02-16-2025, 01:05 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-16-2025, 02:08 PM by hakeemfaan.)
So much criticism on this thread to show how fair and neutral we are. Yet this guy led us to the Finals a year ago. Are we forgetting Kyries struggles, the lack of any stretch offense from our centers, or that we shot a horrible percentage on open 3s in that Finals? Is that all Luka’s fault? Reading some of the posts here Luka must have the most natural talent in the history of the league by a wide margin that he was continuously able to be so productive while he was running around at 270 lbs.
Give me a break. Did he have his faults and could he have been in better shape? Absolutely. At the same time does a fat, slow out of shape guy, with a high usage rate dominate teams in the playoffs when physicality is turned up several notches. No. Check some of his dribble drives and how fast he comes to a full stop on offense while driving. That takes a lot of leg strength, balance and stamina. Now try it over and over amd keep going at defenses relentlessly. Many on this thread are just not even coming close to understanding the level of effort this guy was giving on offense. No matter how much he looks like a dad playing at the YMCA, the defenders he had to go against were not YMCA guys. These are some of the most gifted and physical athletes who were trying to slow him down, many a times in packs, and yet he was the one wearing them out. Think about what it takes to do that and if someone really fat, slow and lazy will be able to.
Most of the criticism here is based on his style of play. I didn’t particularly enjoy it either. At the same time this team was not built on a motion offense. It was built on isos and picks. Luka didn’t have any problems with a 3 headed rotation of himself , Brunson and Dinwiddie taking turns. He didn’t have any problems the last playoffs with Kyrie taking over complete stretches.
Even many here who acknowledge how great a player he is and are saying how they would not have traded him, are IMO still not understanding the talent AND effort it takes on the court to be that supremely productive.
Give me a break. Did he have his faults and could he have been in better shape? Absolutely. At the same time does a fat, slow out of shape guy, with a high usage rate dominate teams in the playoffs when physicality is turned up several notches. No. Check some of his dribble drives and how fast he comes to a full stop on offense while driving. That takes a lot of leg strength, balance and stamina. Now try it over and over amd keep going at defenses relentlessly. Many on this thread are just not even coming close to understanding the level of effort this guy was giving on offense. No matter how much he looks like a dad playing at the YMCA, the defenders he had to go against were not YMCA guys. These are some of the most gifted and physical athletes who were trying to slow him down, many a times in packs, and yet he was the one wearing them out. Think about what it takes to do that and if someone really fat, slow and lazy will be able to.
Most of the criticism here is based on his style of play. I didn’t particularly enjoy it either. At the same time this team was not built on a motion offense. It was built on isos and picks. Luka didn’t have any problems with a 3 headed rotation of himself , Brunson and Dinwiddie taking turns. He didn’t have any problems the last playoffs with Kyrie taking over complete stretches.
Even many here who acknowledge how great a player he is and are saying how they would not have traded him, are IMO still not understanding the talent AND effort it takes on the court to be that supremely productive.
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