Luka has lost so much athleticism at such a young age

[vxmike]

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.

Trading Luka is completely defendable.

The return they got for Luka was a joke. I bet 99% of casual Lakers fan even think it’s a bad deal for Dallas. Worst deal in NBA history for a superstar at the time of trade.

"Luka is a fat piece of **** who plays like someone in his late 30's and will only get worse in the coming seasons... also how did Nico not get so little in return for him?!?"

He’s still Luka. They got back an older more expensive guy with an even worse injury history and a distant pick. 28 other teams would have offered more.

[levon]

he was legit quick when he was younger, he's definitely not that now.

he literally hasnt been quick for years. this idea that Luka's strength was some kind of explosiveness is pretty laughable. for most of his career to this point hes been known as a guy who moves at his own speed who really cant be moved around by defenses. now we're trying to rewrite history to make it sound like Luka was Ja Morant when he came into the league and is now Tractor Trailer. jeez

Yeah I'm convinced half of these people haven't even watched Luka play prior to the trade.

"But he used to be able to dunk at 19!" Yeah, basically everyone becomes less athletic between the ages of 19 and 26. Good thing Luka's a literal magician with the ball and is as strong as an ox.

[xchange55]

This is Luka in 2019 - not even recognizable. The weight he added isn't muscle.

[ryguy613]

Trading Luka is completely defendable.

The return they got for Luka was a joke. I bet 99% of casual Lakers fan even think it’s a bad deal for Dallas. Worst deal in NBA history for a superstar at the time of trade.

"Luka is a fat piece of **** who plays like someone in his late 30's and will only get worse in the coming seasons... also how did Nico not get so little in return for him?!?"

He’s still Luka. They got back an older more expensive guy with an even worse injury history and a distant pick. 28 other teams would have offered more.

If trading a 25 year old mega super star has SO many red flags that it makes trading him "defendable" how could you also claim that the rest of the NBA would be trying to outbid each other for the honor of rostering him? I wouldnt say these two things are completely mutually exclusive... but it certainly leans heavily in the direction. if hes not great enough to invest in 2-3 years before hitting what would be the "prime" for most nba players, then hes not worth as much as you think he is. if, on the other hand, 29 teams would get into a bidding war to have him, then trading him in the first place is probably NOT as defendable as you think.

[Ice Man]

Yeah, basically everyone becomes less athletic between the ages of 19 and 26. Good thing Luka's a literal magician with the ball and is as strong as an ox.

The first sentence isn't true at all. If it were, we'd have NFL superstar running backs and Olympic track champions at age 19, when in fact they tend to be in their mid 20s. The second sentence very much is true.

[LuckyGreen7]

This is Luka in 2019 - not even recognizable. The weight he added isn't muscle.

He could be just as fit as this today and in doing so, he would be a less injury prone and better basketball player. Not saying he isn't great today, but you want to see generational talents take their bodies and game to the limit.

[tamaraw08]

This is Luka in 2019 - not even recognizable. The weight he added isn't muscle.

He could be just as fit as this today and in doing so, he would be a less injury prone and better basketball player. Not saying he isn't great today, but you want to see generational talents take their bodies and game to the limit.

no Lakers fan in their right mind should disagree with your statement.
Obviously, he is not in the best shape and we wish he has minimum body fat and be more disciplined with his nutrition and consume no alcohol etc but do you know who else are in better shape? Westbrook and Ja Morant. Both guys rely heavily on their athleticism but the main difference is that Luka has more tools to be more effective player like BB IQ AND SHOOTING.
Also note that Luka will not get the supermax contract unlike Tatum and Brown allowing his team to spend more $ to help his team be in a better position to succeed.

[BruttoNostra]

I laugh at the "dunks" argument. Of course he could dunk and he sometimes does it easily in practice and warm up - a controlled environment. It was enough discussed with evidence and quotes that he prefers not to dunk in-game anymore due to injury risk - wrist/finger and legs when landing - the former is something he already suffered from and the latter is something we have plenty of examples of players hurting themselves, and with Luka's "frame" it's even more dangerous.

[Goon]

Given the body transformation its actually incredible how good he still is and a testament to how insanely gifted he is from a pure talent standpoint. He adopted his game and can now be considered one of the strongest players and is great at using that. I do hope that this trade was a wake up call, though, and we see him slim down over the summer. Hate that he has another international summer, and I say that as a Slovenian. I wish he'd take the summer off and work on his body and habits.

[Wagonband]

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.

[LuckyGreen7]

I don't deny that finding the extra motivation might be a little hard for a guy already as successful as he is, but that's what separates the all time greats. Come up with a list of the top 5-10 players in league history and there's barely anyone you can say , "Man, if only they stayed in shape." Pretty much Shaq and Joker is it. Centers only essentially. He would be the first fat wing / guard ever on that list.

3 years ago, I would have said Luka was a lock to finish his career recognized as a top 5 all time great. Now ? He's trending more towards a James Harden type career than a Larry Bird.

[Ice Man]

I don't deny that finding the extra motivation might be a little hard for a guy already as successful as he is, but that's what separates the all time greats. Come up with a list of the top 5-10 players in league history and there's barely anyone you can say , "Man, if only they stayed in shape." Pretty much Shaq and Joker is it.

Jokic runs up and down the court all game. I know that he doesn't look fit, but he's among the runningest centers.

[Yuri36]

I don't deny that finding the extra motivation might be a little hard for a guy already as successful as he is, but that's what separates the all time greats. Come up with a list of the top 5-10 players in league history and there's barely anyone you can say , "Man, if only they stayed in shape." Pretty much Shaq and Joker is it. Centers only essentially. He would be the first fat wing / guard ever on that list.

3 years ago, I would have said Luka was a lock to finish his career recognized as a top 5 all time great. Now ? He's trending more towards a James Harden type career than a Larry Bird.

Exactly.
I'm still bemused that not more people there don't get it.

[Bob8]

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?

[Yuri36]

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?

And still only 3rd in the MVP voting.
Oh and while last season was statistically his best, i still found him better on the court (especially at going to the rim) in his 3rd NBA season for example.

[Bob8]

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?

And still 3rd in the MVP voting.

Because injured Mavs couldn't be better than 5th. He would have won, if they had 1st seed. We have seen how little that mattered in playoffs.

By which parameters was he better? You shouldn't forget his heavy lifting with half a roster out for 2 months. 34 different starting lineups. He had incredible season by counting stats, advanced stats and individual performances. Just incredible season. Far better than anything before. And he has apparently done all that being fat, losing athleticism and being drunk half of nights.

He was far the most doubled and trapped player in Nba last year. Hard to drive, if you're defended like that.

[Andri]

A lot of assumptions behind the reasoning of each one.

At the end, Luka wins a ring in the next 2 years, he will be again on the ATG talk. He doesn't, what if's scenarios, diet discussions and so will prevail.

IMO, his story and how it develops will be one of the most interesting pieces of the basketball universe during next years.

[Liam_Gallagher]

I actually think he's much better with the size he has now. He's basically a point power forward.

[Bob8]

I actually think he's much better with the size he has now. He's basically a point power forward.

Exactly, playing slower could be only beneficial for player built like Luka. You for sure don't want that mass to move too fast.

[Wagonband]

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.