1. "I see what Nico was thinking, but trading for AD was dumb. " In response to Reply # 0
>Technically the Lakers won the trade. >Is he supposed to start learning how playing defense this >offseason? > >I can't wait to see Luka & Redick with no Bron. Can't wait. >I don't know if Bron is out, I'm just saying it should be fun >if he is.
he was right though , there's NO way you can justify a 350 million supermax for a guy whos photographed every summer in Slovenia smoking hookah and drinking beers / eating brats and then coming into the season tubby.
Dirk at least TRIED on defense...this guy is an absolute traffic cone. last night, he was directly responsible for 9 blow bys en route to a basket to an assist to another basket.
This is 2025, you cant be pudgy and effective (enough to win an NBA title). Even Jokic chagned up his build and isnt fat anymore , when hes in a suit hes actually svelte
Luka looks like the taller version of the guy who hands you shoes at the bowling alley
I cant believe him vs Tatum was ever a discussion on social media
------------------- I wanna go to where the martyrs went the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...
3. "The biggest problem with getting Luka is that we have little build with...." In response to Reply # 0
We have precious few asset and what we have isn't great.
AR looked like he could net something good, but this series may have tanked that value.
IMO our best bet is trading Bron, either for players and assets or to a team that functions as a third team to facilitate.
I'd see if he'd like to finish up in Cleveland with Mitchell and Mobley, and see if CLE would bite on JA and Garland, maybe sending AR out as well to seal it.
Basically Rob has to work his ass off to convince someone that a year or two of Bron will be worth quality players. I think any such scenario is a long shot, but that's probably the best path to rebuilding with Luka.
Obviously getting Luka is a huge win. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows because we're limited in our ability to build around him long term.
-Sig-
“Why didn’t you do this in your own god damn country?"
-All Stah's view on undocumented immigrants wanting to be treated like human beings.
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 87014 posts
Thu May-01-25 12:54 PM
4. "Luka made the Finals because Dallas had rim protection." In response to Reply # 0
Dallas took the time to make sure Luka was surrounded by defensive support. Whereas the Lakers didn’t have a single playable center because it was a midseason trade and they don’t have an abundance of assets and the Williams trade fell through.
If the Lakers can find a deal for a defensive-minded big to hold down the fort defensively, they will be *overjoyed* to have Luka. You just have to build around him.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 82407 posts
Thu May-01-25 05:38 PM
6. "Luka and Bron played 21 games together " In response to Reply # 0
get some bigs and they will be fine
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
Motherfuckers acting like last year wasn't a fluke, too.
"he just needs bigs!" LMFAO
Dude isn't getting any younger, skinnier, or motivated.
There's a huge difference between not being a good defender and just not even bothering. Doesn't even bother on defense. Doesn't take care of himself. Spends a lot of energy complaining/crying to the refs. There is a pattern here and it isn't "lack of rim protection"
It isn't just white boys, though. The league was desperate for a great white hope too.
9. "Without front-line size, vertical mobility and rim protection" In response to Reply # 0
Luka's defensive flaws are compounded upon and it's glaringly ugly (as it was in this series) - because when he gets blown by off the dribble (which happens multiple times every game) - there's really nobody there to help who can make a difference at the rim.
The Wolves were actually one of the worst matchups for the Lakers because of their size/length and athleticism on the wings - particularly when the Lakers are only fielding essentially a 5/6 man rotation of guys all under 6'9. Lakers couldn't secure a defensive rebound to save their life.
Lakers didn't go all in for this season - and the front office mentality was just to use the rest of the season as a ramp-up for next season with no serious expectations of contending (if they thought otherwise I think the Mark Williams trade goes through simply because you had to get at least *some* size/rim protection and rebounding).
As for Bron, he'll be back. He's still one of the game's elite - even going into year 23. He was actually the Lakers best two-way player in this series, and played elite defense for as long as he could, but he gassed out (as did all of the other Lakers) in the essentially every 4th quarter.
Lakers have to get competent size/rebounding and wing defense/athleticism. Even if it means dealing AR. -->
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