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

[LukaMagic55]

Reading the GB thread, just some utterly wild, inane takes. Someone said ANT outplayed Luka. Let’s be very, very clear here…Luka was EASILY the best player on the floor. He came out, punched the T-Wolves in the mouth, built up a nice first quarter lead, then the second he went to the bench, the Lakers immediately squandered that lead he built up (which has been a reoccurring them since the trade).

Luka played fantastic. On the switches, he actually played good D on ANT…ANT just hit a couple tough, contested jumpers, which he’ll do. That wasn’t the issue. The issue was Randle, McDaniels, and Reid combining to go 13-18 from three. There’s a word for that. A couple, really. Anomalous, flukey, and my preferred, bull. Reid is a good shooter, 38%. McDaniels and Randle aren’t (33 and 34%). So all three shooting way out of their minds, all on the same night, is bull. It’s that simple. And no, it’s because they were open.

A. A lot of them were contested.

B. Teams give Randle and McDaniels open threes. There’s a reason for that. This wasn’t some new thing.

Minny won’t have that fluke shooting every game. What’s more concerning is that LeBron and Reaves were flat out terrible. Just horrendous. They have to bring something to the table.

What’s wild to me is the way Luka gets treated here and in the media. The entire Denver-LA thread was saying Jokic needs help (even though Gordon, Westbrook, and Braun played really damn well), and the Lakers-Minny thread is mostly people somehow bashing Luka when I’m not really sure what more he could have done. Scored at will, set the tone (which they blew once he sat), got guys good looks (which they missed), and played solid D.

I have complete faith in Luka to keep playing great. Don’t forget, both the Clippers and OKC won game 1 last year against the Mavs. But I’m concerned about the rest of that Lakers team showing up.

[TheGOATRises007]

Idk if Luka was easily the best player on the floor and I'm a big fan of his. It seems like the Wolves really stunted his playmaking this game and his defense wasn't great either.

McDaniels was probably the best player on the floor taking both teams into account. He was great offensively and a menace defensively.

The other points, I somewhat agree with.

[EmpireFalls]

Luka played solid D

He was far from the Lakers problems tonight, his shotmaking was really the only thing stopping this game from being a 50 point blowout, but the (lack of) rotations and transition defense were awful.

Not to say Luka wasn’t good. He absolutely played well. With LeBron playing at such a pathetic level offensively and the team being completely overmatched in size+athleticism there was nothing Luka could do to save them.

However, Luka wasn’t “great”. Why? 37 points, only ONE assist.

no one really got into rhythm tonight for LA. Wolves did a good job of making sure Luka’s playmaking wasn’t there. Nearly doubled LA up in assists. Sure the individual stats were really good but I genuinely think Minnesota would live with this Luka performance ten times out of ten, as he didn’t create open looks for his team. Same way Indiana lived with Giannis earlier today.

[LukaMagic55]

Luka played solid D

He was far from the Lakers problems tonight, his shotmaking was really the only thing stopping this game from being a 50 point blowout, but the (lack of) rotations and transition defense were awful.

Not to say Luka wasn’t good. He absolutely played well. With LeBron playing at such a pathetic level offensively and the team being completely overmatched in size+athleticism there was nothing Luka could do to save them.

However, Luka wasn’t “great”. Why? 37 points, only ONE assist.

no one really got into rhythm tonight for LA. Wolves did a good job of making sure Luka’s playmaking wasn’t there. Nearly doubled LA up in assists. Sure the individual stats were really good but I genuinely think Minnesota would live with this Luka performance ten times out of ten, as he didn’t create open looks for his team. Same way Indiana lived with Giannis earlier today.

Did you actually watch the game? How many points did Minny score in the first quarter? They didn’t get rolling until Luka sat. Yes, he played solid D. Stonewalled Randle several times. ANT hit a couple tough, contested jumpers on him, but that will happen. Luka was -12. For point of reference, LeBron was -22, Reaves -25, Rui -26. The game was lost when Luka sat after the first quarter.

Staying raw assists is just morally disingenuous. Luka created numerous open looks, many through hockey assists and attention, that weren’t converted. He can’t make guys make open shots.

[LukaMagic55]

Idk if Luka was easily the best player on the floor and I'm a big fan of his. It seems like the Wolves really stunted his playmaking this game and his defense wasn't great either.

McDaniels was probably the best player on the floor taking both teams into account. He was great offensively and a menace defensively.

The other points, I somewhat agree with.

They didn’t stunt his playmaking. Guys just missed open looks. What is he supposed to do about that?

His D was fine. You’re overreacting to anomalous shooting from Minny.

[Tracymcgoaty]

Luka was great on offense. Not so much on defense. But he was by far our best player and it wasn't even close.

In order for us to be successful Lebron needs to go back to being pre groin injury Lebron. Not for offense but for his defense before the injury. He was clear cut our most important defensive player before the injury. He looked way more engaged and his movement was more spry.

The schedule and the injuries murdered it. Dont think he can recover. But he hasn't looked the same ever since the injury.

[LukaMagic55]

Luka was great on offense. Not so much on defense. But he was by far our best player and it wasn't even close.

In order for us to be successful Lebron needs to go back to being pre groin injury Lebron. Not for offense but for his defense before the injury. He was clear cut our most important defensive player before the injury. He looked way more engaged and his movement was more spry.

The schedule and the injuries murdered it. Dont think he can recover. But he hasn't looked the same ever since the injury.

