Series Thread: 1st Round: LA Lakers vs Portland Trailblazers

[WiggyRuss]

LeBron James led-teams 3 pt shooting percentage and place by year:

19-20 LAL: 34.9% 21st
18-19 LAL: 33.3% 29th
17-18 CLE: 37.2% 6th
16-17 CLE: 38.4% 2nd
15-16 CLE: 36.2% 7th
14-15 CLE: 36.7% 5th
13-14 MIA: 36.4% 12th
12-13 MIA: 39.6% 2nd
11-12 MIA: 35.9% 10th
10-11 MIA: 37.0% 7th
09-10 CLE: 38.1% 2nd
08-09 CLE: 39.3% 2nd

avg LBJ team 3pt% with LAL: 25th in the league
avg LBJ team 3pt % pre-LAL: 5th in the league

that leads me to believe that the Lakers either (a) did not focus on the 3pt shooting, and did not value it as much as the Cavs and Heat or (b) just did not do a good job pulling off getting quality shooters.

 

[WiggyRuss]

All it takes is one to make shots consistently and AD play in the frontcourt where he belongs. I suppose I should say "as it stands" LeBron doesn't have good shooters around him.

i think a beast-mode LBJ game is coming at us very very soon where he eschews the distribute LeBron and goes bad-ass scoring LeBron.

If the Lakers shots arent falling early in Game 2- i fully expect LeBron to go beast-mode and go for 40+

 

[dtgold88]

The bubble hurts the Lakers in a big way imo, but i think the Lakers can turn this around with a must win in game two

I agree. And while I never understood the "bubble does not hurt" idea I guess the good news for LA is they don't have to try and steal home court back.

 

[dtgold88]

i think a beast-mode LBJ game is coming at us very very soon where he eschews the distribute LeBron and goes bad-ass scoring LeBron.

If the Lakers shots arent falling early in Game 2- i fully expect LeBron to go beast-mode and go for 40+

And he still might get 15 rebounds and 7-8 assists.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

LeBron James led-teams 3 pt shooting percentage and place by year:

19-20 LAL: 34.9% 21st
18-19 LAL: 33.3% 29th
17-18 CLE: 37.2% 6th
16-17 CLE: 38.4% 2nd
15-16 CLE: 36.2% 7th
14-15 CLE: 36.7% 5th
13-14 MIA: 36.4% 12th
12-13 MIA: 39.6% 2nd
11-12 MIA: 35.9% 10th
10-11 MIA: 37.0% 7th
09-10 CLE: 38.1% 2nd
08-09 CLE: 39.3% 2nd

avg LBJ team 3pt% with LAL: 25th in the league
avg LBJ team 3pt % pre-LAL: 5th in the league

that leads me to believe that the Lakers either (a) did not focus on the 3pt shooting, and did not value it as much as the Cavs and Heat or (b) just did not do a good job pulling off getting quality shooters.

Obviously they tried getting good three point shooters those guys just happen to be on the back nine for the most part. I honestly don't understand KCP though. He is better than this for chrissakes. He's only in like his sixth season and shot 38 this year before the restart

 

[dtgold88]

The bubble had nothing to do with that game. Nice try though.

Nothing? Game 1 in the Forum wouldn't have made a difference? That said, if you are saying no because no fans you might be right. But with fans in stands like normal?

 

[Wamu]

If this has been mentioned my bad. During the game last night the broadcasters said LeBron became the first player to have 20-15-15 in a playoff game. I'm shocked no other player has done that. Thought for sure Magic would have.

 

[dtgold88]

if LeBron wins 0 playoff series his first 2 years in LA during his age 34 and 35 seasons and he is all of a sudden a 36 year old player with no success in LAL then Anthony DAvis' decision could get very interesting.

Still think they pull it out but you are correct.

 

[dtgold88]

the Lakers 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th best players are probably what? Green, Kuzma, Rondo and Morris?

tbh id take TT, Korver, Hill and Nance over that

Or Clarkson.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

Or Clarkson.

Notice the lack of the name Jeff Green. Ahem Ty Lue.

But miraculously this dude is semi thriving as a non rebounding center lol

 

[dtgold88]

Notice the lack of the name Jeff Green. Ahem Ty Lue.

But miraculously this dude is semi thriving as a non rebounding center lol

Don't get the "ahem, Ty Lue" mention. Green had some solid games here in the playoffs (yeah, also had a clunker or 2).

 

[trojanfan12]

34.9% on the season isnt bad--- it was good for 21st in the NBA- but the bubble percentage is lower---- not only that but its pretty rare if not unheard of for a Lebron James led team to be bottom half of the league in 3 pt shooting. The Cavs and Heat were always elite 3 pt shooting teams with LeBron's ability to collapse the defense and find shooters.

Yeah, the bubble percentage is 25.4%. Just that would have been enough to win the game last night. lol

 

[Stakesarehigh]

Don't get the "ahem, Ty Lue" mention. Green had some solid games here in the playoffs (yeah, also had a clunker or 2).

Ty Lue is a terrible coach. I will never stand down from that assertion

 

[trojanfan12]

Nothing? Game 1 in the Forum wouldn't have made a difference? That said, if you are saying no because no fans you might be right. But with fans in stands like normal?

Nothing. The Lakers didn't play well enough. At most, Avery Bradley not opting out might have helped them. So maybe they can blame the bubble for that.

Outside of that, they lost because they played like ass.

Having Rondo would have helped too. Especially if the got "playoff Rondo". But he's out with an injury that has nothing to do with the bubble.

 

[Robotech]

Nothing? Game 1 in the Forum wouldn't have made a difference? That said, if you are saying no because no fans you might be right. But with fans in stands like normal?

That would be cool if they played the game at the Forum.

 

[michaeljordan_fan]

Nothing? Game 1 in the Forum wouldn't have made a difference? That said, if you are saying no because no fans you might be right. But with fans in stands like normal?

Are the Lakers playing games in the Forum again?

 

[trojanfan12]

Are the Lakers playing games in the Forum again?

I've always thought they should play 1 or 2 games a year there.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

What is Pierce's deal with LeBron

 

[msgkings322]

There better be room for me on the Laker Haters bandwagon!

It's a pretty huge wagon

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

Yes really, they played better than LA...maybe you just weren't watching the game. I never said Portland played well but you act like Portland shouldn't have won. They were leading the entire game and they still outplayed LA but both team didn't really play to their potential with LA playing pretty horrible overall.

That is the least points Portland scored all year and won the game. Other than Dame and in spurts, McCullum, the rest of Portland was not good.
Both teams played terrible and AD was dominate in the 1st half, then disappeared down the stretch. That isn't the kind of guy Lebron needs in the playoffs. He needs a closer who isn't afraid to have the ball and take the shots, like Kyrie did and Wade did.