Marc Stein: Christopher Paul is already recruiting Lebron

Since the Rockets are still cutting Murphy checks, I'm sure he can be convinced to come off his number if necessary.

 

"I've been told by good sources he wants to play off the ball next year." -> Lebron literally said it lol

"I can never see LeBron doing that." -> "I'm not writing it off."

Some media dudes are so scared of Lebron coming to Houston...if there were rumors of Lebron going to OKC you would hear them say things like "can you immagine how good they would be by having two triple double players on the same team?" smh...

 

LeBron is the better player, but PG13 would be a better fit. I like Ariza but he was absolutely terrible in the WCF. He was nowhere to be found when it really mattered. I trust Paul George to come thru in the clutch.

 

Lebron is better than PG13 in literally every aspect of the game.

What logic is there for PG being a better fit?

 

i think hes a better fit bc hes an elite versatile wing thats an elite 3 pt shooter. its more based on how this current team is constructed. if you want to keep this team somewhat how it is now pg13 is the better fit. hes ariza but obviously a much upgraded version in every aspect. I'm not taking into account ariza's relationship off court with the guys here for the record. Now with lebron being basically the best player still in the league, he affects the dynamic of a team much more. hes not some 3 pt wing defender you just plug in. a bigger adjustment would have to be made for a guy like Lebron compared to a pg13. I believe thats where the better fit angle comes from. I dont think anyone is denying lebron is obviously the better player. but keep in mind better players doesn't always mean better fit for what a team does.

 

Probably #6. Although I imagine Murph would give his blessing to have that number unretired for LeBron in a heartbeat. BTW, if he does wear #6, anyone with a T-Jones jersey needs to only alter two letters on the back of it to turn it into a LeBron jersey.

The incredibly moronic takes on the LeBron to Houston rumor on FS1 today has me thinking the media knows it's a serious possibility. They seem really concerned about it and its implications on the league. I can't entirely blame them. Provided Morey can adequately replace Gordon, LeBron coming here would effectively end the 2018-19 season before it starts. Even the Warriors with their aging bench won't stand a chance. That can't exactly be exciting to cover as a journalist. Especially when it involves a team most of them appear to actively dislike.

As for how LeBron would be used here, do they seriously believe D'Antoni wouldn't incorporate postups into the offense? And more midrange jumpers? Also, last time I checked, the Cavs run tons of ISO plays for LeBron. So why wouldn't he fit in with the Rockets offense? Only instead of having JR Smith and George Hill alongside him, he'll have James Harden and Chris Paul. I'm pretty sure he'll be just fine.

 

LeBron seems like the kind of guy to respect legacies. I don't think he'd encroach on Calvin's number. If anything, he'd probably want his own number hanging from the rafters......not a shared number with someone else.

 

PG is the easier fit. But the way D'Antoni used Diaw in the high post.... LeBron in that same role + Morey finding a few guys to accommodate that scheme - oh lord. It could be special.

Or, if he keeps things the same, instead of having just 2 guys you can screen to create a mismatch off of a switch, you now have 3. Curry switches off on Harden, we attack. Switches off on Paul we attack. Switches off on LeBron. RIP.

 

I think you quoted the wrong post

I agree with this.

George is 5 years younger though, his age in on par with James instead that with Chris, also more of a defender and spot up shooter than Lebron on paper...i mean, Lebron can be, and he actually is the best defender in the league when he wants (or when he can), but that doesn't happen a lot, let's say...George plays defense 24/7 and he's a great defender. Again, i agree with you, Lebron is the better player overall, no question, but just saying, there're some aspects that might make George uh...how can i say it, more appealing for us.

 

They play the same position. Also, Lebron is a lot better.

 

they do not. both play the game in 2 different ways

 

Don't usually agree with Cowturd, but he's not wrong here. The Rockets organization I'm sure is rooting for a Warriors rout. I do disagree about his take on the Lakers though. Why would they want the Finals to be competitive? How does that improve their pitch to LeBron?

 

The logic is that Paul George is younger, cheaper and more likely to be threat off the ball. Nobody believes that Lebron is really interested in being off the ball for significant stretches.

Now, George really doesn't want to be an off the ball guy either historically, but maybe he signs up for that more than Lebron.

Lebron is definitely a better player, but he's much higher maintenance. I do have concerns about trying to let him, Paul and Harden just go iso all game long.

 

Broussard is a dip ****. He obviously doesn’t watch basketball very closely or he’d know Mike’s Phoenix team played a little bit different than this Rockets team. He can’t actually think Lebron or George is coming here to be told to stand on the 3 point line.

 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sp...m-the-Beard-to-CP3-to-LeBron-and-12958356.php

Q. Does all this mean they can forget the LeBron James fantasies?

A. Not entirely. James has not showed his hand at all. His latest trip to the Finals might offer enough motivation to stay home in Cleveland rather than join the team with the best record that fell short, as Kevin Durant did in 2016 when he left the Thunder to join the Warriors. If he does want to jump ship, the Rockets almost certainly would have to make that kind of move they did with Paul, with James opting into the last season of his contract and convincing his team that he is leaving and it should get what it can for him. The problem with that is the Rockets don’t have the sort of rotation players with favorable contracts that made the Paul deal work. Without James, the Cavs will likely want players that fit in rebuilding, rather than to help sneak into the playoffs. Plus, there will be a small window between the end of the Finals and the date for James to opt in to make that kind of move possible. A sign-and-trade deal in July would likely hard-cap the Rockets and make their other moves difficult. Morey made it clear he intends to keep his free agents, indicating he would not be gutting the roster to create cap room for James or another max free agent.

Q. Even before trying to make all that work out, can the Rockets entice him?

A. Paul and James are extremely tight. Paul does not have to recruit James. James already knows everything Paul would say. It would be like recruiting your brother to the annual family Thanksgiving dinner. The Rockets have a lot to offer, starting with an elite roster and a widely respected players’ coach. The things that appeal to Paul would appeal to James. Plus, if he loses to the Warriors again, he could decide he has a better chance to beat them with the Rockets than the Cavaliers. Only he knows, however, the value he’d place in playing at home or where he has a home.​

 

Sign CP3... get rid of Harden with Anderson and Gordon... them sign Lebron and PG13. I would love it.

 

Ok, so who's going to be the badass that photoshops a cool Lebron, Harden, CP3, George in Rockets uni pic?

 

The Rockets are obviously the best team for LeBron. It's an elite roster with two elite ball handlers to take the pressure off of him and a front office that is clearly player-first.

However, I also have a feeling that LeBron will see going to Houston as another tarnish on his legacy. It might scare him a little bit.

I see Philly as a real possibility for him. Staying in Cleveland is another strong possibility. I would be very pleasantly surprised if he picked Houston. I would be completely shocked if he chose LA.

 

He's gone to what, 9 finals in a row? I think his legacy will be fine.

 

Put Lebron on the rockets and the warriors reign of terror is over