Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[Knutsen]

So yesterday it was an interesting change of perspective for me watching Luka play my German national team - and I see and feel now what all the other fans are complaining about.

He‘s super frustrating to watch „against“ because of three things: he hits those incredible shots like his step back threes, he gets constant foul calls where he initiates and manipulates minimal contact and the refs bite on it - and he is still talking and complaining to the refs all the time. He made a money gesture in the third quarter - while already having one tech - and after the game told the refs they should feel ashamed of themselves. And that in a game where he got by far the most calls and a lot of very favorable ones.

I‘m really interested how that will play out in LA - he could become the biggest villain for all the other fans easily, kind of a super Harden.

[omahen]

So yesterday it was an interesting change of perspective for me watching Luka play my German national team - and I see and feel now what all the other fans are complaining about.

He‘s super frustrating to watch „against“ because of three things: he hits those incredible shots like his step back threes, he gets constant foul calls where he initiates and manipulates minimal contact and the refs bite on it - and he is still talking and complaining to the refs all the time. He made a money gesture in the third quarter - while already having one tech - and after the game told the refs they should feel ashamed of themselves. And that in a game where he got by far the most calls and a lot of very favorable ones.

I‘m really interested how that will play out in LA - he could become the biggest villain for all the other fans easily, kind of a super Harden.

It was a great match yesterday, I am really surprised Slovenia managed to make this a competitive match, especially since they shot 23 % from three. A couple of bad minutes at the end of third and start of fourth killed us. That three from the opposite side of the court by Germany at end of the third was a huge dagger. I don't think we lost because of refs and I don't approve the reactions, especially after the game. Officiating was bad, they called way too many fouls, a lot of them very ticky-tack fouls, which than also lead to a lot of complaining why some ticky-tack fouls are called and others not. 

However, for the context, it has to be noted that Slovenia got called for 31 fouls and Germany for 24 fouls. Slovenia shot 25 FT and Germany shot 37. Luka shot 15 FT and Franz Wagner shot 14 FT. Luka has of course a much higher usage and much more drives compared to Franz. So it is not like there is a huge discrepancy between him and other players. I agree he got awarded a couple of very generous calls, but was also a target of a very quick whistle himself. He got four fouls already at start of the third quarter and at least two of those were very borderline foul or no call.

[KillerLeft]

So yesterday it was an interesting change of perspective for me watching Luka play my German national team - and I see and feel now what all the other fans are complaining about.

He‘s super frustrating to watch „against“ because of three things: he hits those incredible shots like his step back threes, he gets constant foul calls where he initiates and manipulates minimal contact and the refs bite on it - and he is still talking and complaining to the refs all the time. He made a money gesture in the third quarter - while already having one tech - and after the game told the refs they should feel ashamed of themselves. And that in a game where he got by far the most calls and a lot of very favorable ones.

I‘m really interested how that will play out in LA - he could become the biggest villain for all the other fans easily, kind of a super Harden.

He's a douchebag. I'll say it. 

Talented, yes. Amazing even, at times, as we all know. But he's getting harder and harder to like, imho, and now I don't have to try so hard to like him, which is a welcome change.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

So yesterday it was an interesting change of perspective for me watching Luka play my German national team - and I see and feel now what all the other fans are complaining about.

He‘s super frustrating to watch „against“ because of three things: he hits those incredible shots like his step back threes, he gets constant foul calls where he initiates and manipulates minimal contact and the refs bite on it - and he is still talking and complaining to the refs all the time. He made a money gesture in the third quarter - while already having one tech - and after the game told the refs they should feel ashamed of themselves. And that in a game where he got by far the most calls and a lot of very favorable ones.

I‘m really interested how that will play out in LA - he could become the biggest villain for all the other fans easily, kind of a super Harden.

Edited for overtly racist comments. This is a non-negotiable area we cannot get into. Two week ban. Perma-ban if this happens again.

-KL

[nash_funk]

Edited for overtly racist comments. This is a non-negotiable area we cannot get into. Two week ban. Perma-ban if this happens again.

-KL

Edited again for an obvious alias of poster #1 doubling down on overt racist comments. I guess this is what we're doing now. The need to ban people was going to pop up, eventually, I suppose.

-KL

[KillerLeft]

For anyone who didn't see the original post, there's nothing wrong with saying Joker and Luka are white - they are. Writing that their "likability is helped tremendously by them being white" is obviously different, very problematic, and crosses a line that we're not going to flirt with around here. I suspect it's not true for most of us, either (at least I hope not), but either way, just know that this will not be a game that's played in this space.

