2025-26 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

still like just adding watson. not sure either team wants a reaves/duren swap, tbh. i've thought a bit about whether there might be a rudy gobert jrue holiday situation--where minny moves him to upgrade some other way, and the team that gets him doesn't want/need him.

 

Yeah @TIME . BUT the FUGLY beard while doing it trumped S(F)A's act.

 

I think I do too. I haven't followed Cranjis' stuff as much this year, but I saw the other day that his metrics grade Watson out as a pretty high-end POA defender. Like a McDaniels-esque big, lanky guy that's still able to navigate screens well. I knew he was a good defensive player, but not that good. I hope Luka is tampering his a** off with Watson rn lol.

 

Luka dont fall but he does plenty of leaning into a defender space and flaring arms. Its actually part of his game similar to prime James Harden. Uncalled fouls dont only apply to Luka it does for many players especially players that are quicker, Bigger stronger or less established. The fact that Luka lead the league means he is getting his share of calls for a high usage player. He dont Grab because Defense is not something he does. So if Lakers are not a top defensive team is it not they dont play aggressive defense which at time holding? So Just like every Lean in dont get called every Grab wont. EX Smart Fouls but he dont get a foul call on him on every play, Now think OKC with a few Smart? Wont they be better on defense and play more Physical?

 

Again We have the player that is closest to prime Harden in Luka. If we complain about Shai then it will affect Lakers more with Luka. As of right now OKC dont have to rely FT as Shai has other parts to his game. Remove Luka ability to draw fouls we will be left with none athletic inefficient shooter. It will Also affect Austin as he himself study and practice drawing fouls. Its also part of his game as well. These two players when playing are in the top 5 in ft attempts.

 

LOL.... that's not even close. WTF are you watching?

 

Lakers finished the season 2nd behind Orlando in FT took per game. Luka is #1 Austin was not far behind. They are foul artist. It was even talked about how that style of play wont lead to a title because they will let more physical play slide. It was even talked About Luka complaining after each play. As expected Austin was complaining about calls not being called. So instead of agusting Like say Spurs you spend time looking for help from the refs vs matching.

 

The NBA propping them up for this behavior is to blame.
They are phony “stars” and would still be good players if they actually had any integrity at all.

 

I personally dont think so. Star calls can be stretched all the way back. Back in MJ time the refs had a whistle at ready.

 

Uhhhhh, MJ was a legitimate “star” who never flopped or cheated the game by foul baiting in the way that Harden and SGA do.

 

I just think Fans got smarter and have more media and knowledge. Did the game change yes. But on one hand one will fouls not being called and also at the same time say players selling fouls is cheating. To find that balance is not easy and at the same time they dont want to keep stopping the game.

 

But the game changed and players got smarter. Just like MJ used a rule to his advantage or the NBA change a rule to help is the same today.

 

If your playing a video game and you find a flaw its hard not to take advantage. Its up to the NBA to change rules as the players and game evolve as it has in the past.

 

Please show me video or pictorial evidence of Jordan, or any high end player from the 1990s falling down without getting touched, on a jump shot.
Good luck.
Saying the game “has changed” doesn’t excuse your hallow claim that this has been happening for decades.
“Star” players getting more calls is in no way the same thing as Floppers like Harden and SGA.

 

not for SGA. nor wade or harden before them. this is the point of the conversation. you're equating luka with harden and SGA; i'm saying he's more like lebron, shaq, jordan, etc.--guys who both get fouled a lot AND get a lot of uncalled fouls on them.

1. i meant grab the defensive player's arm as an offensive player
2. if you're a "luka doesn't play defense" guy, i'm not sure there's a point in continuing the conversation. it's clear where you're coming from...

honestly can't understand this part. are you admitting that okc fouls everyone, and the refs don't call it? i agree. so does like...every other nba fan.

why do we get one smart and they get 5? you think if we just stocked goons, the nba would allow it (they wouldn't)?

why does their star get to shoot FTs on non-fouls while ours doesn't get to shoot them on real fouls?

 

I think the big difference with Luka and AR is if you Don't foul them their serious intention on offensive moves and technique is to score the ball and you have to resort to fouls to stop that from happening. I don't see either one flopping to the ground with zero contact or as sole intent of initiating contact. AR got stronger this past off season to be better able to absorb contact he receives and may initiate himself in the actual last stages of getting to the rim, or in getting a jumper off .... with the obvious exception of swing throughs if the defender is stupid enough to get his arms that far into him. Same as everyone on offense pretty much.