Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age

Moderators: bisme37, Dirk, KingDavid, cupcakesnake, bwgood77, zimpy27, infinite11285, Clav, ken6199, Domejandro

guynumber45
Junior
Posts: 493
And1: 758
Joined: Mar 11, 2024

Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#1 » by guynumber45 » Fri Apr 4, 2025 5:45 am



Comparing these highlights from the bubble to the player he is now, it's crazy how much slower Luka has become. He is only 26. His athleticism should not have declined this much. If you're a Laker fan, you hope he can use this offseason to regain some of his old burst back.
EmpireFalls
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,050
And1: 8,268
Joined: Jun 16, 2015
   

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#2 » by EmpireFalls » Fri Apr 4, 2025 5:50 am

Nico was cooking something. I’m not saying he made a 5 star meal, he used way too much seasoning and spilled the dish all over the counter. But there is undeniably something to the Luka decline.
Prince187
Starter
Posts: 2,197
And1: 2,653
Joined: Mar 21, 2007

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#3 » by Prince187 » Fri Apr 4, 2025 5:52 am

EmpireFalls wrote:Nico was cooking something. I’m not saying he made a 5 star meal, he used way too much seasoning and spilled the dish all over the counter. But there is undeniably something to the Luka decline.

This argument loses all credibility when you compare what they got for Luka vs What they could have got for Luka
Tottery
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,822
And1: 1,752
Joined: Jul 29, 2019
       

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#4 » by Tottery » Fri Apr 4, 2025 6:09 am

He doesn't look as thin now as he does in the video you posted. He needs to lose the excess weight and keep it off before it's too late.
User avatar
Sign5
Head Coach
Posts: 7,124
And1: 10,449
Joined: Sep 27, 2011

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#5 » by Sign5 » Fri Apr 4, 2025 6:16 am

Jesus, I see what you mean op off the first 20 seconds lol.
Shock Defeat
RealGM
Posts: 10,652
And1: 18,672
Joined: Aug 30, 2012
       

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#6 » by Shock Defeat » Fri Apr 4, 2025 6:18 am

Nico getting the last laugh
1993Playoffs
Assistant Coach
Posts: 4,070
And1: 4,235
Joined: Apr 25, 2017

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#7 » by 1993Playoffs » Fri Apr 4, 2025 6:31 am

Damn near looks like a different player
User avatar
HumbleRen
RealGM
Posts: 18,351
And1: 25,314
Joined: Jul 02, 2021
 

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#8 » by HumbleRen » Fri Apr 4, 2025 6:38 am

It’s only going to get worse as he gets older.

His bad habits are fine when you’re 18-22 years old where your body can digest anything without any issues.

When you’re 25+? Your body isn’t bouncing back so quickly lol.
uncleduck13
Rookie
Posts: 1,096
And1: 1,559
Joined: Feb 16, 2010

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#9 » by uncleduck13 » Fri Apr 4, 2025 6:39 am

This is kinda bizzare to watch. He looks like he’s aged 10+ years from an athletic standpoint compared to where he was in 2020. He moves like an old Paul Pierce these days.
User avatar
Pablo Escobar
Head Coach
Posts: 7,277
And1: 4,759
Joined: May 13, 2009
Location: Medellín
 

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#10 » by Pablo Escobar » Fri Apr 4, 2025 6:40 am

Read on Twitter


Look how explosive he was.
Plata o Plomo?
uncleduck13
Rookie
Posts: 1,096
And1: 1,559
Joined: Feb 16, 2010

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#11 » by uncleduck13 » Fri Apr 4, 2025 6:42 am

EmpireFalls wrote:Nico was cooking something. I’m not saying he made a 5 star meal, he used way too much seasoning and spilled the dish all over the counter. But there is undeniably something to the Luka decline.


He might be cooked by the end of the decade real talk
Prince187
Starter
Posts: 2,197
And1: 2,653
Joined: Mar 21, 2007

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#12 » by Prince187 » Fri Apr 4, 2025 6:46 am

Tottery wrote:He doesn't look as thin now as he does in the video you posted. He needs to lose the excess weight and keep it off before it's too late.


I say this as someone who thinks Luka is the 2nd best player in the world after Jokic but it’s not just that he’s not as thin as he used to be. He flat out looks sick and unhealthy. Just compare how his face looked back then compared to now. Watching that video is just depressing. I don’t know what could cause such a steep decline in a very short period of time. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was something nefarious. That version of Luka with 5 years of experience under his belt could average a 40 point triple double. That would be the league’s worst nightmare
User avatar
ImSlower
Head Coach
Posts: 6,278
And1: 7,490
Joined: Jan 06, 2011
Location: STL-ish
   

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#13 » by ImSlower » Fri Apr 4, 2025 6:48 am

I knew he'd developed into more of a crafty, slower player and was skeptical when I entered this thread. But holy cow you guys are right. He's still really strong and has terrific body control, but he looks like he's 36 out there compared to these clips.

