Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[david75090]

I've been a Mavs fan since '80. Nothing has been more of a gut-punch than this trade, in all that time. I've wavered since the '06 finals when I came to the realization that the NBA is manipulated. Not as bad as championship wrestling, but something is going on. I try to give the league as little of my money as I can. Much like MLB after they canceled the World Series that year. If a league doesn't care about their fans, Eff 'em. I'll continue to watch, just not as much.

[FireNicoHarrison]

It's my last year paying the League Pass... I will go on free streaming. And i hope a lot of no Fakers fans too.

[The Jom]

I've been a Mavs fan since '80. Nothing has been more of a gut-punch than this trade, in all that time. I've wavered since the '06 finals when I came to the realization that the NBA is manipulated. Not as bad as championship wrestling, but something is going on. I try to give the league as little of my money as I can. Much like MLB after they canceled the World Series that year. If a league doesn't care about their fans, Eff 'em. I'll continue to watch, just not as much.

Manipulated is a good word for it. Not fixed. I realized in the 90s when I started watching playoff matchups of teams I didn’t care about. I was suspicious watching my team. But I knew I was biased. When I didn’t care whether Hakeem’s Rockets or Malone’s Jazz came out on top, it was just so obvious.

[loki]

[mavsmagic]

From a new interview with Quentin Grimes. Yikes. One could argue that Grimes is just saying this because he’s upset about having also been traded, but not a good look for the Mavs. Will be interesting to see what info leaks out in the offseason and once more people start leaving the organization.

“ “It’s crazy what’s going on, so it’s a blessing in disguise that I got moved,” Grimes said. “But I feel for them for sure. We had a tight-knit group over there this season. We had a good chance of winning it all. But that’s the NBA and dudes get moved all the time.”
Grimes took issue with the way Dončić has been portrayed on his way out the door from Dallas. Grimes dismissed the team’s concerns about Dončić’s conditioning and work habits, saying his former teammate was always in the gym whenever he would show up for his late-night shooting sessions or practice-day weightlifting.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6182741...ed_article

[FireNicoHarrison]

From a new interview with Quentin Grimes. Yikes. One could argue that Grimes is just saying this because he’s upset about having also been traded, but not a good look for the Mavs. Will be interesting to see what info leaks out in the offseason and once more people start leaving the organization.

“ “It’s crazy what’s going on, so it’s a blessing in disguise that I got moved,” Grimes said. “But I feel for them for sure. We had a tight-knit group over there this season. We had a good chance of winning it all. But that’s the NBA and dudes get moved all the time.”
Grimes took issue with the way Dončić has been portrayed on his way out the door from Dallas. Grimes dismissed the team’s concerns about Dončić’s conditioning and work habits, saying his former teammate was always in the gym whenever he would show up for his late-night shooting sessions or practice-day weightlifting.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6182741...ed_article

Doncic trade is NOT a basketball related move.

[bubbler86]

Have not watched luka much since the trade...feels uncomfortable...but he looks out of sort right now. I know he had some decent game leading into tonight. Bron is threatening a first half triple double.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Have not watched luka much since the trade...feels uncomfortable...but he looks out of sort right now.  I know he had some decent game leading into tonight.  Bron is threatening a first half triple double.

He still doesn't look right. He can't get by people like he use to. He looks slow and lethargic and his gait running down the court isn't normal. Boston's defense is taking advantage of it just like last year.

[bubbler86]

He still doesn't look right. He can't get by people like he use to. He looks slow and lethargic and his gait running down the court isn't normal. Boston's defense is taking advantage of it just like last year.

Yep, relying on a few 3's and broken plays where can get some easy 2's.  Payton Richard and Big Al shutting down his drives so far.

[omahen]

Celtics still have phenomenal defense, Horford might be the best defensive center despite his age. They remain the team to beat, imho. Lakers could really use Hachimura in this one, to provide more danger on offense. Still, great game, playoffs like. Refs let a very physical play. Lakers had a horrible 3rd quarter, went down by 21, but got it to 4 in the fourth.

[Chicagojk]

I am going to delete this post.  I don't think it is right for me to share at this time. Sorry.

Ok, let me try again without naming names.  This is probably fan fiction and not even second hand.

It was relayed to me that Dumont broached the subject with the agent of taking less than the super max this summer.  This was met with laughter.   He then did the same directly with Luka who also laughed and joked about what Dumont was worth.    This pissed Dumont off and told Nico that he would show him and to get rid of Luka.   Nico pushed back.   Then another demand was made to get rid of Luka.   Luka brought in Kidd who couldn't believe it.   Nico asked Kidd what he wants and Kidd says he needs an all star...someone like AD.    Said they all knew three weeks prior to the trade.  

Again, I would not take this as real.  I just found i interesting.

[SleepingHero]

Ok, let me try again without naming names.  This is probably fan fiction and not even second hand.

