I'm rooting for the Warriors to make noise.

The TWolves, another team that Luka owns and OKC doesn’t

I give you Lakers and Wolves.

I get OKC.

To make NBA Finals.

I'll bet whatever amount you want.

I just feel for Dalton Knecht at this point.

I mean -- he has to feel like a dead man walking. He simply can't play in the playoffs.

And they WILL add another C this off-season. With his small contract making salary matching really easy, he's the OBVIOUS candidate to get moved. I mean, the fact that they already moved him once is pretty loud evidence of that.

Guy's just marking time and knows it. He can't play here now. He WON'T be playing here next season. So it's gotta be tough as hell to feel involved or part of the team. And a big reason he's so vulnerable defensively is precisely BECAUSE the Lakers don't have the rim protector that would make it harder to just attack him repeatedly.

They need a rim protection for him to be playable. But they're going to have to trade him to get the rim protection.

He’s gonna need to learn to catch and shoot more in this offense. He was so used to being the focal point of the team in Dallas that he was able to create his own chances. He’s playing with Lebron now so he’s gonna be getting a lot more open looks for him to catch and shoot. He’s gonna need to learn to be more efficient as the #2 guy now.

Why?

He'll be the #1 guy next year.

This is an 'icing on the cake' season. I mean if he can get better as a '1b' on the fly as this season progresses -- fine, whatever.

Long-term, what he's going to be asked to do in LA isn't substantially different than what he was being asked to do in Dallas.

I'm not sure there's anything he 'needs' to do this season. The 2025 playoffs are found money for LAL. They were largely an afterthought a month ago -- now they have a strange punchers chance. And the only way that will come to fruition is if Luka TAKES the #1 role from Lebron and runs with it.

I wouldn't bet on it happening -- but it could.

He’s gonna have to start showing way more efficiency on the offensive end and just a LITTLE efficiency on the defensive end to “take” the #1 role away from LeBron this season. The Lakers better hope LeBron’s extreme dedication and work ethic rubs off on him a little, but I just don’t see it happening. The Lakers best chance definitely rests in the hands of LeBron still. If Lebron doesn’t come back next season they’ll definitely need to add another big piece to the puzzle. Luka is never going to lead a team as its primary ball handler. It’s why he never won a playoff series before Kyrie came along.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Left is LeBron&#39;s last MVP season. Right is LeBron since turning 40.<br><br>26.8 PPG 26.4 PPG<br>8.0 RPG 8.2 RPG<br>7.3 APG 8.3 APG <br>56/41/75% 55/44/76% <a href="https://t.co/UpBeMcGGc0">pic.twitter.com/UpBeMcGGc0</a></p>&mdash; StatMuse (@statmuse) <a href="https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1895519492027138439?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The "washed" GOAT.

Might want to check your facts there. Luka carried the Mavs to the West Finals without Kyrie and he's more than capable of doing the same with LeBron as his #2.

Still crazy to me that after Porzingis broke and the Mavs went to the finals with Brunson running shotgun w/ Luka, they decided to go ahead and let Brunson walk.

I understand why Mavs fans or so upset right now. That's a dynamic young core that's just...gone. And it's never coming back.

We're 8 minutes into the game. The Lakers have taken 13 shots.

10 of them were from three.

They've made 3.

MODERN BASKETBALL!!!!!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lakers guard Austin Reaves will be day-to-day after MRI on his right calf revealed no serious injury, sources tell ESPN. His status is uncertain for Sunday against the Clippers, but great development overall after Reaves exited early in Friday&#39;s win.</p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1895997100602900979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Championship dream still intact

Yeah I miss the good ole days of Isiah Thomas putting up bricks.

Jack Sikma could make a ****ing layup.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">QB1 <a href="https://t.co/bLtVrZcgH2">pic.twitter.com/bLtVrZcgH2</a></p>&mdash; ٓ (@LukaDoncic41) <a href="https://twitter.com/LukaDoncic41/status/1896410048068493629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Imagine trading away a player as good as Luka in his prime

Happened a month ago LMAO

Lakers move to the #2 seed. Only one team left to challenge LeBron and Luka and they have no playoff pedigree

The addition of Luka has made my Lakers contenders again. The team seems to have a "new juice" to them. I will always hold Kobe over Bron but if we can, as James Worthy says, "GET THAT CELTIC ASS!!". I will roll with it. When we play Boston, all other petty arguments go out the window. My true purple and gold comes out. EFF that organization for life!

My wife already knows not to mess with me if LA is in the finals, especially against Boston and during Chiefs games, especially in the playoffs. LOL

Yes, it turns out putting two of the best/highest IQ players in NBA history on the same team was a good idea.

Thank you Nico.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The league really let the Lakers get Luka Doncic in his prime ��<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/realapp_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realapp_</a> ) <a href="https://t.co/4lnSSU4Qv7">pic.twitter.com/4lnSSU4Qv7</a></p>&mdash; LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) <a href="https://twitter.com/LakeShowYo/status/1896428855432540382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Only because they are young. And they took their lumps last year. This team is poised and ready. The Cavs, Nuggets and Celtics are the only opposition. Maybe...the TWolves. But I doubt it.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have the largest point differential in NBA history. Please sit down and digest what I just said.

