When Did Kawhi Become AI??

[murksiderock]

We’ll see you are right

But I’ll be honest people are as full of shyt about LB as they are Kawhi.

I’m supposed to applaud Lebron for showing the effort he refused to last year because he was clearly “unhappy”? I’m supposed to jump up & down about numbers he gets in his sleep? Numbers that have never during the course of his career told the story of his best or worst games? (Sans 11 Finals) Wasn’t 28 8 8 the theme of last year?

Here’s what we know

Lou & Trez put up a hell of a fight against the mighty Warriors. We have no clue how people react to the spotlight of the playoffs. The Lakers will be relying heavily on a Kyle Kuzma who wasn’t afforded his first taste of playoff experience last year when he should have. I can’t help but think that we’ve been hear before. If Kuz ends up being the new Jordan Clarkson they have no chance.

2 guys are not going to beat The Clippers

I’m really looking forward to seeing how The Lakers look against James this year because it will be revealing

Lakers are indeed the bigger team but will they be able to guard the perimeter?

This will be great

I'm with you, I don't think you should applaud LeBron for showing more effort...

For me it isn't about the numbers, so much as a return to the level of play that helped him dominate the NBA for a decade. There were real doubts that at his age, could he play like this again, and even now there are still doubts as to if he can sustain it for the long haul. But the level of play should be applauded, no Year 17 guy should be better than a Year 9 guy, and it really shouldn't be close...

The fact that it not only is close, but that an older LeBron is clearly better than a younger Kawhi, at the very least cats should appreciate the longevity LeBron has been able to play like this. That's just my opinion, whether you love him or hate him...

I completely agree two guys aren't gonna beat the Clippers. I don't think Kuz has to be this elite third wheel so much as just be a consistent performer. The Lakers have enough capable guys that the third guy can shift on a night to night basis, guys just have to be consistent and play their role. I wouldn't be worried about trying to match shots with Lou or do what the Clippers do. Guarding the perimeter will be easier with one more guy at trade deadline, to add to Bron/Bradley/Green. As it is now the Lakers are at a disadvantage in perimeter defense but it's not unworkable...

It'll take a team effort for either squad to win. I'm looking forward to it and hop er that the most important players and rotation pieces are all available...

 

[duncanthetall]

But y'all always falling over yourselves to be the first replies to any thread or topic regarding him. Every thread regarding Kawhi is maybe 1-2 Clippers and Raptors fans and the rest is nothing but y'all Lakers stanleys endlessly crying about how he's a mute/bum/trash/overrated/media favorite and that he won't win shyt this year. Where was all this energy back in July when Kawhi was still in the running for your team? When you were begging him to come and save y'all KANG Bron?

Yeah it’s not really a shocker that theres 2 Clippers fans

 

[2Quik4UHoes]

Y’all a trip. This handicap parking spot ass nikka signed with the enemy and declared war on the Lakers and LeBron. After tryna fake play our front office for a fool and jeopardize our roster, knowing full well Ballmer got ill intentions to take LA from the Lakers and Logo tryna take out Jeanie over their beef. But we supposed to be cool?

I guess y’all wouldn’t relate cuz y’all root for bum ass franchises. GOAT franchise gon defend its honor against these bum ass clown ass lame ass wack ass lil clips. fukk what I was saying before he signed because that was before he signed. Now it’s fukk peg leg and everything his bum leg stand for on the court. In fact, I made it pretty clear in the Kawhi free agency thread that if he signed with the clippers we gon make sure he never wins shyt.

Nah, y’all want Lakeset to show mercy and let em live. fukk that, we beatin the shyt outta him and his team in the playoffs.

 

[Professor Emeritus]

We’ll see you are right

But I’ll be honest people are as full of shyt about LB as they are Kawhi.

I’m supposed to applaud Lebron for showing the effort he refused to last year because he was clearly “unhappy”? I’m supposed to jump up & down about numbers he gets in his sleep? Numbers that have never during the course of his career told the story of his best or worst games? (Sans 11 Finals) Wasn’t 28 8 8 the theme of last year?

Here’s what we know

Lou & Trez put up a hell of a fight against the mighty Warriors. We have no clue how people react to the spotlight of the playoffs. The Lakers will be relying heavily on a Kyle Kuzma who wasn’t afforded his first taste of playoff experience last year when he should have. I can’t help but think that we’ve been hear before. If Kuz ends up being the new Jordan Clarkson they have no chance.

2 guys are not going to beat The Clippers

I’m really looking forward to seeing how The Lakers look against James this year because it will be revealing

Lakers are indeed the bigger team but will they be able to guard the perimeter?

This will be great

Last year some people were actually saying that peak Kawhi was on the same level or better than peak LeBron. This year LeBron is proving that even at this age he is STILL better than peak Kawhi.

