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all 71 comments

[–]MrSyphax 276 points277 points  (5 children)

No cap this is the only time lebron plays defense at this age. He will stand around watching 3s go in for 3 qtrs but then choose to guard the best player for the final 12 minutes. was getting hype watching him shut down Luka the other night

[–]EATMYBASS3 71 points72 points  (0 children)

Luka challenged LeBron. LeBron showed him it ain’t sweet. Just like a true old head on the court. Don’t try them 1 on 1

[–]HotRefrigerator3977 45 points46 points  (3 children)

LeBron is a tough defender and probably a top 5 in the league if he wants to. It's just most of the time he's not trying primarily due to age or reserving energy for playoffs. Imagine prime LeBron guarding Luka, he would hardly score a single-digit.

[–]Jbyrd07 14 points15 points  (1 child)

You can tell this year he’s for sure coasting to be aggressive in the 2nd half. Last post season game when he dropped 40 in the first half he was completely wiped rest of game. At times it’s obnoxious watching him not contest or hustle during first half or longer but he’s capable when he wants it or gets pissed

[–]thedonjefron69 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it’s absolutely clear what he’s doing, where before it was more on/off throughout the game. It’s paying off, we’ve almost come back from some massive deficits against the mavs and I think the kings, even though we didn’t get the Ws.

[–]Katarinkushi 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Luka doesn't stand a chance against prime LeBron lol too soft for him.

Not saying this meaning Luka is bad, he's amazing, but prime LeBron would be like a perfect counter

[–]bee-eazy13 189 points190 points  (0 children)

Not so coincidentally, 4th quarter is the only time Lebron gets in his defensive stance lol

[–]ChooJimmy13 70 points71 points  (3 children)

If Lakers can get fully healthy they will undoubtedly be top 3 in the league. They have the makeup to be an elite defensive team

[–]zodazx 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I don't know about that actually, don't think we'd be a top 3 team in the regular season. I actually think we might do better in the post season than the regular season, especially cause we will eventually rest AD and LBJ as the season progresses, but we have got wings that have different skills that will help us in different match ups that could really tip the scales in the post season.

[–]strxlv 6 points7 points  (0 children)

We are currently the 7th best defense missing our best perimeter defender, best small guard defender, and playing mostly a new defensive scheme. Lakers are switching a lot more this year vs almost exclusive drop like last year. There’s also no reason to rest AD and LeBron unless they actually get hurt, we’re not good enough to do that. Also if we’re being real Lebron is bad defensively most of the time, which is understandable given his age and need to conserve energy. Top 3 defense is definitely attainable.

[–]LetsBeRealisticK 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No shot. I don't think this Lakers team makes it to the finals at full strength. I'd be pleasantly surprised if they make it to the semi-finals. This isn't an elite team

[–]unstoppable_vante242 58 points59 points  (0 children)

When Vando comes back it’s going to be a movie

[–]BobMartins 28 points29 points  (2 children)

CLAMPS

[–]Top-Consequence-911 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Gramps got clamps (only in the fourth)!

[–]24dcoolidge 25 points26 points  (1 child)

Are we last in first quarter defense?

[–]HIMkeepon18 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Nope! We are #26 in first quarter defense, with a defensive rating of 120.6 lmao

[–]arthur_dayne222 76 points77 points  (1 child)

Number 1 in fake come back.

[–]LEBRON JAMESKarrotMovies 30 points31 points  (0 children)

😤GAME AINT OVER TIL THE LAST BUZZER 😤 (we lose by 2 points)

All jokes aside, our guys are a completely different team in the clutch. It's like they start to care. We have had some good comebacks this season just from how well the team played in the clutch

[–]tsirhcho 8 points9 points  (2 children)

Let's be #1 in the first as well.

[–]Magical Johnsondeath_by_laughs 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Monkey paw curls

Lakers drop to last in 2nd/3rd quarter defense

[–]Alekesam1975 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do wonder how much of it is the team figuring out pacing since we've been doing 3rd quarter offensive blitzes and 4th quarter defense.

[–]Chao_607 16 points17 points  (0 children)

This is why I don’t think we should panic. 4th quarter is really the only time that Lebron tries, which is the only time we should truly judge our team on. With a fully engaged lebron and a Vanderbilt coming back, we should be able to be the number one defense in the playoffs, which is all that matters.

[–]mordenak 6 points7 points  (0 children)

We're also 17.7 in Net Rtg in the 4th, which is also best in the league. So not only is our defense great, but our offense gets it done in the 4th too.

[–]Tall_Succotash 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Will be huge in the playoffs to have this kind of reputation.

[–]LordRio123 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Half Time Adjustments are good on defense

[–]outsidehere 2 points3 points  (5 children)

Think it's when LeBron starts to engage in defense the most which I don't blame him. Bruh is old as hell and running the team offense

[–]Even-Brain-3973 2 points3 points  (4 children)

Facts bro he’s kinda been doing that’s for a few years but he was able to pick his spots more frequently back then. Now it seems like he saves everything for the 4th

[–]bee-eazy13 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fr he doesn’t even bend his knees on defense until there’s like 8 minutes left in the game 💀

[–]outsidehere 1 point2 points  (2 children)

For real. Which honestly I'd love for him to be defending more throughout the whole game but I realize that he's 38 and his body is vulnerable to injuries

[–]Even-Brain-3973 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Exactly bro and he STILL has to carry our offense lol which is crazy so yeah perfectly understandable

[–]outsidehere 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For real

[–]Alert-Towel-263 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Locked in 🔒

[–]aztronut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Now go get Caruso and take it to another level.

[–]tj_bawa 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Vando, Cam, Max, AD. Good luck scoring on this lineup

[–]brownpaperbag714 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Aged like milk

[–]Glinez09 2 points3 points  (0 children)

imagine if we have a full roster with cam and vando back..

[–]poptony3 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Guess who barely plays in the 4th. Any guess?

[–]phatboi168 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Is it d lo?

[–]random-50 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Double whammy. Lebron doesn't play D in the first 3, DLo doesn't play effective D ever. Those 2 alone are probably the reason for this stat.

[–]SnooTigers806 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

And dead last in 1st quarter differential iirc. Its not even worth tuning into Lakers games until the second half this season.

[–]SailorMoon_J 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kinda motivating when you're down by 20 in the first quarter

[–]redundantPOINT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only way to win if our first quarter defense is shit

[–]Baconmazing 0 points1 point  (1 child)

How much of this data is carried by that tragic L to the Mavs ?

[–]EmoniBates 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This team has that switch like that 2020 team. If they gotta lock in and play shut down defense for the last 6-7 minutes they can. Shits dope

[–]MoassThanYoass 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Imagine Vando, Cam, Max, AD on the floor same time. 😁

[–]nba_artworks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

so impressive

[–]KB24♾️ajsantos21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Efforth

[–]goodchild101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty consistent with eye test as well since we always comeback in the 4th

[–]ShanghaiAdobo897 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pace and yeah, Bron clamps up in the 4th

[–]swords_devil 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yea but what about first quarter :(

[–]H3x4g0n33 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wait till vando is back

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The blazers and grizzlies are only that high because their opponents are so far ahead they coast in the 4th

[–]ahaan15 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve seen enough, Brons getting another ring. This team has a lot of potential

[–]madderyack 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Now do the 1st quarter 😂😂😂

[–]💜💛🪄🐍🧢⬅️rick_32 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol they better be as bad as they are in the 1st!

[–]Apprehensive_Print97 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They about to need it tonight

[–]EpicMusic13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fucking jinxed it bruh