Agree with this but also I don’t think Luka’s D was bad. Again, thinks didn’t go to **** until he sat to start the 2nd quarter. Defense was great in the first quarter (which he played all 12 minutes of).

Randle, Reid, and McD went 13-18 from three. That just isn’t realistic.

Bigger issue is if LeBron and AR continue to hinder the team.

[PistolPeteJR]

LeBron wasn’t even that bad outside of the 1st quarter and a bit in the 2nd. He played pretty good defense all game too.

Reaves was horrendous on both ends.

[dcstanley]

They're going to have to play Vando more, unfortunately. The Lakers have the least speed and athleticism of any team in the playoffs. They have to play twice as hard as their opponent to close that gap.

[LukaMagic55]

LeBron wasn’t even that bad outside of the 1st quarter and a bit in the 2nd. He played pretty good defense all game too.

Reaves was horrendous on both ends.

No, he was bad all game. Especially on offense.

[Mos_Heat]

They will play better and the Wolves will play worse but is a 50/50 series now. I didn't think it would be that way tbh

[thebigbird]

Luka is a historic ballhog. He usually balances it out with playmaking, but he did no playmaking tonight and was atrocious on defense.

[TroubleS0me]

Read on Twitter

[Mos_Heat]

Don't know what's more concerning the defense or the offense. Butt-kicking from the 2n qtr on.

LA's defense invites a lot of 3's. Minnys a good 3pt shooting team. They were gonna have a hot game or 2 in this series but man, game 1.

Offensively, just 15ast total. Luka-Lebron-Reaves 7ast to 11to's.

Just a complete wipe out.

Offense is a way bigger concern. If their offense is not very good they just can't win

[bigboi]

Reading the GB thread, just some utterly wild, inane takes. Someone said ANT outplayed Luka. Let’s be very, very clear here…Luka was EASILY the best player on the floor. He came out, punched the T-Wolves in the mouth, built up a nice first quarter lead, then the second he went to the bench, the Lakers immediately squandered that lead he built up (which has been a reoccurring them since the trade).

Luka played fantastic. On the switches, he actually played good D on ANT…ANT just hit a couple tough, contested jumpers, which he’ll do. That wasn’t the issue. The issue was Randle, McDaniels, and Reid combining to go 13-18 from three. There’s a word for that. A couple, really. Anomalous, flukey, and my preferred, bull. Reid is a good shooter, 38%. McDaniels and Randle aren’t (33 and 34%). So all three shooting way out of their minds, all on the same night, is bull. It’s that simple. And no, it’s because they were open.

A. A lot of them were contested.

B. Teams give Randle and McDaniels open threes. There’s a reason for that. This wasn’t some new thing.

Minny won’t have that fluke shooting every game. What’s more concerning is that LeBron and Reaves were flat out terrible. Just horrendous. They have to bring something to the table.

What’s wild to me is the way Luka gets treated here and in the media. The entire Denver-LA thread was saying Jokic needs help (even though Gordon, Westbrook, and Braun played really damn well), and the Lakers-Minny thread is mostly people somehow bashing Luka when I’m not really sure what more he could have done. Scored at will, set the tone (which they blew once he sat), got guys good looks (which they missed), and played solid D.

I have complete faith in Luka to keep playing great. Don’t forget, both the Clippers and OKC won game 1 last year against the Mavs. But I’m concerned about the rest of that Lakers team showing up.

Solid D, lmao. Delusion. They literally hunted Luka

[KembaWalker]

Davis to Luka is a solid upgrade but it’s not like he’s just gonna straight up hard carry with no help. Officials did their part, Luka did his job, where was everyone else

[Ian Scuffling]

Man, what a terrible time for Lebron to be coming back from an injury, especially a core/groin injury. He was so good pre-injury and if he was still there, I wouldn't be concerned about this round. But, obviously not the case. Not sure there's much chance of him being able to get better that quickly at this age.

[thebigbird]

The lakers really have the worst homecourt advantage. Place sounded like a mid-January game against the Nets.

[bigboi]

Davis to Luka is a solid upgrade but it’s not like he’s just gonna straight up hard carry with no help. Officials did their part, Luka did his job, where was everyone else

I’m not convinced it’s an upgrade. Matter fact, if Kyrie didn’t get injured and Davis didn’t get injured early on, I think Dallas would be better than Lakers.

[Bergmaniac]

Reading the GB thread, just some utterly wild, inane takes. Someone said ANT outplayed Luka. Let’s be very, very clear here…Luka was EASILY the best player on the floor. He came out, punched the T-Wolves in the mouth, built up a nice first quarter lead, then the second he went to the bench, the Lakers immediately squandered that lead he built up (which has been a reoccurring them since the trade).

Luka played fantastic. On the switches, he actually played good D on ANT…ANT just hit a couple tough, contested jumpers, which he’ll do. That wasn’t the issue. The issue was Randle, McDaniels, and Reid combining to go 13-18 from three. There’s a word for that. A couple, really. Anomalous, flukey, and my preferred, bull. Reid is a good shooter, 38%. McDaniels and Randle aren’t (33 and 34%). So all three shooting way out of their minds, all on the same night, is bull. It’s that simple. And no, it’s because they were open.

A. A lot of them were contested.

This is just not true. According to nba.com's stats, not a single one of the Wolves' 3 was contested, all of them were either open or wide open. 27 of them were wide open, the rest (15) were "just" open.