11-08-2021, 03:53 PM
(11-08-2021, 03:37 PM)Kammrath Wrote: 3) Most of all you and I just do not see eye to eye on Luka's body and conditioning. I think he is in the second worst shape of his life (next only to the beginning of last season). I think he is moving as poor as he has in his career. I think he is carrying as much fat as he ever has. I just don't understand how you think he is in good shape. But alas, that is a subjective thing largely so we will just have to disagree.
It's good to discuss this, Lukas physical state. There are no stats we can involve here unfortuntely. But just my view, he looks to me bigger and stronger, not more fat. He never grasps for air, like he always alwayss always alway did in beginning of seasons. We saw him not being able to physically run back to defense many times in the past. As seasons progressed earlier, he came in better conditioning and this grasping for air stopped or decreased. He doesnt do that any more this season. To me this is quiet a strong indication that his conditioning is better this season. He also looks bigger and stronger, he has put more weight on.
But there are more aspects to physical shape than conditioning. This bigger, stronger, more fit Luka, might be in fact slower in acceleration on his path to the paint. This is something that got me worried at times, but so far, the only times he did not get past the defenders, is when the paint was clogged by another defender doubling Luka and he slowed down. In true single matchups he does convert those this season as good as last season. To me it indicates that he didn't lost a step.
It might be correlated that when our other players in Luka's lineups started making open shots, even at average rate, as in Celtics game, that he himself also scored more points.
But I don't know, its great to discuss the different opinions. I may be wrong.