LeBron James

[inliner311]

Lebron deliberately takes plays off on defense during the regular season and until last year it didn't hurt him, because once your team makes it into the playoffs the regular season doesn't matter. In the playoffs he can and does turn it on and be really tremendous defensively. I have always felt that this is a reasonable compromise for him to make given his age, mileage, play style, and size (playing as a perimeter player weighing 265+ pounds is almost unprecedented for anyone, let alone anyone his age). It is pretty crazy-making to watch game after game in the regular season though and it can't be helpful for the team developing good habits. I feel like at this stage in his career he really needs a team that can fill in the gaps for him on the floor and a coach who is more aggressive about resting him. Not sure if LA really provides that, they don't have many plus defenders and the coach will be under huge pressure to make the playoffs.

His ability to take extended rest while on the court is connected to his incredible sense of when things matter and when they just don't. But in the playoffs it always matters.

One thing he had for years were players that played with him in the playoffs and knew that the constant barking even when he wasn't making the effort during the regular season was making sure they were in the right spot when the playoffs came around. The problem I see for this season is that yelling might be laying on deaf ears because he doesn't have anyone on that team that has been to the playoffs with him.

It will either be he gives effort or pay the price in the playoffs when his teammate aren't in their proper spots. It could all blow up in LeBron's face next summer if AD isn't satisfied with the structure or how much they win.

 

[Cavatt]

Another problem is that taking too many plays off even during the regular season makes it much more difficult for LBJ's teammates to actually implement and practice their defense the way it is supposed to be played when he is on the court. Guys don't learn trust, or develop a sense of how each other is going to react when they're playing defense "for real" because they won't have done it much during the regular season.

Yeah this was a major criticism I had especially after the title.

I always thought it would be better for the team to have Lebron on the court less, and trying harder on defense when he was on. Would have given them more independence. The bench really fell apart without Delly there to maintain the pace and defense.

 

[inliner311]

Yeah this was a major criticism I had especially after the title.

I always thought it would be better for the team to have Lebron on the court less, and trying harder on defense when he was on. Would have given them more independence. The bench really fell apart without Delly there to maintain the pace and defense.

I agree with all of this but one thing with LeBron was he never was going to cut his minutes. As much as he talk about how it's all about winning, the records mean alot to him. He might say they don't but everytime he was going to break or pass one of the all time greats on a record, everyone could see how nervous he was by how he played. He needs as many minutes and game in the regular season as possible to hit all those records.

At some point he realized he wasn't going to get 6 championships in his career and the records were going to be his GOAT conversation piece.

 

[Bucketz]

AD is just taking notes from LeBron on how to strong arm a team.

His agent is Rich Paul, right? It’s 100% what’s happening but AD just comes off as unpolished and trying too hard to say the right thing when asked questions about the trade or longevity with teams. So, if he’s already drinking from lebrons well, I think we know exactly what happens if they don’t win. Bye bye lebron and/or AD. Maybe not this year, but if they can’t pull it off next year, or at least get to the finals I could see that. Lebron and Klutch are revolutionary in a way, but it’s not really having a positive impact on the nba IMO. Really hurts the fans perspective on players they admire for more than just basketball skills. Yes, they have every right to leave a team, but it’s hardly done gracefully, which to me makes a big difference in how it’s received. I HATE that Darius is represented by klutch.

 

[Man Called X]

LeBron not taking kindly to the new Rich Paul Rule.

 

[Steve_424]

LeBron not taking kindly to the new Rich Paul Rule.

As he shouldn't - it's ridiculous (which is expected from the NCAA). He's not the only one who has spoken out either.

 

[Man Called X]

As he shouldn't - it's ridiculous (which is expected from the NCAA). He's not the only one who has spoken out either.

Why is expecting a college degree such an awful thing? It's a common requirement in the real working world.

 

[Cavsfan1985]

Why is expecting a college degree such an awful thing? It's a common requirement in the real working world.

