06-20-2021, 02:34 PM
(06-20-2021, 02:18 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: Luka apparently did have issues with RC and also mocked RC as to whether RC or Bob was in charge. Whether we agree with everything RC did or not, he was a championship coach who was widely respected for his basketball mind. If that was not good enough for a 22 year old, which coach will be?
Even if you put everything else aside as heresy , Luka came out of shape. There is no debate on that. He also put very little effort on defense. He seemed to get better a little bit over the season, but part of his 4th quarter struggles in the playoffs probably had a lot to do with his fitness. Let us not forget that a 22 year old came out of shape.
So to me it is irrelevant what Luka was in Europe or not. Things change and going from the possibility of being the next great star before he got to the NBA to actually realizing that and getting widespread acclaim, are two different things. He is a great talent but there are definite signs of immaturity there that he has to address. We don’t need to go and check his past when that evidence is right there in front of us. I said the same thing about KP when the Mavs got him and everyone here was saying how the Knicks were a dumpster fire and that’s why KP wanted out of there. I said then that whatever the past evidence with the Knicks were, they did go out of their way to placate KP and the way he treated them was not correct. We saw KP’s pouting this year. I see similar signs with Luka. He needs to change.
The out of shape thing. Widely overblown imho. Firstly Luka also came in with widely improved skills (mid range for example), so noone can say he didn't work during offseason. Secondly it was the first time it happened and there were objective explanations given. Luka also never said it was ok.
The overpublicized Bob comment to Rick. Reports say Luka didn't respect Bob. Reporters say Carlisle obliged to Bob (sometimes? Many times?) because he thought Bob has power - Carlisle doing something he didn't believe in to oblige Bob. So was Luka comment not correct? Carlisle would lose my respect if he was doing strange decisions just to appease a guy named Bob. Championship winning coach should never demote himself to listen to a guy named Bob. If the reports are correct.
As for the maturity - Luka is a 22 year old kid, I said that. Why are you expecting a 22 year old to be most mature person? He will get there, he will grow up. Until then you have to help him with wise man around him.