I’m not sure he’ll get that same treatment. The media loves Luka bc off the court he’s chill, funny as hell, and a prankster. He’s a guy they can hang out with and feel like he’s one of them. They will look at other areas like the role players, injuries, blah blah blah….but the media discriminates based on their personal feelings and relationships.
Yes, just like when Pat Riley famously showed his distrust in Dwyane Wade, and when Bob Myers decided Steph and Klay were scrubs.
Agree. I would say that, at this point, everyone in the know understands better what Boston is trying to do on both ends, probably as a result of that being the sole focus now.
Steve Jones Jr. was on both Lowe Post and Dunkers Spot and he mentioned that he was on with Reddick too - so is that three of the four you mentioned?
No one talks about Luka's conditioning. I guess that's a bridge too far if they ever want to get an interview from him again. They do talk about how injured he is, and after reciting all of the stats I posted above, Lowe starts talking about how there are like "5 possessions a game where Luka moves his feet and stonewalls his opponent." Of course Lowe has to give Luka props for sometimes playing defense, even though he's really been chicken BBQ the entire series.
Yeah, I always forget the media access factor. Maybe people really are that scared of pissing Luka off?
Nate Duncan - who’s normally pretty low on Tatum - had this to say, which I found to be interesting and I hadn’t seen elsewhere (paraphrasing):
If Tatum plays center with KP out with an injury, maybe the dumb lazy media comparison isn’t to Kobe but a different Laker that did the same thing in the Finals.
I’ve heard the same on these silly Facebook threads about Mazzulla. Brad knows how bad he is that’s why he has to go out and get Cassell and Lee. It’s why we are trying to add Van Gundy to the bench staff next year too. Joe so bad.
I spoke of this the other day. It isn’t a fear it’s that everyone genuinely loves the guy. He’s their funny, joke cracking, have a beer with, prankster neighbor who everyone wants to hang out with.
I think Luka is firmly a top 5 player even with his defense, he's that much of a difference maker on the ball. He's also a huge prick on the court and he now has a good enough team around him that expectations going forward will become higher than posting daily James Harden box scores. I feel like the "everybody loves Luka!" era might be nearing its end.
I watched a little of his presser on NBA TV last night and two guys asked him long questions in Spanish, and he answered in Spanish. It was actually pretty interesting and I was thinking just another small way everyone comes away impressed with him.
Did you see the 5 minute back and forth he had the game prior with the Brazilian reporter with 95% of it being about their star footballer Neymar?
But does Tatum have the baby hooks with either hand in his shooting arsenal? I haven’t seen footage of Magic’s 42 point game against the Sixers in years, if at all, but I imagine he used those as well as all of his other gone ram abilities, including the rebounding and the heavenly passing. Not that Tatum doesn’t have all of the excellent offensive abilities. He does.
No, I didn't see that, but will look it up. I mean, the Luka ballwashing is annoying, but he is clearly a star and you are right, the media gives him a ton of attention because he is undoubtedly elite (at offense) and has a lot of character.
As others have said, the Luka’s antics are cute crowd may decrease significantly next year if he’s in the same shape and a turnstile on D again in the playoffs. That said, as I’ve written multiple times, I fully expect him to win the MVP next year. But the tide may turn come the playoffs.
Just seeing this. Thanks for pointing it out.
Tatum has played center for most of the non Kornet playoff minutes. The Celtics play five out so Tatum doesn't need to have play the post on offense. He actually has been playing point center against the Mavs.
Maybe JM was playing 11-D chess and comparing the two subliminally. HEAD GAMEZ!
So awesome. We really are fortunate to have some amazing (at least two amazing) coaches to watch in the professional ranks. I’m developing a huge appreciation for Mazzulla.
It's always important to remember that, regardless of what he does on the court, he is a clear tier above everyone except Jokic.
Ah ok thought you were talking about another Boston HC... and I was stymied.
I thought the same as you.
It's hilarious to see Mavs fans talking about how Luka was "funneling the Celtics wings towards the center" when their center isn't even in the paint for half of those and Luka also never switches after said "funneling". He stays there stuck in the mud waiting for an uncontested rebound to fall in his lap.
I like the versatility of JT on D but he doesn't need to play center when we have Al, Kornet, Tilman and even Quetta---
I will just pick this of several posts, but the Celtics probably lost one of their best players for the rest of the series. It is very premature to discuss how Luka losing will affect his legacy.
....also he fails to funnel on most occasions. Quick crossover and JB/Tatum are beating him away from the help routinely.
10000%. He's definitely got the Roethlisberger thing going.
"Men will literally spend hours inventing excuses for Luka Doncic's defense rather than go to therapy"
Would be great if you could point out where I discussed that! As we've seen with LeBron James, one title (or two, or three, or four) buys you months of grace in this media/fan environment.
