Lebron at PG

[Rimage]

I think it has to be. We keep talking about Lebron leading the team, well, let him run it. His court vision is just amazing. This of course is a temporary situation, but our biggest need right now is a starting pg and for now, Lebron is our best option. Let Jones move to backup sg and let Marshall move to sf (or even Newble when he gets back).

Starting line up:

PG - Lebron
SG - Hughes
SF - Marshall
PF - Gooden
C - Z

Backups:

PG - Snow
SG - Jones
SF - Jackson or Newble when he gets back
PF - Henderson or AV when he gets back
C - Henderson/AV/Marshall spliting the minutes wherever needed.

This allows to play an effect half court game. James can drive, pass or shot the outside shot as needed. Hughes becomes the primary penetrator who will benefit greatly from James passes (and stops taking those long jumpers ).

Tonights game against Denver displayed a lot of this. Defensively, Hughes plays D on the toughest gaurd. James is athletic enough to cover then next best scorer most nights (barring Spurs and Pistons of course). Everyone else covers the own position.

...I think it would work until we get a pg that can run this team effectively on both ends.

 

[LyXo]

Starting Marshall severely depletes our bench, so I've found.

Start Damon Jones. Although he'll play the "PG." But really though. Even when Eric Snow is in there, the ball is in either Larry or LeBron's hands. That's how we spread the floor, is having Damon in there. His defensive effort was fairly good today.

Marshall is a good guy off the bench, he definitely solidifies it. Also brings decent D. Bringing two guys off the bench: Marshall and Snow... good defense, while retaining that floor spreader. Slow down the game rather than playing catch-up.

 

[Rimage]

I really don't care about that personally, I care about winning. I mean understand what you are saying, but if the bench is depleted with Marshall on the floor and we win, because get rolling early and start positively...that is fine with me.

I know you guys will hate this (because it is reminiscent of last year), but if you don't want to deplete the bench...start newble at SF in the situation I set up.

 

[Karma]

LeBron does a good job of finding players, but I dont believe he is a point guard. Moreso to that, I want to restrict LeBron from having to defend guards. I realise Hughes would defend the point spot, but I see both struggling with that role. I am pushing having Marshall starting at power forward, finally giving Snow, Hughes, James and Ilgauskas a shooter. Drew and Jones are the punch off the bench, with Varejao and Newble the defensive influences.

I dont mind LeBron playing point for periods, but I am just too concerned at the other end.

 

[Rimage]

LeBron does a good job of finding players, but I dont believe he is a point guard. Moreso to that, I want to restrict LeBron from having to defend guards. I realise Hughes would defend the point spot, but I see both struggling with that role. I am pushing having Marshall starting at power forward, finally giving Snow, Hughes, James and Ilgauskas a shooter. Drew and Jones are the punch off the bench, with Varejao and Newble the defensive influences.

I dont mind LeBron playing point for periods, but I am just too concerned at the other end.

What about when Newble comes back. He can gaurd most SGs pretty well. I think Hughes would be fine at gaurding point. I keep hearing complaints about him getting muscled by bigger players...well he won't get muscle at point unless he is playing Baron Davis. He is quick enough to handle it.

 

[Rimage]

I am also just suggesting this set up for first and fourth quarter only. I think it is important to start well and end well.

 

[Karma]

I would prefer a lineup of

Snow/Hughes/James/Marshall/Ilgauskas

over

Hughes/James/Newble/Marshall/Ilgauskas

over

The current lineup

over

Any team with Jones starting.

 

[LyXo]

over

Any team with Jones starting.

Shaq
Haslem
Eddie J
Wade
Damon J
?

 

[Karma]

Got me LyXo.

It should read any Cleveland team.

This team needs a shooter in the lineup. This teams does not need another weak defender.

Jones 1 tick, 1 cross
Marshall 2 ticks

 

[PIP]

Ticks ?

Now we're speaking in code :chuckles:

 

[LyXo]

Eric Snow... 1 tick, 1 cross

The difference between the ticks?

The Damon Jones tick is our biggest, gaping hole.

Although he very well might create an inescapable vortex with his other tick, Browns' "defensive system," in theory, should at least cover it with some leaves and twigs strong enough to make it work.

Yes, we all make sense here.

 

[shawnkemp]

Random thoughts
-Rimmage, great post. Lebron should control the ball every time down the floor. With Snow and Jones coming off the bench, maybe Lebron can actually get a rest (played 45 mins tonight!)
-Karma, what is so special about Eric Snow? He played sloppy at point guard tonight (5, yes, 5 turnovers to go along with 0 points) and was average at defense. On offense, opponents basically have an extra defender to double team Lebron, because they know that Snow will not hit any jumpers.

 

[Karma]

I realise Snow played badly tonight. I already stated that it was his worst game of the season. If he is benched it cannot be for Damon Jones IMO. His defense is as we have discussed at length, and his offense is erratic.

Like I have said numerously Marshall should start. He is the happy medium. Solid shooter, solid defender, solid rebounder. Helps everyone there, plus he is unlikely to come up with stupid random J's.

 

[TyGuy]

Lebron is too good of a post player and threat on the block to make him a point guard. he can dish out 9 or 10 assists just from posting up with all the attention he recieves. So no, he can bring the ball up off a rebound and when they wanna run the break. In the half cour though... He is too big of an asset doing other thigns for the team.

 

[shawnkemp]

Tyguy,
We must be watching different games. Lebron has no post moves, and most of the time when he posts up, he passes it off or misses a fadeaway. His strengths are his court vision and his quickness, both of which are useful at the point. Leave Z and Drew down low. Let Lebron run the point, draw double teams and find the open man.