Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis!

[OldSchool]

LA has King Shohei holding court with Princes Puka and Luka in attendance.

 

[shovelpass]

I wonder how Doncic is going to fit in LA. I haven't watched much this season, but the Mavs played a very particular style of ball with him on the court. Wondering if LA will transition to accommodate that, or will Doncic have to adjust.

It's possible that the Mavs were concerned with his health long-term. He's already missed 22 games this season, and also has a history of lower body injuries. Even when he's been on the court he's dealing with pain/injuries.

 

[shovelpass]

Lakers should trade for Harden. They will have three starters who don’t play much defense.

They would set the record for fouls drawn.

 

[snackdaddy]

Mavs fans are furious but I don't know if there is that much dropoff in talent for the Mavs. And its not like they're collecting assets for the future. They got an elite defender and good scoring player. Doncic scores a few more but he doesn't provide the overall game Davis does.

Mavs fans think Doncic is a far better player than Davis. I don't agree. If their ages were similar I'd never consider traded Davis straight across for Doncic. I don't know if this makes the Lakers better right now. But it does give them a longer future with a star player. To me that is the only reason the Lakers might have gotten the better end of the deal. Neither players is gonna make them a champion this year.

 

[TSFH Fan]

From 2019

Anže Kopitar, on whether there is a fraternity among Slovenian athletes:
With Luka, that’s the first time we’ve met in person. I’ve talked to him over the phone a little bit, but first time in person. Yeah, we do keep tabs on each other and cheer each other on. It’s kind of funny, because for a small country like we are, we have a lot of professional athletes that play in the highest levels. You name it – you’ve got soccer, basketball, there’s myself, ski jumpers are good, skiers are good. It’s pretty fascinating how well we’re represented. And it’s not just one sport. You name it – the versatility of sport, it’s pretty amazing.

Dončić and Kopitar: From Slovenia to Dallas and Los Angeles - LA Kings Insider

There are several ways to look at each country’s medal haul during the Olympic Games. While countries like the United States, Germany and Russia – and Norway in the Winter Olympics – are often duking it out for the largest claim, those countries, minus Norway, of course, have massive populations...

lakingsinsider.com

 

[snackdaddy]

I ended my post with neither is gonna make them a champion this year. Maybe not. But the Lakers sure have been playing well without Davis. Dismantling the Clippers last night. Winning 8 of 10. Half of that without Davis. I finally did watch some of the game last night. I guess the news kinda brought me back. The role players are pretty good. And they play good defense. Is it enough in the playoffs without a rim protector? I don't know. I can see someone like Jocic going off on them. Then again, who knows. Its a scrappy bunch who can harass big men near the rim.

 

[OldSchool]

So just another way to point out the NBA is an absolute fucking joke. A team just traded a 2030 pick. You heard that right a trade was done for a 2nd round pick, already worthless, in 5 years.

 

[methomas50]

Pelinka has always given me the creeps and I have wanted to move on from him for a while. Hard to imagine him not having major job security after that deal. Basically insures the Lakers remain relevant for a decade.

 

[Classic Rams]

I rarely watch the NBA and I only know a handful of the bigger stars. 90% of the players I don't even know and don't care about. I just never liked the Celtics and Clippers.

I'll put on a Laker game and fall asleep because it comes on later here. I guess I'm okay with the trade we'll see. I'll definitely watch more out of curiosity and we'll see if I watch more. If they make the finals yeah I won't miss a game.

Showtime was my #1 favorite time.

Shaq-Kobe Lakers were okay. Kobe-Pau Lakers were okay. But if I watch any past games on youtube it's during showtime when Magic had a goatee. He never won a title after he shaved it. I'll also watch Jabbar Lakers pre-magic because that's when I got on board.

 

[snackdaddy]

I rarely watch the NBA and I only know a handful of the bigger stars. 90% of the players I don't even know and don't care about. I just never liked the Celtics and Clippers.

I'll put on a Laker game and fall asleep because it comes on later here. I guess I'm okay with the trade we'll see. I'll definitely watch more out of curiosity and we'll see if I watch more. If they make the finals yeah I won't miss a game.

Showtime was my #1 favorite time.

Shaq-Kobe Lakers were okay. Kobe-Pau Lakers were okay. But if I watch any past games on youtube it's during showtime when Magic had a goatee. He never won a title after he shaved it. I'll also watch Jabbar Lakers pre-magic because that's when I got on board.