NBA history.

1. 2025 OKC Thunder +12.72
2. 1972 LA Lakers +12.28
3.1971 Milwaukee Bucks +12.26
4. 1996 Chicago Bulls +12.24
5. 2017 GSW Warriors +11.63

Every team on this list won the NBA Finals. Not only did they win the NBA Finals they won them easily.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/lar...am-in-a-season

Kyrie tore his ACL. Actually feel bad for him because after they traded Luka he started playing a ton more minutes. Nico Harrison ruined the Mavs. What a disgrace

The Mavs announced they're raising ticket prices, I think that conspiracy theory about Adelson is true at this point.

Mavs move to Vegas.

The Thunder change their name to the Texoma Thunderous Mavericks.

The idea that you'd move a team out of a market the size of Dallas for Vegas because you are a billionaire Casino owner is crazy as ****.

I’ve never rooted for the Lakers in my life but I hope Luka gets some rings with the Lakers. Nico Harrison is a cancer and a piece of shit human being. Not only did he orchestrate one of the all time worst trades in NBA history but he continues to badmouth Luka through different media channels.

Luka misses too many games. I know he's not alone among NBA stars in that department, but he's frequently hurt. If he can't stay healthy in his early to mid 20's, how will he get healthier as he ages?

He's obviously great when he's available. But that's not the issue.

Caveat that Luka Doncic has a personal responsibility to keep himself in prime shape, from what I've seen the organization went about mitigating it horribly. Just ran a whisper campaign calling him fat and lazy and browbeating him behind closed doors wasn't going to accomplish shit.

Them Warriors slowly moving into 6th place.

That Butler trade is looking to be beneficial and they're looked at as an underdog who won't make any noise. Draymond seems to think they can win it all.

Unreal. Going to my first OKC game in over a decade. And this is a team that really hasn't ever rested players in the past.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shai, JDub, IHart, Cason, and Dort all out tomorrow with Chet questionable<br><br>He’s going to save basketball like the world’s never seen <a href="https://t.co/aB1o5rAMVC">pic.twitter.com/aB1o5rAMVC</a></p>&mdash; 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) <a href="https://twitter.com/Three_Cone/status/1897794542155264285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Will really ruin my fantasy chances if they start this bullshit this soon in the season as I have SGA.

At least he has the MVP to play for though, so you'd think he would keep getting games.

MoDeRn BaSkEtBaLl!!!

Tell us more about how the old-heads are just haters.

Chet played in all 82 games last season.

The refs let this Knicks team get away with murder. It's like watching a Houston Cougars basketball game.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mark Cuban:<br><br>“If the Mavs are going to trade Luka, that’s one thing, just get a better deal. No disrespect to Anthony Davis…If we had gotten 4 Unprotected No. 1’s and Anthony Davis and Max Christie, this would be a different conversation.”<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/wfaa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wfaa</a>)<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/wIqdVNMh4w">pic.twitter.com/wIqdVNMh4w</a></p>&mdash; Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1897862203296170317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This is the game of the year, both teams at playoff intensity

LeBron is gonna need a week of rest after this overtime game, it feels like a game 7

If no names on the jerseys you would thinj it was a brickfest

Imagine watching this Luka performance as another Western Conference team and how terrified they must be

Brunson wrecks his ankle now trying to win this game

What a win for the future 2025 NBA champions

And the Knicks completely jeopardized their season with Brunson's injury at the same time

I kinda feel bad for the Lakers. All this hype now. LeBron playing his best ball in years and now they have Luka all for it to be not since the best team of all time is looming 11 games ahead of them in the West.

It's going to be a big let down for NBA fans who beat off to "stars" or whatever that means because it is going to be Thunder vs Cavs in The Finals. Two historically great basketball teams and people are going to bitch about it because they are ignorant.

It's gonna be a classic Lakers-Celtics final after OKC and the Cavs choke under the pressure yet again. You can feel it already.

No you can't. Those teams only have failed before due to youth. Now they have risen and are ready for stardom and the new age of the NBA which nobody will appreciate because it isnt in a "major" or coastal city.

This goofy Quinten Post guy on Golden State isn't bad lol

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith sharing some words after the game tonight <br><br>Looks like Bron’s telling him “keep my son out of this sh**.” 👀<br><br>(h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/LADEig?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LADEIG</a>, via <a href="https://twitter.com/LegendOfWinning?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@legendofwinning</a>) <a href="https://t.co/QyOBAWO0p1">pic.twitter.com/QyOBAWO0p1</a></p>&mdash; Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1897916208986702168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Haven’t seen LeBron angry like that in years

:thumb:

Bingo! :thumb:

Lebron is such a child. Stephen A gets paid to have an opinion about the Bronny deal. The guy is such a bitch.

