Transcription
Okay, you know what? I've seen enough. The Lakers plus Skinny Luca are going to be a nightmare for the rest of the league this season.
Conscious likes this matchup. Gets it up and he picks it. I mean, sorry.
As someone who has tracked Luca's evolution more closely than the IRS tracks a forgotten 37 cents on your W2, this version of Luca is the most dangerous Luca I've ever seen in my life.
Shows up and they call the foul. Chance for three-point play. I know a lot of you reblooded Americans aren't watching EuroBasket, but a storm is brewing across the Atlantic and soon it will be on our shores. The following is a full breakdown of the changes we are seeing in Luca and why the rest of the league should be very, very, very afraid.
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For years, Luca has been criticized for two things: his conditioning and his defense. At the heart of the Maverick's rationale was Luca's conditioning, or rather what they perceived as a lack thereof.
On your way out of Dallas, some pretty pointed criticisms of you on the floor, off of the floor, even about your body.
I mean, it is painful. Depends how you take it. Mostly it came from Dallas, you know, so I just didn't want to talk back. But I don't really read that much stuff, you know, and just trying to focus on my journey.
GM Nico Harrison emphasized that "defense wins championships and we are hanging our hat on defense" and expressed concerns over Luca's weight, reporting he neared 270 lb. Remember Dallas snatching Luca's beer after he'd carried them to the finals. Remember Luca's reaction after Dallas's critic of Dončić was always the same: Elite offensively.
Here's the step back for a new Maverick record. They are seeing a night they will never forget that we will never forget, but was carrying too much weight, which led to fading late in games sometimes and struggling to stay locked in on the other end.
What a season he's had. Brown goes inside. Oh, what a slam from Jaylen Brown.
But this offseason, everything changed. After being blindsided with the trade after losing to the Wolves in the playoffs, Dončić used that heartbreak as fuel. That was I mean I felt like my heart was broken honestly.
Luca took this summer more seriously, going as low as 200 lb.
First of all, everyone's talking about this new Luca. You've dropped 30 lb in like 2-3 months. Is that right?
I don't know the exact number, but I did some. I did drop some.
The result: a leaner, quicker, more explosive Luca, who the world is now calling Skinny Luca. Our first look at Skinny Luca in action has been during EuroBasket. Dončić soft contested big time by Luca Magic Dončić.
First of all, it's obvious that his first step is sharper.
Now for a fadeaway. Bangs open. Five points for Luka.
His recovery on defense. Oh, it's sharper.
Fried makes a penetration. Luka getting a block.
His decision-making has always been world-class.
Outside. What a pass, Washington. Oh, that was beautiful. But now it's elevated because he is finally playing in a body that can keep up with his mind.
Now Luka Magic all Spanish pick assist number four and that was so wide open.
If you haven't been watching the tournament and just look at wins and losses, you'd be misled.
A run. Dončić down the middle goes in coast to coast.
Skinny Luca is the most dominant Luca we have ever seen. Triple doubles don't happen at EuroBasket. They've only happened five times ever until Skinny Luca happened.
And there you have it. Luca Dončić has made history. He becomes the fifth player in FIBA EuroBasket history to record a triple-double.
Luca's triple-double this year was the first since 1995. The man is leading the tournament in scoring.
Notice how much time is on the clock. Steps back, gets it up, and makes it.
33.4 points per game, the third highest scoring average in EuroBasket history.
Dončić goes up, makes it.
And his defense has been out of this world. 3.2 steals a game.
Baserovski comes up with a steal and now Slovenia by the. You can see Lucas Helman pushing.
He's been defending so well that they've even nominated him for best defensive player of the tournament.
Comes up with a steal, getting contact, and he finishes.
If you haven't been watching, it sounds like a joke. If you're watching, your eyes know what they are seeing.
Oh, Luca step back. Troya troa time indeed.
He's scoring more than in Europe, defending harder than in Dallas, and leading with more fire than we've ever seen.
Finds an open. It goes in. Tough play. 24 tonight for Luca Magic.
Again, at age 26, Skinny Luca is the most dominant Luca we have ever seen.
Well, here's a take by Luca Dončić: too big, too strong, and simply just too good.
And he's coming back to the NBA in peak shape where the game is so much easier for him.
I only say scoring is easier in NBA just because of the amount of the different rules, the less space, the time. So that's why I said.
Last year's Lakers weren't built around Luca. They just got him out of nowhere and had to make the best of it. While I'm not the biggest fan of Rob Pelinka's work this season, I think a lot of the criticism of his moves has been overly narrow and shortsighted. This coming season, the Lakers are already getting the best Luca we have ever seen. And by my projection, they'll also have the best A.I.ton we have seen in years.
Under his usual pace, precision pass.
Why? Because the best version of DeAndre Aton we've ever seen wasn't with Kevin Durant.
Oh, finding an open Durant free for the lead.
It wasn't with Devin Booker carrying the offense.
Easy in this first half. Booker from deep.
It was with Chris Paul running the pick and roll in Phoenix.
Oh, what a catch and finish by. Looked like an All-Star in those years. Rolling hard to the rim.
What a pass of Kogi inside. It's.
Living off easy mid-range jumpers, cleaning up lobs and dump offs.
Looking throws an alley. Aton puts it down. He puts it down.
It's over.
Chris Paul elevated Aton into the best stretch of his career. But here's the thing: Luca is everything Chris Paul was and so much more.
And here's Dončić driving, puts it up instead of. We know how Luca loves to lob it to his friends.
And then there is the move I haven't had the pleasure of commenting on yet, the pickup of Marcus Osman Smart, who will be an instant fan favorite from day one. Jared Allen. Oh, rejected at the rim by Smart right on cue.
So much has been said about how bad the Lakers defense will be. So what did the Lakers do? They went and snagged a former Defensive Player of the Year. The man who they call Wolverine.
Morford whips a pass. Smart corner Drake. Count it and the foul. Chance for a four-point play.
Marcus Smart is the kind of player you can't stand when he's across from you, but you absolutely love when he's wearing your colors. A certified pest.
Smart dives twice for the loose ball ahead. Brown for two.
With Luca controlling the offense, Smart's role will be simple: Clamp down on guards, be the emotional glue on the perimeter, and hit timely shots.
Smart. Eight assists, no turnovers. Little shake and bake and drills it.
And oh yeah, he's coming off his best three-point shooting performance of his career. 39% from distance.
Smart. Knocks down the three.
Every winning team needs one of his defensive floor raisers. A player who sets and raises the standard. Draymond for the Warriors. Drew Holiday for the Bucks. Alex Caruso for OKC. For the Lakers, it's Marcus Smart.
Dangerous pass, but it wants his way. Smart the steal into Tatum. Shots good.
The season can't start fast enough. This group of rascals plus the most dangerous version of Luca Dončić we've ever seen. Dallas might have doubted him. Europe might have watched him carry nobodies, but in Los Angeles, he's about to make the entire NBA regret ever questioning him.
I thought I would show you the souvenir from that night.
Oh, yeah. It's still there.
You hang up the phone the night you're traded and you threw it.
Yes.
Do you have that phone?
Yeah.
You still use that phone?
Yeah. Still works.
[Music]