MavsBoard

(12-17-2021, 05:03 PM)michaeltex Wrote: [ -> ]Luka's been rehabbing his ankle/knee for over a week now. 

Has anyone even seen him? IDK if any board members make it over to the team facility (ML's rumored ID not withstanding) but I was wondering if they were getting him some pool time or bike time to burn off a few pounds and keep his conditioning up. Anyone making sure he's not having beers and Kolaches for breakfast everyday? Are they keeping him out of the reporters hot dog room at the arena?

In respect to your comments, there was an article in the last few days on how teams approach dealing with players who show up out of shape. 


A brief summary --

Get on the same page. A player could be meeting his weight target, but his percentage of body fat could still be too high, or management may think his weight target should be lowered. Or some players exceed their weight targets, but if the team can't show an adverse effect on performance, some executives won't make an issue of it. The point is, mixed messages from management/coaches and the training staff can be very upsetting to players. 

Why is the player out of shape? Is he hurt? Fatigued? Depressed? Lazy? Dealing with personal issues? The reason should provide clues as to the desired action.

Who talks to the player? A longstanding proven veteran, particularly one who has dealt with the problem, is often a good choice. If such a person isn't available, a member of the coaching staff might do it. If there is a concern about ratcheting up the tension between the player and the coach, maybe the training staff does the sit-down. If necessary, the GM and/or team president might get involved. Basically, whoever has enough gravitas to convince the player it's serious, and enough people skills/relationship status not to leave the player hurt and angry. 

How does the team help the player? There are a number of options. 

Incentives. Particularly for younger players, incentives to hit or maintain certain conditioning goals may be included in their contracts. Many teams conduct voluntary offseason training/conditioning programs and pay bonuses to players for completing them. 

Nutrition. Some teams will provide a nutritionist or chef to assist the player in maintaining a healthy diet, or encourage the player to hire such personnel himself. Some teams will prepare healthy take-out meals for the player to take home. 

Mental health assistance. Some out-of-shape players are struggling with depression, for example. The team can assist the player with resources to alleviate the problem. 

Misconceptions. Fans tend to think there are no justifiable reasons for a player to be out of shape, and assume that the only cause must be that the player is not trying. In reality, they would probably be surprised to find out how hard both the player and the team are trying in such situations. 

Weight problems are just hard. Some guys are genetically predisposed to carrying extra weight. Some are hurt. Some are depressed. Someone may have a deep-seated psychological problem related to weight. Think how hard it is for the average person to lose even a few pounds. The fact that athletes are paid well doesn't make it any easier for them to refrain from eating much of anything they like than for anyone else. 

Ultimately, it has to be on the player. Having said all of the above, other people can only do so much. At the end of the day, the player has to take responsibility for making it happen. 

https://hoopshype.com/lists/how-nba-exec...t-players/


In regard to your question about Luka sitting around beer and kolaches, if Luka insists on doing that, I don't think there is anything the team can do to stop him. But I don't think we have any reports that he is taking that attitude.

I am sure this has been discussed, but I think Luka's summer could also be the main reason for his slow-ish start.   Not coming into peak shape and the lingering injuries play a part as well.  But I think some of that ties to the summer as well.  

Last NBA season and the Clipper playoff series was draining for everyone...especially Luka.  It was only one playoff series but that was a tough series.   Right after that, Luka goes to play for his country.   Even though the playoffs were draining, playing for his country was probably multiple times harder for Luka.  He said numerous times that winning gold for his country was a goal since he was a kid.  They had a magic run and I am sure this was fun for him, but he probably didn't get hit with exhaustion until it was over.  To get so close and have the world watching only to lose your final two games in heartbreaking fashion and not leave with a medal has to be exhausting.  I am sure that whole process takes a lot of wind out of your sails.  You are incredibly proud of everything but there needs to be a part of you that thinks, I laid my heart out on the court for a month or two and at the end we don't even earn a medal.  

After all that, I am sure it is tough to come into camp ready to go.   I could see how things would snowball a little.   Not an excuse either.  I think we all hope that Luka gains wisdom of maxing out his career as he gets older.

I really hope this break has allowed him to recharge a little   Hopefully he hasn't had symptoms either and has been able to try to get his body right.

I am writing this post as a response to post above but also as a random comment about international competitions (Eurobasket/Olympics, WC).

