Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[burekemde]

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.

"He doesnt look right": In 2024 western conference finals averages

32.4 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 8.2 APG, 2.2 SPG, 3p% 43.4, FT% 84.6% ,TS% 62.7%, MPG 40.1.

Most durable, and most effective player in the league. The best player in the NBA.

Historic great performance and number 1 reason Dallas went to finals. On both sides of the ball, hes rebounding and steals were also winning many games. Good luck replacing that.

He looks completely fine to me. Doncic and Jokic are skill players from Balkans, this will never change. In offseason they practice skills and not muscles, this will not change as long as what they do is working, which it does.

Doncic is also the main reason Kyrie had the space working against second best defenders and often no defenders at all. I truly believe will see the change with time what that means in Kyries game. Its tough to go with that ball all game long with best defenders. After many games, its a huge load.

I think Doncic is way misunderstood. You can say what you want how he looks, but the effect is undeniable. His arrival in Dallas completely changed the mentality of the franchise, he was the winning culture. After so many years of losing culture, immedialtely a playoff team, then shortly after a contender. Two wester conference finals. And not only that, it is the first time Dallas was able to attract big free agents. It also speaks volumes how players that had trouble on other teams got new energy playing for Mavs. Its not a coincidence at all. Doncic was the driving force.