Sounds like I’m trying to be controversial, but I’m really not. Nor a Luka hater (I’m a fan). I’m just thinking out loud here …
It’s just that watching the first two games of the finals, I can’t shake the feeling that the Celtics make him look small. Not physically, but in terms of the power he has over the game, even though he’s probably the best or top 2 of the players on the court.
It just feels like being 1 way and ball heavy is too often just too much of a weakness, especially while watching Brown, Jrue and Porzingis (and even Tatum managing his slump) be impactful all over the court in ways that connect together as a team.
Meanwhile Luka is too often getting frustrated with his shot not going down or not getting the call he wanted and clearly wanting to wait for the next offensive possession to have another go at his favourite moves (though being frustrated with his team makes sense, but TBF he’s had some frustrating turn overs too).
Like, it feels like this finals could be the beginning of a story about Luka being this mercurial and prodigious offensive player that never wanted to (or could) take care of his weaknesses enough to get a ring.
I’m not calling it or anything … it’s just what I’m coming away from the first two games with … in part because while the Celtics (especially with Porzingis in) are the better team I don’t think they’ve played well and have still made it look clearly one-sided while it doesn’t feel like Luka is a miraculous hero who just needs some help.
He had a 32 point triple double (not 42). And that was on 4-from-9 threes too.
And all of those rebounds are easily exaggerated IMO … all defensive and not a single offensive rebound, and from my memory of the game, mostly gimme rebounds from just being tall enough. Jrue by comparison had the same amount of rebounds (11) but 4 offensive.
And I point out the 32 versus 42, because it feels, as insane as it sounds, that if he were getting 42, then yea, he just needs help, but with only (I know) 32, maybe he’s gotta work on his weaknesses. Of course, he’s clearly got some injury trouble and the series isn’t over at all (though I’m thinking Celtics are clearly the better team and that a sweep is at about a 40% chance right now).
Ah, you’re right. I swapped the stat pts and mins columns in my brain.
Oh all good, I meant nothing personal with the correction! Only reason I picked it up was because I had this thought during the game and noticed his stats then.