Because GOP logged into a different account to disingenuously defend his own post by distorting its intent, I'm going to go ahead and say that constitutes "this happening again" and update his ban to a permanent one. I'm sure he'll find a way to create more alias accounts and will be back around (that's what dudes like that do), but I hope this action demonstrates clearly how little tolerance we have for this type of rhetoric. Our country is divided enough - no need for that crap to seep into basketball, especially not our tight knit and valuable community. We all have opinions, but there is a minimum, basic decorum that should be observed in public.

[ThisIStheYear]

Of course Grimes is putting up 18 a game on 63% true shooting while making less money than Caleb, who’s barely playable. The Klay signing was a waste of time and net negative. Losing DJj has been a problem. And then of course the trade. Nico cooked this franchise the minute Dennis Lindsey left.

[Mavs2021]

Of course Grimes is putting up 18 a game on 63% true shooting while making less money than Caleb, who’s barely playable. The Klay signing was a waste of time and net negative.  Losing DJj has been a problem. And then of course the trade. Nico cooked this franchise the minute Dennis Lindsey left.

The craziest part is if that moron just kept Grimes and insisted on Reaves, he´d probably look like a genius with

Reaves/Kyrie
Grimes/Christie
Flagg/Klay
AD/Washington
Lively/Gafford

despite still only getting 20c on the dollar for Luka at the time of the trade.

[mvossman]

The craziest part is if that moron just kept Grimes and insisted on Reaves, he´d probably look like a genius with

Reaves/Kyrie
Grimes/Christie
Flagg/Klay
AD/Washington
Lively/Gafford

despite still only getting 20c on the dollar for Luka at the time of the trade.

Kind of crazy how much better that team would have been.  But it would not have lasted as both those guys want to get paid.

On the other hand, maybe you pay those guys, don't sign Kyrie and trade AD for younger players (and picks).

[Kidnova]

The craziest part is if that moron just kept Grimes and insisted on Reaves, he´d probably look like a genius with

Reaves/Kyrie
Grimes/Christie
Flagg/Klay
AD/Washington
Lively/Gafford

despite still only getting 20c on the dollar for Luka at the time of the trade.

Except if they had Reaves and Grimes they probably wouldn't have Flagg.

[ThisIStheYear]

Should have traded Davis while they had the chance. His Achilles issues will kill his value and turn his contract into an albatross around the neck of Cooper Flagg and this franchise’s future.

[ThisIStheYear]

OMG. This news about AD’s Achilles injury gets worse and worse. Apparently, he was diagnosed with a related issue prior to the game. A competent medical staff would have held him out, but we know the Mavs medical team that Nico has brought in is incompetent. If AD has an injury as a result such that his contract becomes untradable, it will destroy whatever is left of this God forsaken franchise.

[meistermatze]

OMG. This news about AD’s Achilles injury gets worse and worse. Apparently, he was diagnosed with a related issue prior to the game. A competent medical staff would have held him out, but we know the Mavs medical team that Nico has brought in is incompetent. If AD has an injury as a result such that his contract becomes untradable, it will destroy whatever is left of this God forsaken franchise.

What's your source and what exactly are they saying?

[mvossman]

Except if they had Reaves and Grimes they probably wouldn't have Flagg.

Yep. Thank god for Nico incompetence!

[ThisIStheYear]

An easy 44 and 12 for Luka tonight in an off game. It must be a nightmare for Nico. I’m sure he knows by now he’s a complete GM moron. I wonder what it’s like to realize that you completely, hopelessly suck at your job?

[Chicagojk]

I just cant watch.   I have seen highlights and checked the box score, but man the next so many years are going to be rough.

[WildArkieBoy]

I just cant watch.   I have seen highlights and checked the box score, but man the next so many years are going to be rough.

Well, at least the profound sadness Luka felt post-trade has dissipated.  He now seems genuinely happy to be in L.A.

wab

[ThisIStheYear]

Nico tried to isolate Luka. Got rid of the training staff he liked. Prevented collaboration between the Mav’s and Luka’s training teams. He wanted to teach Luka a lesson because as a shoe salesman, of course he knows more than an iconic international superstar basketball player. The Lakers embrace Luka and his team, and the organization understands what it’s like to have an iconic, face of the league type player. The Mavs don’t. It’s night and day for Luka.

