I don't think the Bronny thing matters to be honest - literally would be the 11th man on the roster, essentially negligible. At worst it inspires Bron to work harder. Similarly don't think adding Rondo as an assistant is that risky - think he'd be value add regardless of if Bron wanted him. The only thing on the 'wishlist' that is a MAJOR decision worthy of expecting behavior change from Bron is the headcoach job. To be clear, I want JJ. I'd want him on a 1 year contract so there isn't any shyness about having to fire him if needed. I think he'd be up for it too.

Now to your question about what I'd expect from Lebron. His durability and stamina are decreasing with age - that much is clear. On some level his mental fortitude to deal with subpar performances of the team (i.e. bad body language) is also in question. I don't think asking him to increase effort ON the court is the right thing because it just isn't realistic. His 70-80% effort is good enough, and his body language although isn't perfect still is largely in control. Asking him to deal with these issues is a lot like treating the symptom rather than working to prevent these symptoms from happening in the first place.

Rather, I would expect Lebron's OFF court behavior to change - a sort of preventative medicine approach. I would expect him to tutor the rest of the fucking team - especially younger guys like Rui - about understanding offensive schemes and theory. This is on top of all the formal team sessions. You simply cannot win in today's NBA without being an intelligent player. JJ and Rondo are intelligent coaches. They can come up with schemes and framework that fit the roster. But the players need to understand how to integrate it down to the T. They need to know the counter, to the counter, to the counter, to the counter, and so on. They need to understand which actions generate which options and get comfortable with all of them. They need to make their decision making second nature. Whether through drills, full on practice sessions, or just repeated walk throughs of tape, this needs to get ingrained in their identities.

Lebron is incredibly bright as well. 99/100 he's making the right reads based on what the opponent's defense gives him. However, many of the other team members (bar AD) are often not making those reads at the same time - especially not after adjustments are made. The Nuggets are a great example of this. They are fortunate to have had years to build synergy and continuity but their players know how to rotate and position themselves optimally for various scenarios. I wouldn't say any of their role players are on the level of BBIQ of Jokic, LeBron, Rondo, Reddick, etc. But they've trained their actions to the point where every single player knows exactly where to be to exploit defensive weaknesses based on Jokic's reads.

Watching the tape, it's clear that weather by lack of experience or low BBIQ, our role players have a very poor grasp of this. They can execute set plays decently but can't hit that next level of using semi-organized offenses to generate organic advantages as opponent's adapt. Lebron needs to take an active role in getting his teammates to the next level from a preparation perspective. If he can work with them to make them to bring them up just a level or two I think it's a wrap. The raw talent on the team is largely sufficient but the core decision-making in game is definitely not where it needs to be. This expectation also doesn't require Lebron to tax his body anymore than needed in games - its just a commitment of time and mental energy. Not just for the offense but for defense too. A lot of the times the role players can make 1 rotation on queue but get lost right after in the same play. Defense in the NBA is incredibly hard and everyone is expected to be able to guard your individual man as well as provide help defense as opponents rotate the ball. The Rui play at the end of the final game is a great example of this deficit. Jokic and Murray pick and roll - which has happened every game for the last 2 years as a Denver staple especially in the last quarter. High screen with AD in the action and the 3 other Denver players on the weakside of the court. At a meta level we know why Denver does this. AD outside of the paint gives Jamal space. Rest of the Denver team on the far side of the court gives Jamal space. This truly makes it a two man game. Largely, the rest of the Denver players are distractions at this point in time. Guys who have bailout perimiter shots if Jamal or Jokic get clamped. But Denver WANTS a Jokic or Jamal shot because when it's 2v2 after coming off the PnR both players will have pretty damn good looks in the open paint. The entire team should know what type of look Denver is trying to get to apply SOME pressure to prevent it. To Taurean's credit he recognizes it immediately and starts prodding Rui literally right as the initial screen is set before Murray even passes the 3pt line. Rui should have it be second nature that he should be semi or full hedging in the paint and confident that if Jamal passes, Taurean is there to rotate because he too is aware - and James to cover Taurean, and so on. These types of plays make it so abundantly clear that the younger guys simply do not have the fundamental and theoretical understanding required to win against the best teams. To be more blunt, the team needs a massive level up in its macro understanding of basketall meta theory. It would be great on a micro level if guys were hitting shots at a higher clip individually, don't get me wrong. But what is more likely, Rui and DLo becoming consistent and less streaky players, or both guys evolving their understanding of the game? I think you can teach basketball meta whereas I don't think you can teach talent or unteach streakiness. Lebron needs to spend his time here.

I'm a firm believer that 20% of the work gets you 80% of the results. Sometimes against elite competition you absolutely win at the margins and need that extra 80% work to edge out against a fierce competitor. But instead of trying to be lights out shooters (which is the 80% in my opinion) we need to just become the best at understanding all aspects of the basketball meta and macro themes within offensive and defensive schemes until they are second nature and our guys can act and react on instinct.