NBA Thread

[thethe]

I'm not even sure how this is up for debate. Durant is closing the gap. That doesn't mean he is as good or will ever be as good but he is clearly closing the gap. Every metric basically shows this. Whats are your arguments that he hasn't?

[Heyward]

There's a reason he doesn't guard him for more than 2 minutes, it's because he can't. Have KD bang down low with 250 pound guys, stay with lightning quick PGs and see if he still dropping 30 a game. No one is doing or can do what Bron is doing....but hey, if it makes you feel better to say KD got an inch closer in a 50 mile gap, then good for you.

Is that why LeBron ran out of gas one game guarding Paul George and they had to switch Battier to him?

LeBron guards PG's every game, news to me.

[Heyward]

The gap is definately closing though, LeBron is still better obviously.

And yes, most of LeBron's shots are 5-10 foot shots, near the basket where he can post up.

[thethe]

Is that why LeBron ran out of gas one game guarding Paul George and they had to switch Battier to him?

LeBron guards PG's every game, news to me.

Thats because he doesn't guard them all game. They use him to give a different look in key situations just like the Thunder use KD.

[gilesfan]

So KD takes many more jumpers.

Yes, which is understandable because he's thin and lanky. He hasnt shot better though.

[thethe]

Yes, which is understandable because he's thin and lanky. He hasnt shot better though.

I'd imagine there would be regression to the mean for Lebron if he took the amount of jumpers that KD took.

[gilesfan]

And yes, most of LeBron's shots are 5-10 foot shots, near the basket where he can post up.

No, actually 60% of his shots are jump shots.

[gilesfan]

I'd imagine there would be regression to the mean for Lebron if he took the amount of jumpers that KD took.

Possibly. Though that would be dumb. Shooting jumpers is the least effecient shot in the NBA. But, there a huge gap in eFG% to "overcome"

[thethe]

Possibly. Though that would be dumb. Shooting jumpers is the least effecient shot in the NBA. But, there a huge gap in eFG% to "overcome"

Of course it would be dumb for Lebron. He is Shaq in an athletic 6'8 body. He uses that to his advantage and he should. But to say that Lebron is an elite shooter is just not accurate. He is a very good shooter now.

[thethe]

No, actually 60% of his shots are jump shots.

How is a jump shot defined?

[Heyward]

No, actually 60% of his shots are jump shots.

Again, most of his shots are around the basket, elite shooter, no, but he's very good.

He doesnt force many shots like other top scorers do.

[gilesfan]

Again, most of his shots are around the basket, elite shooter, no, but he's very good.

He doesnt force many shots like other top scorers do.

Wait, most would mean at least something greater than 50%, correct?

You do understand what most means, right?

[Heyward]

Wait, most would mean at least something greater than 50%, correct?

You do understand what most means, right?

60-70%

[gilesfan]

60-70%

So you claim 60%-70% of Lebrons shots are close range despite that number actually being 40%?

[Heyward]

So you claim 60%-70% of Lebrons shots are close range despite that number actually being 40%?

Yes.

[gilesfan]

So, Im assuming you've watched every heat game and charted his shots?

[thethe]

To me this doesn't have to be a knock Lebron discussion. Guy is one of the greatest players of all time and for my money the best. I just don't see how its debateable to say that KD has closed the gap. How many players in the history of the sport have done what KD is doing this year. For that matter, the last 2 years?

The interesting thing to me is what happens if KD continues his improvement trajectory. Could he still possibly get better? These are the areas that I see he can improve:

1 - Consistent effort on the defensive end
2 - True post up moves
3 - Cut down on turnovers

I believe he will work on these things and continue to improve.

The real question is then what is KD's ceiling?

[BRule]

Lebron is basically a power forward so a good portion of his buckets are from inside the paint. His numbers are great and he has improve his jump shot but he isn't an elite shooter like Durant/Curry/Korver are. Those are elite shooters. Lebron isn't in that class.

7 of his 17 shots come at the rim.....7.5 come from 16+ feet out

He's shooting 46% on shots 16-23 feet and 40% on threes

Durant is shooting 43% from 16-23 and 41% from 3.

It would appear their percentages are in line with each other over the last 2 years.....so, like I said, Bron has turned himself into an elite shooter over the last 2 years. He isn't the same guy on O, as he was .

[thethe]

Lebron takes less shots so there would be some regression if his attempts were on par with kd.

[yeezus]

Lebron takes less shots so there would be some regression if his attempts were on par with kd.

What are you basing this assumption off of?
You're making assumptions in the midst of facts.