NBA.com: Which if Lebron played for Pop

[KenziE]

Lebron !!!

ing Diva ..... ain't nobody got time for that !!!

[houston spurs fan]

We realistically could have signed him AND aldridge for the max this offseason... provided we let Leonard walk.

Xbox moves appearing on the forum now...

[GSH]

With Bron Pop would have created a different style of offense where Lebron's number didn't suffer. The motion offense Pop runs is because he doesn't have a Lebron James. You can't take James from those days and plug him into this year's Spurs and wonder how he would fit. He would have changed the landscape himself in San Antonio, and Pop would have been smart enough not to that up.

As usual, that's good solid basketball talk. The rest of the speculation is pretty touchy-feely, and I can't disagree with anything you said, functionally. Absolutely agree that Pop would have tailored a system around LeBron's unique skill set, and it wouldn't look like this Spurs team.

Still, some of LeBron's antics over the years have been pretty detrimental to a team approach. I have a hard time imagining Pop flexing that far. You think about all those seasons when LeBron was clearly the best player in the game - played like the best player in the game - and somehow couldn't ring unless he had other name-brand stars around him. I think Pop would have seen potential for the team to be better, if Bron changed his approach at least a little. And I think he would have a problem with anything that got in the way of the bigger picture.

Your take is a lot more defensible than mine.

[YGWHI]

What about Manu's game though? Didn't Tony in that special after the championship in 2014 say that he didn't really know if Manu and Pop were going to be able to work together? To which Manu replied, that he really didn't know either. Pop then said, they were right, Manu was tough to coach, he fought back.. He wasn't going to be boxed in. After Manu, Pop has changed, he's now more open to unorthodox games or ideas, than he was pre-Manu.

We can't compare Manu's personality and his concept of the game/team to LeBron's. Manu wouldn't have changed a particular designed play by his coach to close a game, making it public like LeBron did.

[DMC]

As usual, that's good solid basketball talk. The rest of the speculation is pretty touchy-feely, and I can't disagree with anything you said, functionally. Absolutely agree that Pop would have tailored a system around LeBron's unique skill set, and it wouldn't look like this Spurs team.

Still, some of LeBron's antics over the years have been pretty detrimental to a team approach. I have a hard time imagining Pop flexing that far. You think about all those seasons when LeBron was clearly the best player in the game - played like the best player in the game - and somehow couldn't ring unless he had other name-brand stars around him. I think Pop would have seen potential for the team to be better, if Bron changed his approach at least a little. And I think he would have a problem with anything that got in the way of the bigger picture.

Your take is a lot more defensible than mine.

Steel sharpens steel. If Lebron was in SA, he'd have the mentor and leadership to steer him away from the shenanigans.

[Seventyniner]

There are several scenarios that the thread le can mean:

• What if the Spurs had the #1 pick in 2003 and drafted LeBron, adding him to the defending champs
• What if we clone 2003 Pop and have him be the coach of the Cavs starting in 2003-2004
• What if Pop left the Spurs in 2003 (right after a le lol) and went to coach the Cavs
• What if the Spurs traded Duncan for LeBron in 2003
• What if the Spurs traded a large portion of the team, but not Duncan, for LeBron in 2003

etc.

All have different answers. LeBron joining Duncan under Pop would have either been a league-killing combo for 10+ years, or LeBron's me-first at ude causes him to leave or demand a trade along the way imo.

[GSH]

Steel sharpens steel. If Lebron was in SA, he'd have the mentor and leadership to steer him away from the shenanigans.

I wish I had a witty reply. You could be right. I remember that he was already a seasoned media- by the time he first suited up for Cleveland. He was making more in endorsements as a rookie than a lot of players make in their career. We're talking about the irresistible force meets the immovable object. I guess SA/Pop is the only chance of steering him away from his antics, but I've still got my doubts about it.

[Russ]

Lebron has basically played for a series of nonen y coaches from Cleveland to Miami and back to Cleveland.

