I still don't fully like the Luka/Harden comparisons outside of the "big guard that isos and takes stepbacks" because Luka hasn't been a playoff dropper and his overall shot selection is not like Harden. Luka is way more paint oriented and shoots midranges; Harden has had seasons where he shot more 3s than 2s, with those 2s only being layups. I think Kyrie gives Dallas a real reason to get the ball out of Luka's hands because before Kyrie, taking the ball out of Luka's hands is borderline selling. Like with CP3 and Westbrook on those Houston teams.
@@matthieusaade3616 the passing, the lack of defense, the size at the pg spot, and triple double ability are all reasons he is compared to harden and rightfully so
However… Luka has won Euroleague and European championship. So he’s already proven on a professional level that he has what it takes to win. It all comes down to the franchise finding the right complementary players around your star/stars.
I didn't watched how he played in europe, was he playing the same way in europe ? I doubt the coach would let play him in Madrid the way he plays in Dallas.
He also led Slovenia to their only Olympic qualification in history & took them to the semifinals. Anyone looking at the roster he’s played with & the numbers he’s put up, especially in the playoffs, and coming to the conclusion that Luka is the problem legitimately has an IQ in the 60-70 range.
@@20dieux No. he wasn't even the point guard at the begining he was a small forward and the secoundary ball handler. They started playing him at point guard because Sergio Llull got injured. And since they were winning they keep playing him as the main ball handler. But even there he played way more of the ball because Madrid had other playmakers like Rudy Fernandez + Euro basket is very different in terme of style there is not really any team that play heliocentric like in the NBA. Another important detail is that they had one of the best coach of all time Pablo Laso who wasn't afraid of screaming at Luka when he did mistake or tell him to put more effort.
I don't really understand the Harden and Luka comparison. Aside from they play the heliocentric type of offense. Luka post up has a solid mid range game. Harden is living and dying by the the three and insane amount of freethrows. They have similatities but they have glaring diffrences but to be honest Luka needs to learn to play off the ball and play post up and create an offense off of that ability.
The biggest mistake that "analysts" and fans fall into time and time again is assuming that this is how Luka wants to play. This wasn't how Luka played pre-NBA. This wasn't how Luka played in Slovenia previously. Instead, this is how Luka has had to play to make the team competitive. Even when they had KP, Luka had to play that way because Carlisle just wanted KP to camp at the 3pt line. The lack of skilled wings and a true powerhouse big on the roll has painted the past Mavs teams into the Lukaball corner. Dallas' roster since Luka got drafted has been extremely limited. This is the first season Luka will have versatile players on the wings. The team still has a gaping hole in the middle, however. If Luka had players like Capella, Aaron Gordon, Bogdanovic, etc. on this team, you can be sure you'd see a very different type of team offensively. It's just that Luka was SO GOOD, SO EARLY that the Mavs had barely amassed assets for the rebuild and got thrust into win now mode immediately.
I still don't understand why the KP and Doncic combo crashed and burned so badly. We'll see how the Celtics do. I understand the importance of having a perimeter corner guy in modern NBA offensive spacing, but KP is not that.
@@sfasfads It was a mix of Carlisle being trust into providing wins with a depleted roster besides Luka/KP/THJ and with injuries harping chemistry with Luka/KP combo. And how probably the FO told Carlisle to be gentle with KP post injuries to just have him do minimal activity in the paint/restricted area and become a stretch 5. If KP didn't get injured and-or suspended by techs in the bubble, shit we might have saw another mavs ring. That year was open for everybody imo with the amount of time for health.
Did you guys see what players they surround him with ? A always injured and out of rythm unicorn, a young Brunson and the season he really bloom, Luka gave him the ball plenty. But who else ?
Tim hardaway jr,Seth curry, Spencer dinwidde, and Dorian finney smith to name a few and now pj Washington and Daniel Gafford to flesh out the roster he’s had plenty of help over the years
Trust me i understand why this whole “Luka is basically Harden” narrative started considering the results of the Mavs last season. But there’s a few factors I just can’t get out of my head pertaining to it’s validity. I remember the first half of the season last year watching games where Luka would try to involve his teammates in playmaking duties and couldn’t because his only other playmaker at the time was Dinwiddie. I’ve seen a young Luka play in an off ball role in Eurobasket (to Dragić). Plus with the understanding of how advanced offensively he is at the age of 24 I can’t bring myself to believe that he can’t play off ball. Personally I’ve always seen more of a unathletic Lebron in Luka than a Harden.
As much as I dislike luka I admit that the main problem is not him… the system and coaching is awful for modern basketball. This is one instance where I think having him with someone like Kerr, pop, mike brown would make all the difference
0:36 why not put the rebounds too ? He doesn't just score and pass he rebounds a lot and he's good with steals too . Last season had more steals than Giannis and only 0.3 blocks less than Giannis. He literally does EVERYTHING on the Mavs. Harden use to just score ( freethrows) and pass only when he didn't have a shot
its not like dallas never tried to involve others. But usually when they did suddenly most of the teammates couldn't shoot as efficient and their offense looked bad. Luka didn't have a lot of teammates that could create shot on their own consistently. Reggie, Porzingis, THJ, Spencer. They all good players but they are not Luka. Luka's bad game is usually 20/5/10. THJ is sometimes 3/16 on shots. They had no other choice but to put Luka as ball dominant because enemy team had no answers. Just look 2020 and 2021 playoffs against LAC.