And no dismissing his effort, name one superstar with this many miles on him who still played defense this well while taking the offense load too. That crazy.

Your talking points give the impression you don't watch the team. They don't "rely heavily" on Kuzma, he's a role player. Bradley, Green, Dwight are all just as important as him, from game-to-game even Caruso and KCP can be. They don't have "two guys", they have a great team where everyone knows their role. And perimeter defense is a weird thing to question when Bradley, Green, Caruso, LeBron are all strong perimeter defenders. They do need another big wing to give LeBron more of a breather (will KCP man up there or will Lakers pick up someone like Iggy, Ariza, or Crowder?).

Only thing I agree with you on is playoff experience. Caruso, Kuz, KCP have all never been there, AD has never been deep, and none of the other guys have ever gone on s playoff run together. Gonna be tough to watch them try to learn on the fly, but having LeBron is basically a cheat code for that shyt.

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

I'm with you, I don't think you should applaud LeBron for showing more effort...

For me it isn't about the numbers, so much as a return to the level of play that helped him dominate the NBA for a decade. There were real doubts that at his age, could he play like this again, and even now there are still doubts as to if he can sustain it for the long haul. But the level of play should be applauded, no Year 17 guy should be better than a Year 9 guy, and it really shouldn't be close...

The fact that it not only is close, but that an older LeBron is clearly better than a younger Kawhi, at the very least cats should appreciate the longevity LeBron has been able to play like this. That's just my opinion, whether you love him or hate him...

I completely agree two guys aren't gonna beat the Clippers. I don't think Kuz has to be this elite third wheel so much as just be a consistent performer. The Lakers have enough capable guys that the third guy can shift on a night to night basis, guys just have to be consistent and play their role. I wouldn't be worried about trying to match shots with Lou or do what the Clippers do. Guarding the perimeter will be easier with one more guy at trade deadline, to add to Bron/Bradley/Green. As it is now the Lakers are at a disadvantage in perimeter defense but it's not unworkable...

It'll take a team effort for either squad to win. I'm looking forward to it and hop er that the most important players and rotation pieces are all available...

Shout out to you nikka. You’re proof a grown man can be a fan of another nikka without resorting to irrational lady like bullshyt

Clippers thrashing them nikkax in May tho

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

Last year some people were actually saying that peak Kawhi was on the same level or better than peak LeBron. This year LeBron is proving that even at this age he is STILL better than peak Kawhi.

And no dismissing his effort, name one superstar with this many miles on him who still played defense this well while taking the offense load too. That crazy.

Your talking points give the impression you don't watch the team. They don't "rely heavily" on Kuzma, he's a role player. Bradley, Green, Dwight are all just as important as him, from game-to-game even Caruso and KCP can be. They don't have "two guys", they have a great team where everyone knows their role. And perimeter defense is a weird thing to question when Bradley, Green, Caruso, LeBron are all strong perimeter defenders. They do need another big wing to give LeBron more of a breather (will KCP man up there or will Lakers pick up someone like Iggy, Ariza, or Crowder?).

Only thing I agree with you on is playoff experience. Caruso, Kuz, KCP have all never been there, AD has never been deep, and none of the other guys have ever gone on s playoff run together. Gonna be tough to watch them try to learn on the fly, but having LeBron is basically a cheat code for that shyt.

lol You can’t tell me a bunch of guys who for the most part can’t get their own shot Trumps four guys that can.

If Ben Simmons, Jimmy & J Cole, who are bigger stronger more athletic, struggled with Kawhi what on earth could The Lakers smaller cast of defenders be expected to do?

The more guys that can get their own shot on squad the better. If you know Playoff basketball you know them shooters come & go. Guys who were 40% all season have a way of disappearing

Kuzma’s longterm importance far exceeds the others. He’s the guy that can get you 30. He’s the guy that can get some of The Clippers defenders in foul trouble.

Realistically how long do you expect rotations to be after April 15? All them guys you mentioning aren’t getting burn

If you think watching The Lakers beat up on lottery teams is indicative of the level of contributions you’ll get from everyone when it matters...

 

[Professor Emeritus]

lol You can’t tell me a bunch of guys who for the most part can’t get their own shot Trumps four guys that can.

If Ben Simmons, Jimmy & J Cole, who are bigger stronger more athletic, struggled with Kawhi what on earth could The Lakers smaller cast of defenders be expected to do?

The more guys that can get their own shot on squad the better. If you know Playoff basketball you know them shooters come & go. Guys who were 40% all season have a way of disappearing

Kuzma’s longterm importance far exceeds the others. He’s the guy that can get you 30. He’s the guy that can get some of The Clippers defenders in foul trouble.

