(03-06-2025, 08:17 AM)david75090 Wrote: I've been a Mavs fan since '80. Nothing has been more of a gut-punch than this trade, in all that time. I've wavered since the '06 finals when I came to the realization that the NBA is manipulated. Not as bad as championship wrestling, but something is going on. I try to give the league as little of my money as I can. Much like MLB after they canceled the World Series that year. If a league doesn't care about their fans, Eff 'em. I'll continue to watch, just not as much.

(03-07-2025, 11:21 AM)mavsmagic Wrote: From a new interview with Quentin Grimes. Yikes. One could argue that Grimes is just saying this because he’s upset about having also been traded, but not a good look for the Mavs. Will be interesting to see what info leaks out in the offseason and once more people start leaving the organization.

“ “It’s crazy what’s going on, so it’s a blessing in disguise that I got moved,” Grimes said. “But I feel for them for sure. We had a tight-knit group over there this season. We had a good chance of winning it all. But that’s the NBA and dudes get moved all the time.”
Grimes took issue with the way Dončić has been portrayed on his way out the door from Dallas. Grimes dismissed the team’s concerns about Dončić’s conditioning and work habits, saying his former teammate was always in the gym whenever he would show up for his late-night shooting sessions or practice-day weightlifting.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6182741/2025/03/07/quentin-grimes-fresh-start-76ers-highlights/?source=emp_shared_article

(03-08-2025, 09:19 PM)bubbler86 Wrote: Have not watched luka much since the trade...feels uncomfortable...but he looks out of sort right now.  I know he had some decent game leading into tonight.  Bron is threatening a first half triple double.

(03-08-2025, 10:21 PM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: He still doesn't look right. He can't get by people like he use to. He looks slow and lethargic and his gait running down the court isn't normal. Boston's defense is taking advantage of it just like last year.

(03-08-2025, 07:58 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: I am going to delete this post.  I don't think it is right for me to share at this time. Sorry.

(03-09-2025, 07:52 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: Ok, let me try again without naming names.  This is probably fan fiction and not even second hand.

It was relayed to me that Dumont broached the subject with the agent of taking less than the super max this summer.  This was met with laughter.   He then did the same directly with Luka who also laughed and joked about what Dumont was worth.    This pissed Dumont off and told Nico that he would show him and to get rid of Luka.   Nico pushed back.   Then another demand was made to get rid of Luka.   Luka brought in Kidd who couldn't believe it.   Nico asked Kidd what he wants and Kidd says he needs an all star...someone like AD.    Said they all knew three weeks prior to the trade.  

Again, I would not take this as real.  I just found i interesting.

(03-09-2025, 09:35 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: Lakers have nothing to feel bad about...outside of Lebron's potential injury.  Even smaller injuries to older players are cause for concern.

Lakers had a terrible third quarter but made it a game late.  They certainly belonged on the court with a very good Boston team.

I only saw the third and fourth quarter.  A lot of talk about Luka being injured and he did look bothered.  I thought he looked the best I have seen him this year though.  I always judge him on his ability to change directions attacking the rim.  It looks like he is getting that back.   

So as long as the Lebron injury is not serious or something that lingers, they should be fine.  I did read they have a ton of games in a short time period due to makeups.

The playoff positioning is going to be really interesting.  I think most want to stay away from OKC early.    Teams will be leary of a heathly Golden State.  I think everyone is going to target Houston and Memphis for a first round matchup.  For the Lakers,  a potential run of GS, Denver and OKC is probably their worst case run.

(03-09-2025, 08:33 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: Yeah that reads like total fan fiction. Not sure I can buy that given AD is going to be making exactly what Luka would’ve made next season had he gotten his supermax deal.

That’s why the “owners won’t pay the supermax” idea doesn’t make any sense. They just really didn’t believe in Luka.

(03-09-2025, 10:04 AM)bubbler86 Wrote: They showed Luka on the bench with his head down, in pain.  He gutted it out, but something is up.  I think that without Lebron, the Lakers would be trouble (if he was hurt).

(03-09-2025, 11:07 AM)omahen Wrote: Not next season even. Luka has one more year on his current deal before his player option. So AD will be almost 10 mil more expensive next season.

(03-09-2025, 11:56 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: Right but they’d essentially have matching money the year Luka’s supermax extension would kick in. Thus making it a wash and zero reason why the owner would trade Luka away for money reasons.

The Mavs FO just seriously didn’t believe in Luka.

(03-09-2025, 05:51 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: @TheSteinLine
The Suns’ Devin Booker on how different it felt to play the Mavericks in Dallas without Luka Dončić: “You can feel it. You can feel it when you land.”