2020*

I’ll say this about that title: it’s a once-in-a-century accomplishment.

Much like the title the Spurs won in 98-99 when the season started in Feb, was 50 games (kind of compacted if I recall so a different kind of grind) and players like to decry it because 32 games were lopped off as a result of the strike. In some ways it was a amore grueling physical accomplishment than the Bubble title.

I feel like the Bubble was more of a mental accomplishment. The team with the most mental fortitude, ability to adapt game-to-game (which the Lakers nailed under Frank, LeBron and I will always credit Rondo a lot as well as the level of maturity and professionalism that team possessed) did the best. If you were a pro and got on your treatment post game you did yourself a favor. Or there was cards and fishing and Jimmy B coffee.

For me I never really bought into the * for San Antonio, they still had to go out and win games and everyone was getting the same schedule, same number of games, and so on. Same goes for the Bubble, if it gets an * it’s simply to acknowledge that, while a worthy accomplishment, everyone still had to go out and win the games after all, it can never really be replicated. It’s unique.

The mental strain of what was happening at the time shouldn’t be glossed over. Now it’s easy to look back through the current COVID lens, we’re inoculated to news about it with many opinions about the ins and outs of it all. For the players they went into a Pauly Shore-esque Biodome complete with distractions to take you away from the game. If you had problems back home of some kind, pause that. Sick relative? Need to make choice a la Avery Bradley. You didn’t know if everyone would get it and what did that even really mean? The biggest mind game of any NBA finals, IMO.

The break between is the true issue, for me at least. There will never be a three month break along with a tune up stretch on into the playoffs. It’s something that Rob hasn’t reacted well to, that makes us all question whether AD can do 82 into the playoffs and have anything useful left in the tank and if even LeBron would be gassed just getting a team to that point. I know I have my doubts on each of those topics.

Still, if it gets an * for me it’s not because it was easier or harder, just unparalleled. Yes, there is a banner on the wall, but unlike every other banner ever put up on that wall it has not been, and maybe never even had the potential to be, a harbinger of what’s to come. There was never really the threat of a repeat, the short break coupled with AD’s fragility along with shuttling off some key vets doomed that team. They did take the elite defensive identity forged in those playoffs but lost the leadership and brain power to get younger. We know what happened after that.

Dave, send me image you wanted to post and I will fix it.

Hard to comprehend some states’ concern for the welfare of unborn children when they do such a poor job of caring for the ones they have. Not to mention it’s none of their business…

Doubt he’s coming DJ, everything points to Brooklyn holding onto that card at least to start off the season.

The ugly green four-leaf clover is disgusting though.
Hate to see that on the Lakers home court.

You should probably fold when all you got is Jack high on the turn.

I will say ride out the year and go from there. I am not expecting a championship this year as presently constructed, so I’m at peace with my expectations. Going all in with the picks would only make our future rebuild murky and a bit more restrained. However, a home run gymnastics around the roster would change my mind.

In every full Lakers season, Lebron has proven injury prone, defensively disinterested, and when you absolutely needed a basket, he couldn’t be counted on. He’s never even made the playoffs as a Laker in an 82-game season. What changes with a trade?

Great people carry themselves with eloquence. While some are better than others at that, that is still their common trait.

You think Mrs James would agree to another Cleveland winter? I don’t:)

Hah, like his ego would allow for that. Max or nothing. I vote nothing.

When it comes to LeBron and his contract I never bothered to read what many in the media are making it look like to be. Everything going on behind the scenes in regards to his contract is only going to be a formality, if not ceremonial.

We all have to keep in mind that he won a championship with every franchise he played for. We also have to realize that he is heading into the twilight of his career, so championship hunting with another franchise at this point in his career would not be a motivation for him especially if you have to consider him leaving a glamorous franchise like the Lakers.

Trust me, I understand a player of LeBron’s caliber would want as many championships as possible before he retires, but I also don’t think every player would be lucky enough to win 11 championships like Bill Russell.

What the Lakers and LeBron have going on is focusing on the makeup of the next roster. Getting him a good roster is, and should be, the priority and a better way to send him off into the sunset. And yes, getting him a few more chips along the way would be the cherry on top of the cake.

Come August 4th, we will be focusing on some other stuff rather than LeBron’s contract. And that’s just my two cents.

LeBron James Next Team Odds

The Nets are given -175 odds, or an implied 63.6% chance to land LeBron James if he’s traded. However, the Nets aren’t alone on the market. Oddsmakers give five teams at least +750 odds. That includes the New York Knicks who are given +750 odds, or an implied 11.8% chance to land LeBron.

A third stint with Cleveland is also on the table according to oddsmakers. The Cavs are given +200 odds, or an implied 33.3% chance. A return to Miami is another possibility, as the Heat are given +300 odds, or an implied 25% chance.

The only team on the market that isn’t in New York or that James hasn’t played for before is the Utah Jazz. Utah is given +500 odds, or an implied 16.7% chance to land LeBron in what would be one of the most shocking moves in NBA history.

LeBron’s market is small. In fact, it’s the smallest for any player this year. For example, Kevin Durant’s market has 13 teams on it and Kyrie Irving’s has eight. For LeBron to have just five means there’s reason to believe the list is that narrow.

The fact he’s on the odds market at all suggests that a trade may be more possible than people know at this point. Could we see LeBron traded for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is arguably the NBA’s biggest blockbuster trade ever?

Oddsmakers are saying it’s a real possibility.

With or without Lebron, this team will be mediocre at best barring a complete reversal of health and focus from AD.

This is the Yankees year, Dave.

You are welcome, DJ.