RealGM

Luka will be 24 next season, same age as lebron (2009) or jordan (1988) when they took the last leap into their prime/peaks

if he is going to have any shot of reaching those kind of heights (doubtful but i wouldnt say impossible yet) what is he missing

what realistic inprovements could luka have as a player tl take him to a higher level as a player? or would you say he is close to a finished product? (doubtful)

Shot selection and turnovers are his bane. Not an amazing off-ball game, also something of an issue, particularly since Dallas' supporting cast doesn't seem very good at moving without the ball either (or perhaps that's a little more on Kidd, but still).

Defense is another obvious one.

1. Improvement on defense
2. Increase the percentage of touches you get that start below the free throw line

I was pulling my hair out when GSW would go to zone. There's not a player in the league who could zone bust better than Luka if he catches it at the free throw line/high post. Yet Dallas played like a college team, passing it around the perimeter.

Some of this is DAL's personnel limitations, but Dinwoodie/Brunson should be able to deliver it to Luka in spots.

He works too hard to score on huge, huge volume. Then he settles for 3's too much.

I like the kid. I would like to see less dribbling and quicker decisions on off-ball catches. He's got the talent and skillset for it imo.

Less ball-stopping on offense.
Better effort on defense.

He has to work on his conditioning and improve his defense/off-ball offense.

ronnymac2 wrote:1. Improvement on defense
2. Increase the percentage of touches you get that start below the free throw line

I was pulling my hair out when GSW would go to zone. There's not a player in the league who could zone bust better than Luka if he catches it at the free throw line/high post. Yet Dallas played like a college team, passing it around the perimeter.

Some of this is DAL's personnel limitations, but Dinwoodie/Brunson should be able to deliver it to Luka in spots.

He works too hard to score on huge, huge volume. Then he settles for 3's too much.

I like the kid. I would like to see less dribbling and quicker decisions on off-ball catches. He's got the talent and skillset for it imo.

Agree with the high post stuff. More Dirk sets with him with be great.

He should also be used more as a screener.

He needs to start his offensive attacks closer to the basket. Attacking from above the break every possession is an impossible task for anyone who isn't LeBron James (2006-2009).

Stamina(which is why he takes stepbacks over paint spam), defense and midrange game.

Step 1.... Lay off the chicken and rice, which I've seen him admit to eating regularly.
Step 2.... Hire Lebron's or Jimmy Butler's physical trainers.

He really has to get back to his Real Madrid playing weight or close to it. He was quite a bit more mobile then. Everything else will follow.

Step 3.... Open and maintain a line of communication with the Lakers, in case Dallas is unable to get him a proper 2nd star and he decides to leave, so the Lakers can prep the roster for his arrival and obtain appropriate trade chips.

Quite incredible that he's already so good but still has so many obvious areas to improve. And the best thing is that all of his major areas of improvement (defensive effort, stamina, shot selection, off-ball play, shooting) can be fixed, as long as he's determined to address them and works hard on them throughout his career.

The-Power wrote:Quite incredible that he's already so good but still has so many obvious areas to improve.

I know. I've been trying to think of another player where I felt this way and haven't been able to find one with his existing impact and number of fairly glaring areas of weakness.

I shudder at the GOAT talk, but even I have to acknowledge if he tightens up most of those, and all of them are within his ability to do, this guy is going to be the best player in the world. It's all right there for him if he will put in the work.

I do think working on his off-ball game and potentially being more of a screensetter could be huge for him. His vision and playmaking should become even more deadly going against a scrambling defense vs. a set defense that can totally key on on him