Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[hakeemfaan]

For me, this isn't revisionist history or buying the FO narrative.

I had a rant on this very forum about how "I cannot stand Luka Doncic" just last year.  He is the biggest crybaby in the entire NBA.  Doing dollar signs at the refs when he has a bad game is unacceptable.  I don't think he is a bad human being.  He just behaves like an impulsive teenager.

I dont think he's been criticized enough because he's this adorable European kid.  I brought up several times the criticism James Harden faced.  Harden's behavior was never this bad. 

TBH, I'm surprised at the number of 40-60yr old fans who were in love with him.  I always assumed it was the younger generation and European fans that idolized him.

It is absolutely revisionist history and giving the FO a pass for one of the worst trades of all times and then doubling down slandering the guy. 

Did Harden have a performance like Luka in a game 7 on the road against a higher seed where he scored more in the first quarter than the entire other team?  Two of his teammates on the floor were Ntilkina and Bertrans. Think about that. 

Did Harden on the road in a game 6 come out and deliver a haymaker as Luka did against Minny?  

He was criticized but give his dues as well. If the Boston series is brought up, then Boston had to go through their growing pains as well. Kyrie for all his experience don’t have a good series either. Plus the team shot horribly on open shots. Maybe a Klay or a back up center who can stretch the floor makes the difference 

The Harden comparisons are lazy. Yes there are certain things Luka did that were infuriatingly similar but IMO KD, Jokic and Luka are the only guys who who can get to any spot on the floor. Harden didn’t have a solid mid range game or the ability to bully folks down low.   Kenny Smith brought up the same point. The production and ability to produce deep in the playoffs is why despite other criticisms folks are calling him a generational player. 

You can separate out your personal displeasure with certain aspects of Luka’s behavior and game and still acknowledge he was a fantastic productive player here and that management still screwed up the pooch in more ways than one in how this trade was executed.