Yeah, the 80's Showtime was the best era for me. I enjoyed all their championships. A great run. 9 finals appearances in 12 years. 5 titles. The Kobe/Pau ones were almost as good as the Showtime for me. Mainly because I didn't expect a championship before the Pau trade. 3 straight finals appearances. Winning the last two. And no Kobe/Shaq drama.

I will say my interest peaked and while I haven't watched a whole game yet, I've watched parts of every game since the Doncic trade. They're certainly playing much better lately. But Lebron is downgraded to doubtful for tonight's game. Austin Reaves is questionable. Might not be one of their better games tonight. We'll see.

 

[TSFH Fan]

View: https://x.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1888345613949096235?mx=2

 

[snackdaddy]

I imagine the Dallas fans are gonna be even more pissed if Davis misses more games. Meanwhile, the Lakers win again today. Without Lebron and Luka. Against a pretty good Indiana team that won 13 of 16 going into the game. Austin Reaves with a career high 45 points.

One thing the Lakers have done recently is get off to big leads early in the game. They had first half leads of 25 or better a few times the past few games. A 44-22 first quarter lead today. Seemed like every time the Pacers went on a run to get back in the game Reaves would hit a big bucket.

Luka is expected to play Monday. Lebron too. We'll see how they co-exist. With Reaves that gives them 3 top tier scorers. They just have to figure out how to maximize the talent. If they do that they can make some noise in the playoffs.

 

[FaulkSF]

The Williams trade was rescinded as he failed a physical. Good they can keep Knecht and their pick, but they don’t have a dominant center. The new kid from UAB looks serviceable for that role and they may ask Vandy to play some 5.

 

[Akrasian]

I was nervous about that anyway, although it's going to be a priority this offseason to get a center

 

[RAMSinLA]

View: https://youtu.be/_mqmVxR8iQQ

 

[snackdaddy]

Most think if they want to make a deep playoff run they need legit rim protector at center. Hayes is not gonna cut it and there's not much behind him. Options mentioned were Javale McGee and Mo Bamba. McGee is playing in Puerto Rico and Bamba was waived by his team.

I agree they need a center that can play defense. I can see someone like Jocic in Denver dominating them. You need two high end all stars to be a legit contender these days. They have that with Lebron and Luka. But previous Laker championships had the inside/outside game with Kobe/Shaq and Kobe/Pau. Even the Showtime Lakers had a great center in Kareem.

Not sure how they will work together with two guys who need the ball to be at their best. Not to mention a 3rd guy in Austin Reaves. They're all prolific scorers but its gonna take some good coaching game plans to make it work.

 

[Tano]

What a surprise

Davis may need Surgery

 

[RAMSinLA]

Shady crap like this is why I don't watch the NBA anymore. I've never been a Mavericks fan but I can imagine how angry they are. The NBA is trying to build back up a fan base by moving top talent to top teams like the Lakers. Its unfair but not the main reason so many stopped watching.
The reason the league is failing is due to number one Lebron James and number two its a league of spoiled millionaire baby's.

 

[snackdaddy]

I guess they need time to figure out how they can co-exist. They've lost two in a row to bottom dwelling teams Utah and Charlotte. Last night's game was a home game for the Lakers. Not a good sign. They were playing pretty well before the trade.

 

[Classic Rams]

Yeah, the 80's Showtime was the best era for me. I enjoyed all their championships. A great run. 9 finals appearances in 12 years. 5 titles. The Kobe/Pau ones were almost as good as the Showtime for me. Mainly because I didn't expect a championship before the Pau trade. 3 straight finals appearances. Winning the last two. And no Kobe/Shaq drama.

I will say my interest peaked and while I haven't watched a whole game yet, I've watched parts of every game since the Doncic trade. They're certainly playing much better lately. But Lebron is downgraded to doubtful for tonight's game. Austin Reaves is questionable. Might not be one of their better games tonight. We'll see.

Yeah I've also seen parts because it comes on late here. Then I'll watch what I missed on youtube highlights. Sometimes they replay the full games so I'll check out what I missed.

I do miss Davis on D, that's an obvious hole. The Lakers should be better off though and I think the Mavs will be dangerous if they make the playoffs. If both teams face each other that will be a series to watch. I've missed many NBA playoff series over the years but with Luka now I'll be tuning in.