The LeBron James All-NBA (2nd) and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread

Post #2101 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Mon Mar 10, 2025 11:41 pm

Alex Len starting

IG2 · Post #2102 » by **IG2** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 1:30 am

Trailing in the 4th against the Nets....

Another poor shooting night for Luka and Reaves has really struggled since returning from injury. He seems to be moving fine, so probably just a rhythm issue. If he can't be that #2 to Luka on this LeBron-less stretch, hard to imagine LA winning a single game. Schedule is brutal. They'll most likely be 5th seed or lower by the time LeBron returns.

Post #2103 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 1:54 am

10/38 from your two best offensive players isn't going to get it done, even against the Nets. The role players made enough shots to win this if Luka and Reaves play up to their usual standards.

Reaves in particular looks completely off rhythm on most of his shots. Worst possible time for a slump like this.

trickshot · Post #2104 » by **trickshot** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 2:18 am

I felt they were trying to get Luka to do more execution basketball. It didn't come off but it will with patience. Missing 3 starters will also cripple any team, doesn't matter who. In this case Rui, Lebron and Hayes are the best offball guys Luka creates for.

trickshot · Post #2105 » by **trickshot** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 2:32 am

One thing people will be in denial about is Luka needs to reduce the foulbaiting and ref cursing. He's no longer some teenage prodigy. No clue why Cuban and Nba fans defended it for so long. Not even prime Lebron would get a pass if he did it in the Nba finals. Whether due to rust or just losing a step it's getting worse. Find better ways to get clean looks. Reddick and Lebron are there to learn from. Dallas sort of created a monster only to one day suddenly expect him to change. Should have done so from the start

Post #2106 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 2:41 am

donnieme wrote:One thing people will be in denial about is Luka needs to reduce the foulbaiting and ref cursing. He's no longer some teenage prodigy. No clue why Cuban and Nba fans defended it for so long. Not even prime Lebron would get a pass if he did it in the Nba finals. Whether due to rust or just losing a step it's getting worse. Find better ways to get clean looks. Reddick and Lebron are there to learn from. Dallas sort of created a monster only to one day suddenly expect him to change. Should have done so from the start

I said last season that his bitching to the refs is as bad as I've ever seen, and he lets it infect the rest of his game. Literally on every call or non-call, even while the possession is still alive.

TheGOATRises007 · Post #2107 » by **TheGOATRises007** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 3:47 am

donnieme wrote:One thing people will be in denial about is Luka needs to reduce the foulbaiting and ref cursing. He's no longer some teenage prodigy. No clue why Cuban and Nba fans defended it for so long. Not even prime Lebron would get a pass if he did it in the Nba finals. Whether due to rust or just losing a step it's getting worse. Find better ways to get clean looks. Reddick and Lebron are there to learn from. Dallas sort of created a monster only to one day suddenly expect him to change. Should have done so from the start

His biggest flaw.

It can't be good for your mental focus to constantly bitch at the refs every possession.

And he's one of my favorite players to watch too, but he needs to cut it out.

Ian Scuffling · Post #2108 » by **Ian Scuffling** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 2:23 pm

Ugly. I know Luka, at least with Lebron, has been good, but has he shot above 50% in a game, yet? His shooting will come, I know. But, I'd like it to come sooner rather than later. Regarding the complaining, damn. I didn't watch much of Luka when he was in Dallas, because, well, he was in Dallas. However, yeah he needs to cut it out. Another thing he learned from Lebron. LOL...But, Lebron usually has/had a reason. `

trickshot · Post #2109 » by **trickshot** » Wed Mar 12, 2025 1:57 am

TheGOATRises007 wrote:
donnieme wrote:One thing people will be in denial about is Luka needs to reduce the foulbaiting and ref cursing. He's no longer some teenage prodigy. No clue why Cuban and Nba fans defended it for so long. Not even prime Lebron would get a pass if he did it in the Nba finals. Whether due to rust or just losing a step it's getting worse. Find better ways to get clean looks. Reddick and Lebron are there to learn from. Dallas sort of created a monster only to one day suddenly expect him to change. Should have done so from the start

His biggest flaw.

It can't be good for your mental focus to constantly bitch at the refs every possession.

And he's one of my favorite players to watch too, but he needs to cut it out.

It's really bad. He makes Lebron's tantrums look tame. I'd prefer he was actually whining at a teammate so he could at least be facing the play. Luka's just switches off like he's ready to hit the showers. LA fans don't do the whole star struck thing, he'll get booed one day if someone doesn't curb it now.

Celtics and Nets games also make it obvious teams are now actively provoking and beating on Luka. He needs to respond better.

TroubleS0me · Post #2110 » by **TroubleS0me** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 3:51 am

Read on Twitter

Post #2111 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 11:47 pm

Of course now Vincent can't buy a 3 even with no-one within a mile of him... :-?

dcstanley · Post #2112 » by **dcstanley** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 1:56 am

2nd and 3rd seed probably out of reach after this stretch. 4/5 matchup against Houston is ideal but then you get OKC in the second round. Was really hoping to avoid their side of the bracket.

thebigbird · Post #2113 » by **thebigbird** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 2:08 am

Yeah Bron is definitely still the best player on this team. Covers up so many holes.

Ainosterhaspie · Post #2114 » by **Ainosterhaspie** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 2:19 am

thebigbird wrote:Yeah Bron is definitely still the best player on this team. Covers up so many holes.

But people tell me he's not portable. :lol:

TroubleS0me · Post #2115 » by **TroubleS0me** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 3:42 am

Read on Twitter

trickshot · Post #2116 » by **trickshot** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 5:18 am

thebigbird wrote:Yeah Bron is definitely still the best player on this team. Covers up so many holes.

Don't know about best but he's the most important the way Rob built this team. That's the only true 2way player, shooter, offball cutter, transition threat athlete in the starting 5. You can't replace him without having too little of one thing. Serious roster rebalancing needed offseason. I get that AD was the reason but Jaxson Hayes and 3 parttime centers beside Luka is also just diabolical. It almost led to that potential Mark Williams disaster.

Post #2117 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 10:49 pm

Luka out tonight. Fun times.

Ian Scuffling · Post #2118 » by **Ian Scuffling** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 1:29 am

Oooh, this could get ugly, tonight. Reaves for 70!

Post #2119 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 2:06 am

Wow, this Denver team is atrocious defensively.

Post #2120 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 3:24 am

Giving up 99 points in three quarters to this Laker team is crazy work. And this is with them missing a bunch of layups and open threes.

Hindsight: Would you trade Luka back to Dallas for Anthony Davis?