(12-15-2022, 03:02 PM)omahen Wrote: For sure and if Mavs don't make top 6, Luka won't be MVP. But look what Luka has to operate with. Who is the best player Mavs were able to add next to him in 5 years? Would he even start at any of other contenders? I am not saying Luka can't improve or shouldn't improve, but speaking about his flaws is just taking the focus from the one and only problem Mavs have. Inability to build a team. If they would be able to do that, they might even add some players who Luka would listen to. Dragic, for example would be a very cheap option.
Tatum has Brown, White, Horford, Williams, Smart. Brogdon, who would be second best player on Mavs, is coming of the bench for them. Put Luka on that team instead of Tatum and you have a dynasty imho (I sort of don't like Tatum very much ).
Giannis has JRue and Middleton, both stars. Nothing close to this level of players at Dallas.
Jokic has Murray, Gordon, Porter Jr. Sure, he is out of this world good and he dragged the injured Denver to playoffs last season. But I would not claim that team was worse than Mavs are this season.
I absolutely agree with all this. My only real point I'm trying to make is this team can be better if Luke becomes smarter and better emotionally on the court. This roster sucks, the owner sucks, the coach is having a bad year to say the least, and the gm doesn't have any experience. They won't be title contenders with this roster no matter what Luka does. I just think it's a room for improvement type of thing for Luka.
I don't think a player should be able to reap all the rewards of being considered a generation great, phenom, future hall of famer, etc without the responsibilities that come with that. Look at all the crap LeBron takes and he's considered by most to be a top 2 player of all time.