Lakers-Morris, it's time for heavy decisions: what will LeBron think?

source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/lakers-season-in-review-markieff-morris/ar-BB1avSxs#:~:text=Will%20he%20be%20back%3F,of%20that%20level%20of%20investment.&text=That's%20one%20advantage%20the%20Lakers,except%20for%20maybe%20the%20Clippers.

Lakers Season In Review: Markieff Morris 6 Morris unlocked an extra layer of versatility for the Lakers, and that ability was a key to their title run.How did he play? Markieff Morris was arguably the best buyout acquisition in NBA history. Most players in his position don’t even positively contribute to their new team, while Morris was a crucial rotation piece during a championship run. It didn’t immediately appear that Morris would be so helpful. The Lakers’ biggest need heading into the trade deadline (other than perhaps a playmaker) was a wing defender who could also shoot, and Morris could only fulfill the latter of those two tasks. On a team that was already stocked with bigs, Morris was something of an afterthought during his regular-season appearances, up until the Lakers’ March 8 showdown with the Clippers, when it became apparent just how much the team could use a spacing five. That moment of clarity defined Morris’ role in the postseason. When the Lakers stayed big, as they did against Portland and Denver, Morris was a mostly unremarkable backup forward. But when the Lakers went small, or at least whatever qualifies as small for a team that still employs Anthony Davis, Morris was a revelation in those lineups. His 3-point barrage in Game 2 got the Lakers going against Houston, and his inclusion into the starting five changed that series, allowing the Lakers to switch and cover the Rockets deep beyond the arc. Morris was similarly valuable in the Finals, as the Lakers needed extra speed at the center position to keep up with Miami’s pace in the halfcourt. In the first round and the conference finals, Morris averaged 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per game while making eight total threes. In the semifinals and NBA Finals, Morris bumped those numbers up to 8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, and he hit 21 3-pointers over 11 games. In each series, the Lakers’ defense also improved when Morris was on the floor. Maybe he didn’t make many highlight plays, but Morris was solidly efficient for the Lakers, filling a gap that didn’t even appear to exist before he came to the team. The Lakers had been using Kyle Kuzma as the 4/5 in small lineups before Morris signed, but Kuzma was ill-suited for that responsibility. Morris was a cleaner fit in Kuzma’s role, which allowed Kuzma to shift down to the 3/4, providing the Lakers the extra wing they needed all along. In a sense, Morris’ greatest contribution to the Lakers was giving the team additional lineup versatility, which was invaluable in the postseason. What is his contract situation moving forward? Morris is an unrestricted free agent. He gave back $4.5 million to the Pistons in his buyout in February, but made $1.75 million on his Lakers deal, and even if he makes the veteran’s minimum next season, he should recoup the money he forfeited when leaving Detroit. Will he be back? The Lakers don’t have any salary cap space to sign Morris unless they use one of their exceptions, but it’s unclear as of now if they view Morris worthy of that level of investment. On the one hand, Morris was a perfect fit with this team, but on the other hand, the fact that the Lakers were able to get Morris off the buyout market demonstrates that it might not be terribly difficult to replace him. Then again, there were only 30 players in the league other than Morris who averaged at least 9.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game on 38.6% shooting from 3-point range. Nine of them are current or former All-Stars, and the ones who aren’t on rookie contracts are getting paid a lot more than what Morris made with the Lakers. Centers might be fungible when building a team in the modern NBA, but bigs who can shoot still have a market. If the Lakers aren’t willing to go beyond the minimum for Morris, some other team likely will. There is one also one additional element to consider regarding Morris’ future. If the Clippers re-sign his brother Marcus, as they are expected to during free agency, Markieff may be more amenable to staying in Los Angeles to be closer to his family. That’s one advantage the Lakers have over other teams, except for maybe the Clippers. There hasn’t been much chatter from either party regarding Morris’ place on the Lakers next season, but the Lakers should make an effort to keep him around. Role player alchemy is a tricky science, and not every signing works. The Lakers have had plenty of misses in the last two seasons. Now that they have found someone in Morris who fits, it isn’t the time to play around with the formula.

