This season, James averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. Among them, his scoring is second only to Embiid 's 30.6 points in the league. In addition, this is the second highest score in his career, and it is also the first time since the 2008-09 season that he has averaged more than 30 points per game.
From the data point of view, Even though he is 38 years old, James still has the league's top offensive level. Looking at it from another angle, this attack is Yue Lao Yue Yao.
However, getting older means getting older, and there must be disadvantages. The most intuitive manifestation is defense.
This season, James' defensive real plus-minus of 0.8 is the lowest since his rookie season. If the data is cold, then let me look at some actual matchup data.
โ In three games with the Warriors, James played against Wiggins and scored 8 points on 3 of 6 shots in 10 minutes and 53 seconds;
โก In three games with the Kings, James played against Barkley in 29 minutes and 55 seconds. The player scored 11 points on 5 of 8 shots;
โข and the Rockets in three games, James faced Wood. In 14 minutes and 16 seconds, the latter scored 24 points on 8 of 11 shots;
โฃ and Nets in three games, James faced off against Wood. Hardenhtml In 21 minutes and 57 seconds, the latter scored 16 points on 7 of 10 shots;
It can be said that James's defensive effect is not ideal regardless of facing defenders, forwards or insiders.
In fact, Lakers management also saw this, and they signed Stanley Johnson in the middle of the season. Data shows that when James and Johnson are on the court together, the net efficiency is 1.2, which means that the latter's defensive ability has brought a lot of help to James.
Taking Stanley Johnson as a sample, I think James needs or prefers a helper with the following points:
First, , relatively good defensive ability, which can reduce or shoulder James' defensive pressure;
Others The second has a certain ability without the ball, which can effectively 's convert James' pass into an assist, and it is also easier to produce a chemical reaction; the third has a certain three-point ability, which can give The role of opening up space;
Unfortunately, Johnson only has the first point. In other words, the Lakers still need to find helpers for James. In my opinion, Harris Barnes is a very good reinforcement candidate.
First of all, , this season, the opponent's shooting percentage dropped from 49.3% to 47.1% under Barnes' defense. Considering that the Kings' overall defensive ability is at the bottom of the league, this level is still good.
followed by . This season, 32.8% of Barnes' shots came from off the ball, with an overall shooting rate of 42.1% and a three-point shooting rate of 42.4%.
and , this season, Barnes can hit 1.8 three-pointers per game, and his shooting rate is as high as 39.4%.
In other words, Barnes is who has the ability to be James' ideal helper. In addition to these, another point is that the Lakers are indeed very hopeful to get him through a trade.
This summer, Harris will have one year left on the four-year, 85 million contract he signed with the Kings in 2019. Considering that the Kings just selected a forward with the fourth pick in the NBA Draft ( Keegan Murray), it is obvious that they will not renew Barnes.
Then, the Lakers can offer Barnes in the form of Tucker + Nunn + draft picks. For the Kings, the two players can supplement the team's backcourt, and the draft pick can be used for self-use or secondary trade; for Barnes, the Lakers really need a player of his type, with guaranteed opportunities and the possibility of a big contract. . In other words, regardless of the team or the players, the Lakers have something that can impress the other party. In other words, the deal is very likely to be completed.
got his favorite players and the team also got reinforcements. Does it mean that the Lakers are back in the championship ranks?
Regarding this issue, my understanding is that although Barnes has improved the overall strength of the Lakers, he has not yet reached the point where he can promote the team to win the championship. Whether the Lakers can return to the championship ranks, I think the most critical point is thick eyebrows .
In fact, as long as the thick eyebrows can effectively stay healthy, and Barnes shares James' defensive pressure, I think the Lakers are a strong contender for the championship. Otherwise, the Lakers can enter the playoffs if they get Barnes, but they are still far away from winning the championship.
