Luka scores under 20 points 3 games in a row for first time since rookie season

[90sgoat]

First time since rookie season he scored under 20 points 3 games in a row.

I wonder what could be the reason?

[999Guy]

Stupid ****ing trade made the NBA worse in every way.

People underestimate the chemistry and fit in Dallas that optimized Luka

[Real Men Wear Green]

3...2..1...panic.

Just 3 games in and people are losing faith. I don't think Doncic is the ATG some of you do but I have more belief I his talent than to be making topics like this. There will be awkward moments as he and James work out how to play together, worse case scenario they will need an offseason and some trades to become a good team. But Doncic is undeniably an offensive superweapon. Calm down.

[90sgoat]

Lebron just can't play with other ballhandlers, 3ball is right.

[Axe]

Whatever it could be, i feel bad for klay thompson. He pushed his way towards dallas in summer but then this shocker of a trade had to happen near midseason lmao.

[Phoenix]

My recollection of last nights game is Luka brought the ball up the floor the first 2-3 times, Lebron went into the corner. I was thinking 'oh, so they're gonna put the ball in Luka's hands and have Lebron be the finisher'. Didn't last long, a series of quick turnovers/ bricks and Lebron went back on-ball( with Reeves doing spot duty as well), hit a few threes and that pretty much set the tone for the rest of the evening. Luka is a rhythm player, and it is obvious watching him clank three after three trying to work himself out of his shooting slump ( which is something I hate about this era, when your shot is off you take it to the hole, draw fouls, get some layups, get some free throws, see the ball go in. You don't keep jacking up threes, but this is programmed into the players as how to play now). Just the way the substitution patterns were happening between Lebron and Luka wasn't allowing any real flow. I also get the sense that there is some level of deference to Lebron with Luka. This is, afterall, his idol growing up. I won't claim to be in his head to know what's happening, but the same 'this is my team' confidence you saw with the Mavs very clearly isn't there yet with LA, and frankly may not be for as long as Lebron is there.

I'm gonna, for the moment, stick with the idea that we don't have a large enough sample size, but I'll also repeat what I've said at least a half dozen times in other threads. This is not, stylistically, an 'ideal' pairing and a trade of this nature is better during the offseason when you have some chance to develop a system. KD and Steph are plug and play types, Lebron and Luka are not. And really, this is the point in the season where teams are ramping up and losing back to back games to the likes of Utah and Charlotte makes a difference when there is barely anything separating seeds 4-7. This isn't the time of year trying to figure out how to get two players like this to jell on the fly, on top of the obvious defensive issues not having AD presents.

[SouBeachTalents]

Because he's a fat, out of shape Euro slob.

[highwhey]

a player new to the team does not have the same output as he did in his previous team after only 3 games? oh wow, shocking.

[90sgoat]

frankly may not be for as long as Lebron is there.

I also don't think Lebron is going to change his game at age 40.

Luka could of course spend the summer and rest of season working on spot up shooting, which would be good for him regardless, but why limit Luka to 10% of his potential.

If you want Luka, you put him first, that's just the way it is and it won't change and shouldn't change.

[90sgoat]

a player new to the team does not have the same output as he did in his previous team after only 3 games? oh wow, shocking.

Not the same output, but very poor output, rookie number output after 7 years in the league. That seems off.

[Phoenix]

I also don't think Lebron is going to change his game at age 40.

Luka could of course spend the summer and rest of season working on spot up shooting, which would be good for him regardless, but why limit Luka to 10% of his potential.

If you want Luka, you put him first, that's just the way it is and it won't change and shouldn't change.

That was the intent of the comment saying 'frankly may not be for as long as Lebron is there'. Both because of his status and tenure, but the nature of his game and tendencies. Pretty much other than Kyrie and to a lesser degree AD, Lebron's style works best with shooters. He and Curry would be dynamite due to the latter's GOAT level off-ball movement and shooting. Luka obviously needs the ball and touches to develop rhythm for his scoring, which opens up other aspects of his game( namely passing). Lebron himself is a rhythm based streak shooter predicated on being the primary ball-handler. Really, the only way this works is if Lebron hands the keys off to Luka the same way Wade did to Lebron back in 2011, which in theory should have been a harder baton-pass because Wade and Lebron were in their peaks/primes and establishing their respective legacies. This Lebron/Luka pairing at this point should be like 87 Magic and Kareem. Some kind of 'handover' needs to happen here, but Luka is going to have to take it through his play and force of will. Otherwise you're gonna see what happened last night, which is Lebron taking it on his shoulders.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Not the same output, but very poor output, rookie number output after 7 years in the league. That seems off. If you are following Doncic then you should know that he's played 24, 23, and 33 minute games as a Laker. He averaged 35.7 minutes this season in Dallas. He's struggled with conditioning, foul trouble, and how he fits in. Having played 33 minutes last night it looks like Redick will be playing him close to normal minutes going forward. The conditioning (talking about coming back from injury to his normal and not his normal chubby body) and getting used to his new team will still have an effect but expect his statistics to inch up. Last night if he had shot his normal percentages he would have been around his usual stats.