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, the bombshell announcement arrives

General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers talked about what his former client Kobe Bryant, of whom he was an agent, and the star of the yellow-violet LeBron James have in common: "They are both maniacs of the game of basketball and neither of them was interested in scoring, but only in winning the titles. From that point of view they are very similar " Rob Pelinka is one of the few people who can s

peak for direct acquaintance with both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. He was an agent and friend of the former for nearly two decades, assisting him throughout his career and continuing to have a very close relationship. However, since 2017 he has also become one of the most important members of the Los Angeles Lakers management, taking full control after the departure of Magic Johnson. For this he also had a privileged vision of another great game like LeBron James, and between the two legends he found a particular similarity: "The thing that is clear about both of them is that they are maniacs of the game of basketball" said Pelinka podcast by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. "And what's interesting is that neither of them was satisfied or had the goal of scoring. The only thing that interests him is winning the title. For them it means everything and they do everything to achieve that goal, they are maniacs ". With what they both have achieved in their careers, both individually and as a team, there is no doubt that their approach to basketball made the difference.

LeBron leaves everyone speechless, the statements that have upset the world of the Lakers

The No.23 of the Lakers deservedly won the fourth individual trophy of his career at the end of the NBA finals that ended with the success on the Heat: James however does not forget who, like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, has repeatedly resulted decisive in crucial moments of the series against Miami. Also a question of the market, with an implicit message to the management: one must be held back, whatever the cost. NBA, LeBron James crowns the "real MVP" of the Finals: it's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Lakers market, a surprise name appears that LeBron James really likes

 

"Where am I going now?" Danilo Gallinari asks his fans with a post on social media, in which a photo of him appears with an anonymous shirt overlooking four versions of Gallo with the Nba jerseys worn in his career: Knicks, Nuggets, Clippers and Thunder. The 32-year-old blue is one of the free agents of the 2020 class, the one who is still waiting to know when he can start looking for a team (probably from December 1st) and which economic parameters will govern the market. But the fans seem to have clear ideas for him: Lakers, Miami, Golden State and Dallas are the four suggested tracks. The starting point is that the Rooster at the Sport Festival last Sunday said he preferred a contender to a rich contract ...

Lakers, unclog your ears: that's what LeBron James really wants

It seems to have already proved - and won - everything. He will turn 36 in a couple of months, he has just returned from the double ring + MVP award of the finals and yet LeBron James has no shortage of goals yet to be achieved to consolidate an already legendary career and perhaps aspire to the title of GOAT, Greatest Of All Time. Let's see what are the goals within its reach. THE GOALS OF AN ALREADY LEGENDARY CAREER | In a couple of months he will turn 36, has been in the league since he was 19, in his career he played 48,551 minutes in the regular season and another 10,811 in the playoffs, winning the NBA title 4 times, playing 10 NBA finals and earning the right to sit at the table in the eternal discussion for the strongest player of all time. What can still push and motivate LeBron James? For example, these goals, all within his reach. 1. BEST SCORER EVER | At the moment LeBron James is third in the list of all-time top scorers (which only takes into account the points scored in the regular season). His total in 17 NBA seasons is 34,241 points, having finished last season - where he dominated the league in the assist account - with almost 1,700 points scored. SECOND PLACE IS KARL MALONE | The two-time MVP of the Utah Jazz sits in second place with 36,928 points scored, a total that - maintaining last year's averages (in which Anthony Davis was already the top scorer of the Lakers) - LeBron could comfortably overcome in two years, during the 2021-22 season. IN THE RACE OF THE LEADER, KAREEM | Since 1984, the best scorer in NBA history has been him, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with 38,387 points. A figure that for a long time seemed out of reach for everyone but not for LeBron James, who if he stays on the field for another three seasons (thus accepting to play up to the age of 38) should be able to overcome the No. 33 of the Lakers even with a slight inflection in his average points.MOST MVP TROPHIES | He has already won 4 in his career, but the last one only in 2013, coming close this year but finishing second behind Giannis Antetokounmpo - and second place in the MVP votes saw him protagonist three more times in the course of his career . However, by many he is still considered the strongest of all (especially after the title won) and if he were to maintain these standards he could add a Maurice Podoloff Trophy or two to his wall.FIVE IS BILL RUSSELL AND MICHAEL JORDAN | An extra MVP award and LeBron James would match Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell and none other than Michael Jordan, whose "ghost" he has always admitted to chasing. Both in their careers have won 5. STILL KAREEM FIRST: 6 TIMES MVP | Three times voted best player in the league when he played for the Milwaukee Bucks, three more times when he was the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers' captain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is also the all-time leader in the number of MVP trophies he won, well 6.3. THE OLDEST TO BECOME MVP | If he were to return to win, even once, the NBA MVP title, LeBron James would be the oldest ever to do so, completing the feat at 36 (he will turn 36 on December 30th). KARL MALONE | When he won his second career MVP award in 1999, Karl Malone was a couple of months away from turning 36. Michael Jordan (winner in 1998) was also already 35, but only for three months. MOST ALL-STAR GAME OF ALL | Today the No.23 of the Lakers is in third place for the number of career appearances in the star game, as many as 16: he wasn't there in 2004 (as a rookie) but then he was always present at the mid-season kermesse, and in the last four years has always been the most voted player in the whole league.