Luka is not the only player with a high usage rate. Players like Giannis and Embiid have higher usage rates than his, while both of players are centers and every year media and all these CZcamsrs consider them championship contenders
@@Matthew-xl5bcWell Luka runs the point & has been the only reliable playmaker until Kyrie so obviously his possession time is going to be high. Also both those players are way more limited offensively & have been shut down in the playoffs numerous times, Luka’s playoff numbers are historic. Plus both have played with other all star players for the majority of their career’s & objectively had way better teams.
I mean did you watch the offense with Luka and kyrie outside of the ONE 4th quarter where they passed it back and forth and screwed up, the offense was great. The defense is honestly the biggest concern and they addressed a decent amount of it this off-season, I sincerely believe having a legit defensive guy either on the wing or a great rim protector Luka could easily be dangerous in the playoffs so it’s more up to management to somehow get that guy than it is the “offensive problems” I mean Luka carried Spencer dinwiddie and pre all star Brunson to the conference finals past the 1st seed suns soooo idk
Luka/Kyrie played 16 total games together. Was it really realistic for them to have a chance? It's no secret they both were hurt towards the end. Considering the Mavs did not make the playoffs last season, making it to the second round would be a success this upcoming season.
@@chugcanthoop They literally broke records in the 16 games they played together😨They will likely be the highest scoring duo and neither can be doubled.
@@chugcanthoop Kyrie will act as a costar. He'll increase the free throw percentage, prevent double teams, sustain leads while Luka's out, and ensure Luka isn't 100% drained.
@@EduardoOliveira-zx9ju people are also sleeping on the fact that kyrie just had one of his best statistical seasons last year too, having a 27 and 6 guy that shoots as close to 50/40/90 as possible without getting it is a pretty amazing costar
Everyone with this take speaks as if the team should run through Christian Wood. When he played with Brunson he played off ball. Get him a better team and coach, and he’ll play better
Eight assists per game tells me that Luka shares the ball more than you're claiming. That said, he does take too many crazy, low-percentage shots, and getting other people involved in the Mavericks' offense would certainly help.
Don’t cap on us, man. There’s no one… absolutely no one… made an article by the time Luka’s gonna be drafted, that compared him to James Harden. I watched it all.. I watched every commentaries about Luka before draft night and every single one of them thought he’s either a mixture of Larry Bird and Steve Nash, or people saying he’s slower than the rush hour traffic, and some even said that he’s not a lottery pick. People compared him to Hedo Turkoglu, some said that he’s gonna be exposed as a bust and won’t be able to contain the physicality of the NBA. It was after his second season, when he won his first All NBA First Team that comparisons to James Harden surfaced. It was due to his lack of chemistry with Kristaps Porzingis and him being a ball dominant player that made that argument and bashing that his career will falter with that same “Harden-style playing” and won’t be able to win a chip with that kind of play. I think, he doesn’t need to alter his game coz it’s working. You just need to surround him with All Star players who’s comfortable without the ball… but can also play S-Tier Defense, like a Pascal Siakam type of player.
The problem is he doesn’t have consistent shooting and defenders around him same thing bron needed curry needed kawhi needed shooting and defense around him he’s never consistently had anything and no star this year it looks better but people act like he’s the only player in the team y’all don’t even watch the games I haven’t missed one of luka a lot of times he throws players open and they just MISS that’s the difference overall he needs shooting and defense just like all modern players who have won had they’re trying to build the roster better it’s going to be better this year but he needs someone to be a top 3 three and d role player this year to make a difference hopefully Williams is that but this whole take is wild it’s not that it’s designed to only be isos it’s no one else can do anything luka barely got kai it’s gonna be different this is gonna age like milk
I agree but would double down actually. This play style is not good. Luka can't carry the offensive load by himself and be a target defensively. No one can endure all this. Check Slovenian run to gold medal in 2017. Luka was younger but used properly. He did not complain and his defense was on point. He needs someone to burst his bubble and tell him as it is, since that is best for him. If he chooses to leave you spoiled him for too long and would not win anyway. Better to do this while you can get some pieces in return.
Stop these weak, lazy comps to Harden. Harden is not in Luka's world, the guy is a generational talent. The reason why he's been so heliocentric is because his supporting cast has been average.
It’s not a 1 to 1 people, but the comp is valid. They’re big guards, no defense, immaculate handle, great playmakers, iso, PnR to death, ball dominate, stepback…sure, Luka is more of a post-up and mid-range threat, and he doesn’t shrink in the playoffs, but idk how you can’t see similarities
it not luka problem that he do that kind of things... its the composition of the team itself.. do you think the mavs can with that lineup last season can win any games if luka didnt do that kind of things...