He has never complained the way some stars have in similar situations (e.g., Magic Johnson about Paul Westhead).

Off-court persona aside, Lebron plays a Spurs-like game -- he passes and makes his teammates better.

Pop and Lebron would get along just fine.

[DMC]

I wish I had a witty reply. You could be right. I remember that he was already a seasoned media- by the time he first suited up for Cleveland. He was making more in endorsements as a rookie than a lot of players make in their career. We're talking about the irresistible force meets the immovable object. I guess SA/Pop is the only chance of steering him away from his antics, but I've still got my doubts about it.

He wouldn't be the stoic presence that Kawhi or Tim is, but that could be good for SA. If this team ever starts losing, no one will watch them. They'll be worse ratings wise than the Timberwolves.

[Perry Mason]

I saw this as subtle trolling by ESPN to elevate Lebron. What if Lebron was coached by Pop? How about, what if Tim Duncan were coached by Pop?

5 rings that's what.

It's irrational to think that Pop + Lebron sans TD would have had the same or better results. So, this counter-factual is like fantasizing about what if you had a Mustang when you already own a Bentley.

[100%duncan]

It's an interesting exercise, though I think it's under-appreciated that much of what Pop has been able to build culturally has been less about him forcing a vision down people's throats and much more about having an iconic player as an extension of the coach/culture-builder who values winning above all and is a willing extension of what Pop wants the culture to be. I wonder if Pop would have have that sort of simpatico with Lebron; would Lebron have pushed back more (and publicly) if Pop's vision was inconsistent with the narratives of Lebron's brand?

I think the other part of this is about when Lebron and Pop might have been brought together. Pop the Icon wouldn't really be susceptible of a challenge from a player. But before he was truly iconic, Pop might well have lost a power struggle with a strong-willed and unhappy superstar.

[spursistan]

Relative to his talent and impact, Lebron has under-ringed and will likely end up his career as such..the 2010/2011 chips were easily his les to lose if he had HOF coaching and couple good role players on his team..

[wildbill2u]

If Le Bron had had an Aldridge or West moment and decided to move to SA instead of Miami, I think he is man enough to live up to that commitment. Similarly, I think Pop would have initiated that moment like he did with LMA and given LeBron assurances that his talents and skills would be appreciated and worked INTO THE SYSTEM.

However, the deal would have been cancelled by Commissioner Stern as an unfair change of the compe ive balance of the game.

[spursistan]

Good luck to POP surviving his coach-killing talent at the first sign of adversity ..They would win some, but there is no way Pop put up with that much power Lebron invest in himself..

[ceperez]

Trade time... LeBron for Aldridge!!!!

[DMC]

Good luck to POP surviving his coach-killing talent at the first sign of adversity ..They would win some, but there is no way Pop put up with that much power Lebron invest in himself..

Seems to me Nate was fired as well.

[rexrobinson]

There is no doubt that Pop has evolved and adapted around his players and staff as needed, successful coaches must do this. However, I am sure he has a few core values that are foundational to all the generations of teams he has coached. I know at least one if them is to "Get over yourself". A player like like LeBron would of had to accept real mentoring and some in your face coaching without taking it personally. History shows that those who like or need to have an entourage full of yes men and brown nosers, don't get over themselves naturally.

[maverick1948]

Cant you see LeBron going above Pop's head to the VP of Basketball Operations to get rid of Pop? WOW that would be a thing of beauty to watch. Bron telling VP Popovich, that coach Pop had to go. LOL

Now for a serious question. Had we ended up with DeMarcus Cousins, would he be as angry about team play or would he be a 20 10 3 3 player for Pop that follows his instructions? Pop has a way to control almost all the players who come to SA. Play the game right and you win. Play it wrong or create a problem and you are gone. Pop took TP and made him a star, who's to say DC could be tamed to play next to Timmy.

[tholdren]

Pop could never put up with LeBron's entourage.

This. Or le would get him fired. Spurs don't do thugs, except danny in da club green