I struggle with this. I feel terrible for Luka because he didn't want to leave Dallas.
However, I do have a theory of what happened. I've thought quite a bit about this along with the reports that are out there and what players, Kidd, and Nico have all said.
It's evident that Luka doesn't think there is an issue. He said there was nothing wrong with his conditioning in the LA intro presser. He said that was said about him to give motive as to why he was traded. They also asked him how he saw himself fitting in with the Lakers on the floor and playing with LeBron. He said he hasn't been thinking about basketball for a while. Those two things right there are very telling. I'm not saying he isn't competitive and isn't an amazing player at all. I love watching Luka. He is my favorite player in the league right now.
But, I also saw how Kidd, Kyrie, and Klay all reacted to the trade. Kyrie said it's a ruthless business. Klay essentially said sometimes that needs to happen. It's a business. Kidd basically parroted that. The reports from insiders are saying that Luka was out of shape and had to be benched the last two seasons early in the season to lose weight. This year it was called a wrist injury. He has hurt that same calf in 3 of the last 4 seasons. That's an injury that comes from a lack of conditioning. It's soft tissue.
They were also saying that Kidd and even players had talked to him about complaining to the refs and he wasn't listening. Cuban kept guys around because he was a fan. Nico and Kidd are business. I also feel like a couple of the players were getting frustrated with his lack of work ethic and complained to Kidd and/or Nico. I could see Klay saying something like "this isn't what I signed on for". Klay has an insane work ethic. Kyrie has a very serious work ethic. Luka doesn't. He never had to because mentally is like a Jedi and 3-4 steps ahead of everything on the floor.
Media talks about Luka not playing defense. If you watch the Minny and Boston series last year he wasn't playing D because he was just gassed. He was also injured with the same calf injury he has right now. It healed and happened again. I was just thinking of how frustrated I would be as Kyrie, Klay, or Kidd knowing how hard it is to win a championship. You are there but can't get it done because you are worn out. Luka may be 25 but Kyrie is 32. He will be 33 next month. He doesn't have many more tries at this. Klay is 35 and likely done after 2 more years. Klay thought he was coming here to win. The Mavs are sitting at 11 right now due to Luka missing over a month because of the same soft tissue injury he keeps getting. Yes there were other injured players. But, you can't help but think Luka shouldn't be injured like this.
Don't forget that Jokic just started coming into shape about 3 years ago or so. That's when he won a title.
I'm just devastated at Luka being traded. I started thinking the players mentioned something too when they started mentioning timeline. Kyrie and Klay are depending on Luka being ready now. As incredible as Luka is he just isn't emotionally mature enough for that yet. Doesn't make the pain go away though.
However, I do have a theory of what happened. I've thought quite a bit about this along with the reports that are out there and what players, Kidd, and Nico have all said.
It's evident that Luka doesn't think there is an issue. He said there was nothing wrong with his conditioning in the LA intro presser. He said that was said about him to give motive as to why he was traded. They also asked him how he saw himself fitting in with the Lakers on the floor and playing with LeBron. He said he hasn't been thinking about basketball for a while. Those two things right there are very telling. I'm not saying he isn't competitive and isn't an amazing player at all. I love watching Luka. He is my favorite player in the league right now.
But, I also saw how Kidd, Kyrie, and Klay all reacted to the trade. Kyrie said it's a ruthless business. Klay essentially said sometimes that needs to happen. It's a business. Kidd basically parroted that. The reports from insiders are saying that Luka was out of shape and had to be benched the last two seasons early in the season to lose weight. This year it was called a wrist injury. He has hurt that same calf in 3 of the last 4 seasons. That's an injury that comes from a lack of conditioning. It's soft tissue.
They were also saying that Kidd and even players had talked to him about complaining to the refs and he wasn't listening. Cuban kept guys around because he was a fan. Nico and Kidd are business. I also feel like a couple of the players were getting frustrated with his lack of work ethic and complained to Kidd and/or Nico. I could see Klay saying something like "this isn't what I signed on for". Klay has an insane work ethic. Kyrie has a very serious work ethic. Luka doesn't. He never had to because mentally is like a Jedi and 3-4 steps ahead of everything on the floor.
Media talks about Luka not playing defense. If you watch the Minny and Boston series last year he wasn't playing D because he was just gassed. He was also injured with the same calf injury he has right now. It healed and happened again. I was just thinking of how frustrated I would be as Kyrie, Klay, or Kidd knowing how hard it is to win a championship. You are there but can't get it done because you are worn out. Luka may be 25 but Kyrie is 32. He will be 33 next month. He doesn't have many more tries at this. Klay is 35 and likely done after 2 more years. Klay thought he was coming here to win. The Mavs are sitting at 11 right now due to Luka missing over a month because of the same soft tissue injury he keeps getting. Yes there were other injured players. But, you can't help but think Luka shouldn't be injured like this.
Don't forget that Jokic just started coming into shape about 3 years ago or so. That's when he won a title.
I'm just devastated at Luka being traded. I started thinking the players mentioned something too when they started mentioning timeline. Kyrie and Klay are depending on Luka being ready now. As incredible as Luka is he just isn't emotionally mature enough for that yet. Doesn't make the pain go away though.
Find me at Lakersball.com. I'm done with the Nico and the Mavs.
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