I wonder if he actually took it seriously to lose some weight and regain agility, just how different his came could be.
guynumber45
Junior
Posts: 493
And1: 758
Joined: Mar 11, 2024

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#14 » by guynumber45 » Fri Apr 4, 2025 6:53 am

Prince187 wrote:
Tottery wrote:He doesn't look as thin now as he does in the video you posted. He needs to lose the excess weight and keep it off before it's too late.


I say this as someone who thinks Luka is the 2nd best player in the world after Jokic but it’s not just that he’s not as thin as he used to be. He flat out looks sick and unhealthy. Just compare how his face looked back then compared to now. Watching that video is just depressing. I don’t know what could cause such a steep decline in a very short period of time. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was something nefarious. That version of Luka with 5 years of experience under his belt could average a 40 point triple double. That would be the league’s worst nightmare


I think he has a legitimate alcohol and smoking issue. There are plenty of sources you can look up where he's been caught overindulging in these activities during his off-time. I remember this one story from a few years ago when he was playing for the national team during the offseason, he was spotted smoking and drinking beers on the days before important games
OxAndFox
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,542
And1: 3,094
Joined: May 17, 2022
Contact:

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#15 » by OxAndFox » Fri Apr 4, 2025 7:03 am

Shock Defeat wrote:Nico getting the last laugh


What was wrong with getting the last laugh and pulling off the biggest blockbuster trade and heist in the history of the game?
User avatar
Ryoga Hibiki
RealGM
Posts: 12,417
And1: 7,639
Joined: Nov 14, 2001
Location: Warszawa now, but from Northern Italy

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#16 » by Ryoga Hibiki » Fri Apr 4, 2025 7:07 am

How does the comparison look vs last year, durng the RS?
The decline is a bit too sudden

Слава Украине!
OxAndFox
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,542
And1: 3,094
Joined: May 17, 2022
Contact:

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#17 » by OxAndFox » Fri Apr 4, 2025 7:14 am

guynumber45 wrote:
Prince187 wrote:
Tottery wrote:He doesn't look as thin now as he does in the video you posted. He needs to lose the excess weight and keep it off before it's too late.


I say this as someone who thinks Luka is the 2nd best player in the world after Jokic but it’s not just that he’s not as thin as he used to be. He flat out looks sick and unhealthy. Just compare how his face looked back then compared to now. Watching that video is just depressing. I don’t know what could cause such a steep decline in a very short period of time. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was something nefarious. That version of Luka with 5 years of experience under his belt could average a 40 point triple double. That would be the league’s worst nightmare


I think he has a legitimate alcohol and smoking issue. There are plenty of sources you can look up where he's been caught overindulging in these activities during his off-time. I remember this one story from a few years ago when he was playing for the national team during the offseason, he was spotted smoking and drinking beers on the days before important games


What do you think these guys do when they say they're going to the clubs etc? You think they're all drinking spring water or something? You think they don't go out...like A LOT.

I tell you what, for all you know he doesn't drink/smoke as much as the next dude in the NBA, but just doesn't put the work in to get it off. Plenty of sauces where he's been caught overindulging. :lol: Stop making crap up man.

Oh what? That's insane. He was "spotted", wait for it, smoking, and drinking, on the days BEFORE important games? Quick, someone call the authorities.
So let me get this straight, if someone smoked before, like days as you say, like on a Wednesday when the game is on a Friday or Saturday, then...what?
FFS guys are smoking weed in the NBA on the morning of games.
User avatar
Ice Trae
RealGM
Posts: 12,313
And1: 11,421
Joined: Jan 20, 2012
 

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#18 » by Ice Trae » Fri Apr 4, 2025 7:34 am

lol wow thats actually wild. he has no more burst getting to the rim anymore
Yuri36
Starter
Posts: 2,410
And1: 1,704
Joined: Feb 03, 2019

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#19 » by Yuri36 » Fri Apr 4, 2025 7:35 am

uncleduck13 wrote:This is kinda bizzare to watch. He looks like he’s aged 10+ years from an athletic standpoint compared to where he was in 2020. He moves like an old Paul Pierce these days.


Even old Paul pierce was still fitter and more athletic than any version of Luka, let alone the current one.
Yuri36
Starter
Posts: 2,410
And1: 1,704
Joined: Feb 03, 2019

Re: Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age 

Post#20 » by Yuri36 » Fri Apr 4, 2025 7:42 am

ImSlower wrote:I knew he'd developed into more of a crafty, slower player and was skeptical when I entered this thread. But holy cow you guys are right. He's still really strong and has terrific body control, but he looks like he's 36 out there compared to these clips.

I wonder if he actually took it seriously to lose some weight and regain agility, just how different his came could be.


Well first, it might prevent him to get some injuries.

Return to The General Board