The Raptors Had No Answer for 2018 LeBron James 

2016-2018 Lebron might be the goat lebron. he was too smart, too strong, and still had elite athleticism to run and jump at top speed.

The main reason those Toronto teams couldn't do much against LeBron is because they didn't have big physical defenders they could assign to constantly disturb him and through of the rhythm. It is so apparent that LeBron was physically chilling against them which allowed him to just play around and have fun which he certainly did.

I think there's a couple things that make this version of LeBron legendary: 1. His passing, while not quite at the ridiculous peak we saw it at in 2020, wasn't far off. He's always been a great skip passer, and those years saw him really sharpen his deliveries in certain areas, like with his back to the basket. He also went to manipulation more often and started consistently throwing lobs and other passes designed to punish size / strength mismatches for his big men. 2. His midrange and 3 point shots were perhaps the most consistent they'd ever been - the percentages weren't quite at Miami Bron levels (37.6% on just under 7 attempts per game in 2017-18 playoffs and 36.5% on 6.4 attempts per game in the regular seasons), but the volume was a touch higher, and his long midrange (16 to 23 ft) peaked in those seasons at 47%. 3. The league was shifting to a more spaced-out style, and while his athleticism was slightly down from earlier years, increased space and decreased size helps strong players and gives penetrators more vertical options when approaching the rim, something that LeBron's always had great feel for. Slimming down also helped, and while his defensive motor wasn't quite as high as it used to be, he could still switch 1-5 when needed (and the lack of traditional post play during those years meant he could use his improved intellect to scram out poorer matchups and take more stands at the hoop / chasedowns in transition (and if you look at his block rate per 100 possessions, those 2-3 years are the highest for him since his first Cleveland stint). Offensively speaking, I think this, along with Miami Bron (at least, in the minutes without Wade) has a great argument as the most complete version of LeBron (while first Cleveland Bron was the most athletic, Miami Bron was the best defender, and LA Bron is the best passer). Great vid! I love this sort of X's & O's analysis, and you're one of the absolute best at it imo! I hope we get more throwback content like this in the future.

Casual fans dont understand things like this without the stat but LeBron controlled the game like he's moving pieces on a chess board. He didnt have to score or assist on every play, he just controls the pace of the game. He is, I think, the greatest and most perfect blend of scoring and playmaking. MJ could put that rock thru the hoop, and Magic could dish out them dimes, but LeBron could really kill you with a combination of both. And we havent even discussed his versatility and innate two-way impact.

LeBron as short roller and elbow passer a la Jokic can be really scary.

Bro nobody had an answer for him, he lost in the Finals but we all know he was outmatched by a stacked Warriors team.

Let's go! Fantastic breakdown

Great content, u deserve a lot more subscribers!

Jaylen Brown your next video Hoop Venue 🤣😂🤣🤣🤣

0:43 💀

LeFadeAway James 👑🤝🏾

12:29-12:40 perfect example of a Chameleon or should i say LeChameleon 🤣

Lebron was just unconscious this series. OG as a rookie defended well, Brons offence was just ridiculous.

I think that i you don't have a Ho level defensive player in these situations to match with HoF possible GOAT, LeBron there isn't much of what you can do, if the Raptors had Kawhi in these seasons before, i think that the history could be different, but that's just me daydreaming, but i still remember some off these games in the LeBronto era, and LeBron just look like he was playing 'gainst a high school team, that's nuts

yes all you showed was game 2 where they had no answere and the series was over

Because theres no kawhi in that time

Basically Jokic this offseason but more efficient... how does he only have 4 rings?

Well he benefited from friendly referees.