What if Lebron went down?

[Celtics18]

I actually thought of this because of the recent Isaiah vs. Iverson comparisons.  It's been pointed out that Iverson led a team to the NBA finals.  It's also been pointed out that the East was pretty weak back then.  If Lebron were to--for whatever reason--not play for the Cavs in April/May/June, the East would be up for grabs.  We'd be right there with Toronto, the Cavs, with Love and Irving and a winner's mentality, would still be in the mix, and anyone else like the Hawks, the Hornets, or even the Bucks or Knicks or Bulls could go on a run.


The East winner probably wouldn't stand much chance in the finals, but it would be fun to see who would grab a Lebronless East crown.

Hmm?  What was that movie from a decade or so back where a couple of Celtics fans . . . oh, never mind.

[Chris22]

"Anything is possible." - Kevin Garnett

[Bobshot]

I've been waiting for James to go down for years--for two playoffs finals. Miami lucked out against the Celtics one year when Bradley went down in their playoffs series, another year when Perkins went down. While James et al stayed healthy. Good chance they'd have beaten Miami those two years without those injuries.

So far, the Cavs have lucked out. I still say that winning block was goal tending against the Warriors. The replay in slo mo clearly showed James left hand hit the rim as he was going up for the block with his right hand. But the refs didn't call it.

The Cavs would take a nosedive if James went down for a time. So far, it's been the Celtics unlucky with injuries. Horford going down for first 8 games taking an elbow in practice. Too bad he didn't pull an Iverson and miss practice that day. 

[saltlover]

If LeBron goes down, the Cavs will beat neither the Celtics or Raptors.  They could probably beat everyone else still (I know their record is terrible without him, but I think over a couple months they'd adapt to still be a good team.)

Accordingly, it's one reason why if the Celtics can be clearly better than the Raptors, that's a really good thing.  Injuries do happen, and if LeBron got hurt, it would be a shame if someone other than the Celtics took advantage of it in the East.

[Rosco917]

Totally impossible, can't happen, he's superman, he'll never get hurt.

Freaking Donald Trump will be President of the United States before LeBron gets hurt

[mctyson]

This is the reason why you build the best team you possibly can right now, without mortgaging the future, to try to compete with Toronto for #2.  You never know what happens.

The Celtics were the best team on the planet in -08/-09 and they were one injury away from not repeating as champions.  Of course that happened and in stepped the Magic.

The Cs need to be there as well.

[libermaniac]

... then we'd just need either Curry or Durant to go down, in the final minutes of their clinching win in the WCF, to have a serious chance at #18.  But, those are two BIG IFs.

[GreenWarrior]

the only chance this team is a contender is if kyle lowry, dermarr derozen, kevin love, kyrie irving, LeBron james, steph curry, Thompson, Durant, westbrook and harden all get injured. get over it the team is mid-tier.

I know on this site that will be taken as being negative but it's not it's reality. stop wishing for players to get injured, I want this team to be able to beat every one of those players at full strength and no excuses.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I still think Boston would have trouble beating Cleveland in a 7-game series. The Cavs would still own the Celtics in the rebounding department, they'd still have an explosive, hard-to-contain scorer in Irving, and they'd still be able to double IT—a problem the Celtics have yet to resolve. It would be a much closer series without LeBron, but by no means an assured Boston victory.

[GreenWarrior]

I still think Boston would have trouble beating Cleveland in a 7-game series. The Cavs would still own the Celtics in the rebounding department, they'd still have an explosive, hard-to-contain scorer in Irving, and they'd still be able to double IT—a problem the Celtics have yet to resolve. It would be a much closer series without LeBron, but by no means an assured Boston victory.

ya think?

[SHAQATTACK]

He is the NbAs

Golden Goose


He does not break


LeBron IS the difference ....no matter who he plays or what team he is on.   Nobody makes as big as impact .   The guy nearly took down the Warriors without Love and Irving ...by himself .

He carries the NBA in his pocket .....most calls go his way .

[bopna]

I still think Boston would have trouble beating Cleveland in a 7-game series. The Cavs would still own the Celtics in the rebounding department, they'd still have an explosive, hard-to-contain scorer in Irving, and they'd still be able to double IT—a problem the Celtics have yet to resolve. It would be a much closer series without LeBron, but by no means an assured Boston victory.

You have got to be kidding?
A lebronless Cavs is no better than the Bucks or even the Pistons. They are basically normal bumbling team...youve got so much faith in that team without lebron?..believe me they will be swept without Bron.
Heck id even say that even if Bron is there but no Kyrie..they will be vulnerable to the Raptors and to the Cs.

[chambers]

Would be closer but they're still favorites in the East. And then yeah we still lose to GSW.

[CelticGuardian]

You think LeBron would trade himself to us? Would Jaylen, IT4, Horford, Smart, Nets picks even be enough? It's a pipe dream i know but you should know he isn't playing full games at full gear ... LeBron is too smart with his body, dude because he is his own NBA franchise, he is bigger than the Cavs brand.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I still think Boston would have trouble beating Cleveland in a 7-game series. The Cavs would still own the Celtics in the rebounding department, they'd still have an explosive, hard-to-contain scorer in Irving, and they'd still be able to double IT—a problem the Celtics have yet to resolve. It would be a much closer series without LeBron, but by no means an assured Boston victory.

You have got to be kidding?
A lebronless Cavs is no better than the Bucks or even the Pistons. They are basically normal bumbling team...youve got so much faith in that team without lebron?..believe me they will be swept without Bron.
Heck id even say that even if Bron is there but no Kyrie..they will be vulnerable to the Raptors and to the Cs.

No, not kidding. Which of us is right? Only time will tell.