Its gonna be long, but bare with me. First I would like to state chicagojk is probably right in his assessment that long summer did more bad than good for Dončič. I agree here. Initially I tought it will do him good, since one summer earlier, there were no summer competitions, but kid still came in even more out of shape than this year. Turns out it didnt, and he still manged to get porky, despite having only 3 weeks off. This said, I can only conclude, he is immature kid, who does/eats what he wants and thinks he can get away with it. I dont blame him, since I was the same at 22 (I mean at that stage you think you are immortal, lets be honest). And hes good enough to get away with it.
Here lies the problem...hes good enough...In my opinion in a few years, when he is 24, 25, 26 light bulb will eventually light up, that if he really wants to be one of the best he will have to sort himself out. There will be one summer when he eventually puts everything together, and comes in ready to take it all. We see this every season in a few players, when they put it all together, and come out ready to take what belongs to them. I am a big believer, this will happen eventually and I am really looking forward to that season. I just dont know when it will come. It depends on Luka, and what is in his head.

At this point we return back to this summer and a tale of two players. One is Jokič, and the other is Dončič. Jokič took summer off, decided to not play for Serbia. Also put a lot of work in in the previous summer. Results are there for all to see I think. Won MVP last season, and is more than amazing in current one. But he is also 4 years older. Was referred to as fat/below his potential before etc... I think you all can see where this is going. I find them similar players with similar trajectory. That is why I expect Luka to "explode" in a similar manner in the next 2,3 years.

Now, all this said, we arrive at the point I really wanted to make when I started on this post. So if this is too long, please at least read this last part.
Its basically about perception/fandom in Europe, which I feel many Americans dont get. Dont wanna sound, like some entitled Euro just bare with me.

See in Europe national team is about tribe, pride etc. Its hard to get in this kinde of mode if you have population of 300 mil, and are expected to win anywhere you show up. While for example missing Dončič or Jokič can be the difference between winning it all or maybe not even making it trough qualifiers. Here is where it gets complicated. See, Dončič came, got us to Olympics and almost got us a medal. Jokič on the other hand didnt show up, Serbia didnt make Olympics.
Boys, if I could past you the comments of hate that Jokič gets on Serbian sites. Its along the ways "oh you got TD for Denver, but could not show up when it mattered", "all about the money", "more interested in horses than Serbia" etc. Its very real. While just months before they were watching and celebrating every damn play he made. Dončič on the other hand is almost a national hero at this point. But the ugly truth is he would get the same treatment if he would choose to snub the national team. We had a guy like this in the 2000s in Beno Udrih (role player for Spurs). Never showed up for NT. Made him basically persona non grata in Slovenia. Exaggerating, but only a little bit. It still goes on to his day. He is retired, but gets brought up in conversations as traitor etc.. And this are the questions that arise before every major national team competition. To keep it short it boils down to: " are you gonna show up for your country or will you chose the money?". You dont have to show up, for every single one. Fans are not stupid, they get that players are paid by clubs. They understand if a good player is trying to improve his career odds by taking one, or two off. But take one too may, or at the time we need you the most and the hate gets very real, very quick.

Hope some other Euro posters can back me on this. I can speak for Balkans, but I am pretty sure its the same in France, Spain, etc... too.

Here is the bad news. Next summer there is an Eurobasket. Dončič promised he will come. I was shocked, and will believe it when it happens. It made sense to go for Olympics. It was our first. Eurobasket is not that big of a deal, but we are the defending champions. It would be quite possible, that he chooses to take the summer off. He has so much credit already, that honestly, you couldnt blame a guy. On the other hand if he shows up (like he promised), his status as the one is cemented, and he will be free to take one or two NT competitions (summers) off in the future. And on this point I return to my theory stated above. I expect him to take over in either 23/24 or 24/25 season.

Wrote a damn book. Hope someone reads it.

Thanks for the perspective, @"bodhisattva"!

Does anyone have any updates on Luka's ankle / covid protocols situation?

(12-29-2021, 08:29 PM)bodhisattva Wrote: [ -> ]Wrote a damn book. Hope someone reads it.

Keep writing those books.  If it's germane to basketball and/or to our team most of us will read it.  And yes...it is an interesting perspective.

(12-29-2021, 08:29 PM)bodhisattva Wrote: [ -> ]At this point we return back to this summer and a tale of two players. One is Jokič, and the other is Dončič.

