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.
Luka is 25 in his first finals appearance, the series isn’t over they’re down 0-2 and he’s still the third favorite for finals mvp. He may complain a lot, but imo that’s because of his love and passion for the game. The mavs are not losing games because of Luka this series. Also, the Celtics not having a “good game yet” is also because of the mavs capabilities on defense too. I think the mavs are just having a difficult time making shots, and when the Celtics need to make them, they are able to. The mavs are a newish built team compared to the Celtics have mostly been together a while. You’re putting entirely too much weight on a 25 year old player in his first finals appearance imo. He’s also been dealing with injury most of the playoffs and I think that’s prevented him from completely taking over a quarter like he has previously in his playoff performances. I get what you’re saying but these are definitely to me just thoughts without much consideration of the circumstances at hand.
Oh I hear you … in a way I’m more speculating about a possible path his career could take than anything else.
That being said, the whole 25 yr old thing feels to me a double edged sword. It’s not like he’s naturally athletic and relies on that to get by, and it’s not like he hasn’t being playing at a high level for years … some people are just on different physical timelines and physical age isn’t everything. Sure, a more fit version of Luka may be ahead … but also maybe not … he’s been a professional athlete for basically a decade now.
I think he is but his greatness has depended on his youth and talent so far. He’s played a pivotal role in the last couple of playoffs at knocking out some big time contender teams.
That being said, he’s in shit shape. I think he plays Euroball when the NBA season ends so I think he’s just enjoying bad dietary foods. When he shows up to training camp in Kobe shape and starts taking care of his body I think he’ll get over the hump. I remember seeing a video of Dirk patting his belly playfully and poking fun but can’t seem to find it.
My man had a
42pt32 triple double in game 2. Luka is the guy. I just don’t know that Kidd is it for the coaching. I want to see an adjustment that frees up their lob game and corner 3s.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.
If anything, this series is confirmation of Luka as a player with zero help, Jason Kidd as the coach we all remember, and also the end of discussing Kyrie Irving (mid 30s now) as a guy who can lead you to a championship.
I agree that Luka needs more help and he has been the best player for the Mavs. Kyrie can’t lead any team to a championship and he never could but he has been playing incredible basketball during the regular season. I think Boston, the fans, the environment really just got to him.
Even when everyone in the Mavs play well, they will have have a hard time winning a 7 game series against Boston. Mavs defense is not great. Luka and Kyrie don’t play good defense, while everyone in the Boston line up, Tatum, Jrue, and Brown can play solid on both ends of the court. Luka is great offensively but not enough to make up for his sub defense. As for Kyrie, Brown is playing better than him all around.
As for Kidd, he isn’t a better coach than Mazzulla but he also doesn’t have the players to beat out the depth of the Boston team. This Boston team is so deep. Brad Stevens has been doing an incredible job assembling this team.
Not so sure about that after game 3. His entitled petulance defensive liability were too much I think. If anything, that he’s not quite ready (yet) was confirmed.
What’s weird though is that he’s had a prodigious career, so it was plausible that he didn’t need to go through this at his age. But here we are.
