08-02-2024, 07:53 PM
I feel like it's pretty important for the Mavs to have a better regular season than they've been having, even including this past year and '22, which were succesful years by just about any metric. I just feel like a top 4 seed is almost a must-be-attained goal this year if they're serious about making it another year to remember. They can't expect to keep getting to the conference finals without being the favorites or having home court in at least one series (imho).
Based on that, I assume Luka is going to play a lot, and I think it will be that way for the forseeable future, as it is with every team's star player. They might say things publicly about reducinig his work load, but the reality is that teams whose stars don't tough it out (Clippers, Philly, etc) don't usually succeed.
Just my opinion, though, and I sure wouldn't mind them taking as long as he needs at the beginning to get past whatever injury situation he took with him into the summer. I think the key to avoiding things like that in the future (or at least giving himself the best chance to avoid things like that) is to go in knowing the load that's required and to condition himself and his habits accordingly. If I had to choose one thing to hope for as a Mavs fan, that would be it.
Based on that, I assume Luka is going to play a lot, and I think it will be that way for the forseeable future, as it is with every team's star player. They might say things publicly about reducinig his work load, but the reality is that teams whose stars don't tough it out (Clippers, Philly, etc) don't usually succeed.
Just my opinion, though, and I sure wouldn't mind them taking as long as he needs at the beginning to get past whatever injury situation he took with him into the summer. I think the key to avoiding things like that in the future (or at least giving himself the best chance to avoid things like that) is to go in knowing the load that's required and to condition himself and his habits accordingly. If I had to choose one thing to hope for as a Mavs fan, that would be it.