Basketball/NBA

[khaled_a_d]

So, Tim Cato (Mavs insider) is saying Nico Harrison rated Jrue Holiday at same level of Jokic.

If true, it confirms that Nico wasn't just an idiot, but essentially a biased one. He has preference to American players and probably Luka never stood a chance to win him over.

 

[TheStig]

The most hilarious thing is that AD got fat in Dallas. Worst trade of all time but long term the best thing that could happen to Dončić.

 

[khaled_a_d]

The most hilarious thing is that AD got fat in Dallas. Worst trade of all time but long term the best thing that could happen to Dončić.

tbf to him, he was banned from any athletic training for months due to eye surgery. It is normal to gain weight if you aren't allowed to workout while maintaining sane amount of calorie intake.

He will get in shape soon enough.

I don't agree the trade is good for Luka. He had a team built for him, a great one too. Now, he is in an equally bad organisation, that has bad roster and even bigger expectations. If he doesn't deliver a chip he will be called out, with the likes of SAS and Perkins claiming he couldn't do it in two franchises.

 

[TheStig]

Luka last season was also injured but they traded him primarly because he was fat. I don't excuse him, no professional sportsman who gets paid millions should be fat at any point, that's the bare minimum.

The trade is good for Luka because he used it for motivation to get in shape, that probably wouldn't happen in Dallas. He went to a worse team short term but long term there is a lot more of potential in Lakers than in Mavs. This is like going from Osasuna to Real Madrid if we're honest but first they have to get rid of Lebron and bring a top free agent and trade a few players, they'll have many options in 2026 and 2027, it's on Pelinka to make the right moves, we'll see if he'll do it or not.

This season the team is probably too weak for a ring but you never know with Luka in this form. I predict he'll be the MVP this season but won't go to the finals yet.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Luka last season was also injured but they traded him primarly because he was fat. I don't excuse him, no professional sportsman who gets paid millions should be fat at any point, that's the bare minimum.

The trade is good for Luka because he used it for motivation to get in shape, that probably wouldn't happen in Dallas. He went to a worse team short term but long term there is a lot more of potential in Lakers than in Mavs. This is like going from Osasuna to Real Madrid if we're honest but first they have to get rid of Lebron and bring a top free agent and trade a few players, they'll have many options in 2026 and 2027, it's on Pelinka to make the right moves, we'll see if he'll do it or not.

This season the team is probably too weak for a ring but you never know with Luka in this form. I predict he'll be the MVP this season but won't go to the finals yet.

Lakers has no assets to bring a big trade, never mind current CBA killed the chances of superstars moving as Free agents.

Lakers have been mediocre ever since Dr. Buss passed away. They lucked into a ring after the NBA gave them lottery gifts for years and they they traded it all for AD, after Lebron decided LA was his retirement home. Even then they needed covid bubble so their squad was totally healthy to win it. It was the perfect storm.

Look at the 2026 free agents list, it is nothing that will change his forune. And once Reeves signs a renewal, they won't have a chance of 2027 free agents.

Wemby is apready surpassing Puka, and SAS have better future, same as OKC. I can't see how Lakers can make to the finals within the 2026-2028 time frame, except for some massive luck or some rigged shit to happen.

 

[TheStig]

I said they had a lot of work to do and it's not a sure thing they will do it but you'll attract a lot more players in LA than in Dallas.

Wemby is apready surpassing Puka,

No he's not and probably never will. Wemby didn't achive 5% of what Luka did in his career and he's not even better this season. He had a couple of freak amazing games but quickly went back to a lower level. He has potential to be great but can't compare him to Luka yet. Wouldn't bet Wemby will ever be at that level consistently, I'm afraid his body won't allow it. Anyway, I always prefer players with superior technique to physical freaks in any sport.