(3) Lakers vs. (6) Timberwolves First Round Playoff Series Thread

[QUOTE=BarberSchool;14995524]compared to 2022-2024(pre-injuries), he just isn’t back to form. His paint game and short fade game is still not as physically imposing as it was. His defense is nearly as bad as it was last year post-injuries in the finals run. So while he def isn’t “playing like sh!t”, he is still noticably below his own standards, and still more out of shape than he was at most points.

All that said, he was chubby-ish during that 40/11/11 December 2023 month of insanity. And even chubbier in November just prior to that. So he has had insane stretches where he’s the best pick and roll player ever, when he was above 255.

He can def go up another few levels, and I think this off season, if he cuts back on gaming and drinking and hangs with LeBron, LeBron would enjoy getting him in the best shape of his life, and along with JJ, “playing thru Luka” with the fullest package of sets and options all year long. Truly going on a full tilt title run next year with multiple lob threats, and a few more roster tweaks.[/QUOTE]

Spot on. Surprised by how few people have noticed this.

Granted a lot of Laker fans probably think current Luka is just who he is. But right now he has to heavily rely on foul baiting to get much done in the paint. It's why his 3pt attempts have gone up so much. This wasn't the case just 14 months ago.

It's a combination of conditioning and not fully rehabbing from his injury. The only fear is not knowing how much of his lower body issues will persist despite him improving on those fronts. And when the Mavs traded him that's where my mind went.

Doesnt have his rum runner either

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You;14995723]Doesnt have his rum runner either[/QUOTE]

[IMG]https://i.makeagif.com/media/6-09-2024/Gs0ys4.gif[/IMG]

Michael finley on the job:cheers:

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You;14995731]Michael finley on the job:cheers:[/QUOTE]

That clip always gets me. Just casually takes it from him like he's a child who picked up a beer and Luka's like, "Ummm, what?"

I'm ordering a luka jersey to place beside my leGOAT jersey


the torch has FINALLY been passed

[QUOTE=red1;14996336]I'm ordering a luka jersey to place beside my leGOAT jersey


the torch has FINALLY been passed[/QUOTE]

Finally?

AD's been the best player on the lakers for the last five years.

[QUOTE=Meticode;14995457]LeBron faking how hard he got hit the face last night...

[url]https://x.com/TheNBACentel/status/1915129777003933724?t=3S-aDXrxnlTXv6hXzf4jLA&s=19[/url]

:roll:[/QUOTE]

If it were prime Lebron during this sh1t it would piss me off, but LeBron is old and senile in his age so I can pretty much forgive it nowadays. Also Lebron has a horrible whistle this season. In fact the last 4 seasons the refs have completely turned on him. Gotta be some kind of a Laker tax.

Sports doctor gives insight on Luka's reoccurring bloody knees...

[video=youtube_share;LX7cu0GXqsY]https://youtu.be/LX7cu0GXqsY?si=OOUgtcecfKXTY79G[/video]

Summary: It's possible he's either having his knee drained or he's getting injections, but he DOESN'T think that's what's happening because that's not how those bleed and they don't bleed that much. He thinks he mostly like is having repeated trauma to the boney part of the to his knee that is tearing the skin there and it keeps reinjuring that same area over and over. Whether that's from bumping knees, or sliding onto the ground or falling and sliding, who knows?

I think most people like they knee drain/injections story better and that's why the Mavs owners wanted to move him because people like drama.

[QUOTE=bison;14996361]If it were prime Lebron during this sh1t it would piss me off, but LeBron is old and senile in his age so I can pretty much forgive it nowadays. Also Lebron has a horrible whistle this season. In fact the last 4 seasons the refs have completely turned on him. Gotta be some kind of a Laker tax.[/QUOTE]

He's done this stuff a large part of his career. I used to yell at my TV when he was on the Cavs for him to stop being a baby and get the f*ck up like I was a crazy man.

Drake attention whore f@ggot a$$ just bet $620k on Minnesnowta.

Will make a Lakers victory even more enjoyable, knowing that annoying b!tch losing 620k

Bad start for Luka huh

Lebron will have to play huge

I like Luka's shoes.

Toody doing work being aggressive for once