As a Mavs fan, I do wish we had a third guy capable of initiating offense. We were at our most recent best when we had Doncic, Dinwiddie, and Brunson on the team, and could have at least two of them on the court most of the time. But it needs to be the rare player who can play on the ball without needing to dominate the ball.
It’s crazy but I said the same thing after Luka’s rookie season. He is more of James Harden than what most media people say Larry Bird. The 4 hardest players to build a team around is Luka, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and LeBron James.
Honestly this take is just... Uneducated. Luka finally got a good supportive cast that can do something in offense, he is finnaly not gonna have to carry offense, as he got another god tier playmaker in Kyrie, some good shooters and overall the quality of the team went from trash to at leastfunctional on both sides of the floor, the fact that he can involve other players and play off ball in the Olimpics, like cmon don't Diss him
Not to forget what LBJ did with the Cavs I mean man cmon... Westbrook is a triple double treath every night, and yes he is not in his prime but with the LAC he showed us he is still good, just not god tier anymore, so rn yes he probably isn't good enough to be n1, but n2 on a roster... Absolutly
Luka has already changed his style. He became an efficient scorer last season and playoff wise he is one of the best. I dont think his offense is an issue. Only his defense.
I cant stand the Harden comparisons. If we're talkin playoffs... One puts up 22.7, 5.5 and 6.3 while the other puts up 32.5, 9.3 and 7.9. Not that close...
It sounds what you're describing is a coaching/roster issue rather than a Luka issue. Harden has always underperformed in the playoffs, Luka hasn't and Luka has already won Eurobasket age 18 along with Euroleague title with Euroleague MVP and Final 4 MVP at age 19!! For those clueless on euroleague, thats simply unprecedented, 19 year olds don't dominate, they play garbage time if they lucky.
Luka is no doubt a smart guy, so I'm hoping watching his buddy Jokic win the championship with strong passing and whole team play, will set him a good example and road to the top. I watched some of the Luka highlight reels and was amazed, so I tuned in the next Mavs game. The other team put rotating double teams on him and virtually shut down the Mavs. Yes he is Great, but he needs some help.
Hoping him and Brunson reunite given how amazing Jalen is playing rn. He carried that team in the 1st round against Utah last year and did well against the Suns later.
As a Mavs fan, I'll be honest with you, I don't really want JB back anymore. Him & Brunson both needed the ball in their hands and there was too much "my turn, your turn" between them. Brunson is playing so well right now because he gets to have the ball in his hands way more than he did with Luka which means he gets to generate more points and scoring opportunities for teammates.
I think it works. He is a bit like Kobe. Not exactly, but he usually runs the offense through himself and does know the strengths and weaknesses of his teammates. It is ok. He is losing the right way. The team in general is very successful. Just that he is not able to make that final step. For me, I like KDs way of playing better where KD just influences a game and takes over at critical times. But Luka's way of playing is also good, just not something I like to see that much. But it will work. Just need to keep trying.
The thing with Luka is that over a year or so people have been indicating that he is not to be upset, like he would throw a tantrum in case of any critique. Now, is there any proof of that besides Tim MacMahon's "sources" ? Like, I am almost sure Carlisle's departure was not all on Luka (the team not that great for many years). I don't think he has ever thrown anybody under a bus either. Yes, chubbines was a problem (although, it was a weird time with Covid and stuff). Also, what if that is it. No more progress. Just a prolific baller with some bad tendencies. In that case you can still built around him to hide his flaws. And the recent drama, where there were rumours of not being happy, I think it was a blatant fabrication created to sell Kyrie trade. The "we have to do something because, you know, Luka is unhappy. Our hands are tied" routine. Not saying Kyrie is a bust trade (that remains to be seen in terms of winning), but I think he was used by someone in the Mavs org. And after that every whisper network was on high alert, producing "mavs are against the wall" bull crap. This is just my theory, of course, but I've seen NBA media creating things for attention or agenda.
Harden multiple mvps? Harden has 1 mvp dude. It always trips me out too when ppl say Luka needs to pass the ball more. Those are people who never ever watch mavs games. Got so tired of seeing Luka draw all the attention just to kick the ball out and have one of our below average starters and role players Brick wide open shots time and time again. That’s why Luka feels like he has to do everything on his own. Mavs teams looks better this year though
Those Houston teams were good and could have won a chip. Harden just choked. Ppl love to say this style of basketball doesn’t work in the playoffs but lebron is proof that it does.
Sorry I disagree. Luka's game elevates in the playoffs. Replace the Luka now to Harden's playoff runs with the rockets and they're gonna win a couple of chips. KD warriors or not
I think Luka can win a ring or multiple I just don’t like the pairing with Kyrie and think the rest of the Mavs roster is mediocre at best at least for this season
Your criticism is legit, problem of helicentric offence is that is depends too much on one player but if such offence generaly works and shows great results(Mavs offence rating is one of best in league) then why change it, better solution would be rather abolish it by simply improving plan B,C,D... ,when Luka is out of ideas and it is better to him play offball. I generaly think that Mavs are moving out of pure heliocentric by drafting player with more self-creation (Hardy,Proper) toward a mixed system I proposed. Shortly: Joke on you, you are about 2 years to late.