Lakers market, the trade is brilliant: so you can easily win another title

An Eastern Conference general manager is convinced the Lakers will end up taking Chris Paul to put him alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis chasing the repeat. Organizing an exchange with the Oklahoma City Thunder however will not be easy, thanks to the high salary of CP3: this is how an exchange would work according to NBC Sports.The Los Angeles Lakers have won the 2019-20 title with merit and will return to the starting line of next season still as favorites to repeat. But if there is one flaw that emerged from the Orlando games it is the lack of a third high-level player behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, always having to look for a different interpreter as the team's third violin. This is why the yellow-violet on the market could go in search of a third star, sacrificing their depth to have more star power by taking some offensive responsibility off the shoulders of James and AD. One of the biggest names on the market is certainly Chris Paul: the 35-year-old veteran seems to have already said goodbye to the Oklahoma City Thunder after an over-expected year and would like to use the last few years of his career to win an NBA title he has always missed. And what better place to do it than in Los Angeles? "CP3 would love the chance to return to L.A., it would be a dream for him," an unnamed Eastern Conference general manager told Bleacher Report. "I know for a fact that LeBron trusts him blindly, and together they would work great." Leading the Lakers' decision would also be a Western Conference which should be even more competitive next year: “It seems like a risk, but sometimes you have to be ambitious to take a step forward. The Warriors will be better, the Clippers probably too, the Nuggets won't get any worse. It went well in Orlando, but will it be the same in a normal regular season without the bubble? I don't know if that will happen, but taking a third scorer and point guard of Paul's level is a choice that you shouldn't even think about. ”If from a technical-tactical point of view there is little doubt that a point guard of CP3 level would work well together with James and AD, the more difficult it is to find a square from the point of view of the exchange to organize. The NBC Sports website thought so, starting from the fact that Paul has a $ 85.5 million contract over the next two years, with the second year with an option in his favor that he will certainly exercise. In order to close a trade, then, the Lakers would have to "go out" at least $ 33 million by adding more than one contract and sacrificing some of their rotation. Certainly the 15.3 million due to Danny Green should return, but also the 5 million of Avery Bradley, the 4.2 of JaVale McGee, the 3.5 of Kyle Kuzma, the 3 of Quinn Cook and at least one between Alex Caruso (2.75 million) and the choice number 28 in the Draft (1.9 million). However, there are other important issues to be resolved: Bradley and McGee should exercise their player option for next year before they are traded, and both will be convinced to do so; Cook should be guaranteed the whole contract to make it exchangeable at that price (only 1 million is guaranteed) and the salary of choice number 28 can count in an exchange only 30 days after signing the contract. Another possibility is that the Lakers will enter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the trade with a sign-and-trade, although KCP would very unlikely agree to go to OKC and therefore would need a third team to make everything work - making the trade even more complicated.

LeBron not only dominates the NBA but also this ...