I see both sides of it. Why would the NCAA not want someone who has a college degree be the one who works with college students. I have to imagine at its core the idea is have someone advising someone who has completed college and can weigh all of the decisions.

On the other-side, if you are able to be certified as an agent by the NBA why would the NCAA be able to add additional rules to it.

The work around seems simple, agency's would have a guy with a degree handle the player until he declared then move to the big agent.

 

[MediumBaller]

Why is expecting a college degree such an awful thing? It's a common requirement in the real working world.

Because it's a ridiculous requirement. How does a college degree in something random make one qualified to be a sports agent? Paul has years of experience in the field, which is so much more valuable than a bachelors degree. This rule was blatantly passed because Rich Paul has the league shook, but them doing this is going to help him, not hurt him.

 

[Man Called X]

Because it's a ridiculous requirement. How does a college degree in something random make one qualified to be a sports agent? Paul has years of experience in the field, which is so much more valuable than a bachelors degree. This rule was blatantly passed because Rich Paul has the league shook, but them doing this is going to help him, not hurt him.

The NCAA is trying to protect it's money just as much if anything. The requirement is only for underclassmen that want to test the waters. The one and done rule has already hurt NCAA basketball. And it was one thing for players to choose the overseas or G-League route over the 1 year in college, now you got Bazley getting drafted while being a paid intern for a shoe company. That's what really brought this rule on. NCAA didn't make a dime off of him, and more than likely lost money because of the ordeal.

But outside of the world of sports, is it that unheard of to require a college degree for a job? Yes, there are plenty of places that ignore it, and still just as many that adhere strictly to the requirement.

You shit where you eat, you get to eat shit. He wanted to fight the NCAA, guess he got his fight.

 

[Steve_424]

Why is expecting a college degree such an awful thing? It's a common requirement in the real working world.

Because it's clear as day this requirement was put in place because of one man - Rich Paul. He gets criticized a lot, but at least Rich Paul is open about what he does and what he's all about. I wish we could say the same for the NCAA.

 

[Man Called X]

Because it's clear as day this requirement was put in place because of one man - Rich Paul. He gets criticized a lot, but at least Rich Paul is open about what he does and what he's all about. I wish we could say the same for the NCAA.

The NBA has plenty of rules that are solely in place because of one person. He wants to change the game, he's going to get backlash. When you get top recruits to back out of commitments, you're going to piss people off. Sorry that your boy ran into bigger money than his own.

 

[Cassity14]

Rich Paul is good at what he does. There will be plenty of idiots who come along that are not.

These kids are vulnerable, and having extremely-basic requirements around who can be their counsel isn't a bad thing.

 

[brownindian]

His agent is Rich Paul, right? It’s 100% what’s happening but AD just comes off as unpolished and trying too hard to say the right thing when asked questions about the trade or longevity with teams. So, if he’s already drinking from lebrons well, I think we know exactly what happens if they don’t win. Bye bye lebron and/or AD. Maybe not this year, but if they can’t pull it off next year, or at least get to the finals I could see that. Lebron and Klutch are revolutionary in a way, but it’s not really having a positive impact on the nba IMO. Really hurts the fans perspective on players they admire for more than just basketball skills. Yes, they have every right to leave a team, but it’s hardly done gracefully, which to me makes a big difference in how it’s received. I HATE that Darius is represented by klutch.

I think all contracts should be made one year contracts.

 

[NIkeL]

The NCAA couldn't give less of a shit about the players. They care about the money they bring, and someone is threatening to get into that money so they change the rules. The bachelors degree is a ridiculous requirement. The other 2 requirements are enough. A bachelors degree means absolutely nothing besides that you went to college and passed all your exams. It shows nothing about intentions and how you work. That's why you don't hire someone based only on having a degree. Just my 2 cents though, i was always against the line of thought that having a degree automatically means you're smarter or better at something than someone who doesn't.