The most typical case is the Lakers last season. They were ranked 13th in the Western Conference in the early part of the season, and finally slowly climbed up to the play-off list. Then they started from the seventh overall pick in the playoffs, winning two consecutive rounds and advancing to the Western Conference Finals. , the Lakers were in disarray in the early part of this season. If it happened to other teams, they would often choose to give up the season. However, because of the existence of LBJ, the Lakers fought hard and finally succeeded.
LeBron James is in good shape this season and is even healthier than in the past few years. After becoming the NBA’s historical scoring champion last season, he has officially exceeded the 40,000-point mark a few days ago. Now every step he takes is a new record.
In his entire career, LBJ only won the single-season scoring title once in the 2007-08 season, but he has never declined, so his scoring records are getting higher and higher. The current total points are 40036, and his total points in the playoffs are 8023. First in history.
Among active players, there are actually three players who average higher points per game than LBJ, namely Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant. Among them, the gap between KD and LBJ is limited. The two currently average 27.30 and 27.12 points respectively. In the future, KD will enter a period of decline. It’s hard to say whether he can maintain a certain level like LBJ. He may fall below LBJ. Embiid and Doncic are still young. It’s hard to say what will happen in the future. However, the overall ecology of the league has a trend of getting higher and higher scores. Maybe this will be a niche for Doncic to increase his scoring average.
As for retired players, there are three people ranked above LBJ. Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain both averaged more than 30 points per game. Not only LBJ, but also active players are difficult to surpass. Only the scoring genius who hopes to appear in the future, Elgin Baylor’s score is 27.36. Although LBJ has maintained a certain level, due to physical and health control, his score has dropped to 25.2 this season, and he may not be able to overtake Baylor.
In fact, it is difficult to have consistent standards for comparing players across eras. The early stage of LBJ’s career was still in the offensive recovery period that had just ended with the defensive wars in the 1990s. In addition, he had been in the Eastern Conference’s defensive wars for a long time. Compared with other stars who ranked high, he was innately talented. The conditions are somewhat unfavorable, but from this perspective, Jordan achieved results in the 1990s, and the difficulty is higher than that of other stars.
Influence on modern basketball
It can be seen from the above records that LBJ does not win because of his explosive scoring ability. On the one hand, he is very versatile in his ball play and often plays the role of an organizer. His number of assists is also the fourth highest in history, second only to John Stockton and Jason Kidd. and Chris Paul, and more than Steve Nash.
In the comparison between these superstars, it is difficult to say whose scoring method will definitely win. Everyone knows that LBJ’s biggest advantage is that he has remained stable for many years, and no one can match him in the accumulation of records. The reason why he can achieve this in the long run The reason for the stable accumulation of records is actually some important indicators of modern basketball.
The first is the management of physical fitness. LBJ has extremely strict self-requirements on training and diet. With the continuous advancement of sports science, players can maintain physical fitness through scientific training and diet, and can also use better methods when encountering injuries. Treatment and protective measures may sound like something that everyone can do, but not eating according to preferences for 20 years is actually something only a very few people can do. LBJ allowed his monster body to last forever. This is what he and others The biggest difference between people.
The second is that the ball path has evolved with the times. In fact, this is almost a common feature of these top scoring stars, including the current KD. LBJ has changed the ball path many times in his career, and it is not limited to the offensive end, such as When he went to the Heat, he served as the small-ball fourth, equivalent to Draymond Green with stronger scoring ability. In the big three-point era, he also continued to increase the three-point threat. Now that he is 39 years old, in order to let the team switch to Anthony Davis. , he also dutifully plays the role of a modern flanker.
The third is the competitiveness of the team. LBJ dominated the Eastern Conference for eight consecutive years from 2011 to 2018. After moving to the Lakers in 2018-19, although he fell out of the playoffs twice, he also won a championship and played in a highly competitive environment. In a strong team, LBJ will have no room for slacking off and must maintain himself at a high level. Of course, the competitiveness of LBJ’s team depends largely on himself, but it is not all smooth sailing for him. When you encounter setbacks.
The most typical case is the Lakers last season. They were ranked 13th in the Western Conference in the early part of the season, and finally slowly climbed up to the play-off list. Then they started from the seventh overall pick in the playoffs, winning two consecutive rounds and advancing to the Western Conference Finals. , the Lakers were in disarray in the early part of this season. If it happened to other teams, they would often choose to give up the season. However, because of the existence of LBJ, the Lakers fought hard and finally succeeded.
Waltz for two by LBJ and AD
However, just as the Lakers bucked the trend last season and continued to strengthen during the summer vacation, they were expected to have great potential this season. However, after winning the mid-season championship, they once again struggled, and their ranking once dropped to the edge of the playoffs until they became a star. It was just before the game that it stabilized again and pulled off a high-end wave. Although it is still in the 9th position in the Western Conference, the victory difference with the previous team is very close.
When it comes to the Lakers’ problems this season, most people will first think of Darvin Ham’s scheduling. Indeed, there are many unreasonable things in Ham’s scheduling, such as the excessive use of Taurean Prince and the inability to support the defense when Austin Reaves’ defense is weak. The formation, the reversal of D’Angelo Russell’s role, and the poor handling of the ATO itself. Taking into account many factors, it is not an exaggeration to say that Ham is the reason for the Lakers’ unstable situation this season.
2024-03-07 02:45:41
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