Build around Luka or Edwards?

[Mr. Perfect]

He plays both sides. It's really that simple.

Does he?

What if I told you Luka's defensive impact stats are on par or higher than Ant's? And what if I told you Ant is literally never guarding the team's best offensive player anyway? And what if I told you that Luka is actually a forward defender and in the same way that he can't keep up on the perimeter against Ant, Ant can't do anything against him in the post?

There's this myth that if you're a wiry athletic young guy that you're gonna be this amazing perimeter defender like Jordan. This guy aint Jordan, on either end of the ball. Stop overrating this archetype out of nostalgia and memes and vibes.

We seen them in Rd 1 and Ant was clearly the best player in the series.

And we saw them in last year's WCF where both starts had comparable supporting rosters and it was clear as day that Luka was on a different level than Ant.

I'm writing off this year for Luka but let's see how he looks next year if the Lakers can get him a better fitting team.

[CobraCommander]

Have Luka and Ant switch places between the current Lakers and T Wolves and the T Wolves still would have won that series easily. JJ Redick electing to go ultra small against that frontline still baffles me. Switch them from last year's Mavs and T Wolves and we may be talking a different story, you think Luka couldn't set up Rudy Gobert and KAT to absolutely feast?

This is funny - but you really think Rudy wants to play with Luka? Rudy’s revenge game against Luka was personal - Rudy hates Luka and maybe vice versa - if Luka gets beat Rudy probably laughing

[JustBuzzin]

Does he?

What if I told you Luka's defensive impact stats are on par or higher than Ant's? And what if I told you Ant is literally never guarding the team's best offensive player anyway? And what if I told you that Luka is actually a forward defender and in the same way that he can't keep up on the perimeter against Ant, Ant can't do anything against him in the post?

There's this myth that if you're a wiry athletic young guy that you're gonna be this amazing perimeter defender like Jordan. This guy aint Jordan, on either end of the ball. Stop overrating this archetype out of nostalgia and memes and vibes.

We seen them in Rd 1 and Ant was clearly the best player in the series.

And we saw them in last year's WCF where both starts had comparable supporting rosters and it was clear as day that Luka was on a different level than Ant.

I'm writing off this year for Luka but let's see how he looks next year if the Lakers can get him a better fitting team.

So you give him credit for last year and give him a pass for this year.

Interesting...

[shrink]

Have Luka and Ant switch places between the current Lakers and T Wolves and the T Wolves still would have won that series easily. JJ Redick electing to go ultra small against that frontline still baffles me. Switch them from last year's Mavs and T Wolves and we may be talking a different story, you think Luka couldn't set up Rudy Gobert and KAT to absolutely feast?

This is funny - but you really think Rudy wants to play with Luka? Rudy’s revenge game against Luka was personal - Rudy hates Luka and maybe vice versa - if Luka gets beat Rudy probably laughing

Don’t buy media hype

[guynumber45]

Luka is clearly the most superior young player over SGA/Tatum/Ant. But unfortunately, he is his worst enemy with his lack of care for his own body. Hopefully he maximizes his conditioning in the offseason in order to reach his potential.

[durden_tyler]

i like Ant and i think he’s going to be a great player, but Luka, if health permits is an all-time great talent. The only bad thing about him is he plays for the Lakers


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[NyKnicks1714]

From an overall franchise perspective probably Edwards since he's a lot more charismatic and marketable.

[CobraCommander]

Have Luka and Ant switch places between the current Lakers and T Wolves and the T Wolves still would have won that series easily. JJ Redick electing to go ultra small against that frontline still baffles me. Switch them from last year's Mavs and T Wolves and we may be talking a different story, you think Luka couldn't set up Rudy Gobert and KAT to absolutely feast?

This is funny - but you really think Rudy wants to play with Luka? Rudy’s revenge game against Luka was personal - Rudy hates Luka and maybe vice versa - if Luka gets beat Rudy probably laughing

Don’t buy media hype

I watched Luka curse Rudy out - heard Luka talk about it- Rudy is indeed tired of getting choked out, cursed out and embarrassed in the press- like Any man.

Would you want to be his teammate after he cursed you out and made a mockery of your DPOY award?