I've said it for a while that Dallas has in some ways ruined luka. He was an elite off ball player in Europe while also being elite on ball. Dallas has developed and empowered him in a way that he now just stands around off ball and it's not a problem. He was getting harden comps pre-draft because people thought he was unathletic not really because his style of play. Dallas leaned into the comp though and just let him play like harden and he and their team are worse off for it. now that he has the approval to dominate the ball so much he's not ever gonna give it back to play off ball more.
hes the best player on the team and the primary ball handler. Of course the ball is going to be in his hands. I agree he needs to be better off ball but up until the Kyrie trade the team only succeeded with the ball in his hands. Hopefully with the Luka and Kyrie pairing Luka will play a bit more off ball (hes still going to be the primary ball handler) and assumedly his defense will improve as well.
@@jabby4201 he was the primary ball handler for his team in Europe too. didn't stop him from playing off ball a lot as well and doing a great job of it. also your comment is completely erasing Brunson. who Dallas under utilized as a ball handler for 90% of the time he was with the team. They just to allow luka to dominate the ball too much when they had a guy like brunson. but I am off topic because the point is when he isn't on ball he stands around and does nothing. Which is the problem. him being the primary ball handler is not the issue. every team has a primary ball handler who is on ball more often than not. it's that he does nothing when someone else has the ball. and Dallas has made it clear they are ok with him standing around when he doesn't have the ball. instead of challenging him to be elite off ball like he used to be.
Harden dips in playoffs year after year. Luka raises his game. Luka on that thunder, nets, 76ers wins a chip. Cant blame him when dwight powell is our starting center.. its a crime hes going to be our center again...
You said it yourself tho. Harden has had way better teams than Luka (until now that he has Kyrie, we shall see how that works). Luka has had sub par help all along. How Dwight Powell continues to br a starting center in the NBA is beyond me
lmao lazy take go watch luka play in europe. who should luka have passed to in dallas worth a lick? again watch him when we had brunson. your fears are void.
Maybe he should've pass to Jalen's dad, because that was the main reason. And Marc C is a miser :) And no hate, I love Brunson's game and wish him all the best.
I still don't fully like the Luka/Harden comparisons outside of the "big guard that isos and takes stepbacks" because Luka hasn't been a playoff dropper and his overall shot selection is not like Harden. Luka is way more paint oriented and shoots midranges; Harden has had seasons where he shot more 3s than 2s, with those 2s only being layups. I think Kyrie gives Dallas a real reason to get the ball out of Luka's hands because before Kyrie, taking the ball out of Luka's hands is borderline selling. Like with CP3 and Westbrook on those Houston teams.
The step back is literally the only thing that you can compare them on
@@matthieusaade3616 Yeah, Luka plays more like PF, with physicality.
They’re both marginally efficient…hell in this offense Harden did it better if we gonna keep it 100
@@matthieusaade3616 the passing, the lack of defense, the size at the pg spot, and triple double ability are all reasons he is compared to harden and rightfully so
@@eezzzybucketz3855Harden is actually more efficient relative to the league. Harden is also much better free throw shooter.
However… Luka has won Euroleague and European championship. So he’s already proven on a professional level that he has what it takes to win.
It all comes down to the franchise finding the right complementary players around your star/stars.
I didn't watched how he played in europe, was he playing the same way in europe ? I doubt the coach would let play him in Madrid the way he plays in Dallas.
He also led Slovenia to their only Olympic qualification in history & took them to the semifinals.
Anyone looking at the roster he’s played with & the numbers he’s put up, especially in the playoffs, and coming to the conclusion that Luka is the problem legitimately has an IQ in the 60-70 range.
@@20dieux No. he wasn't even the point guard at the begining he was a small forward and the secoundary ball handler. They started playing him at point guard because Sergio Llull got injured.
And since they were winning they keep playing him as the main ball handler. But even there he played way more of the ball because Madrid had other playmakers like Rudy Fernandez + Euro basket is very different in terme of style there is not really any team that play heliocentric like in the NBA.
Another important detail is that they had one of the best coach of all time Pablo Laso who wasn't afraid of screaming at Luka when he did mistake or tell him to put more effort.
@@zombie92110 Nice, thank you
those tournaments don't work the same way.
they don't play 7 game series
I don't really understand the Harden and Luka comparison. Aside from they play the heliocentric type of offense. Luka post up has a solid mid range game. Harden is living and dying by the the three and insane amount of freethrows. They have similatities but they have glaring diffrences but to be honest Luka needs to learn to play off the ball and play post up and create an offense off of that ability.
He started playing that way under DAntoni. Before he was taking way more mid range.
Ppl compare them just bc of their step back and lazy defensive efforts only major similarities I see.
The biggest mistake that "analysts" and fans fall into time and time again is assuming that this is how Luka wants to play. This wasn't how Luka played pre-NBA. This wasn't how Luka played in Slovenia previously. Instead, this is how Luka has had to play to make the team competitive. Even when they had KP, Luka had to play that way because Carlisle just wanted KP to camp at the 3pt line. The lack of skilled wings and a true powerhouse big on the roll has painted the past Mavs teams into the Lukaball corner.
