02-13-2025, 10:26 PM
(02-13-2025, 10:08 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Yes, he is dealing with a lot at the moment, but he is always dealing with a lot, and a higher and higher percentage of what he’s dealing with seems to be self-inflicted as we move through his career.
Yes, all players have flaws, even superstars, but very few of them have the flaw of not understanding what a professional athlete is supposed to do during the off-season to keep his body in shape. Embiid and Jokić come to mind, as does Shaq, but the vast majority of players who don’t understand this never become superstars in the first place. I could make an argument that Hedo Türkoğlu could’ve been a star for a long time had he not had habits similar to Luka’s. Are we sure Luca’s next few years are gonna go the way you think? I hope they do because I am a fan of his, but I also understand someone thinking they might not. In the worst case scenario I could see his career simply fizzling out, much like Hedo’s.
Actually, I can and will accuse Luka of not delivering, because for two or three off-seasons in a row he has not delivered himself ready to play when training camp starts. This has had a noticeable effect on how he has started seasons, and lately it has affected how he has ended seasons. I do not care about the numbers he put up in the playoffs last season - he was BAD. And Maverick fans are more aware of that than anyone, because he didn’t look like himself. He was hurt, yes, and full respect to him for playing through it, but these accumulating injuries seem more effect than cause to me.
The thing you are not mentioning is the ridiculous way he interacts with the referees, even when his team needs him to play through what he perceives to be an unfriendly whistle. At best, it is shockingly immature, and at worst it’s indicative of an entitled, selfish asshole. We have danced around that around here for far too long. To this point, Luka has just not been a very good leader or role model for his team, which is a problem when you’re building around him. In fact, while it is only my opinion, I would go so far as to say he’s not very likable.
And again, no one has really turned on him. The same people who were saying this stuff before the trade are still saying it now, that’s all. I do not understand why it is bothering you so much. We are here to offer our differing opinions on these topics. It is the entire reason this community exists, for discussion.
For you to say he was bad in the playoffs tells me all I need to know. He was bad on defense against the Celtics, but he was one of the only players who was doing anything on offensive end. He also played outstandingly against the timberwolves
It won’t be until when the Mavs struggle to find and get another generational talent that you’ll see just how nitpicky you and others are being about a 25 year old superstar.
Done with you and done with this largely negative board.