[90sgoat]

If you are following Doncic then you should know that he's played 24, 23, and 33 minute games as a Laker. He averaged 35.7 minutes this season in Dallas. He's struggled with conditioning, foul trouble, and how he fits in. Having played 33 minutes last night it looks like Redick will be playing him close to normal minutes going forward. The conditioning (talking about coming back from injury to his normal and not his normal chubby body) and getting used to his new team will still have an effect but expect his statistics to inch up. Last night if he had shot his normal percentages he would have been around his usual stats.

Sure, lets see what happens. I don't think it will work. Lebron is not going to take a backseat and Luka might continue to sulk around. I highly doubt they will figure it out. If they figure it out, it would be with Lebron running a lot fastbreaks and Luka doing a lot of postups, but again, both would not be happy with that.

[90sgoat]

That was the intent of the comment saying 'frankly may not be for as long as Lebron is there'. Both because of his status and tenure, but the nature of his game and tendencies. Pretty much other than Kyrie and to a lesser degree AD, Lebron's style works best with shooters. He and Curry would be dynamite due to the latter's GOAT level off-ball movement and shooting. Luke obviously needs the ball and touches to develop rhythm for his scoring, which opens up other aspects of his game( namely passing).

Do you think Lakers try to convince Lebron to leave this summer? Or does Luka grit it out and leave next offseason?

[Phoenix]

Do you think Lakers try to convince Lebron to leave this summer? Or does Luka grit it out and leave next offseason?

I don't think so. They'll run it back at least another year. I wonder if they try to package Rui and Reeves for a big and hope for Knecht's continued development. What happens when Luka's contract is up and if he's not in the drivers seat? Stay tuned.....

[Phoenix]

If you are following Doncic then you should know that he's played 24, 23, and 33 minute games as a Laker. He averaged 35.7 minutes this season in Dallas. He's struggled with conditioning, foul trouble, and how he fits in. Having played 33 minutes last night it looks like Redick will be playing him close to normal minutes going forward. The conditioning (talking about coming back from injury to his normal and not his normal chubby body) and getting used to his new team will still have an effect but expect his statistics to inch up. Last night if he had shot his normal percentages he would have been around his usual stats.

That's a clear sign as to his lack of conditioning. Not that he's some defensive stalwart even when 'in shape', but he's not usually in foul trouble like he's been with the Lakers. Means he's just constantly out of position and resorting to ticky tack fouls. Another thing adding to an inability to establish any kind of rhythm offensively. You can even see that the team isn't used to some of his passing. He's one of the best passers in the league. Imagine taking Magic and trading him to a team mid-year that's not used to playing with him. Turn-over city waiting to happen.

[Manny98]

Give him time but LeBron needs to realize he's not big dawg anymore and let Luka go to work

[90sgoat]

Give him time but LeBron needs to realize he's not big dawg anymore and let Luka go to work

What does that look like on the floor though? Lebron is best with the ball in his hands.

[Manny98]

What does that look like on the floor though? Lebron is best with the ball in his hands.
But the ball is better in Lukas hands

Throughout his whole career LeBrons teammates had to adjust their own games to accommodate his play style but I think it's finally time for LeBron to change his style of play in order to maximise Lukas effectiveness

[Mask the Embiid]

But the ball is better in Lukas hands

Throughout his whole career LeBrons teammates had to adjust their own games to accommodate his play style but I think it's finally time for LeBron to change his style of play in order to maximise Lukas effectiveness

Lies....Kyrie irving thrived in the lebron james system...Moe Williams.....Anthony Davis.....Kevin Love when kyrie left..... Kuzma averaged 18 one year with lebron.....Rondo thrived with lebron....Reaves thrives..... Javale mcgee had the best year of his career with lebron



https://youtu.be/CubNruSEM8Q?si=bXLKeEk6ES1gPjx6






LeBron gave luka the ball non stop.....multiple times.....all game......every game so far.....its lebron's fault that luka kept turning the ball over? its lebron's fault that luka cant shoot? its lebron's fault that luka gets hunted all game every game? its lebron's fault that luka doesn't know how to play off the ball?

[Neal Romer]

The chemistry will come, but it will probably take a full offseason/training camp. We're all such prisoners of the moment.

He's got DFS there for the long term, and Kleber will be back, so those are two guys he already has an established rapport with. It's not gonna be hard to fit Hachimura in with him, altho Hach could end up in a trade this offseason to make room for DFS as a starter. But hes has been playing well (benefitting from The Lebron Effect) so theyll have ammo to get a center in the summer.

The ones thatll take time are Lebron and Reaves because of the overlap in playstyle obviously. What their exact ceiling together is I dont know, but Im positive it will be significantly higher than where it is two weeks after the trade.

The Big Reveal will really happen next year when we see the effects of Luka spending an offseason training with LeGOAT. After that it's gonna be no excuses for him. Cuz Doncic will have every reason and opportunity to embrace the chance to show up in the best shape of his life and become the crowned prince of basketball.