Dallas' roster since Luka got drafted has been extremely limited. This is the first season Luka will have versatile players on the wings. The team still has a gaping hole in the middle, however.
If Luka had players like Capella, Aaron Gordon, Bogdanovic, etc. on this team, you can be sure you'd see a very different type of team offensively. It's just that Luka was SO GOOD, SO EARLY that the Mavs had barely amassed assets for the rebuild and got thrust into win now mode immediately.
He kinda does, those stars are little narcistic, but I believe that he know about this problem.
I still don't understand why the KP and Doncic combo crashed and burned so badly. We'll see how the Celtics do. I understand the importance of having a perimeter corner guy in modern NBA offensive spacing, but KP is not that.
@@sfasfads It was a mix of Carlisle being trust into providing wins with a depleted roster besides Luka/KP/THJ and with injuries harping chemistry with Luka/KP combo. And how probably the FO told Carlisle to be gentle with KP post injuries to just have him do minimal activity in the paint/restricted area and become a stretch 5. If KP didn't get injured and-or suspended by techs in the bubble, shit we might have saw another mavs ring. That year was open for everybody imo with the amount of time for health.
Did you guys see what players they surround him with ? A always injured and out of rythm unicorn, a young Brunson and the season he really bloom, Luka gave him the ball plenty. But who else ?
Tim hardaway jr,Seth curry, Spencer dinwidde, and Dorian finney smith to name a few and now pj Washington and Daniel Gafford to flesh out the roster he’s had plenty of help over the years
Trust me i understand why this whole “Luka is basically Harden” narrative started considering the results of the Mavs last season. But there’s a few factors I just can’t get out of my head pertaining to it’s validity. I remember the first half of the season last year watching games where Luka would try to involve his teammates in playmaking duties and couldn’t because his only other playmaker at the time was Dinwiddie. I’ve seen a young Luka play in an off ball role in Eurobasket (to Dragić). Plus with the understanding of how advanced offensively he is at the age of 24 I can’t bring myself to believe that he can’t play off ball. Personally I’ve always seen more of a unathletic Lebron in Luka than a Harden.
As much as I dislike luka I admit that the main problem is not him… the system and coaching is awful for modern basketball. This is one instance where I think having him with someone like Kerr, pop, mike brown would make all the difference
He’s definitely overrated
0:36 why not put the rebounds too ?
He doesn't just score and pass he rebounds a lot and he's good with steals too .
Last season had more steals than Giannis and only 0.3 blocks less than Giannis.
He literally does EVERYTHING on the Mavs.
Harden use to just score ( freethrows) and pass only when he didn't have a shot
James Hardens problem was choking in the playoffs not his play style.. Lukas game rises in the playoffs
Luka didn’t even make the playoffs last year 😂
its not like dallas never tried to involve others. But usually when they did suddenly most of the teammates couldn't shoot as efficient and their offense looked bad. Luka didn't have a lot of teammates that could create shot on their own consistently. Reggie, Porzingis, THJ, Spencer. They all good players but they are not Luka. Luka's bad game is usually 20/5/10. THJ is sometimes 3/16 on shots. They had no other choice but to put Luka as ball dominant because enemy team had no answers. Just look 2020 and 2021 playoffs against LAC.
Porzingis was almost solution but he is too fragile to play proper basketball. And that is was the reason why he was more spot shooter in Dallas.
Luka is not the only player with a high usage rate. Players like Giannis and Embiid have higher usage rates than his, while both of players are centers and every year media and all these CZcamsrs consider them championship contenders
Luka has a much higher time of possession and Giannis and Embiid are much better defenders.
@@Matthew-xl5bcWell Luka runs the point & has been the only reliable playmaker until Kyrie so obviously his possession time is going to be high.
Also both those players are way more limited offensively & have been shut down in the playoffs numerous times, Luka’s playoff numbers are historic. Plus both have played with other all star players for the majority of their career’s & objectively had way better teams.
Absolutely correct. Ball dominant player will win individual award but not a championship.
As a Mavs fan I can honestly say... we know, bro.
hahaha
If you really think that Luka's best comparison is Harden, you're not a Mavs fan
@@matthieusaade3616100% agree
You could argue a LeBron comp just as much as harden 🤷♂️
@@matthieusaade3616lazy comparison smh
I mean did you watch the offense with Luka and kyrie outside of the ONE 4th quarter where they passed it back and forth and screwed up, the offense was great. The defense is honestly the biggest concern and they addressed a decent amount of it this off-season, I sincerely believe having a legit defensive guy either on the wing or a great rim protector Luka could easily be dangerous in the playoffs so it’s more up to management to somehow get that guy than it is the “offensive problems” I mean Luka carried Spencer dinwiddie and pre all star Brunson to the conference finals past the 1st seed suns soooo idk
Luka/Kyrie played 16 total games together. Was it really realistic for them to have a chance? It's no secret they both were hurt towards the end. Considering the Mavs did not make the playoffs last season, making it to the second round would be a success this upcoming season.
