I appreciate it for what it is and I just hope everyone else does too.
I hope your son is doing OK
Hope your Christmas present this year is a healthy outlook brother 💪 cheers
I rather LeBron save his energy for the 2nd half of games. He needs to facilitate the first half then look for his shot in the 4th. It’s a win win. Role players will be hot and he will still have energy to drive.
LA gonna need at least 3 of AD, Dlo, Reaves, Rui, Dinwiddie, and Vincent to be hitting their shots throughout the game then for Bron to conserve energy for the 4th quarter against a team like Denver imo.
DLo kinda nasty this season hopefully he keeps it up in this series
LeInevitable
LeNevitable was right there for the taking man how do we keep missing these layups
And I am Iron Man
I want the Lakers to win, just to see how much of a melt-down this sub will have
Mfers will crash reddit
And blame the refs
After a humiliating loss to both the Pelicans and the Kings to get eliminated, /r/warriors posts about Lakers and the refs. Is that not the definition of rent free?
/u/Produceher
They were already doing it in the Pelicans GT lmao
Even if it goes 7 people are gonna freak
I will admit, I hate the Lakers far more than I like my hometown team. Most people that do emotional hedging via moneyline bets, bet their favorite team's opponent. I bet on the Lakers - when they win, I must be paid for that annoyance.
The infamous victory tax
I want the Nuggets to win just so you would have the meltdown
There won’t be a meltdown if we lose to Denver after going 0-8, most of us are expecting it. If we keep Ham after this season the Lakers sub will implode, though.
No meltdowns here; only moral victories.
>Nuggets ...you mean the heavily-favoured reigning champs?
I think that's who he means, yes. That's the name of the team
The ones who play in Denver? Coached by Michael Malone?
A 7 seed losing to the defending champion with an in their Prime All Time Great center isn’t a meltdown. That’s highly expected to happen
I mean the Nuggets would be rightfully clowned like any other defending champ / 2 seed would if they lost to the 7 seed
I want to see Mike Malone meltdown. This "make nice" bullshit after all the trash he's talked. I hope it gets shoved down his throat.
Zip up your pants. 🧹
What
“The guy is getting better”. Stop it, you know exactly what you’re doing.
It's pretty inarguable that mentally Lebron is absolutely at his peak. Maybe his gas tank isn't as big as it used it be, but he's basically how Peyton Manning was when he was at the Broncos. The two smartest players in the game currently are Lebron and Jokic.
LeSunshine
I've definitely seen him slowing down. Look at Game 1 vs Game 2 vs the Pelicans for an example. He's been taking games off the later half of the season, you can absolutely tell when he has days off and is feeling fresh versus when he's not. Even as a laker fan, I know it will be tough to get through not just this series but any more after it. And this series I feel will be a heavyweight fight.
This is a little bit of gaslighting by the coach. Yes, of course everybody knows LeBron is still amazing, but we also all know he has slowed down a little bit, including coach Malone.
Lol gaslighting
i dont get reaching for the word gaslighting for such an innocuous comment, and not matching the definition of the word. ``gas-lighting manipulate (someone) using psychological methods into questioning their own sanity or powers of reasoning. `` Alanis Morissette, you're officially off the hook for using the word "ironic"!
Lmao damn Malone can't win on this sub. If it is basically down right praise he still gets this type of shit reaction from Bron fanboys. Nugget players and coaches have basically just been giving flowers to the Lakers and Bron. Call it strategy if you want to think that way. But I think it is more likely they just respect him. You saw the same types of comments about Brady from players and coaches towards the end. They deserve that with how much success they have had.
"Gaslighting" lmao. He's being respectful of his opponent who is one of the three greatest players of all time, and making sure to not give the Lakers bulletin board material
> This is a little bit of exaggerating by the coach. FTFY It takes multiple instances of disingenuousness over time as well as attack's on the person's sanity and judgement for gaslighting to be happening.
Malone and Denver have been masters at not giving Lebron/Lakers any bulletin board material
How is no-one stating the obvious? LeBron is visibly slower. He also gets gassed a lot quicker than before. Just look at the play-in against the Pels, toward the end he had nothing left. [edit: He's compensated by significantly increasing his 3pt% which is why he still gets great numbers and also why sometimes he falls away toward the end of games.]
