Sounds like I’m trying to be controversial, but I’m really not. Nor a Luka hater (I’m a fan). I’m just thinking out loud here …
It’s just that watching the first two games of the finals, I can’t shake the feeling that the Celtics make him look small. Not physically, but in terms of the power he has over the game, even though he’s probably the best or top 2 of the players on the court.
It just feels like being 1 way and ball heavy is too often just too much of a weakness, especially while watching Brown, Jrue and Porzingis (and even Tatum managing his slump) be impactful all over the court in ways that connect together as a team.
Meanwhile Luka is too often getting frustrated with his shot not going down or not getting the call he wanted and clearly wanting to wait for the next offensive possession to have another go at his favourite moves (though being frustrated with his team makes sense, but TBF he’s had some frustrating turn overs too).
Like, it feels like this finals could be the beginning of a story about Luka being this mercurial and prodigious offensive player that never wanted to (or could) take care of his weaknesses enough to get a ring.
I’m not calling it or anything … it’s just what I’m coming away from the first two games with … in part because while the Celtics (especially with Porzingis in) are the better team I don’t think they’ve played well and have still made it look clearly one-sided while it doesn’t feel like Luka is a miraculous hero who just needs some help.
Luka is 25 in his first finals appearance, the series isn’t over they’re down 0-2 and he’s still the third favorite for finals mvp. He may complain a lot, but imo that’s because of his love and passion for the game. The mavs are not losing games because of Luka this series. Also, the Celtics not having a “good game yet” is also because of the mavs capabilities on defense too. I think the mavs are just having a difficult time making shots, and when the Celtics need to make them, they are able to. The mavs are a newish built team compared to the Celtics have mostly been together a while. You’re putting entirely too much weight on a 25 year old player in his first finals appearance imo. He’s also been dealing with injury most of the playoffs and I think that’s prevented him from completely taking over a quarter like he has previously in his playoff performances. I get what you’re saying but these are definitely to me just thoughts without much consideration of the circumstances at hand.
Oh I hear you … in a way I’m more speculating about a possible path his career could take than anything else.
That being said, the whole 25 yr old thing feels to me a double edged sword. It’s not like he’s naturally athletic and relies on that to get by, and it’s not like he hasn’t being playing at a high level for years … some people are just on different physical timelines and physical age isn’t everything. Sure, a more fit version of Luka may be ahead … but also maybe not … he’s been a professional athlete for basically a decade now.