[omahen]

Nico tried to isolate Luka.  Got rid of the training staff he liked. Prevented collaboration between the Mav’s and Luka’s training teams.  He wanted to teach Luka a lesson because as a shoe salesman, of course he knows more than an iconic international superstar basketball player. The Lakers embrace Luka and his team, and the organization understands what it’s like to have an iconic, face of the league type player. The Mavs don’t. It’s night and day for Luka.

Most interesting thing for me will be how they will handle the LeBron situation. On one hand he is still one of the faces of the league and biggest cash machine (jersey sales, publicity,...). Also top 2 player all time who still performs. On the other hand they have made it clear Luka is the face of the franchise and awesome start of the season for Reaves is making him a number two guy as he will likely be Lukas running mate for next years, unless he prefers to choose the Brunson path as some teams might see him as possible number one guy. So far it seems there is a really strong interest between Lakers and Reaves to be married long-term. 

Lakers have the flexibility to build a team with or without LeBron moving forward. Their biggest problem is that they have a bunch of expiring deals this season (Rui, Kleber, Vincent), but only limited draft assets. Next season they could trade 3 FRP, but tradeable contracts will be mostly gone. Rui is a very solid player, but Kleber and Vincent bring close to nothing. Vando has some good games, but he is so limited on offense, that he can't be in serious play-off rotation. Knecht has been showing signs of life in last three games. Lakers need another good athletic defender who is not a complete zero on offense and they can become a very serious team. Can some variation of Maxi/Vincent/Knecht and a FRP bring them that guy?

Ayton and Smart have performed really well so far and it will be a problem for Lakers if they don't pick up their PO next summer, as they will not have their bird rights. Ayton has been mostly good, definitely an upgrade at center. He has a low motor and looks somewhat clumsy at times, but he has a very soft shooting touch and moves around the basket. He can also play very solidly against strong centers. He outplayed Sabonis and Gobert twice. He has more problems against smaller and faster centers. Luka never played with a level of defender Smart is. His problem is availability as he missed half of games so far. But when he does play, he has a big impact on winning. LaRavia also played well so far.

[burekemde]

The worst thing about this trade is that Mavs (I believe) had a good chance to win the championship last season. We will never find out. I remember the amazing run prior to Lukas injury where they were the best in the league, everything seemed to come together. They lost then a game to Thunder, but it was really close. Luka eventually came back from the injury and would have led an improved Mavs team to the playoffs. It would have been either Mavs or Thunder. I think the way Mavs won the Thunder year prior, that this still was a PTSD in Thunders mind, I think it would have been difficult although they improved as well. Year before that he (Luka) had less to work with and made it to the Finals. Kyrie would not have become injured. Kyrie became injured due to the higher load he took as Luka was traded. This was very easy prediction and I wrote about it right after the trade. Kyrie could play more freely as Lukas was taking the lead load. Same way as we see with Reaves now. Players just seem to improve playing along with Luka. Look at Kyrie, Reaves, look at Lively and Gafford, Hardaway etc. etc. etc.

But most importantly. Look at the team Mavs were prior to Luka arrival. Not even close to a playoff team. Then suddenly Luka drafted, perennial playoff team, contender. Every season. Magic in the air. What Luka brings is toughness, consistency and leadership. And magic. And perhaps the most overseen thing, he brings winning mentality like nobody else in the NBA. Fear in the opponents, and coaches that dont sleep well prior to game against a Luka team. And we have none of that after this trade. Mavs have been terrible after Lukas trade. Last season, and so this season as well. Every team that did not draft Luka has regretted it as the worst decision ever made. GMs and coaches fired. The GM and coaches that allowed Luka to be traded will face similar fate. Perhaps even owner. There is no way you dont draft Luka, or trade Luka, and you keep your job. There is no way Luka would every allow something like that. Its such a incomprehensible trade. Most people still dont and will never understand this decision, whether experts or regular fans. Insensible decisions such as this one usually almost always come from some personal bias and controversy, or pure madness. It can also come by very weak understanding of the job that you do, if you are working in a field you have no understanding and education in. For instance if one worked as a doctor and surgeon but you had no medical education, you could make some insane mistakes with huge consequences. Im sure you guys can make better analogies. But this is quiet a mistake and there is no expert in the NBA that would have made this trade besides the current owner and GM of Mavs. It left everyone in shock.