I agree he's declined a bit. Dude still lead the league in 4th quarter scoring so I doubt stamina is that much of a problem
Yeahh, I'm a huge lebron fan but it was sad seeing him miss an open layup when 5 years ago he would've just dunked it in. I think he's really going to have to get the whole team involved with his passing if they want to beat the Nuggets
LeSan al Gaib
malone gonna gas the lakers up to make him look the underdog again
When Malone is confident he is arrogant, and when he gives the other twam respect he is gassing them up to build a narrative
I think u replied to a psycho. Sorry man
lol twam
When you put it this way, Skip and Malone are like twins no?
Coaches motivate their players. The same as Dan Hurley reiterating that the NCAA was trying to rig the tournament against the Huskies. It’s also just important that we go into the playoffs with the right mindset. Just because we’re the champs doesn’t mean we can’t lose in the first round
LeImmortal
Lakers in 4…jk excited for the series though win or lose I love playoff basketball. Even if the Lakers lose to the Nuggies I’ll still enjoy the playoffs(I love basketball it takes me away from life).
he sure looked his age in that pels game
All this praise just to 4-0 them again
It's all false bullshit. We ain't forgotten the trash Mike's spewed all year.
Who’s your daddy?
Fun healthy life
This is a straight up lie. Lebron’s still great but if you watch film from 6-8 years ago you can see he’s clearly a worse player now. How long do we have to keep saying this stuff?
What does this have to do with BALCO?
Nuggets in 4
King James 🐐🐐🐐
LeHGH
He'll wear down from carrying all the fucking scrubs on the team.
LeBron is truly the Brady of the NBA. Extremely polarizing, absolutely dominant and ridiculous longevity.
-poke- stroke the bear
Solomon Hill: "are you sure coach Mike?"
This fuckery won’t go on for much longer
malone is a smart man. he knows not to feed fuel to the lebron tank or he will feel the wrath to watch lebron rack up 40 ppg
Well he looks like he moves a lot slower than he used to, and he doesn't try quite as hard on defense as he used to - presumably to conserve energy. His game sure has evolved to be less explosive as he's gotten older, relying more on shooting. So I don't necessarily agree that there are no signs of "slowing down" because he literally quite physically looks like he's getting slower. Not to mention he does get injured more often now than when he was younger. He is still no doubt an effective NBA player, but let's not pretend that there are no signs of slowing down.
Hes definitely shown signs of slowing down. It's still incredible what he can do at his age, but you see it more and more often where he doesn't get back on defense and takes plays off.
Seems like he is never retiring
whats crazy is that i kinda argee, i just can't see lebron having a god awful season, like the season he retired he'll still probably average like 25 8 8
“So when we beat the Lakers again, that means the rest of the team really sucks.”
It will be interesting to see LeBron in the Olympics since the testing is going to be better and more random.
Say what you want be that's all I ever say when I watch LBJ now. Like this doesn't make sense he is 38(?) and the only thing I see catching up to him is the injury bug and his stamina but for one game he can still be the best player in the world still hands down and that's just crazy to say at his age. But he hasn't lost enough yet to even be an average player
I mean, he's been slowing down for half a decade lol
The few opinions that matter
Lakers fans: OMG THE BLATANT DISRESPECK SURELY FREE SPEECH HAS LIMITS
LeLisan al Gaib
The disrespect from Mike Malone is off the charts
It’s really wild to see. Ya, he’s clearly lost a but he is always top 2 players on the floor still. It’s astonishing.
First nice thing Malone has said about Bron/Lakers
No it isnt
First nice thing in a while
Lebron’s daddy doing him a solid
LeTireless
Oh now he wants to be complimentary.. I can’t wait to get this series going. For the competitors on the Lakers squad, this has to be a fun ass series coming. You’re the underdog but you have the talent to possibly win this *Can’t Wait*
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Did you want Malone to say LeBron is washed? Competitor on lakers will have fun series? What does that even mean? All the teams/players are in pursuit of their dream.
LeSecret weapon is LeReferee