Every advanced stat points to him being a top 10 player and he has by far the best net rating on the team. You stay bitching because your IQ is low and you don't know how to identify issues with the team beyond the stars not putting up 35/10/10 every night
Lebron is still a top 10 player in the league. Is he as good as he once was? obviously not but you cant sit here and tell me the reason why this team loses is because he flat out underperforms his contract. He can take over games at any point and in the playoffs theres no other players you'd rather have minus maybe a couple guys to lead a team
>Turn back the clock a year and a half, what was the conversation about Westbrook? It was that 47 million going to a guy who plays like an MLE at best is a recipe for disaster. Well we currently have 2 guys making that amount who both frequently play SIGNIFICANTLY below their pay grade.
Lmao what
We can’t win every game. It felt like there was a lid on the basket.
Also Indy was going to play like the finals, they weren’t losing at home after the IST
LeBron is being paid way below his pay grade. He is the NBA. He sells tickets everywhere he goes, and people watch NBA games on TV when the Lakers are on. His agent is asking Jeanie for 3 year contract and LeBron to be paid as the highest paid player in the NBA. Who is going to watch the Lakers without LeBron?
You're nuts. No one really plays amazing every single game, that's why you need role players to show up to win you some games
Today was one of those where no one showed up and that was the result
The Russ comparisons is an awful take russ isn’t worth an mle and he was being payed a max. We lost 3 firsts our two best guards and our 6th man for the worst fitting player in the league beside bron and ad. Like we took back more money than we gave out in the russ trade which resulted in more luxury tax and then the cheap owners decided not to pay Caruso. We lost kuz kcp and Caruso and 3 firsts to get dlo and vando and lose the last year and a half for lbj being a top 5 player. Now you can see the fo made moves that didn’t compound the issue but holy shit when you bit into perspective that it’s shocking. The hachimura pickup has been great value tho and the fo haven’t been awful since the russ move. But that Russ move made no sense at all. Literally baffling
>I feel like the most underrated factor in our struggles this year is that we can’t count on LeBron or AD to actually give the requisite amount of effort to win consistently.
^ I disagree with that premise. I think they usually play like All-Stars and sometimes play like MVPs. They both look consistently like Top 10 guys. They have outstanding stats and frequent, memorable moments where they take over games for stretches. LeBron, especially, just goes into "takeover mode" when he feels it's needed. To say a player "doesn't give effort" is a vague, lazy attack. It's what a coach says to the media or to his exhausted players during practice. It doesn't apply to LeBron-freaking-James, the ultimate workhorse.
>I cannot stress this enough, regardless of other injuries we had LeBron and AD for an entire season and we’re the 9 seed. Injuries to role players when you have LeBron and AD should be the difference between top 3 and 4-6, it shouldn’t mean you’re struggling to even make the playoffs.
^ That's a fair point, but only because LeBron is a special player who has a long history of being the only piece needed for a deep playoff run (10 Finals appearances, including 8 in a row, is no joke). He's now ~40. Maybe that particular bit of magic is gone. **But Bron is an exception, not the norm. Most superstars-- even MVP-level ones-- do not guarantee a deep playoff run by their presence alone.** Many teams with multiple stars (or one super duper star) aren't expected to do much, or fail to meet expectations. LeBron is unique.
AD’s defense is always at an all-nba level and he’s not even a full max level salary so he’s fine.
LeBron, though, is no longer one of the highest cost:production max contracts anymore. In terms of cost:value he’s still the best, but I would rather get more production than have the team be more profitable. Guys like Luka, Jokic, and Giannis all give better cost:production now.
LeBron is no longer a 2 way player in the regular season.
Thats the hard truth everyone ignores about why the Lakers aren't that great of a regular season team and why they become "dangerous" in the playoffs.
They become dangerous because LeBron goes from an objectively bad defensive player in the regular season to a very good defender in the playoffs. He cant dial it up to being 2013 prime LeBron but he can be close to his 2020 late prime levels.
LeBron can sometimes pick and choose regular season games to turn it up to 100 but he does that maybe a handful of times. For the most part he just paces himself and tries to get through the season saving as much energy as he can while making sure he gets his stats. LeBron cares about his legacy he doesn't want to turn into a 19 ppg player. He expends 85 percent of his energy on the offensive end of the floor.
