What Are The Best Landing Spots For LeBron If He Decides To Leave, Again?
With the Cavs in danger of being the ‘second dog’ for the long haul behind the Warriors, buzz about LeBron James’ next (and likely final) career move is heating up. What are his best options?
LeBron James, the long time villain of the NBA, will be making his next “decision” after this season. Any team he shows interest in will do anything and everything to land Bron Bron. LeBron’s only interest is in winning titles to continue to prove why he is better than Michael Jordan. So why not join the best team? Well, I do not think LeBron would ever join the infamous Warriors so why not join the next best team?
So, I have compiled a list of the five teams that would give LeBron the greatest chance of taking down the Warriors.
#5. San Antonio Spurs
PG: Tony Parker
SG: Danny Green
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Lebron James
C: LaMarcus Aldridge
6th Man: Rudy Gay
Key Bench Players: Pau Gasol, David Lee, Patty Mills, Manu Ginobili
How weird would it be to see LeBron in grey? Very. But realistically, I don’t think LeBron would ever consider joining the Spurs. He and Kawhi would not coincide well together, but it would be very intriguing to see him coached by Pop. The Spurs would be too old to match up with the fast-paced Warriors. Who knows though? Maybe Kawhi will purposely step on Kevin Durant’s ankle and break it. I’d be interested to see how Draymond Green would react to that. But at the end of the day, I still think the Warriors would sweep this Spurs team.
#4. Cleveland Cavaliers
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: J.R. Smith
SF: Lebron James
PF: Kevin Love
C: Tristian Thompson
6th Man: Iman Shumpert
Key Bench Players: Jeff Green, Channing Frye, Kyle Korver, Deron Williams
When next offseason hits and its LeBron’s time to make his decision, I do not see him leaving Cleveland. Most likely he plays his GM role and recruits players to the Cavs. But, since we’re using the current rosters, this is what he has to work with. I think Tristian Thompson is very underrated and is a much better center than what he gets credit for. Kevin Love gets bagged a lot but he spreads the floor for LeBron to drive. J.R. Smith gets hot when you don’t need him to and is ice cold when you need him to light it up. Kyrie Irving is arguably the most clutch point guard in the game.
But this team was not able to get it done when completely healthy against the Warriors. So, once again, this team would get swept by the Warriors.
#3. Houston Rockets
PG: Chris Paul
SG: James Harden
SF: Lebron James
PF: Ryan Anderson
C: Clint Capela
6th Man: Trevor Ariza
Key Bench Players: Eric Gordon, Tarik Black, Nene Hilario, PJ Tucker
With LeBron and James Harden around Chris Paul, I’d bet that CP3 would have 15 assists per game. Stephen Curry would win the matchup with Chris Paul as he always has against the Clippers. Klay Thompson would lock James Harden down as best as he can, but James Harden’s craftiness would be too much. The Warriors probably would go “small-ball” putting Andre Iguodala at SF against LeBron James. Iggy can’t contain LeBron but can slow him down, leaving Kevin Durant at the power forward and Draymond Green at center. LeBron would guard KD leaving Ryan Anderson with the assignment of Andre Igouldala. Igouldala is not known for his offense but he can create shots for himself and his teammates when taking the ball to the hoop. Draymond playing center stretches the floor making Capela come out to protect the 3 leaving plenty of driving room for the Warriors to work with.
But, the Warriors would still win this series in 6.
#2. Oklahoma City Thunder
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Paul George
SF: Lebron James
PF: Patrick Patterson
C: Steven Adams
6th Man: Enes Kanter
Key Bench Players: Doug McDermott, Raymond Felton, Kyle Singler, Andre Roberson
How much fun would it be to see a team with Russell Westbrook and LeBron James? Even throw Paul George in there too. Suddenly, The Thunder’s starting five may overpower the Warriors starting five!
Where the Warriors would have the advantage would be with the strength of their bench, because, well, the Thunder’s bench is hot trash, at best. The Warriors can put their bench players in with very little drop off. Russell Westbrook, LeBron, and Paul George would combine to be at least 90% of OKC’s scoring. This may be too much to be shouldered by these players. I predict that the Warriors would win in 7.
#1. Boston Celtics
PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Gordon Hayward
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: LeBron James
C: Al Horford
6th Man: Jaylen Brown
Key Bench Players: Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, Marcus Morris
Three all-stars, a potential star, and a regressing Al Horford goes for a SCARY starting five. They would also have a very strong bench with arguably the smartest coach in the league…
Steph and Isaiah would be a great battle on the offensive end. Both aren’t well known for their defense but that’s okay when you’re on a great team. Gordon Hayward vs. Klay Thompson may be the best matchup at Shooting Guard of all time. Two nearly identical players, except Klay is a better defender. LeBron gets matched up with Andre Igouldala putting Kevin Durant on Jayson Tatum. LeBron would have his way with Iggy and KD would have his way with Tatum. Al Horford and Draymond is an intriguing matchup. Draymond would be able to beat Al off the dribble but Al would be able to post up on Draymond.
That leaves it up to each teams bench. I give Shaun Livingston the advantage over Marcus Smart because of his experience. Jae Crowder would be great off of the bench but he’s just not someone who would make a difference over a seven game series. I see him as someone you throw in for LeBron when he gets tired from guarding Kevin Durant. I would bet on Jaylen Brown making Nick Young look foolish. Young is not the most reliable player because of his inconsistency. This series would be close each game.
The Celtics have learned to win with an average team. Give them this roster and they would defeat the Warriors in a seven game series putting LeBron back on the throne.