@@EduardoOliveira-zx9ju exactly idk what people’s deal is with instantly saying kyrie and Luka can’t play together I’ve seen it everywhere
@@chugcanthoop They literally broke records in the 16 games they played together😨They will likely be the highest scoring duo and neither can be doubled.
@@chugcanthoop Kyrie will act as a costar. He'll increase the free throw percentage, prevent double teams, sustain leads while Luka's out, and ensure Luka isn't 100% drained.
@@EduardoOliveira-zx9ju people are also sleeping on the fact that kyrie just had one of his best statistical seasons last year too, having a 27 and 6 guy that shoots as close to 50/40/90 as possible without getting it is a pretty amazing costar
Everyone with this take speaks as if the team should run through Christian Wood. When he played with Brunson he played off ball. Get him a better team and coach, and he’ll play better
Eight assists per game tells me that Luka shares the ball more than you're claiming. That said, he does take too many crazy, low-percentage shots, and getting other people involved in the Mavericks' offense would certainly help.
Don’t cap on us, man. There’s no one… absolutely no one… made an article by the time Luka’s gonna be drafted, that compared him to James Harden. I watched it all.. I watched every commentaries about Luka before draft night and every single one of them thought he’s either a mixture of Larry Bird and Steve Nash, or people saying he’s slower than the rush hour traffic, and some even said that he’s not a lottery pick. People compared him to Hedo Turkoglu, some said that he’s gonna be exposed as a bust and won’t be able to contain the physicality of the NBA.
It was after his second season, when he won his first All NBA First Team that comparisons to James Harden surfaced. It was due to his lack of chemistry with Kristaps Porzingis and him being a ball dominant player that made that argument and bashing that his career will falter with that same “Harden-style playing” and won’t be able to win a chip with that kind of play.
I think, he doesn’t need to alter his game coz it’s working. You just need to surround him with All Star players who’s comfortable without the ball… but can also play S-Tier Defense, like a Pascal Siakam type of player.
The problem is he doesn’t have consistent shooting and defenders around him same thing bron needed curry needed kawhi needed shooting and defense around him he’s never consistently had anything and no star this year it looks better but people act like he’s the only player in the team y’all don’t even watch the games I haven’t missed one of luka a lot of times he throws players open and they just MISS that’s the difference overall he needs shooting and defense just like all modern players who have won had they’re trying to build the roster better it’s going to be better this year but he needs someone to be a top 3 three and d role player this year to make a difference hopefully Williams is that but this whole take is wild it’s not that it’s designed to only be isos it’s no one else can do anything luka barely got kai it’s gonna be different this is gonna age like milk
4:41 lol am I the only one that forgot someone was speaking and was just enjoying the highlights? 😂😂
I agree but would double down actually. This play style is not good. Luka can't carry the offensive load by himself and be a target defensively. No one can endure all this. Check Slovenian run to gold medal in 2017. Luka was younger but used properly. He did not complain and his defense was on point. He needs someone to burst his bubble and tell him as it is, since that is best for him. If he chooses to leave you spoiled him for too long and would not win anyway. Better to do this while you can get some pieces in return.
Title should be Dallas Mavericks Front Office problem and not Luka.
Luka & Harden are very much alike 😌 & that’s a compliment to both 👌🏾
Stop these weak, lazy comps to Harden. Harden is not in Luka's world, the guy is a generational talent. The reason why he's been so heliocentric is because his supporting cast has been average.
It’s not a 1 to 1 people, but the comp is valid. They’re big guards, no defense, immaculate handle, great playmakers, iso, PnR to death, ball dominate, stepback…sure, Luka is more of a post-up and mid-range threat, and he doesn’t shrink in the playoffs, but idk how you can’t see similarities
it not luka problem that he do that kind of things... its the composition of the team itself.. do you think the mavs can with that lineup last season can win any games if luka didnt do that kind of things...
As a Mavs fan, I do wish we had a third guy capable of initiating offense. We were at our most recent best when we had Doncic, Dinwiddie, and Brunson on the team, and could have at least two of them on the court most of the time. But it needs to be the rare player who can play on the ball without needing to dominate the ball.
It’s crazy but I said the same thing after Luka’s rookie season. He is more of James Harden than what most media people say Larry Bird. The 4 hardest players to build a team around is Luka, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and LeBron James.
What? I don't like LeBron, but give him 5 shooters with solid defense and he'll get you to the finals. We're taking about prime LeBron of course.
Honestly this take is just... Uneducated. Luka finally got a good supportive cast that can do something in offense, he is finnaly not gonna have to carry offense, as he got another god tier playmaker in Kyrie, some good shooters and overall the quality of the team went from trash to at leastfunctional on both sides of the floor, the fact that he can involve other players and play off ball in the Olimpics, like cmon don't Diss him
Not to forget what LBJ did with the Cavs I mean man cmon... Westbrook is a triple double treath every night, and yes he is not in his prime but with the LAC he showed us he is still good, just not god tier anymore, so rn yes he probably isn't good enough to be n1, but n2 on a roster... Absolutly
Luka has already changed his style. He became an efficient scorer last season and playoff wise he is one of the best. I dont think his offense is an issue. Only his defense.