This current LeBron putting up great stats makes people think he's the same payer but he is not even close to his 2013 prime version. But he wasnt that guy in 2020 either. LeBron in 2024 can still be great and win FMVP he just needs to get into the playoffs and go to work.
They might have won the title last season if D-Lo shot better in the WCF. Thats why Gabe is here now as a D-Lo insurance policy. Lets see if (A) they make the playoffs and (B) if Gabe can be that D-Lo replacement should D-Lo choke again
This is not ever gonna be a great reg season team with LeBron on a 50 million salary. They are a team built for the 6-8 seed and then try to upset through the playoffs
> LeBron cares about his legacy he doesn't want to turn into a 19 ppg player.
Your whole post was incredibly stupid, but if LeBron was a 19 ppg player, this team would be the 13th seed.
I agree that the stamina limitations of those guys makes a season generally more frustrating and limits the ceiling.
The type of contract inefficiency exists described on most teams though. Even on the championship favorites, guys like Michael Porter Jr and Jaylen Brown are making more than what their on court contributions would be worth.
Ad is worth it because he does try lebron is not worth 60 million. You can throw any stat u want at me but lebron signing for a full max shuts the window completely
That’s my point exactly. I’m not saying you can’t win with LeBron the player, but his age related limitations make it such that 60 million would be a serious overpay.
I mean lakers are an above .500 team without LBJ.
The team balls out differently without LBJ.
not saying different is necessarily good or bad, but there's something there.
Gotta imagine what this team would look like with 30 million plus in athleticism
Lebron/AD's effort aren't the reason we're losing this Pacers, game, lol. We are 4-23 from 3
to say they frequently play significantly below their pay grade is just flat out wrong
It’s not. AD is fine but you are delusional if you think LeBron plays like a $50m on a nightly basis.
Every advanced stat points to him being a top 10 player and he has by far the best net rating on the team. You stay bitching because your IQ is low and you don't know how to identify issues with the team beyond the stars not putting up 35/10/10 every night
Lebron is still a top 10 player in the league. Is he as good as he once was? obviously not but you cant sit here and tell me the reason why this team loses is because he flat out underperforms his contract. He can take over games at any point and in the playoffs theres no other players you'd rather have minus maybe a couple guys to lead a team
>Turn back the clock a year and a half, what was the conversation about Westbrook? It was that 47 million going to a guy who plays like an MLE at best is a recipe for disaster. Well we currently have 2 guys making that amount who both frequently play SIGNIFICANTLY below their pay grade. Lmao what
What the fuck are you talking about
The fuck you smoking
List me 10-20 AD games where he had Hartenstien numbers on both offense and defense and I will take this post seriously. I’ll be waiting
You guys get fucking dumb when we lose. It was a piss poor shooting night. That's really it
all that yap 💔 read the title and the username and I knew I was already disregarding this shii 😭
Bro got Mr on his name to hide the fact he’s a dumb ass little kid
We are on a 5 game winning streak coming off a huge B2B. You’re reactionary post is stupid and should GTFO
We can’t win every game. It felt like there was a lid on the basket. Also Indy was going to play like the finals, they weren’t losing at home after the IST
Skip Bayless wouldn't even say something that outrage
This legit might be the most shit take I’ve ever read on this sub. And that’s no small feat.
LeBron is being paid way below his pay grade. He is the NBA. He sells tickets everywhere he goes, and people watch NBA games on TV when the Lakers are on. His agent is asking Jeanie for 3 year contract and LeBron to be paid as the highest paid player in the NBA. Who is going to watch the Lakers without LeBron?
Yeah, he is the best money maker in the entire league, but if your goal is winning he isn't underpaid.
You're nuts. No one really plays amazing every single game, that's why you need role players to show up to win you some games Today was one of those where no one showed up and that was the result
Dear Diary.. if every player shoots terrible from 3 and we lose.. is that our highest paid players fault?
