Defense: 1) Contain Lebron with a strong individual stocky defender who withstand his strong drive/post. If he score 50 with his step back three then so be it. Limit double teaming and not allow Lebron to facilitate and help his teammates find confidence/rhythm. If they try to pick off the strong defender with pick/roll then go under the pick force Lebron to take jumpers. 2) Pressure the ball handler, most likely Marcus/Kennard. Make it an hassle for them and this will disrupt three point shot. 3) Mess with Ayton's head, be physical and push him around but tell him how great he is. Offense: 1) Put Lebron in action and force him to chase someone around or defend Sengun in the post. 2) Post Kennard, punish him in the post. 3) Be patient when getting the ball to Durant. They will put either Smart or LaRavia on him, both of them have fast hands. KD needs to use the Reggie miller push off but not in a glaring way like what he did to Reaves.
The main key is if we have a lead in Q4 we should stick with what got us the lead instead of switching to an Ime defensive lineup that can't put points on the board with the only offense being KD iso's that turn into KD turnovers. Basically, don't let Ime be Ime.
I have zero doubt Ime will be Ime. Our only hope is we outscore the short handed Lakers so much in the first 3 quarters that an Ime special 4Q defensive lineup doesn't cost us any games.
Even funnier still is the fact that Dickerson will come in to save the day and just give up 15 points by himself on half assed close outs, giving shooters too much space and turnovers.
Actually, Sengun struggles against stocky/strong defenders so no to the Sengun posting up LeBron. A big key to this series is Jabari's scoring...when he gets the smaller defender on him, will Jabari get aggressive and drive to the paint or resort to his fadeaway which I cringe when he does that on shorter players
Exactly! We just need to make LeBron a perimeter player...he's at his best getting downhill and JJ will surround him with shooters to give more spacing for LeBron to operate.
If the Lakers start scoring points from the paint, keep them out of the paint. If the Lakers start scoring points at midrange, keep them out of mid-range. If the Lakers start scoring points from 3, keep them away from 3 point range. Essentially, don't let anyone pass half court, and if that doesn't work, Sweep the leg. @Cosmonaut
DFS but if he were an agency it would be called the Department of F*cking Sucks so no use in putting him in.
Remembering that, even though LeBron acts as if he will never retire, the NBA has to treat each of his postseasons as if it were his last. So.....watch out from them zebras.
I can definitely see that scenario where he gets every call, on fire from 3, unstoppable in the paint and somehow their whole team hits their shots. They’re not to be taken lightly
