We all know the type of guy who can absolutely dominate a pickup game because of immense talent and skill. That's Luka. Tenacious with talent and training, but lacking in the illustrious "X" factor of leadership and greatness that makes everyone around him great towards actual wins and team success. Style of game is very different, but style of character isn't much different than a James Harden, Russell Westbrook, etc.
Lacking illustrious X factor of leadership? of greatness that makes everyone around him great towards winning and team success?
Eh, I would love to hear your perspective and for you to elaborate on that.
He is not the volume shooter you think he is. Luka is not cut from the same cloth of players like Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, Westrbook.
Ask any teammate and you will hear how he makes the game easier for them. He is always the focal point for defenders and often gets doubled teamed.
He just hasn't had a supporting cast of talent and depth around him. Until now.
How many guys has Mark Cuban put on the roster that have been mid-average or simply average players around him?
Who is the wing defender on the Mavs? Who is a rim protector Center and puts up 15-25 points with Luka's pick-n-roll?
Who coaches and substitutes, by sitting Luka out the first 5-6 minutes of the 4th quarter and first 6-7 minutes of the 2nd quarter? (Still the worse coaching decision thought process ever - J. Kidd). Night after night, game after game.
Well fortunately for me and you and others, the Mavs finally addressed their weaknesses by making good trades. JP Washington & Daniel Gafford. And we can now see it all as it should have been.
Washington is a 6-7 wing defender with 7-2 wingspan, and can score on offense (15ppg). Gafford is a real, big body center that can score on his own, but thrives with Luka. Gafford is tough and physical and blocks shots, but scores points. While rookie center Derek Lively can play 25 minutes stress free as backup/starter for now. He has been thriving as a pick-n-roll finisher and rim protector at 19 yrs old.
Plus K.Irving is totally onboard being the robin to batman (Luka) and can light the scoreboard up. They are building chemistry and becoming the best duo in the league.
As to your point, Luka just hasn't had players around him.
Dwight Powell at Center ?? He is the easiest defender to drive past on in the league for the last 5 years. That's his center.
Hardaway Jr? Maxi Kleber? Dorian Finney-Smith? Reggie Bullock? Dinwiddie? Christian Wood? JaVale McGee? Porzingis? Josh Green? Kemba Walker? Hardy?
There have been dozens of them, names of guys and all nice players. Good players at times. But just roster budget guys.
These and not players a championship owner would put together. See LA Lakers, Golden State, Boston, Denver, Phoenix.
Since Dallas won a championship, it has been the same thing. Let great guys go, blow up the chemistry, make money and be like "here is our budget, these are some nice players, but we need to try and win and keep fans in the seats".
Luka just wants to win man. Score 40 or dish out 20 assist, he doesn't care.
But trust me, this trade for JP Washington and Gafford is going to make a difference. Just wait and you will see. Luka has a supporting cast that is pretty strong for once.
