05-09-2024, 04:25 AM
(05-09-2024, 03:56 AM)Knutsen Wrote: I‘m starting to fear that Luka as an athlete isn’t build for a 100+ games season plus additional games in the summer, at least if he doesn‘t adopt the ascetic lifestyle that Dirk was practicing during the season all of a sudden. Jokic for example was also able to change his condition completely, for Luka it‘s much more up and down or even going in the wrong direction since he’s entered the league. Don‘t get me wrong, he isn’t lazy in his basketball skill development, he‘s getting better each and every year like Dirk did - I‘m talking strictly from a physical, athletic perspective.
Luka came into this season well rested and in top shape and as far as I know his personal chef and conditioning coach were part of Mavs team whole season. I don't think any injury this season can be attributed to inferior preparation, athletic ability or ascetic lifestyle. Injuries happen and are part of the game.
Totally other thing is the load that he needs to carry. I think no one is able to carry such a load without "paying a price" at some point in the season. Jokic that you mentioned is skipping national team competitions for several summers now and I am sure Luka will soon realize that he can't do everything if Mavs will have deep postseason runs. Luka was third in minutes per game this season and we know how much load he needs to carry, especially when Kyrie is not playing. There were several consecutive 40+ minutes game in the stretch where Kyrie was injured. At some point all that playing time connected with his overall usage takes a toll.
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