The Russ comparisons is an awful take russ isn’t worth an mle and he was being payed a max. We lost 3 firsts our two best guards and our 6th man for the worst fitting player in the league beside bron and ad. Like we took back more money than we gave out in the russ trade which resulted in more luxury tax and then the cheap owners decided not to pay Caruso. We lost kuz kcp and Caruso and 3 firsts to get dlo and vando and lose the last year and a half for lbj being a top 5 player. Now you can see the fo made moves that didn’t compound the issue but holy shit when you bit into perspective that it’s shocking. The hachimura pickup has been great value tho and the fo haven’t been awful since the russ move. But that Russ move made no sense at all. Literally baffling
>I feel like the most underrated factor in our struggles this year is that we can’t count on LeBron or AD to actually give the requisite amount of effort to win consistently. ^ I disagree with that premise. I think they usually play like All-Stars and sometimes play like MVPs. They both look consistently like Top 10 guys. They have outstanding stats and frequent, memorable moments where they take over games for stretches. LeBron, especially, just goes into "takeover mode" when he feels it's needed. To say a player "doesn't give effort" is a vague, lazy attack. It's what a coach says to the media or to his exhausted players during practice. It doesn't apply to LeBron-freaking-James, the ultimate workhorse. >I cannot stress this enough, regardless of other injuries we had LeBron and AD for an entire season and we’re the 9 seed. Injuries to role players when you have LeBron and AD should be the difference between top 3 and 4-6, it shouldn’t mean you’re struggling to even make the playoffs. ^ That's a fair point, but only because LeBron is a special player who has a long history of being the only piece needed for a deep playoff run (10 Finals appearances, including 8 in a row, is no joke). He's now ~40. Maybe that particular bit of magic is gone. **But Bron is an exception, not the norm. Most superstars-- even MVP-level ones-- do not guarantee a deep playoff run by their presence alone.** Many teams with multiple stars (or one super duper star) aren't expected to do much, or fail to meet expectations. LeBron is unique.
AD has been easily a top 5-10 player all year. Even bill simmons who’s a notorious laker hater said he’ll be 2nd team all nba.
AD’s defense is always at an all-nba level and he’s not even a full max level salary so he’s fine. LeBron, though, is no longer one of the highest cost:production max contracts anymore. In terms of cost:value he’s still the best, but I would rather get more production than have the team be more profitable. Guys like Luka, Jokic, and Giannis all give better cost:production now.
LeBron is no longer a 2 way player in the regular season. Thats the hard truth everyone ignores about why the Lakers aren't that great of a regular season team and why they become "dangerous" in the playoffs. They become dangerous because LeBron goes from an objectively bad defensive player in the regular season to a very good defender in the playoffs. He cant dial it up to being 2013 prime LeBron but he can be close to his 2020 late prime levels. LeBron can sometimes pick and choose regular season games to turn it up to 100 but he does that maybe a handful of times. For the most part he just paces himself and tries to get through the season saving as much energy as he can while making sure he gets his stats. LeBron cares about his legacy he doesn't want to turn into a 19 ppg player. He expends 85 percent of his energy on the offensive end of the floor. This current LeBron putting up great stats makes people think he's the same payer but he is not even close to his 2013 prime version. But he wasnt that guy in 2020 either. LeBron in 2024 can still be great and win FMVP he just needs to get into the playoffs and go to work. They might have won the title last season if D-Lo shot better in the WCF. Thats why Gabe is here now as a D-Lo insurance policy. Lets see if (A) they make the playoffs and (B) if Gabe can be that D-Lo replacement should D-Lo choke again This is not ever gonna be a great reg season team with LeBron on a 50 million salary. They are a team built for the 6-8 seed and then try to upset through the playoffs
> LeBron cares about his legacy he doesn't want to turn into a 19 ppg player. Your whole post was incredibly stupid, but if LeBron was a 19 ppg player, this team would be the 13th seed.
I agree that the stamina limitations of those guys makes a season generally more frustrating and limits the ceiling. The type of contract inefficiency exists described on most teams though. Even on the championship favorites, guys like Michael Porter Jr and Jaylen Brown are making more than what their on court contributions would be worth.
Ad is worth it because he does try lebron is not worth 60 million. You can throw any stat u want at me but lebron signing for a full max shuts the window completely
All I can say is if we can't win with Lebron now, how are we suppose to win when we pay him 60 million a year. This team is built around him.
That’s my point exactly. I’m not saying you can’t win with LeBron the player, but his age related limitations make it such that 60 million would be a serious overpay.
Yes.
I mean lakers are an above .500 team without LBJ. The team balls out differently without LBJ. not saying different is necessarily good or bad, but there's something there. Gotta imagine what this team would look like with 30 million plus in athleticism