i say this without any agenda, hear me out man.
AD is too weak to punish players at the post. He’s easier to contain compared to similar talents like like Giannis. He’s a finesse player but he lacks the variety to score, he really cant blow by over his man so thats why he’s forcing those mid range jumpers. Pau Gasol- similar frame with less athleticism- was able to thrive at the post because of his skill, AD doesn’t really have that.
AD is all world on defense though so they can at least rely on that but the Lakers biggest issue in reality is that they simply don’t have another ISO scorer that can take over. Lebron needs that to fully deliver his promise of bringing a title- Kyrie in Cleveland, Wade in Miami etc..
75% of AD’s points are assisted. The Lakers would need a quantum leap from him in to make up from their lack of a true 3rd option. this is why they falter against elite teams. AD simply disappears on offense.
All reasonable points.
AD's game right now isn't based as an ISO scorer so I'm not worried about it too much because like I previously mentioned, he will improve and evolve as an "iso scorer" as he gets into the meat of his prime. AD is still relatively raw if you think about it. He will get there.
But I dont believe Bron has to rely on a Wade type or Kyrie type to win a chip. We bout to do it kinda like the Showtime Lakers with a new twist of finesse and athleticism never before seen in LA. You got Lebron to AD action, plus a bunch of other role players who can score, defend, get out and run, and hit three point shots
People forget, when Showtime was averaging 122 ppg and beating opponents by double digits, we had Magic averaging 20, 12, and 9. Kareem getting his 20, 12, and 3. Worthy, and before him Jamaal Wilkes, were at 18-20 ppg consistently, and Byron could get you 16-20 from the outside and on fast breaks on any given night. Ntm, Coop with the D who'll guard thr other team's best perimeter player and all that size and muscle with Rambis, AC Green, Mychal Thompson.
OG Showtime had depth and were supremely conditioned to play any style of basketball. I see these Lakerd being designed the same way.
In fact, right now, the Lakers imo are looking at player committee to fulfill the 3rd scoring option, which could be anyone on any given night depending on the matchup.
Last game it was Rondo. Other games it might be KCP, Caruso, Bradley, Kuzma, or Green. Any of these guys can score 18-20 on any given night. At the end of the day, Lakers got plenty of options if you really think about it (that's if of course everyone plays with a purpose and plays hard on D).
The most important thing is that we're in 1st place yet we haven't even come close to clicking on all cylinders. That's scary af for the rest of the league.
LAL is trusting the process and waiting for the right time to collectively peak, and that time will be in May.
Meanwhile, at the same time we building cohesion, we "load managing" a certain way where our guys still play if relatively healthy but a lot of key veterans like Rondo, Dwight, Javale have games where they only play like 4-10 min.
To say AD is "too weak to punish" opponents in the post isn't accurate imho. I think he will prove everyone wrong when his 6'10" high flying and smooth game starts to wreak havoc in the playoffs.
Aside from Giannis, AD is the only other matchup problem deluxe in the league. You put a center like Zubac, Jokic, Embiid, Porzingis, Lopez twins on AD, he blows right by them going baseline off the dribble or can take them out to the 3 point line.
You put Covington, Millsap, PG/Kawhi/Harrell, Tatum, Tobias, Bogdanovic, Carmelo, name your PF on AD, he can easily get his shot off over them from anywhere on the floor. Lastly he's a nightmare switch off the PNR