Luka tries to embarrass Rudy with the shaking of his head when he beats Rudy in the post - this isn’t hype-

[shrink]

This is funny - but you really think Rudy wants to play with Luka? Rudy’s revenge game against Luka was personal - Rudy hates Luka and maybe vice versa - if Luka gets beat Rudy probably laughing

Don’t buy media hype

I watched Luka curse Rudy out - heard Luka talk about it- Rudy is indeed tired of getting choked out, cursed out and embarrassed in the press- like Any man.

Would you want to be his teammate after he cursed you out and made a mockery of your DPOY award?

Luka tries to embarrass Rudy with the shaking of his head when he beats Rudy in the post - this isn’t hype-

Sigh. You are swallowing the drama they feed you.

Luka got a game winner in Game 2 of a five game series. Gobert did a really good job closing out as well, but Luka made a great shot over his long arms. Luka was clearly happy, he should be

But this is one play, a basketball play, in an established veteran’s long career, that some fans thinks characterizes who each of these people is. Gobert got the DPOY (well, four of them) for his great defensive play over many years. Certainly over all those plays, someone made a gamewinner over him. These are professional athletes - it’s their job to be professionals.

Now, for some fans, particularly ones that buy the hype, this play is a huge deal to them. Ditto for the ones that believe “Rudy was played off the floor,” when all the overall stats demonstrate that’s not true. The media wants to get people excited like this - they want them to swallow drama.

In fact, with Ant being unskilled at throwing the lob, and Luka so good at it in DAL, I would imagine Rudy would be thrilled to have Luka on his team! With Gobert’s size and ability to set picks, and Luka’s ball handling, passing and smarts, that would be a deadly combination. Rudy is just reliant on another player to feed him.

[Optms]

Both comparable.

Luka has led a team to the Finals already and ANT man has led the Wolves to back to back WCF finals. Either choice would be correct.

[bbms]

luka is closer to the top 3 than he's to ant. one of the brightest genius this sport has produced in the century.

[Archx]

He plays both sides. It's really that simple.

Luka is 2-3x the offensive force that Edwards so any advantages on defense are nullified. Luka never pulls Houdini acts like Edwards and disappears from games.

Where was this guy vs Ant in the 1st round?

ANT averaged 27/8/6 on 42% shooting vs Lakers.

Luka averaged 30/7/6 on 45% shooting.

But problem for Lakers was that pivotal 3rd game when Luka was sick and had only 17 pts on horrible shooting. Still don't know how he got to 8 assists but ok.
If you remove that game he's at 33.5 PPG, or if you simply use his averages, he would still be at around 32.5 PPG for the series and the W/L could have been completely different for the Lakers.

[jg77]

Ant is ascending while Luka seems to be descending.

Ant is the safer bet and he's also turned himself into a sharpshooter which shows how much he works on his game.

[CobraCommander]

Don’t buy media hype

I watched Luka curse Rudy out - heard Luka talk about it- Rudy is indeed tired of getting choked out, cursed out and embarrassed in the press- like Any man.

Would you want to be his teammate after he cursed you out and made a mockery of your DPOY award?

Luka tries to embarrass Rudy with the shaking of his head when he beats Rudy in the post - this isn’t hype-

Sigh. You are swallowing the drama they feed you.

Luka got a game winner in Game 2 of a five game series. Gobert did a really good job closing out as well, but Luka made a great shot over his long arms. Luka was clearly happy, he should be

But this is one play, a basketball play, in an established veteran’s long career, that some fans thinks characterizes who each of these people is. Gobert got the DPOY (well, four of them) for his great defensive play over many years. Certainly over all those plays, someone made a gamewinner over him. These are professional athletes - it’s their job to be professionals.

Now, for some fans, particularly ones that buy the hype, this play is a huge deal to them. Ditto for the ones that believe “Rudy was played off the floor,” when all the overall stats demonstrate that’s not true. The media wants to get people excited like this - they want them to swallow drama.

In fact, with Ant being unskilled at throwing the lob, and Luka so good at it in DAL, I would imagine Rudy would be thrilled to have Luka on his team! With Gobert’s size and ability to set picks, and Luka’s ball handling, passing and smarts, that would be a deadly combination. Rudy is just reliant on another player to feed him.

I buy this drama cause Rudy is a ground man that has been dealing with some mental issues that he has documented over the years...being bullied- even tho he is huge...shaq, Draymond, luka all have come at him in one way or another and he has been dealing with that crap publicly-

https://nypost.com/2024/04/23/sports/timberwolves-rudy-gobert-called-aaron-rodgers-about-darkness-retreat

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/rudy-gobert-nba-basketball-minnesota-timberwolves

https://hoopshype.com/rumor/rudy-gobert-opens-up-about-struggles/

I don't know about you but I balled and there were guys that did crap that went too far...

