Is Anthony Davis the best player ever being traded for a better player (Luka)?

[Drygon]

Obviously, AD is 31 years old and carries the reputation of being injury-prone. However, AD is consensus top 10 player in NBA (closer to 5th than 10th) and is a walking defensive system by himself.

I can't really think of a precedent where a fringe MVP-level player got shipped away in favour for the 2nd best player in the world.

[StrongLurk]

No clue, but Doncic is not better than Jokic, Giannis, or Shai.

Also, you can make a real argument that AD has simply been better than Luka has this year, not even factoring in all the missed time from Doncic.

[Neal Romer]

No clue, but Doncic is not better than Jokic, Giannis, or Shai.

Also, you can make a real argument that AD has simply been better than Luka has this year, not even factoring in all the missed time from Doncic.


In the playoffs he is. It's debatable with Jokic, it's not really debatable with anyone else in the league besides Lebron. Again, talking playoffs specifically.

[StrongLurk]

In the playoffs he is. It's debatable with Jokic, it's not really debatable with anyone else in the league besides Lebron. Again, talking playoffs specifically.

Nah, Jokic/Giannis have done more than Doncic in the playoffs. You are right about this in regards to Shai since he only has one playoff appearance in his prime so far, but I am confident Shai/OKC will dominate their way to the finals if healthy this year.

[Neal Romer]

Nah, Jokic/Giannis have done more than Doncic in the playoffs. You are right about this in regards to Shai since he only has one playoff appearance in his prime so far, but I am confident Shai/OKC will dominate their way to the finals if healthy this year.

Giannis has done more in the playoffs than Doncic? "Because rings?"

Ok, then Jrue Holiday and Middleton have done more in the playoffs than Doncic too.

[Phoenix]

Nah, Jokic/Giannis have done more than Doncic in the playoffs. You are right about this in regards to Shai since he only has one playoff appearance in his prime so far, but I am confident Shai/OKC will dominate their way to the finals if healthy this year.

Luka has been the most consistent playoff performer over the last 5 years( or between him and Jokic). I'd argue Giannis's 2021 title run was aided by injuries ( no I don't consider it an asterisk, but it warrants mention for a complete picture) and outside of that, he hasn't really been better in the playoffs over the last half-decade. Luka literally is 2nd all-time in playoff PPG, a not too common case of a star that raises his level of play in the playoffs( the anti-Harden). He was the best player in last years finals too( at least offensively), but people seem to forget that Kyrie was bad 3 out of 5 games and the Mavs had much less margin for error than the Celts did. But if we want to end that debate with 'Luka hasn't won a title yet', ok......

Shai though, Luka beat him last year heads up in a series where I would argue OKC was the more talented team overall. Hard to put Shai ahead of him until he can at least get to the finals and (ideally) outduel Luka in an even money matchup. He's had a better season, obviously.

[ShawkFactory]

Luka has been the most consistent playoff performer over the last 5 years. I'd argue Giannis's 2021 title run was aided by injuries ( no I don't consider it an asterisk, but it warrants mention for a complete picture) and outside of that, he hasn't really been better in the playoffs over the last half-decade. Luka literally is 2nd all-time in playoff PPG, a not too common case of a star that raises his level of play in the playoffs( the anti-Harden). He was the best player in last years finals too( at least offensively), but people seem to forget that Kyrie was bad 3 out of 5 games and the Mavs had much less margin for error than the Celts did. But if we want to end that debate with 'Luka hasn't won a title yet', ok......

Shai though, Luka beat him last year heads up in a series where I would argue OKC was the more talented team overall. Hard to put Shai ahead of him until he can at least get to the finals and (ideally) outduel Luka in an even money matchup. He's had a better season, obviously.

True but I don't think that the outcome really had anything to do with Luka or Shai. Just from the eye test, SGA looked like the best player on the court for much of that series.

They just had no answer for the Lively/Gafford duo up front.

[Neal Romer]

True but I don't think that the outcome really had anything to do with Luka or Shai. Just from the eye test, SGA looked like the best player on the court for much of that series.

They just had no answer for the Lively/Gafford duo up front.

I agree with this, altho Luka (who was ostensibly playing injured that series) was being guarded by a true stopper in Lu Dort who's built to be a tough matchup for him. Dallas didnt have anyone like that to put on SGA.

[Phoenix]

True but I don't think that the outcome really had anything to do with Luka or Shai. Just from the eye test, SGA looked like the best player on the court for much of that series.

They just had no answer for the Lively/Gafford duo up front.

Yes but players like that have to be put in position to succeed. They play off the stars. Kyrie wasn't very good offensively in that series either. Either way, as a money player I would still take Luka overall. I have very little concerns about his ability to rise to the occasion and I need to see more from Shai. He's had one playoff run as a superstar.


I agree with this, altho Luka was being guarded by a true stopper in Lu Dort who's built to be a tough matchup for him. Dallas didnt have anyone like that to put on SGA.

Also that.....

[ShawkFactory]

Yes but players like that have to be put in position to succeed. They play off the stars. Kyrie wasn't very good offensively in that series either. Either way, as a money player I would still take Luka overall. I have very little concerns about his ability to rise to the occasion and I need to see more from Shai. He's had one playoff run as a superstar.



Also that.....

That's fine and I'm never going to really knock the "I simply need to see more". I just don't foresee any issues whatsoever with SGA's game come playoff time. He can pretty much get whatever he wants whenever he wants and doesn't seem to really give a shit.

[Phoenix]

That's fine and I'm never going to really knock the "I simply need to see more". I just don't foresee any issues whatsoever with SGA's game come playoff time. He can pretty much get whatever he wants whenever he wants and doesn't seem to really give a shit.

He hasn't done anything for me to think he'll falter either, just that all things being equal I'm going with the guy who's proven it consistently over the past 5 years. It's for the same reason the OP is saying Jokic and Giannis have done more in the playoffs culminating in chips( my comments about Giannis' 2021 run notwithstanding). I have to give Luka the benefit of doubt until Shai unquestionably takes that mantle. I also think, and I don't know what that will translate to as far as team success, Luka is going to pop off when he returns from injury. So we'll see....

[Neal Romer]

That's fine and I'm never going to really knock the "I simply need to see more". I just don't foresee any issues whatsoever with SGA's game come playoff time. He can pretty much get whatever he wants whenever he wants and doesn't seem to really give a shit.

Oh there's not gonna be any issues. He's gonna be a consistently great playoff performer. But Luka's playoff career to start out has been above 'great.' Monster elimination games, numerous clutch game winners, pure takeover and dominate performances. It's not even a style I particularly love because I think too many guys force it and the results end up mixed (see: Jayson Tatum), but when you do it as successfully and consistently as LD has so far, I've gotta tip my hat.

I dont doubt SGA will continue to do some of that in the playoffs himself, but it's a pretty high bar to do it as frequently as Doncic has. And frankly I dont know that's what the Thunder need from SGA anyway. So even if he can do it, we might not see it much.