Bontemps: And that is why the Lakers, in the wake of the Doncic trade, are seen in a far different light around the league than they were before. "I think they're a championship-level team," said a Western Conference executive. "They're in that upper echelon."

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/sto...t-steps#lalgsw

You can feel it.

Can things have went any worst for Dallas? It's like going from the Chiefs for the Browns in one month

If we traded Patrick Mahomes for Matt Stafford like that, we would deserve the same fate.

Watching that game was fascinating because you really could feel good coaching all over it.

And some bad.

The game turned a bit in the late 1st when Luka came out JJ tried to get too many minutes out of the Jemison/Knecht duo. The rhythm just fell to hell. It took the next two quarters just trying to get their feet back under them and hold on while they figured things out. It was subtle but noticeable at the time. They were really looking good until about 2 minutes left in the 1st and that series of subs set them back for most of the rest of the night. But they battled through it.

That's a couple pretty good teams but the Lakers are clearly better.

There's a 'big 3' still but the Lakers are the clear 4, IMO.

I don't know why the players were going for it so hard, but it felt like a playoff game in every respect.

And as far as a big 3, Luka, with the arguable exception of SGA on OKC, is going to be the best player on the court in any of those potential playoff matchups.

I still would make Boston the favorite (they're coasting until April, which has been the plan all year), but Lakers have a decent shot with the way Redick has them going defensively. LeBron also always raises his level in the playoffs but he appears particularly rejuvenated by playing with another all-time great right now.

Some of Lebrons defense is less about being 'rejuvenated' and more about being able to take some plays off on the offensive end. He used to always give up a defensive series (or several) when he needed a break. Now he can do that on offense with Luka driving the play and get his legs back under him for defense.

What LeBron is doing at this age is pretty amazing

Can you tell me why Tatum shoots so many 3s? He shoots 56% from 2FG and gets to the line really well...even better FTA rate when he shoots less threes yet he's shooting 10.1 3FGs a game. I just don't get it. Take 5 a game and you are super elite instead of elite. It's almost like laziness. It's easy to jack up threes.

It's one thing if he's a great 3 point shooter but he's avg 3 point shooter. If you are 56% on 2FG and you get fouled a bunch go to the rim and get to your spot over and over again.

There is no reason Tatum should be T2nd in 3FG attempts in the NBA. None.

65 year old men tell me that a 39 year old Jordan averaging 18 ppg on 43% FG for the fkn 37 and 45 Wizards is more impressive.

MoDeRn BaSkEtBaLl!!!!

Well for some guys it makes sense but for others it doesn't. For example the org had to MAKE SGA shoot more 3s. He didnt really want to. Tatum can't be being told to shoot 10 3s a game can he?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron is now currently averaging 25 PPG......for the 21st straight season.</p>&mdash; Barry (@BarryOnHere) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarryOnHere/status/1897897290905354577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

GOAT things, yeah. We'll never see anything like this guy ever again.

True he can just hang in the corner on a lot of possessions, and watch Luka score or draw a double to get an open shot for someone else. He's never played with anybody who can do that for his teammates the way he's been doing it for everyone else his entire career.

Saves his energy a bit for defense where he is still quite good when he wants to be.

It's not laziness, it's because Brad Stevens and that FO want him and his teammates to jack up as many threes as possible and have drilled that into all of them.

Are you tryin to tell me Delonte West and Mo Williams aren't on Lukas level?

Blasphemy.

56% x 2 = .112

35% x 3 = .105

This doesn't even account for the fact that he gets more FTs when he shoots 2FGs, which he is very good at.

If LeBron wins his 5th at 40 then he would probably be the Tom Brady of basketball

But actually good instead of a fraud

Well the Warriors were losing the other day (see pic). Steph had a miraculous 3 pointer and all was well.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...Z_Hc_4PdDx4A&s

Also helps that the Nets are intentionally trying to lose every game

Why are the Clippers still fighting? They should have traded everyone and gave up. The Thunder need their unprotected 1st round pick to get Flagg. Hurry up and tank already.

Warriors just tuning up for a playoff run?

Butler has the team playing great while Steph is on the bench. LeBron has the same with Luca.

31-21-22 for the real MVP, Jokic

Tuning up to lose to Jokic, I expect

Over 20 assists from a center is insane. Shows how much they rely on him for offense.

The real MVP? Unless the Thunder get swept by the Nuggets on Sunday and Monday the MVP race is OVAH.

SGA has it in the bag. Best player on the best team. Open and shut case.

Got to watch the Oklahoma City Blue G-League team blow out the Portland Trailblazers last night.

Celtics and the refs, what a combo that is

That's how it is in boston. All of a sudden, hand checking is allowed. **** boston

Took 3.5 quarters for them to finally call an offensive foul on Tatum for using the stiff arm on every offensive touch of his

Every year the Warriors won the championship you expected them to lose.

Tatum just chucking up 3s for no damn reason as usual.

Such a frustrating talented player.

LeBron now gets injured in this game with a groin strain, pulled himself immediately when it happened

The price of overplaying him, particularly after that crazy Knicks game