What a beast man...he's coming on at the right time. We absolutely need him to be playing at this all star level while LeBron is out AND when LeBron returns to have a shot at winning it all. if Austin can be that 20-5-5 guy in the playoffs...this team takes another step and I do believe we can take out both Denver and OKC with him playing at this level. Not to mention Reaves defense has been much improved since Luka has come to the team
We still have Koloko vs Giannis Goodwin vs Lillard and some other guys vs Kuz. And of course JJ vs Doc -Pimple duo
.... and Jaxson on Lopez? Dalton with the governor off to go for it on offense, DFS and Jordan at the point? Edit ... believing the "Doubtful" I forgot .... no DFS or Vando. Maybe it's Hayes, Koloko or Len or Morris, Knecht, Goodwin and Gabe?
On the topic of "should we build around Luka and AR after Bron retires": He missed at least a couple 3s in the forth that can't happen in the playoffs. May be difference between going home or not, just on those shots alone. I know he's tired, he particularly suffers from it and he has a couple minor injuries. He also held the fort for a lot of games without any or at least 2 of the 3 only offensive weapons we have. He's been amazing, elevated his game and I love him. But that's the difference between an all-star player and #2 on a contending team or a really good player and a #3. A #2 in today's NBA has to deliver 95% of the times, especially in Q4 and lead the team in stretches when the #1 is out. #3 can get off nights and disappear in some quarters without harming the team. I think he's a #3, mostly because of stamina and consistency. He still had a great game and lead us in Q2 playing amazing. But you can see a lot of times how he struggles to sustain the high level ball he's able to deliver. He has the game and skills to be a #2, but I think he lacks the stamina and consistency to do it always and that's important as we prepare the post-Bron era. We may find a similar guy and have him and AR supporting Luka and a bunch of defenders, that might still get you to the promised land
ginobili (this is a compliment). hopefully we can find a tony parker type (not exactly the position, but the value) to supplement luka (td).