Jovan Buha

So Dallas can kind of float and say whatever they want, but you know, I posed it to some Lakers people and the reaction I got was like, Luca's what this second or third best player in the league. Yeah. We'll take that guy. So it, I mean, it was just like, even whatever flaws or, or, or limitations or, or potential problems he has off the court.

So Dallas can kind of float and say whatever they want, but you know, I posed it to some Lakers people and the reaction I got was like, Luca's what this second or third best player in the league. Yeah. We'll take that guy. So it, I mean, it was just like, even whatever flaws or, or, or limitations or, or potential problems he has off the court.

So Dallas can kind of float and say whatever they want, but you know, I posed it to some Lakers people and the reaction I got was like, Luca's what this second or third best player in the league. Yeah. We'll take that guy. So it, I mean, it was just like, even whatever flaws or, or, or limitations or, or potential problems he has off the court.

It's like, dude, still a walking basically 39 and nine guy just led a team to the finals. Uh, we're going to bet on that guy longer term, uh, And what we think it'll work out. I feel like the Dallas, like the narrative has almost been like, you know, he's fallen off as a player. He's averaging like 18, six and five. They, you know, missed the playoffs.

It's like, dude, still a walking basically 39 and nine guy just led a team to the finals. Uh, we're going to bet on that guy longer term, uh, And what we think it'll work out. I feel like the Dallas, like the narrative has almost been like, you know, he's fallen off as a player. He's averaging like 18, six and five. They, you know, missed the playoffs.

It's like, dude, still a walking basically 39 and nine guy just led a team to the finals. Uh, we're going to bet on that guy longer term, uh, And what we think it'll work out. I feel like the Dallas, like the narrative has almost been like, you know, he's fallen off as a player. He's averaging like 18, six and five. They, you know, missed the playoffs.

Like, it's like, no, this dude is still putting up incredible numbers. They were fourth in the West when he got injured around Christmas time. They've since been under 500, but been slipping in the West standings. Like, I think there's pretty much proof that like Luca's still,

Like, it's like, no, this dude is still putting up incredible numbers. They were fourth in the West when he got injured around Christmas time. They've since been under 500, but been slipping in the West standings. Like, I think there's pretty much proof that like Luca's still,

Like, it's like, no, this dude is still putting up incredible numbers. They were fourth in the West when he got injured around Christmas time. They've since been under 500, but been slipping in the West standings. Like, I think there's pretty much proof that like Luca's still,

It's a good question. I think, again, as I said a little bit earlier, I think for this week, expectations should probably be a little tempered. And that, to me, potentially puts a bit of a ceiling on what they can accomplish this postseason. I think... I still think most teams are not going to want to face Luka Doncic and LeBron James in a playoff series in the first round like that.

It's a good question. I think, again, as I said a little bit earlier, I think for this week, expectations should probably be a little tempered. And that, to me, potentially puts a bit of a ceiling on what they can accomplish this postseason. I think... I still think most teams are not going to want to face Luka Doncic and LeBron James in a playoff series in the first round like that.

It's a good question. I think, again, as I said a little bit earlier, I think for this week, expectations should probably be a little tempered. And that, to me, potentially puts a bit of a ceiling on what they can accomplish this postseason. I think... I still think most teams are not going to want to face Luka Doncic and LeBron James in a playoff series in the first round like that.

And the Lakers have recently like JJ is a big fan of playing small ball centerless basketball, and they have looked a lot better with those types of lineups with Dorian Finney Smith and Jared Vanderbilt on the floor. So I do think that there's potentially a scenario where we get to April and the Lakers are kind of starting Jackson Hayes as a placeholder.

And the Lakers have recently like JJ is a big fan of playing small ball centerless basketball, and they have looked a lot better with those types of lineups with Dorian Finney Smith and Jared Vanderbilt on the floor. So I do think that there's potentially a scenario where we get to April and the Lakers are kind of starting Jackson Hayes as a placeholder.

And the Lakers have recently like JJ is a big fan of playing small ball centerless basketball, and they have looked a lot better with those types of lineups with Dorian Finney Smith and Jared Vanderbilt on the floor. So I do think that there's potentially a scenario where we get to April and the Lakers are kind of starting Jackson Hayes as a placeholder.

Or maybe they get like a smaller, you know, like a day around sharp or kind of still another backup level big who's maybe a little bit better than Jackson. And ultimately, their crunch time lineups are some combination of Vando, DFS, LeBron, Luka, and Austin. And you got four guys who are 6'7 to 6'9, and then Austin out there. And yes, defensively, there's certainly some holes in that lineup.

Or maybe they get like a smaller, you know, like a day around sharp or kind of still another backup level big who's maybe a little bit better than Jackson. And ultimately, their crunch time lineups are some combination of Vando, DFS, LeBron, Luka, and Austin. And you got four guys who are 6'7 to 6'9, and then Austin out there. And yes, defensively, there's certainly some holes in that lineup.

Or maybe they get like a smaller, you know, like a day around sharp or kind of still another backup level big who's maybe a little bit better than Jackson. And ultimately, their crunch time lineups are some combination of Vando, DFS, LeBron, Luka, and Austin. And you got four guys who are 6'7 to 6'9, and then Austin out there. And yes, defensively, there's certainly some holes in that lineup.

But with DFS and Vando switching and providing a certain level of versatility defensively, I think you can maybe... just get by as like average defensively and then elite offensively, you know, figuring out the fit with Luka and LeBron. So I think that's kind of the short term path. Longer term, of course. I mean, one, they're looking at a second star for the whatever LeBron retires.

But with DFS and Vando switching and providing a certain level of versatility defensively, I think you can maybe... just get by as like average defensively and then elite offensively, you know, figuring out the fit with Luka and LeBron. So I think that's kind of the short term path. Longer term, of course. I mean, one, they're looking at a second star for the whatever LeBron retires.