Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[audiosway]

If he "doesnt look right" and plays MVP level like he did every season, im totally fine with that. It is not Luka that disseapeared in the playoffs and finals, its Kyrie. Its just the style of baskebtall Luka plays, much similar to Jokic. This will never change and he will keep dominate in that way. We have seen the AD's and Max Christies running around him trying to defende and cant do anything about it.

The first two games with Lakers he looks still in shock being traded. He is all about loyalty. Its not the injury or the weight or anythyng like that. Luka is all about loyalty. he is completely shocked (like at the press conference) being in a different team with new teammates. Be sure that this will go away and he will get his revenge, and this will hurt. He will build loyalty with the Lakers. It wil take time.

I mentioned right after the trade happened that I would have looked at moving Kyrie before I would have Luka. However, I'm also being honest about what I see and have seen with Luka.

If you think it was just Kyrie that disappeared during the Finals you need to go back and watch the games. Yes Kyrie disappeared. But, Luka shot 58.6% (17-29) from the free throw line and 24.4% from 3. Boston turned him into a volume shooter. Kyrie shot 27.6% from 3 and was perfect from the free throw line (9-9).

Realistically, Boston just dominated the Mavs. It really wasn't close at any point. Looking back at the game stats there was zero way Dallas could have won those games. They needed more offensive output and more defense.

Kyrie is trying to be a good defender. He was even mentioned as playing D in the all star game. Luka was not playing D against Boston. I think mainly due to him being exhausted. At least that's how it looked. He would rest with his hands on his knees. That's just exhausted.

Kyrie did average 19.8 Points per game against Boston and Luka averaged 29.8. But, the Mavs desperately needed more output from the rest of the cast. They didn't get it.

I'm at the point now where I've moved past the trade and ready to see what the guys can do when they are healthy. I do hope that Luka changes and we get to see what he is capable of. But, I'll be 100% about this. If he doesn't start working on his diet and conditioning he won't last. He looks about 45 right now instead of 25. 

It's sad too because he is incredibly talented. You talk about being like Jokic and being bigger working for him in the playoffs. Jokic got on a regiment of diet and exercise right before they won the title. Also, Luka is a PG. Jokic is a 5. Massive difference. At 7 foot Jokic can shoot over the D. Luka needs to be able to move to create space.