Realistically how long do you expect rotations to be after April 15? All them guys you mentioning aren’t getting burn

If you think watching The Lakers beat up on lottery teams is indicative of the level of contributions you’ll get from everyone when it matters...

Wow, your basketball knowledge really speaks for itself, I'm just gonna have to let that whole comment stand.

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

Wow, your basketball knowledge really speaks for itself, I'm just gonna have to let that whole comment stand.

Hahahaha

 

[Bledswole]

One possible reason?

Kawhi is not getting to the basket often enough. He is relying on that jumper a lot. That Mothafukka is super strong and he should be punishing defenders like he did in Dallas the other night

Man I noticed that last season,he gotta be top 3 strongest cats in the league,I’m talking super super strong

 

[KnickstapeCity]

this mute has it good.

can play lackluster and the media doesn't talk about it.

demands trade and isolates himself from the team, media lets it go

they said the raptors would be done without Kawhi yet they're a top 2 team in the east and they're missing two of their top 4 players in Kyle and Ibaka and have a better record than the Clippers

Something aint adding up

The Lakers winning got my nikka @CacStop feeling hisself.



Aiight, breh. Ima let you cook.

 

[BXKingPin82]

Gotta get some cigarettes.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

lol You can’t tell me a bunch of guys who for the most part can’t get their own shot Trumps four guys that can.

The game doesn't work like that.

It's all about synergy as a unit where players play to their roles, not a "bunch of guys" who can create their shots. If you've been watching the Clippers this season, the composition of their offense leaves a lot to be desired because they play more as individuals rather than as a team, whereas the Lakers have been the contrast to that.

If Ben Simmons, Jimmy & J Cole, who are bigger stronger more athletic, struggled with Kawhi what on earth could The Lakers smaller cast of defenders be expected to do?

Defending superstars isn't a 1v1 thang, it's a team concept.

The Lakers have more than enough different types of bodies to throw directly at or deter Kawhi. LeBron, AD, KCP, Bradley, Green (the man who knows Kawhi's tendencies better than anyone), McGee, Howard etc, will all play a role, whether that comes from hounding him on the perimeter, bodying him up in the post, or contesting his shot in the paint.

The more guys that can get their own shot on squad the better. If you know Playoff basketball you know them shooters come & go. Guys who were 40% all season have a way of disappearing

You mean like you just created this thread based on Kawhi shooting 40%.



40% is such an arbitrary scale that it really doesn't mean anything, especially in this context where it seems like you're going off FG%, which isn't really reflective of a player's efficiency given the volume of 3s in today's league. There are many folds to a player disappearing, and players who can "get their own shot" aren't excluded from this, never mind the fact that those type of players are more likely to overplay their hand rather than players who know their role.

Kuzma’s longterm importance far exceeds the others. He’s the guy that can get you 30. He’s the guy that can get some of The Clippers defenders in foul trouble.

Say, what now?

Kuzma's importance doesn't exceed shyt. He's a microwave scorer who's best used off the bench - that's his role. No different to everyone else on the squad, not named LeBron and AD, they all have their own role of importance and impact where they all come together to form something bigger than themselves. Just because Kuzma can get his own shot doesn't mean he's more important to what they're doing.

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

The game doesn't work like that.

It's all about synergy as a unit where players play to their roles, not a "bunch of guys" who can create their shots. If you've been watching the Clippers this season, the composition of their offense leaves a lot to be desired because they play more as individuals rather than as a team, whereas the Lakers have been the contrast to that.

Defending superstars isn't a 1v1 thang, it's a team concept.

The Lakers have more than enough different types of bodies to throw directly at or deter Kawhi. LeBron, AD, KCP, Bradley, Green (the man who knows Kawhi's tendencies better than anyone), McGee, Howard etc, will all play a role, whether that comes from hounding him on the perimeter, bodying him up in the post, or contesting his shot in the paint.

You mean like you just created this thread based on Kawhi shooting 40%.



40% is such an arbitrary scale that it really doesn't mean anything, especially in this context where it seems like you're going off FG%, which isn't really reflective of a player's efficiency given the volume of 3s in today's league. There are many folds to a player disappearing, and players who can "get their own shot" aren't excluded from this, never mind the fact that those type of players are more likely to overplay their hand rather than players who know their role.

Say, what now?

Kuzma's importance doesn't exceed shyt. He's a microwave scorer who's best used off the bench - that's his role. No different to everyone else on the squad, not named LeBron and AD, they all have their own role of importance and impact where they all come together to form something bigger than themselves. Just because Kuzma can get his own shot doesn't mean he's more important to what they're doing.

See ya in May..pause

 

[WesCrook]

I thought this thread was gonna be about him being "misunderstood"

 

[livindajetlife]

What happened when the clippers played the Lakers?