It was relayed to me that Dumont broached the subject with the agent of taking less than the super max this summer.  This was met with laughter.   He then did the same directly with Luka who also laughed and joked about what Dumont was worth.    This pissed Dumont off and told Nico that he would show him and to get rid of Luka.   Nico pushed back.   Then another demand was made to get rid of Luka.   Luka brought in Kidd who couldn't believe it.   Nico asked Kidd what he wants and Kidd says he needs an all star...someone like AD.    Said they all knew three weeks prior to the trade.  

Again, I would not take this as real.  I just found i interesting.

Yeah that reads like total fan fiction. Not sure I can buy that given AD is going to be making exactly what Luka would’ve made next season had he gotten his supermax deal.

That’s why the “owners won’t pay the supermax” idea doesn’t make any sense. They just really didn’t believe in Luka.

[Chicagojk]

Lakers have nothing to feel bad about...outside of Lebron's potential injury. Even smaller injuries to older players are cause for concern.

Lakers had a terrible third quarter but made it a game late. They certainly belonged on the court with a very good Boston team.

I only saw the third and fourth quarter. A lot of talk about Luka being injured and he did look bothered. I thought he looked the best I have seen him this year though. I always judge him on his ability to change directions attacking the rim. It looks like he is getting that back.

So as long as the Lebron injury is not serious or something that lingers, they should be fine. I did read they have a ton of games in a short time period due to makeups.

The playoff positioning is going to be really interesting. I think most want to stay away from OKC early. Teams will be leary of a heathly Golden State. I think everyone is going to target Houston and Memphis for a first round matchup. For the Lakers, a potential run of GS, Denver and OKC is probably their worst case run.

[bubbler86]

Lakers have nothing to feel bad about...outside of Lebron's potential injury.  Even smaller injuries to older players are cause for concern.

Lakers had a terrible third quarter but made it a game late.  They certainly belonged on the court with a very good Boston team.

I only saw the third and fourth quarter.  A lot of talk about Luka being injured and he did look bothered.  I thought he looked the best I have seen him this year though.  I always judge him on his ability to change directions attacking the rim.  It looks like he is getting that back.   

So as long as the Lebron injury is not serious or something that lingers, they should be fine.  I did read they have a ton of games in a short time period due to makeups.

The playoff positioning is going to be really interesting.  I think most want to stay away from OKC early.    Teams will be leary of a heathly Golden State.  I think everyone is going to target Houston and Memphis for a first round matchup.  For the Lakers,  a potential run of GS, Denver and OKC is probably their worst case run.

They showed Luka on the bench with his head down, in pain.  He gutted it out, but something is up.  I think that without Lebron, the Lakers would be trouble (if he was hurt).

[omahen]

Yeah that reads like total fan fiction. Not sure I can buy that given AD is going to be making exactly what Luka would’ve made next season had he gotten his supermax deal.

That’s why the “owners won’t pay the supermax” idea doesn’t make any sense. They just really didn’t believe in Luka.

Not next season even. Luka has one more year on his current deal before his player option. So AD will be almost 10 mil more expensive next season.

[omahen]

They showed Luka on the bench with his head down, in pain.  He gutted it out, but something is up.  I think that without Lebron, the Lakers would be trouble (if he was hurt).

A little trouble with back or hip due to a fall in one of previous games. Nothing long term, just short term uncomfort.

Lakers have 7 games in next 11 days, including 2 against Denver which will be crucial in the fight for the second seed. Second seed will likely play with one of Minny or LAC, third seed gets likely GSW, unless they overtake Houston. If Lakers drop to fourth, they likely play Houston in the first round followed by OKC. West playoffs will be a massacre from the very beginning. East playoffs will likely start seriously in the second round.

[SleepingHero]

Not next season even. Luka has one more year on his current deal before his player option. So AD will be almost 10 mil more expensive next season.

Right but they’d essentially have matching money the year Luka’s supermax extension would kick in. Thus making it a wash and zero reason why the owner would trade Luka away for money reasons.

The Mavs FO just seriously didn’t believe in Luka.

[KillerLeft]

Right but they’d essentially have matching money the year Luka’s supermax extension would kick in. Thus making it a wash and zero reason why the owner would trade Luka away for money reasons.

The Mavs FO just seriously didn’t believe in Luka.

I think this is true, but the slight distinction to be made, if you believe the rumor ChicagoJK is passing along (I don't buy it in total, but there could be some true things mixed in), is that it became personal between someone very high up (the rumor suggests Dumont, not Nico, but it's the same from our POV) and that they specifically didn't want to pay LUKA that money. 

It's all still so weird, weeks later.

[SleepingHero]

@TheSteinLine
The Suns’ Devin Booker on how different it felt to play the Mavericks in Dallas without Luka Dončić: “You can feel it. You can feel it when you land.”

[Scott41theMavs]

@TheSteinLine
The Suns’ Devin Booker on how different it felt to play the Mavericks in Dallas without Luka Dončić: “You can feel it. You can feel it when you land.”

He misses his daddy.