GAME 4 DIRKIE: KYRIE!

[KillerLeft]

I agree with your points in general, but is Luka's history typical of a Euro player?

No, his history isn't typical of ANY player, which is where this argument comes from, of course. Some are content to marvel at his gifts, which at this point, have placed him squarely in the top 5 of the best league in the world, but haven't resulted in team success (roster building and coaching are also part of that, but it's naive to think Luka's shortcomings aren't in the mix there, too). Others see his rare, generational talent and want him to become LITERALLY the best player in the world, if not OF ALL TIME. It's the classic "glass half full or half empty" question, only regardless of where the consensus here lands, only one person's agenda matters, and that's Luka, himself. 

I think Kobe Bryant is one of the more overrated players of my lifetime, but his desire and will to be the best was NOT overrated. This is a man who decided not to attend college because he was afraid he'd miss out on the opportunity to compete against Michael Jordan - to see if he could be better than the greatest of all time. I think it's pretty likely that this way of thinking is a big part of what led him to become as great as he was. Luka has it on the floor, for sure. Imagine if he had it on off-nights? Over the summer? At 6 AM, when only the biggest sickos are training? Dirk had that too, by the end. 

It's selfish, I know. It's his life, not mine (or ours). But, I just can't help it. I want him to be the best, and that's because I love watching him play for my team so much.