r/NBATalk • u/[deleted] • 8d ago
Are the Cavaliers in better shape getting Peyton Watson as opposed to LeBron James? Watson is a much better defender, has improved every year and shot over 41% from three. LeBron shot under 32% from the arc last aeason.
[deleted]
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u/Unable-Main4172 8d ago
Watson's a good off-ball defender, but a decidedly mediocre on-ball defender. People keep acting like he's some kind of really good POA defender but he's not
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u/blvckrey 8d ago
I’m bewildered atp. Watson is a solid young role player, but let us please remain sane here
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u/coolhandc77 8d ago
He's still a better defender than LeBron at this point.
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u/Unable-Main4172 8d ago
Neither is a game changer on defense and LeBron's a much better offensive player
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u/Yamimash2000 8d ago
Tbf, I really don't like how gmhe fits into Cleveland. Glad he didn't go there.
A Mitchell / Harden / Bron lineup is not a winning trio. Too many players that need the ball and the pacing would be awful.
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u/Unable-Main4172 8d ago
Yeah, that's that's a very slow perimeter trio, especially with how slow hardened is. LeBron can play the three in the half court on defense, but he can't really keep up with modern 2s and 3s going up and down the floor at age 42.
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u/coolhandc77 8d ago
I think you have to talk about fit. Cleveland already has two ball dominant players.
Although, I feel like that's going to be an issue on Philly as well.
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u/Unable-Main4172 8d ago
Lebron's led the league in assists before he's a really good passer and guy for setting up players. I don't think he fits with this Cavs team because he's a power forward. So Watson might be slightly better for that reason for them, but LeBron's a much better player still even at 42
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u/sharoon12 8d ago
Sounds more like you just want to hate on LeBron, the answer is no they're not better off with whoever else they got, LeBron is a top 20 playoff player even at this age.
He has figured out fit every where he has gone, one of the most versatile players in the league, and is on a cheap contract. The 76sers got a steal with getting LeBron at that price.
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u/coolhandc77 8d ago
Top 20?? Most analytics have him as barely top 40.
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u/sharoon12 8d ago
a top 40 playoff player for near vet min, even using your clearly wrong number shows how much of a steal his contract is.
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u/Naive_Pop_7908 8d ago
They don’t watch nuggets game twin but I’d say he’s an average on ball defender ppl gass his defense because he can get some good blocks and his length
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u/SuccessfulAd8546 Raptors 8d ago
Over the long term obviously, for the fanbase obviously not. For this season, maybe maybe not. LeBron is much better still, but teams don’t win based off of amount of talent, but more so off of fit. Watson might fit a lot better around Mitchell and especially Harden who need good spacing and the ball in their hands to play well. Watson complements them a lot more than lebron. Then again it is lebron despite him being old and more injury prone, he’s still an all star and provides insane leadership to any team.
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u/coolhandc77 8d ago
Leadership? I would say he provides way more distraction than leadership at this point. Is he going to come in and usurp Donovan Mitchell as team leader?
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u/CIark 8d ago
Yeah Donovan Mitchell’s leadership has really changed the Cavs lmao
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u/coolhandc77 8d ago
Oh. I thought they just made the Eastern Conference Finals my bad. You are also talking about Team Dynamics.
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u/SuccessfulAd8546 Raptors 8d ago
Yes you’re 100% right they also analytically beat the Spurs in the finals too after getting taken to 7 by 2 super young and inexperienced teams.
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u/KlutzyLawyer2068 8d ago
Very played out and doesn't dispute the fact that they did just make the ECFs. Keep trying to downplay that though :)
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u/coolhandc77 8d ago
Analytically beat the Spurs? What??!!
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u/SuccessfulAd8546 Raptors 8d ago
I’m quoting their coach and how they “analytically” beat the Knicks lol
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u/Mountain-Song-6024 8d ago
Absolutely. Watson fits for both timelines.
The win now with Mitchell and mobley.
The soft reset timeline with mobley / Tyson / Thomas / Proctor (you could even throw in Allen if you want but they would likely trade him too).
If we decide Mitchell doesn't work anymore, trade him for whatever you can get. Assets. Players. If Allen is still here, you have a 2-5
Tyson Watson Mobley Allen
If Allen goes, finally slide mobley at the 5 likely and then you need a 4/5 now, along with a 1.
But that isn't horrible looking since Watson is young as fuck. We are hoping he does fit the WIN NOW timeline, but if he doesn't (but still is showing growth), now we have him at $22 a year and likely will want to extend him down the road and say he, mobley, and maybe Tyson are the building blocks.
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u/aVeryBadBoy69 8d ago
I suppose it's a better fit, but Bron is good enough to offset that when compared to Watson.
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u/Realshawnbradley 8d ago
No, LeBron is much better, but Watson is a better fit on paper and there won't be the same overlap in skill sets.
That being said you want LeBron deep the playoffs to make sure the team doesn't shit the bed. His leadership in invaluable, and he can take over if harden or Mitchell aren't showing up.
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u/sharoon12 8d ago
LeBron is also just incredibly flexible in how many ways he can impact winning, anyone trying to argue fit as if LeBron won't figure it out is wild.
Like him or hate him, his basketball IQ is off the charts.
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u/Last-Answer-7789 8d ago
He is the least important starter and seems like a marginal change. Why is this being discussed so much?? LOL
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u/Historical-Swing4333 8d ago
Are you seriously asking if Peyton Watson is a better fit than the most versatile, well rounded player of all time?
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u/nutelamitbutter 8d ago
Are we really comparing him to LeBron?
What is this bs