I cant stand the Harden comparisons. If we're talkin playoffs... One puts up 22.7, 5.5 and 6.3 while the other puts up 32.5, 9.3 and 7.9. Not that close...
Luka averages 10 more points than Harden in the playoffs
3:50 ayoooo
Luka actually improves his game in the playoffs unlike Harden who completely meltsdown most of the time in the playoffs.
Luka can operate in the post, I see him more as like a Larry Bird’ish type.
It sounds what you're describing is a coaching/roster issue rather than a Luka issue. Harden has always underperformed in the playoffs, Luka hasn't and Luka has already won Eurobasket age 18 along with Euroleague title with Euroleague MVP and Final 4 MVP at age 19!! For those clueless on euroleague, thats simply unprecedented, 19 year olds don't dominate, they play garbage time if they lucky.
Luka is no doubt a smart guy, so I'm hoping watching his buddy Jokic win the championship with strong passing and whole team play, will set him a good example and road to the top. I watched some of the Luka highlight reels and was amazed, so I tuned in the next Mavs game. The other team put rotating double teams on him and virtually shut down the Mavs. Yes he is Great, but he needs some help.
Hoping him and Brunson reunite given how amazing Jalen is playing rn. He carried that team in the 1st round against Utah last year and did well against the Suns later.
As a Mavs fan, I'll be honest with you, I don't really want JB back anymore. Him & Brunson both needed the ball in their hands and there was too much "my turn, your turn" between them. Brunson is playing so well right now because he gets to have the ball in his hands way more than he did with Luka which means he gets to generate more points and scoring opportunities for teammates.
I think it works. He is a bit like Kobe. Not exactly, but he usually runs the offense through himself and does know the strengths and weaknesses of his teammates.
It is ok. He is losing the right way. The team in general is very successful. Just that he is not able to make that final step.
For me, I like KDs way of playing better where KD just influences a game and takes over at critical times. But Luka's way of playing is also good, just not something I like to see that much. But it will work. Just need to keep trying.
Luka special. No Defense. No ball movement. Whine to refs.
Luka compared to harden when one of them actually shows up in the playoffs and played much better and far younger age 😭😭😭😭
Oh yeah? How far did luka go in the playoffs last year?
The thing with Luka is that over a year or so people have been indicating that he is not to be upset, like he would throw a tantrum in case of any critique. Now, is there any proof of that besides Tim MacMahon's "sources" ? Like, I am almost sure Carlisle's departure was not all on Luka (the team not that great for many years). I don't think he has ever thrown anybody under a bus either. Yes, chubbines was a problem (although, it was a weird time with Covid and stuff). Also, what if that is it. No more progress. Just a prolific baller with some bad tendencies. In that case you can still built around him to hide his flaws.
And the recent drama, where there were rumours of not being happy, I think it was a blatant fabrication created to sell Kyrie trade. The "we have to do something because, you know, Luka is unhappy. Our hands are tied" routine. Not saying Kyrie is a bust trade (that remains to be seen in terms of winning), but I think he was used by someone in the Mavs org. And after that every whisper network was on high alert, producing "mavs are against the wall" bull crap. This is just my theory, of course, but I've seen NBA media creating things for attention or agenda.
The Mavs have constructed this roster to be this way.
Harden multiple mvps? Harden has 1 mvp dude. It always trips me out too when ppl say Luka needs to pass the ball more. Those are people who never ever watch mavs games. Got so tired of seeing Luka draw all the attention just to kick the ball out and have one of our below average starters and role players Brick wide open shots time and time again. That’s why Luka feels like he has to do everything on his own. Mavs teams looks better this year though
Those Houston teams were good and could have won a chip. Harden just choked. Ppl love to say this style of basketball doesn’t work in the playoffs but lebron is proof that it does.
Sorry I disagree. Luka's game elevates in the playoffs. Replace the Luka now to Harden's playoff runs with the rockets and they're gonna win a couple of chips. KD warriors or not
I am more concerned about Luka's lazy defense.
If Luka could just try on defense and not just stare at the guy he is guarding he’ll win mvp
HUSTON MISSED LIKE 29 THREES IN A ROW, THATS WHY THEY LOST. THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH HUSTON AND DALLAS IS THAT THERE IS NO GOOD DEFENCE.
Luka may be a great scorer, but it’s painful to watch him just play iso ball like he thinks his teammates don’t deserve to be on the court with him.
Imagine being luka and your two front court players are powell and kleber, they ass😤
I don't really get why it's said that this kind of basketball doesn't win, when Lebron Cavs played something similar....
Luka is my favorite player too, how cool isn't that😍
😄he said that just to avoid criticism, for sure
I think Luka can win a ring or multiple I just don’t like the pairing with Kyrie and think the rest of the Mavs roster is mediocre at best at least for this season
Your criticism is legit, problem of helicentric offence is that is depends too much on one player but if such offence generaly works and shows great results(Mavs offence rating is one of best in league) then why change it, better solution would be rather abolish it by simply improving plan B,C,D... ,when Luka is out of ideas and it is better to him play offball.
