If they don't do it this year, I am not sure that a year older James is going to be able to do it. He has the size and playmaking skills to be an effective player later his career. Even with that, his defense is lacking. Last year he said he was going to turn into playoff mode early after the allstar break and we played even worse.
The team looks deep, but we will only go as far as Cousins can go to be honest. If he regains any type of offensive form then we are in serious business.
I both agree and disagree.
I think that Davis is good enough to take over as the #1 even as Lebron starts to decline. Lebron is still a top 5 player in the world and barring a super serious injury I think he will age more gracefully. I have little doubts that Davis will sign, too many things going for it and the Lakers have done more in one offseason to help Davis, then the Pelicans did since they drafted him. I think Davis will be working a lot more on a 3 point shot(it’s not even like he’s bad) and could work to also further his post game, which is already very good. Lebron doing the PG thing primarily, if it’s true, should prolong his career.
As for the Cousins point... Yes. I think if he returns to even 60% of what he was in New Orleans and y’all can stay healthy, I don’t see a team that can beat you in a 7 game series. Lebron will have two bigs who can dominate in the paint, shoot, dominate the glass, and when healthy Davis is an elite defender and Cousins is a serviceable rim protector. This is before you factor in that Lebron James’ offensive game is elite when he’s driving to the basket and he’s a good shooter. You’ve surrounded those three with shooters, when all three can shoot.
This team if Cousins come back should be better than any of his Cavs teams. More depth, better defensive players like Green, Bradley, Rondo, Davis, hell McGee is a better defender than any big Lebron had.
I think they need a true 3 and D PG, but you can go big, you can go small, you can shoot. It’s a hell of a team.