• Changing RCF's index page, please click on "Forums" to access the forums.

Hypothetical LeBron/Lakers vs. Warriors WCF

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

Who would you want to win?


  • Total voters
    36
Because that would require us dumping JR, TT, George Hill, Love in salary dumps and I can't see teams doing that

I was mostly kidding. I know the Cavs can’t entice those guys. We’re f’ed. But it’s ok. It was a fun ride.
 
How does LeBron, Kawhi, and PG even work from a basketball standpoint? They all play the same position! It would end up like that OKC clusterfuck! And those 3 didn’t all play the same position!

1. LeBron and ANYONE works. LeBron is magnitudes better than Westbrook. This has been true since LeBron into the league. No matter who was around him, his team was a title contender from year 4 onwards and a very difficult out in the playoffs unless you have a hall of fame all star team.

2. They’re all lengthy, athletic two-way players in a position less basketball world

3. Kawhi is better than anyone on OKC

4. The “worst” player of the three is PG13. Melo is/was a pile of shit and the worst of the three. No comparison there.

5. All three can shoot, all three can drive, PG and Kawhi can create decently (not at a LeBron level but still).
 
Last edited:
Kawhi/PG/LeBron is 3/5 of the way to one of the greatest defensive teams of all time. It requires a guard who can pressure out front and switch to bigger players (like George Hill) and a semblance of a shot blocker who is at least competent on the perimeter for short stretches.

Offensively, LeBron is your main creator (as he's always been) and you assume the other guard, like Hill, can at least get the ball up the court some.

George is a good slasher and shooter. Leonard is an elite offensive talent, but you don't want him isolating too much. LeBron is LeBron.
 
I think a LeBron/Kawhi/George trio with competent help, would beat them pretty handily myself.

Their defense would be something to behold. No doubt it could be enough, I doubt it would.
 
I think LeBron/Kawhi/PG beats the Warriors if you have 4 competent and well-fitting role players surrounding them.

I mean, as far as defense goes, that's about as good as you can get. There aren't many (any?) players in the league that are more versatile as far as switching onto any of the Warriors death lineup (Steph/Klay/Iggy/Durant/Green). I mean, if you find another couple versatile defenders that can shoot the three, I think that team stomps the Warriors.
 
I think LeBron/Kawhi/PG beats the Warriors if you have 4 competent and well-fitting role players surrounding them.

I mean, as far as defense goes, that's about as good as you can get. There aren't many (any?) players in the league that are more versatile as far as switching onto any of the Warriors death lineup (Steph/Klay/Iggy/Durant/Green). I mean, if you find another couple versatile defenders that can shoot the three, I think that team stomps the Warriors.

Get those three, hold onto one of Ball or Ingram, convince Ariza to return on the MLE... yikes
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zog
I think a LeBron/Kawhi/George trio with competent help, would beat them pretty handily myself.

I do too.

Golden State would have to win the series with the three. They're capable, but that trio would switch for a mismatch on offense so much Curry/Thompson will be run through the grinder. Curry in particular doesn't shoot well when he has to defend.

They'd have to depend on Klay and KD. Klay has decent percentages from three against all three:

LBJ/PG/Kawhi = 40%/42%/35%

KD, not so much:

LBJ/PG/Kawhi = 41%/35%/29%
 
I think a LeBron/Kawhi/George trio with competent help, would beat them pretty handily myself.
Lonzo PG13, Kawhi, Bron and Lopez is basically an unbeatable lineup. It can go halfcourt ISO, but most importantly it can DEFEND. That lineup is probably gonna get bombarded by 1-5 pick and rolls but say you put Bron at C and add Ingram to that lineup then it’s gane over. Only player you could really target defensively is Lonzo and iv been seeing some pics of him lately and he’s packing on muscle so some time here soon he’s gonna be a solid defensive PG
 
Lonzo PG13, Kawhi, Bron and Lopez is basically an unbeatable lineup. It can go halfcourt ISO, but most importantly it can DEFEND. That lineup is probably gonna get bombarded by 1-5 pick and rolls but say you put Bron at C and add Ingram to that lineup then it’s gane over. Only player you could really target defensively is Lonzo and iv been seeing some pics of him lately and he’s packing on muscle so some time here soon he’s gonna be a solid defensive PG

I don’t see Lonzo or Ingram sticking around if that big 3 were brought in. Otherwise, I’d agree. On everything but Lopez. I think Lopez blows.
 
They aren't beating GS anytime soon. Its actually entirely possible that the Lakers build yet another flawed 'dream team', like they did with Nash/Howard and Payton/Malone. Lebron is older and may suffer an injury; let's face it, he is due for one
They may trade for Kawhi but have no idea if he is healthy, if he can handle playing with LeBron, and if he will actually be as good outside of SA.

I think chemistry could derail the lakers. Multiple Cavs have talked about how hard it is to adjust to playing with LBJ. Even the Warriors have had internal issues, and they seem to work things out about as well as any team I've seen.

They are bringing in volatile guys like Lance. Kawhi refused to play last year for a team that never has player turmoil. His own teammates bashed him.

So I'll be shocked if they form some super dynasty that starts winning multiple titles. I think they'll be lucky to get one during the Lebron era, which may not last long. Duncan seemed invincible until all of a sudden he just looked like someone's dad out there. And KD is in his prime and will be dominant for the next 3-4 years unless he gets hurt.
 
I don't think the Lakers make the playoffs.
 
Unless something miraculous happens, I can't see the Lakers hanging with GS or HOU.

Quite frankly, with their current sitcom-inspiring-meme-factory roster, I'll actually be surprised if they don't completely implode halfway through the season.
 

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Video

Episode 3-13: "Backup Bash Brothers"

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Spotify

Episode 3:11: "Clipping Bucks."
Top