I generaly think that Mavs are moving out of pure heliocentric by drafting player with more self-creation (Hardy,Proper) toward a mixed system I proposed.
Shortly: Joke on you, you are about 2 years to late.
"They don't play basketball like this"..... Well, well, well, stereotyping again. Jokic was stereotyped and the "experts" were wrong.
Absolutely 100% on the head! I been saying this from the jump
nope
Correction: James Harden only won 1 MVP he is NOT a "multiple time MVP" sorry Tucker 😅
I've said it for a while that Dallas has in some ways ruined luka. He was an elite off ball player in Europe while also being elite on ball. Dallas has developed and empowered him in a way that he now just stands around off ball and it's not a problem. He was getting harden comps pre-draft because people thought he was unathletic not really because his style of play. Dallas leaned into the comp though and just let him play like harden and he and their team are worse off for it. now that he has the approval to dominate the ball so much he's not ever gonna give it back to play off ball more.
hes the best player on the team and the primary ball handler. Of course the ball is going to be in his hands. I agree he needs to be better off ball but up until the Kyrie trade the team only succeeded with the ball in his hands. Hopefully with the Luka and Kyrie pairing Luka will play a bit more off ball (hes still going to be the primary ball handler) and assumedly his defense will improve as well.
@@jabby4201 he was the primary ball handler for his team in Europe too. didn't stop him from playing off ball a lot as well and doing a great job of it. also your comment is completely erasing Brunson. who Dallas under utilized as a ball handler for 90% of the time he was with the team. They just to allow luka to dominate the ball too much when they had a guy like brunson. but I am off topic because the point is when he isn't on ball he stands around and does nothing. Which is the problem. him being the primary ball handler is not the issue. every team has a primary ball handler who is on ball more often than not. it's that he does nothing when someone else has the ball. and Dallas has made it clear they are ok with him standing around when he doesn't have the ball. instead of challenging him to be elite off ball like he used to be.
Did you say Harden is a multiple time MVP? I don't think so, bro.
well doncic is great but not even jordan won playing by himself, he needs to be a better team player
Deflection
Problem is that he is rhythm shooter otherwise he would play more offball.
@@DAV3RAG3 what do you mean?
@@user-zp1jo5zt5v he is racist
Harden dips in playoffs year after year. Luka raises his game. Luka on that thunder, nets, 76ers wins a chip. Cant blame him when dwight powell is our starting center.. its a crime hes going to be our center again...
You said it yourself tho. Harden has had way better teams than Luka (until now that he has Kyrie, we shall see how that works). Luka has had sub par help all along. How Dwight Powell continues to br a starting center in the NBA is beyond me
Also matches the conditioning of Harden
Harsh. But fair.
Luka slick overrated but the media and people get emotional about it. He is and always has been a bigger and slower James harden.
Good luck finding another 19 years old MVP of Euroleague.
@@Motofanable no one cares. That’s not a flex I care about.
@@DAV3RAG3 ur not smart
Bruh being a James harden that steps up in the playoffs is enough to win a 3peat.. plus kyrie > CP3 so I think the mavs r good
lmao lazy take go watch luka play in europe. who should luka have passed to in dallas worth a lick? again watch him when we had brunson. your fears are void.
I hate this guy commentary about Luka, did Luka take his gf?!
This style of play limits your other players they had Brunson all this time look what he’s doing for the knicks now they gotta change it up.
bad take...
listen, let Luka be Luka because my New York Knicks do not get Brunson if Luka shared the ball 😂
I do not know, you Americans obviously love big city lights.
Maybe he should've pass to Jalen's dad, because that was the main reason. And Marc C is a miser :) And no hate, I love Brunson's game and wish him all the best.
Luka needs to change. The style Harden has played is proven to not be enough to get a ring
He is great but it wont win rings
Luka is a great player but he plays no defense that wins you championships.
Luka has a tenacity and a will to win which is absent with Harden.
Cap🧢, if luka so great he shouldn’t need all that help. Lebron done ruined the league. Don’t nobody want to work for a chip just wanna trade for one .
You don't know anything about the NBA or its history, do you? :) ;) It's not ALL that help. It's a complementary roster which is hard to build.
So the jordan Bulls was full of trash he did all by himself🤔🤔🤔🤔
Hope the Mavs fail
Be careful when you crossing the road because KARMA IS A BIT*H😜😜😜
@@BlueDragon-ip6mg nah Mavs will suffer eternal mediocrity for incompetent management and misuse of players
Luka is so overrated he's not a great player
Sure 😂
That's why he's consistently in the first team all NBA
He gets points for being a white gaurd. He is a good player but the hype is passed being a white guard in the nba with numbers.
@@DAV3RAG3 32/8/8. Yeah, I bet the defenders are just blinded by his whiteness :) :)
And apparently ur not a smart person 🤦🤦🤦🤦
@@DAV3RAG3 4 1 first all nba in 5 season just because he´s withe?, dude there´s a level how stupid one person can be😂😂😂😂😂😂
Twolves has defense and yet they are full of crap ..
Old argument… must be low on content. 🥱