Is Kawhi Leonard better than LeBron James?

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Originally Posted by GSH

This isn't about Curry or Parker, it's about LeBron. And the one thing you can't get around is that 46% of LeBron's shots were from inside 3 feet, at a .722 FG% - PLUS all the FT's he got to shoot because of those shots. I'm not disrespecting Kawhi, but a guy who can consistently get to the rim and finish gets the team a LOT of easy, high-percentage points. And high-percentage shooting means fewer empty possessions, and fewer chances for the other team to run on the defensive rebounds.

Like it or not, 3-pointers are high-variance. You may score more points per possession, but you have a lot more possessions where you don't score. Like I said above, in a tight game, give me the high-percentage, low-variance shot every time. In any game against Golden State, give me the high-percentage, low-variance shot every time. Yes, there are a lot of ways to generate offense, but layups and dunks are better than the rest. One of the biggest benefits of shooting 3-pointers is that (hopefully) they stretch the defense, and allow you to get more layups and dunks.

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Good point and I think that easy shots made under the basket should be the next evolution of Kawhis game. Having said that how many of Lebrons layups are in halfcourt sets, the key to playoff basketball? Im sure the % goes down drastically.

Yes Lebron is the better basketball player but Kawhi makes up so much ground for being more fundamentally sound. Kawhi cant get to the rack as easily but he has a better post up game, the easiest way to score in the halfcourt set. And hes also a better 3 pt shooter and spot up 3 pt shooter.

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Originally Posted by TampaDude

Kawhi is the best perimeter defender in the NBA right now, and a Top 5 player overall this season.

LeBron is one of the best basketball players OF ALL TIME and a LOCK for the HOF.

Kawhi is still young, so he has plenty of time to build his resume.

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Facts.

Career is obviously Lebron but THIS year, it's Kawhi.

Even when you look at scoring you can argue in favor of Kawhi tbh when you factor usage and minutes played. Per 36 their scoring is quite close, 23 vs. 25, then you notice Kawhi has a TS% at .616 and Lebron at .588 gap is not that unsignificant.

Now gap is wider in terms of playmakings of course Lebron also play like a PG and has a lot the ball in his hands which explain part of the assists numbers in his favor.

Now at this point of their career I take Kawhi on defense in a heartbeat: same rebounds per 36, advantage Kawhi on steals and then all defensive metrics are in favor of Kawhi.

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Originally Posted by YGWHI

I wouldn't say we have a lot of guys taking pressure off him, just LMA.

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He's surrounded by excellent defenders, excellent passers, the best and deepest bench in the league, great three point shooters, incredibly experienced veteran teammates that support him, plus a system that's made to allow him to flourish in his spots. What makes his offense favorable in comparison to LBJ is the system and Kawhi's discipline in utilizing it, which is a plus, not a minus.

Nope

The only difference between the two is consistency. That's always been KL's downfall. Doing it on a nightly basis. So based on that, you have to go with LBJ.

To all those who answered no to this question:

If given the chance, would you trade Kawhi for LeBron straight up right now?

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Originally Posted by Uriel

To all those who said answered no to this question:

If given the chance, would you trade Kawhi for LeBron straight up right now?

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Of course not. Kawhi is 6-7 years younger :lol LeBron is already 31 and declining.

Besides, I don't think LeBron would fit in as well here. Parker/LeBron/LMA is a horrible fit :lol

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Originally Posted by TampaDude

Kawhi is the best perimeter defender in the NBA right now, and a Top 5 player overall this season.

LeBron is one of the best basketball players OF ALL TIME and a LOCK for the HOF.

Kawhi is still young, so he has plenty of time to build his resume.

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This is the correct answer. Why it took 4 pages to get here is beyond me, but /thread.

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Originally Posted by apalisoc_9

Sorry for the trouble brah. I wanted to PM yiu but the mods disabled my profile and pms. I am 20% banned basically.

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:lol it's cool, takes 2 secs..

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Originally Posted by SpursFan86

Of course not. Kawhi is 6-7 years younger :lol LeBron is already 31 and declining.

Besides, I don't think LeBron would fit in as well here. Parker/LeBron/LMA is a horrible fit :lol

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I mean, just for the rest of this playoff run. Would you trade Kawhi for LeBron straight up for just this season?

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Originally Posted by SpursBig3s

This is the correct answer. Why it took 4 pages to get here is beyond me, but /thread.

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Check post 20, scro.

Shooting is similar, defense is similar, off the ball Kawhi is better. On the ball, LBJ is far better.

The offense flows through LBJ for the cavs, for the Spurs it flows through and usually ends up in Kawhis hands.

LBJ is a far better franchise player. Kawhi is a far better cog in nearly every team.

LeBron is better now and Kawhi will likely never reach the level LeBron is currently at.

Kawhi may eventually be better. . .when LeBron declines.

Questions like that are going to make people shit on Kawhi rather than respect him tbh.

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Originally Posted by Uriel

To all those who answered no to this question:

If given the chance, would you trade Kawhi for LeBron straight up right now?

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http://i.makeagif.com/media/8-19-2015/D8sxR1.gif

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Originally Posted by Uriel

To all those who answered no to this question:

If given the chance, would you trade Kawhi for LeBron straight up right now?

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No fucking way. No one would unless they're an idiot. That's the question you should've asked in the 1st place. Back to the point, whether it's fair or not, Lebron gets all the calls while Kawhi gets shit on by the refs. Another reason, why Lebron is better NOW. This isn't a hypothetical none of this all things considered equal...because they're not in the eyes of the refs and that's all that matters.

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Originally Posted by Obstructed_View

He's surrounded by excellent defenders

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Only two. Tim and Danny.

I didn't expect LMA would play that good on D, so glad to see his hustle/defensive effort, but I wouldn't say he's "excellent" (yet).

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great three point shooters,

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At this point of the season, I'm starting to think that "crazy" J.R., me-me Irving and even Love are better shooters than our guys

Of course, playing for Pop is a plus, but again, on the offensive end only LMA takes pressure off him...LeBron has at least two or three guys who can score 20 points a game. Kawhi doesn't.

Bwawawawawawahhh :lmao . Of course Lebron >>>>> Kawhi

Kawhi has proven he cannot carry a team through any series

Spursfans are so adorable :lol

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Originally Posted by YGWHI

Only two. Tim and Danny.

I didn't expect LMA would play that good on D, so glad to see his hustle/defensive effort, but I wouldn't say he's "excellent" (yet).

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Aldridge had a higher defensive rating than Green this year, and there were several other guys who were all in the top 20 in defensive rating this year, including Tony Parker.

Leonard has the higher upside and he competes in the toughest conference in the league. Lebron dominates the weaker teams that actually pad his stats by staying in the East

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Originally Posted by Obstructed_View

Aldridge had a higher defensive rating than Green this year, and there were several other guys who were all in the top 20 in defensive rating this year, including Tony Parker.

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I always say that LMA is a DREAM addition but he's not a better defender than Danny. I can't help but think that you're saying/believing Parker is "an excellent" defender"..."top 20" defender in the league.

Damn...:lol

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Originally Posted by Mugen

No tbh

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ripping my old avi tbh