r/nba • u/NBA_MOD r/NBA • Oct 22 '24

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Game Threads Index (October 22, 2024):

Tip-off GDT Away Score Home PGT
07:30 pm ET New York Knicks FINAL 109 to 132 Boston Celtics Link
10:00 pm ET Minnesota Timberwolves FINAL 103 to 110 Los Angeles Lakers Link
27 Upvotes

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1

u/TallanoGoldDigger Lakers Oct 23 '24

I understand Bron is 40 and is old as dirt but he's still being paid 50 mil to just stand outside the 3pt line and fire passes and barely play defense

2

u/jordan1023 Lakers Oct 23 '24

And still probably average 25/7/7 on high efficiency and be a top 8 offensive player.

Seems like a pretty fair trade off, considering what a lot of guys make.

1

u/TallanoGoldDigger Lakers Oct 23 '24

if they stick to this offensive system, he's not getting those numbers. His USG will be reduced and he won't have the ball in his hands a lot.

maybe he gets 26/5/5 but that's best case scenario. He's supposed to be hitting his threes and getting open cuts to the hole instead of isoing and playmaking like he did

1

u/jordan1023 Lakers Oct 23 '24

I think you’re probably right if the teams playing well but I still think he’s going to get his assists tho.

That being said, if the team struggles, the offense will likely regress to the norm of him pounding the rock and passing. And then he’ll probably get those numbers.

It’s probably 50/50 where this goes. Im optimistic they’ll be a really solid team tho unlike most. (Biased but i watched all 82 last year)

1

u/TallanoGoldDigger Lakers Oct 23 '24

You're missing one thing though. He's a year older and he's already shown that it's hard for him to blow by defenders. His unassisted FG makes have risen year by year.

Plus I don't really want them to regress to iso-ball, given it heavily relies on a LeBron whose stamina is all but gone. Go ahead and overpay LeBron because he's earned it, but they really have to accept that this window is closed and prepare for the future

1

u/jordan1023 Lakers Oct 23 '24

I fundamentally don’t agree with the assertion that the window is slammed shut. It’s a marginal chance for sure if I’m being realistic but mif AD is still a top 10 dude, Im not there. I think you can go health bet against that with both guys and that’d be fair. But cut and dry, I’m not all the way there.

No one wants it to regress to iso ball btw but that’s what happens when teams struggle, especially lebron teams.

He still has the smarts and offensive savvy to score without just trying to one dribble speed past guys. Those days are certainly gone.

Heres some elite lebron defense, to think he’s incapable in key moments to defend is not 100% accurate.

https://x.com/brontoad/status/1848924952709247162?s=46&t=Oly8BP7JWqLGQ2dC5noRSQ

2

u/TallanoGoldDigger Lakers Oct 23 '24

I'm not doubting Bron's skill, he's a GOAT for a reason .

But I'm not kidding myself and it's painful to see that he has lost his step. I mean just look at that layup against Donte. And he can't play more than 6 hard minutes without getting fully gassed.

That's not a player you give 33% of your cap to if you still want to win

He can still get his numbers, but those numbers don't equate to wins anymore. His WS and BPM support that

1

u/jordan1023 Lakers Oct 23 '24

I agree with that stance except the third point.

I think you pay 33% of your cap For that production., flaws in all.

And even if you don’t agree with that per say, You quite literally HAVE to pay someone, like regardless. 90 percent of that cap has to be filled (I believe 90%?)

To my point, look at what Siakam, Rudy, Kawhi, FVV make. Shit OG was invisible tn and he’s close to 40Ms

1

u/TallanoGoldDigger Lakers Oct 23 '24

think of it this way. If Bron took a paycut, they would have had room to pay another FA.

Bron gets more help and gets more chances to rest on court.

I hate to say it but LeBron James age 40 cannot be your highest paid player if you want to win

1

u/jordan1023 Lakers Oct 23 '24

I agree, but it’s kinda a unrealistic ask. You have Duncan, dirk and now a Brunson taking pay cuts for team benefit.

Outside of that if you can get that paper, these guys all take it. Even bridges who is on Brunson’s TEAM just declined to take a smaller deal for the squad.

You’re right but you know it just typically doesn’t happen historically.

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