Quote:
Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue
Aren't their concerns about Luka's commitment to conditioning and defense, such that making a massive financial commitment to him could be a risk?
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It may be an unpopular opinion but my answer to this question is yes. I would still sign him but the risk is there.
I assume he is going to get himself in better shape but he is a professional athlete. I would have assumed that he would be in the best shape already. I have seen him play at least average defense at times but again, I would have assumed he would always play at least average defense. Luka has flaws in his game that are worthy of criticism and his conditioning and his willingness to defend on among them. We criticized 25 year old Lebron despite the fact he had already won 2 MVPs and led a worse Cleveland team to the Finals by the end of his 7th season. We criticized a young Kobe for his flaws despite winning three titles by the end of his 7th season. Lebron is not the ultimate standard but when you compare him with Luka as players who came into the NBA at 19 through their 7th season, Lebron played 98 more games that Luka has at the same point in their careers. Kobe played 46 more games. The Kobe comparison will become more relevant the longer Luka is in purple and gold. Much like Nico, those fans have also been raised in the Mamba mentality religion. Slow walks to the bench and to the locker room due to injuries that may be connected to not being in shape will not sit well with them.