Tonight against the Blazers was a head scratcher. Looked like he wasn't trying at all. The first two games he looked at least engaged, even as bad as he was against the Knicks. I am noticing too he's got no lift either. Not finishing layups, no chase downs. What's causing this? It is his effort? Is it fatigue from 4 finals appearances? Is it figuring out his teammates? I think it's safe to say Miami's offense really tailored him scoring in the paint and we won't see him shooting 55% on FGs anymore. The King better start stepping up!
He has played too much basketball. 40k minutes at his age is more than anybody in NBA history. Jordan didnt reach 40k minutes till he was 34 Finally feeling the effects. U saw it last season where his defense fell, Now he just looks worn out.
Maybe he needs to take a season as well like Jordan. He can go be a back up tight end for Jason Witten on the cowboys :grin:
Remember he went on a diet for 70 days in the summer? Lost weight and got really trim. Looks like that is hurting him to start out the season.
I noticed in the 4th quarter that he just had no explosion off of his drives, he just couldn't get by his man... Idk if its cause for concern this early in the season, but I'm gonna keep an eye on it.
You may be right. He was clapping at lebron demanding. Mf that's lebron, he would hit you when he hits you. Also, Lebron playing pg to show him who's the man.
Maybe he's trying to conserve his energy for another deep playoff run? He'll be fine, maybe he's playing through an unreported injury? Won't be surprised if he joins Westbrook or Durant on the injury list.
As has been said by others: he's probably just physically worn out from all the basketball he's played since joining the NBA. Plus, the media frenzy he's faced since re-joining Cleveland probably doesn't help either. I'm not worried about it yet, but if this type of play continues through December, that will be interesting.
LeBron can't cruise with this Cavs team. He is going to need to be engaged on both ends to make up for their deficiencies. Offensively, he is going to have to create for everyone as Irving/Waiters are both one on one scorers. And defensively, he is going to have to be the best defender on the floor as Irving/Waiters/Love aren't defenders. As a side note, I remember making this point in the offseason when LeBron hadn't made his decision yet and it looked like Houston was going to get a chance. At least with Houston, LeBron could basically cruise the regular season. Let Harden run the offense the majority of the time and Howard control the defense, then in the playoffs a moderately rested LeBron could turn in on. Would have been scary to say the least. A true three headed monster.