[Neal Romer]

Give him time but LeBron needs to realize he's not big dawg anymore and let Luka go to work


Lebron is doing everything he can to give Doncic the green light, but Luka is still handing it off to Bron or AR a decent amount after getting an inbounds pass. Hes clearly trying not to assert himself too presumptuously by just taking the ball out of their hands completely. It's understandable, they were here first (and winning lately) and he doesnt wanna come off tone def.

Itll get worked out. But again probably not fully until they have an offseason to work on it.

[Hey Yo]

Do you think Lakers try to convince Lebron to leave this summer? Or does Luka grit it out and leave next offseason?

Why so shook by LA?

[dankok8]

Lebron is a good enough shooter the last few years that he should be almost exclusively playing off-ball. Let Luka run the show. This also has the added benefit of making Lebron more fresh so he can contribute more defensively.

[tpols]

Lebron just can't play with other ballhandlers, 3ball is right.

He must be. Why is Lebron not playing as pick setter and roll man like we thought he would to maximize the fit? Maybe he is incapable.

[sdot_thadon]

Why do i feel like whenever a discussion has to do with Lebron it's always these same tired outdated narratives. Lebron has been playing off ball plenty this year. It won't be as much an issue as you think once Luka figures it out and is in shape. Gotta remember isn't this Lukas 1st prolonged injury absence of his career? And to not only come back from that but blindsided with a completely different city and roster. No matter how great a player is, you aren't likely to hit the ground running in this scenario. As far as Lebron goes? He's just keeping the ship steady till they figure it out because nothing is more dependable when in doubt than the ball in his hands.

[sdot_thadon]

He must be. Why is Lebron not playing as pick setter and roll man like we thought he would to maximize the fit? Maybe he is incapable.

Tell me you haven't watched a game this season without telling me you haven't watched a game lol.

[Lebron23]

Tell me you haven't watched a game this season without telling me you haven't watched a game lol.

You owned that clown

[90sgoat]

Why do i feel like whenever a discussion has to do with Lebron it's always these same tired outdated narratives. Lebron has been playing off ball plenty this year. It won't be as much an issue as you think once Luka figures it out and is in shape. Gotta remember isn't this Lukas 1st prolonged injury absence of his career? And to not only come back from that but blindsided with a completely different city and roster. No matter how great a player is, you aren't likely to hit the ground running in this scenario. As far as Lebron goes? He's just keeping the ship steady till they figure it out because nothing is more dependable when in doubt than the ball in his hands.

I'd like to see Lebron and Luka coexist, it could be cool, Magic and Kareem, so I hope you're right, but it's on Lebron to figure this out, not Luka.

[ImKobe]

Was just a bad Luka game. First two games whatever he wasn't really involved as much as he should've but this was the first game where they let him do his thing and he just didn't live up to it as a scorer.

[tpols]

Tell me you haven't watched a game this season without telling me you haven't watched a game lol.

Lebron has one of the highest times of possession with the ball in his hands in the league this year and his average hold / dribɓle time is 4 seconds per touch. He hasn't been an off ball stud at all.

What most people were predicting is hed accommodate his game to Lukas which hasn't exactly happened but still may. Otherwise we'll just be watching the two play my turn your turn chuck fest.

[3ba11]

He must be. Why is Lebron not playing as pick setter and roll man like we thought he would to maximize the fit? Maybe he is incapable.


I recommend that people refresh their memory by watching some Karl Malone highlights in the PNR - it's much more nuanced and sophisticated than people realize.. The quick decisions required, the subtle feints, fakes, footwork and touch required to dominate as the role man - Lebron simply could never do it - he lacks the skill - he's never been a true frontcourt player, which is why he always has underperforming fits with other ball-handlers.. He's always only had a point guard skillset - I never understood why everyone else couldn't see that - now it's being proven to us once and for all...

of course the abnormal ball-dominance in the frontcourt gives teammates less time with the ball than they get alongside normal forwards, which lowers their assists and causes low-assist teams.. He also turns a highly-assisted position of forward into a low-assisted one, further reducing the team's assist capacity.. We know that team assists are his Achilles heel, since every series loss of his playoff career shows deficits in team assists, except the goat choke.

[ShawkFactory]

Was just a bad Luka game. First two games whatever he wasn't really involved as much as he should've but this was the first game where they let him do his thing and he just didn't live up to it as a scorer.

A normal take?! You shouldn't be posting here anymore.

[Lebron23]

Tpols getting roasted in this thread.

[LAL]

I'd like to see Lebron and Luka coexist, it could be cool, Magic and Kareem, so I hope you're right, but it's on Lebron to figure this out, not Luka.

Big ol clown who just keeps posting. NO the ball should not be in lebron's hands, even austin reaves can do what lebron does and better, and we got ****ing Luka Doncic, who is 25. Lebum aint figuring shit out, he needs to go.

Magic and Kareem?? We had AD!