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/luka-doncic-vs-rudy-gobert-beef-explained-revisiting-trash-talk-between-lakers-timberwolves-stars/ar-AA1Dg0Uq

you can act like Luka and Rudy don't like each other...but I got receipts bro....

you need to watch more international ball...these dudes going at each other and I love it!!!!!

just accept it

[Bank Shot]

What a ridiculous poll. Luka by a ton.

[CobraCommander]

Luka is clearly the most superior young player over SGA/Tatum/Ant. But unfortunately, he is his worst enemy with his lack of care for his own body. Hopefully he maximizes his conditioning in the offseason in order to reach his potential.

luka is the most talented out of the young players but he isn't better than SGA and has accomplished a lot less than Tatum...

either way...Anthonys athleticism may be the equivalent Lukas talent...

I would build around Luka but the Wolves apparently wouldn't trade Luka for Ant...so thats two franchises that would talk Ant over luka
https://www.si.com/nba/timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-news/report-wolves-shut-down-mavs-inquiry-on-anthony-edwards-luka-doncic-trade-01jn6xyxhghn

and ant did outplay luka this year in playoffs

[CobraCommander]

Luka is 2-3x the offensive force that Edwards so any advantages on defense are nullified. Luka never pulls Houdini acts like Edwards and disappears from games.

Where was this guy vs Ant in the 1st round?

ANT averaged 27/8/6 on 42% shooting vs Lakers.

Luka averaged 30/7/6 on 45% shooting.

But problem for Lakers was that pivotal 3rd game when Luka was sick and had only 17 pts on horrible shooting. Still don't know how he got to 8 assists but ok.
If you remove that game he's at 33.5 PPG, or if you simply use his averages, he would still be at around 32.5 PPG for the series and the W/L could have been completely different for the Lakers.

naw you burying the lead... luka avg 30 but gave up 40+ a game

Watch on YouTube

you can't give up more points than you score and be the guy... I still would take Luka over ant..but not because of the numbers in that series....LUKA WAS WORSE THAN ANT that series

[tamaraw08]

Ant is ascending while Luka seems to be descending.

Ant is the safer bet and he's also turned himself into a sharpshooter which shows how much he works on his game.

Sharp Shooter? is that how you describe his current playoff average of under 37% from 3 and under 46 overall FG%?

[Prez]

The only reason this is debatable right now is because Luka doesn't take his diet, strength & conditioning seriously. Just have to hope LeBron is in his ear constantly about taking care of his body and committing to being a pro athlete from a work ethic/physical standpoint.

The peak version of Luka takes this Minnesota team to the finals and honestly probably wins the title given Boston/Cleveland flamed out. Whether or not he actually gets his **** together and gets back to that level, we'll see.

[Archx]

Where was this guy vs Ant in the 1st round?

ANT averaged 27/8/6 on 42% shooting vs Lakers.

Luka averaged 30/7/6 on 45% shooting.

But problem for Lakers was that pivotal 3rd game when Luka was sick and had only 17 pts on horrible shooting. Still don't know how he got to 8 assists but ok.
If you remove that game he's at 33.5 PPG, or if you simply use his averages, he would still be at around 32.5 PPG for the series and the W/L could have been completely different for the Lakers.

naw you burying the lead... luka avg 30 but gave up 40+ a game

Watch on YouTube

you can't give up more points than you score and be the guy... I still would take Luka over ant..but not because of the numbers in that series....LUKA WAS WORSE THAN ANT that series

Nowhere i talked about his defense or who was better. The post i quoted was talking about OFFENSIVE performance, i focused on that. For some reason you're on a quest to prove everyone about his defense ...

But where were you last playoffs when Mavs had everything in place and they were winning more games with their defense than offense? I would even argue Luka played better defense vs OKC than Shai in that series. He had great all around defensive stats. Finals were another story because of multiple reasons, but up to that point Mavs, Luka included, played amazing defensive games. Even against Celtics, Mavs played better defense than any other team against them. They lost because their offense gave up.

I'm not even taking seriously this season because i think we had this discussion 2 months ago and i told you don't expect too much from him, it was already clear this season was a wash for him.