THE HEADACHE OF RATING | The best summary was provided by Trae Young on Twitter: the moment in which the ratings of the new edition of NBA2K (NBA2K21 will be available starting November 10) are released is when fans and players themselves "fight" like never before on the ratings obtained by the programmers of the famous video game. And then the image of Steve Carrell as Michael Scott in "The Office" is perfect ... 1) LEBRON JAMES, LOS ANGELES LAKERS | 98. 2) GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO, MILWAUKEE BUCKS | 97. 3) ANTHONY DAVIS, LOS ANGELES LAKERS | 96. 4) JAMES HARDEN, HOUSTON ROCKETS | 96. 5) KEVIN DURANT, BROOKLYN NETS | 95 - (Other Nets: KYRIE IRVING, BROOKLYN NETS | 90).

Los Angeles Lakers, be careful. Here are the dangers for you

 

ON THE HUNT FOR THE REPEAT | The Los Angeles Lakers hadn't won the NBA title for 10 years (the last in 2010, led by Kobe Bryant), but we need to go back to the beginning of the millennium to see the Lakers  able to repeat their own success. They succeeded twice, in 2001 after winning in 2000 and then again in 2003, completing the triple iteration of the Kobe & Shaq era. LeBron James and Anthony Davis would like to imitate them, but The Athletic's John Hollinger has sorted out the most serious threats to a Lakers repeat 2nd BAND | GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS | The core of the three titles (and the five finals) is available again: Curry (32) -Thompson (30) -Green (30) are scary, but it all depends on the decisions of the franchise to the Draft (with the 2nd absolute choice ) and on the market (Andrew Wiggins as a trading pawn?). If desired, Golden State also has a $ 17 million trade exception available: watch out for the Warriors ... 2nd BAND | BOSTON CELTICS | There is a focus (perhaps unfairly) on the center position as the one in which the Celtics must act in order to think of succeeding the Lakers. From 1 to 4 (Walker, Brown, Tatum, Hayward can + Smart from the bench) a few much better than Boston but with their hands tied from a salary point of view but with three first choices available in the next Draft coming soon.    | MILWAUKEE BUCKS | Could the missing piece at the Bucks be Chris Paul? There is some urgency in Milwaukee, for the future of Antetokounmpo but also because there are doubts about Eric Bledsoe and so many players who are about to expire (Pat Connaughton, Wes Mathews, Kyle Korver and Sterling Brown, with Marvin Williams retiring). The Wisconsin team seems to have reached a fundamental crossroads.

Jr Smith, the bombshell statement on LeBron

 NBA, JR Smith: "LeBron James deserves the MVP every year!" In the just-concluded season that made the Los Angeles Lakers the 2019-2020 NBA title winners, LeBron James once again led his men to Heaven. The Akron native also took home the title of MVP of the Finals, of course, but not that of the regular season assigned in back-to-back to Giannis Antetokounmpo.JR Smith, yellow-violet guard and longtime partner of LeBron, in an interview with CBS Sports, he argued that the MVP title should always be awarded to No.23 of the Lakers for his enormous talent shown on the pitch:

"For me he should win the MVP every single year. But when there is a decision, there is always a new name that comes up. Each time we come to define: Giannis or James? Russ or James? This or that person? LeBron is sometimes overtaken by the numbers of his opponents, but how can you say that James is the best player in the world every year and then decide not to give him the MVP title? I never understood it. It could turn any team into a contender for the title. He is a sensational player. "

the Lakers market. what is the truth?

 Lots of rumors about the Lakers.  Paul, Westbrook, Giannis, Gallinari.  Who will go to Los Angeles?  lebron wants paul but also gallinari and Rose are two concrete hypotheses

Basket, preseason Nba: Miami Heat battono Los Angeles Clippers 94-80

Pechino (Cina) - LeBron James ha trascinato con 20 punti i Miami Heat nella vittoria contro i Los Angeles Clippers per 94-80 nel match di preseason Nba disputato in Cina. Per la franchigia californiana il top scorer è stato Blake Griffin, autore di 19 punti. Gli Heat sfideranno nuovamente i Clippers domenica a Shanghai.