I think you are spot on with everything. This is also what sets Doncic apart from Jokic. It's Luka's mentality to win, and his heart for the game. Skill-wise they may be on similar level. This mentality has gotten Luka into trouble this offseason, with no rest and has impacted his season so far, although its been greatly exaggarated by many. But this is exactly the mentality needed to win championships. Luka will do that little extra needed to win and doesn't back down from challenges. The schedule has been way to hard for Luka and combined with his ankle injure made him limp and preventing training. He could have chosen to get more rest, but he is a winner and cant resist that challenge. This is exactly the reason why he will win in future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDQkFcrEpq4

This video came up on my suggestions and decided I'd watch maybe 10 minutes. 10 minutes came and went and I only realized how much time flew when the video ended.

Never take Luka for granted! Dudes a magician and I can't wait to see him back.

(12-31-2021, 12:16 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDQkFcrEpq4

This video came up on my suggestions and decided I'd watch maybe 10 minutes. 10 minutes came and went and I only realized how much time flew when the video ended.

Never take Luka for granted! Dudes a magician and I can't wait to see him back.

10 minutes?  Way to much  ... for watching nonatletic questionable NBA ready kid in his rookie season as reported from most trustworthy sources...

Don't even try to watch his 21-22 highlights, now he's fat and slow and bad as reported from the same sources   ...

https://youtu.be/GnuZTiX6HGA

Yes, this season mavs are gem compared to 3 season ago...  high upgrade and huge rebuild happened... 

OK, it's nice to be a general after the battle ...

Hope it's not over yet.

HNY to all!

(12-31-2021, 01:48 PM)LukTheShadow Wrote: [ -> ]Don't even try to watch his 21-22 highlights, now he's fat and slow and bad as reported from the same sources   ...

Ha! Nice. You know, it's not actually the "same sources" that say that Luka showed up way out of shape and had somehow put on a lot of weight during this month break. 

And who says he's bad? 

I think the discussion about whether Luka will learn to take care of himself is about whether he'll be an all time great, or just a perennial allstar, fringe MVP candidate each year.

(12-31-2021, 02:02 PM)fifteenth Wrote: [ -> ]Ha! Nice. You know, it's not actually the "same sources" that say that Luka showed up way out of shape and had somehow put on a lot of weight during this month break. 

And who says he's bad? 

I think the discussion about whether Luka will learn to take care of himself is about whether he'll be an all time great, or just a perennial allstar, fringe MVP candidate each year.

He's back.

Picture of Luka in street clothes from today for those interested in tracking his body progress:

Good news!

With Luka's epic game last night and +36 On/Off he has moved from -10.8 On/Off for the season to -8.8. Only 5 more EPIC positive games and he will be in the black for the year!

Since the Nuggets thread got derailed, i am posting this here  



Luka kinda had a nightmare season up to this point. You could claim the season (re-) started for him with the OKC game. Wether he was out of shape or overplayed from the Olympics to start the season.


He played 21 games up to the OKC game. Tho 13 games (starting the season slow in each of the last 2 seasons), rolled his ankle. Missed 3 games, came back played 8 games on a gimpy ankle. His defense looked even more suspect than during the season start. Team decided to shut him down again. Not sure if you can even look at season numbers, when he played quite some games on an "injured" ankle. He didn't really re-injury his ankle (?), and yet they decided to shut him down again.

Recap: slow season start -> ankle injury -> playing games on a gimpy ankle -> out again with the same injury -> covid


The concept of playing yourself into BETTER shape/improving game condition/arriving to the season isn't working if you are out with injury/covid.



https://www.basketball-reference.com/pla...nced/2022/

While individual DefRtg isn't the best stat, its funny OKC/DEN games are on the top of the list this year. And DEN is 2nd in BPM despite not shooting well. Still convinced he is going to improve a lot over the next few months, unless the ankle is bothering him mid term/long term.

(01-05-2022, 12:18 PM)sefant Wrote: [ -> ]Still convinced he is going to improve a lot over the next few months, unless the ankle is bothering him mid term/long term.

Did I imagine it or did someone suggest he might be dealing with a sore ankle for quite awhile....?

(01-05-2022, 12:31 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]Did I imagine it or did someone suggest he might be dealing with a sore ankle for quite awhile....?

someone said "possibly all season"

(01-05-2022, 12:32 PM)fifteenth Wrote: [ -> ]someone said "possibly all season"

Who was that? Was it a connected person?

(01-05-2022, 12:45 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]Who was that? Was it a connected person?

I believe so, but can't remember. I'll see if I can track it down