Wagonband wrote:Bob8 wrote:Wagonband wrote:Luka has clearly lost athleticism since he's gotten in the NBA. Even last year when he should've been MVP he looked much slower not only compared to the bubble, but even to 2023 for example.
And yes, to those saying what are the expectations for "In shape" Luka if he already averaged 34/9/9 last year? My expectations are clear best player in the world, top 10 all-time lock. That's the potential. Question is if he is willing to put in the work.
I can try to put myself in his shoes. You eat most of what you want, you go out and drink beer and who knows what with friends, you play video games all day on your days off. What's your reward? You earn100mil per year with sponsorships, and are still regarded as one of the best players in the world. I honestly believe it might be hard to find that extra motivation for someone like him.
Quantify clear best player in the world? Fat Luka, 34/9/10, 62% TS, 73 points game, 60 points triple double. In shape Luka?
Another question for everyone who believes that his conditioning, agility and athleticism regressed with years, why his last RS was clearly the best?
Yes. He didn't win MVP. In my opinion he should, but he didn't because he wasn't "clearly" the best, there was an argument to be made for SGA and Jokic. Luka's potential is like MJs; everyone knows he is the best player in the world, but you don't give him the MVP every year because of various other reasons.
And yes Luka has regressed athletically. It's not that evident when you watch him all the time, but watch some games from let's say Olympics 2021, Bubble playoff run, the playoff battles with the Clippers. He has become a better player for sure, but he has clearly regressed athletically. There was no player in the NBA from 2021-2023 who could guard Luka 1v1 on the perimeter. Now he needs to manipulate the pnr much more to get any room.
Like i'm a huge Luka stan and i don't mind telling it how it is. It's very likely because of all the injuries not because of any habits, but the regression in athleticism even from last year is clear.
I can't agree. If you compare his last and 21 season, or some around 21, Luka was better or much better in points, rebounds, assists, steals, FG%, 3pts%, TS% and even FT%. He has less TO too. Most counting numbers and efficiency were the best of his career. Strange regression for sure. If everything is a lot up than athleticism doesn't matter much for him.
Even bigger difference was in advanced stats, far the best Vorp, BPM, WS...of his career. He had even the best +/- and on/off of his career.
If we add some incredible performances in individual games, against Hawks or Knicks, than it's really hard to understand where you see his regression. It was Goat like individual season and it brought results too. Which we can't say for Jokic and Sga.
Luka had far the best season of his career and if we truly believe that his athleticism regressed, which is highly questionable, then we can say that he find better ways to dominate. He scored a lot more with better efficiency, which is kinda hard. I would even speculate that his hypothetical loss of athleticism bodes well for him being elite in his 30st too.
Basketball has changed in last years in favour of 3-pts shooting, that's the reason we see more 3-pointers and less drives. Just look at Sga, he has MVP season and 3 drives less than previous years.