One off topic comment about LeBron James, people thought his ultimate evolution would be to become a post up player, and that's somewhat true, but I have another theory.
Was talking to some people at work today and we were discussing Indiana's inability to consistently get Roy Hibbert the ball over the top. Hibbert was calling for the ball with deep post position, and Indiana appeared to be scared to throw him the ball because of Miami's athletes.
I think there's a way to get him the ball over the top of Miami's defense, it's just a tough pass to make, but back in the day I think teams understood exactly how to make that pass over the top into the post, where your guy has position sealed on the defender, one power dribble for him and a layup.
When you have a great athlete like LeBron calling for the ball in the post, just lob it up in his general direction. If you toss it high enough, he'll be the only one who could grab the entry pass up there.
I have always thought LeBron is too big physically to be a deceptive ball handler, he's too big of a target. LeBron in iso is still who he's always been. Mr. Ball Pounder. Sometimes he's spectacular, and sometimes he's very underwhelming and kills the rhythm of the game, constantly pounding it and allowing the defense to get set in position to anticipate his move.
Basically what I'm saying is that LeBron will always be best in transition. His next evolution needs to be (in the halfcourt) learning how to play without the basketball in his hands at all. The post up skills are definitely impressive, and his jump shot has really developed nice consistency too. I still think him cutting off the ball causes so much disruption, and takes up so much of the defenses attention. LeBron is best in motion, not when he's dribbling with 5 defenders staring at him. He does his best work finishing at the hoop, distributing the ball and making plays while in transition.
With his athleticism, his cuts off the ball and leg power striding off one foot is just simply too much to handle, if he knew how to utilize it properly. LeBron's going to reach his peak when he learns how to cut hard without the ball and receive the ball in places where other players simply cant. When that big body is in motion, it's awfully hard to deal with, but it's also because LeBron reacts, when he reacts, he often makes the proper play. When LeBron pounds it at the top of the key and forces something, it doesn't work to his advantage.
