Luka Dončić DOMINATES in Poland Loss! Should Austin Reaves BE THE LAKERS’ SIXTH MAN?
Slovenia kicked off its Eurobasket competition against Poland—one of the host nations—Thursday. A tough draw for sure against a fired up local crowd. Many Lakers fans are undoubtedly pulling for Slovenia right now, because they’re pulling for Luka Dončić…
…but on the other hand, a lot of them are more pulling for Luka.
And man alive, did Luka come through. Dončić put up a gaudy numbers even as Slovenia lost. 34 points, including 17/18 from the free throw line, plus nine assists and five steals. The court vision was great, he was able to get into the heart of a Polish defense that was, to say the least, overplaying him. So at least when it comes to LA’s star, it was so far, so good.
Meanwhile, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss gave an interview to Slovenian radio in which she recounted the unusual nature of Luka’s arrival, and particularly the unusual nature of his emotional state. It explains a lot about why Dončić couldn’t quite hit the level fans (and even he, likely) hoped for after the trade. Good, yes. But not top form.
Finally, it’s a question that comes up a lot. Should Austin Reaves come off the bench?
There are a few reasons to give it a shot, unlikely as it is to actually happen… but would the Lakers perhaps have a little extra incentive to make Reaves a sixth man?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka dominates against Poland, but Slovenia loses.
SEGMENT 2: Jeanie on Luka’s arrival.
SEGMENT 3: A.R. as 6th Man?
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35 Comments
LBJ off the bench I say
I think most people think Austin should be 6th man but since he’s a free agent after this season they won’t
YES LOL
Just trade him then, you could get a legit two way wing for him making you literally instant contenders , trade him!!!!! Keep all other assests, you literally just need a different archetype at the two guard
Luka acts as the best player on the team AND the leader. Just hope he gets out of this healthy )
We all know Austin should anchor the bench.
You can start AR, but still stagger it so he plays more with the bench unit than usual. Same amount of mins overall. It's really not that difficult
Go Lakers
I'll admit that I'm not very knowledgeable about EuroBasket(ball) but from what I have seen thus far this practice/friendly preseason, Slovenia isn't that great in general and the only thing that they have going for them is, Luka Doncic!
They have lost all games minus one I believe and the only stand out every match was, Luka and his superior abilities.
I feel like it's going to be a long EuroBasket season for them in that they aren't going to win very many, if any games and the only stand out that will come out of them will be, Lukas dominance and abilities.
The purpose definitely should not be to drive down his value. It's all about balance, having him come off, the bench would make the lakers a far deeper team, and it being a contract year, you would be guaranteed to get the best performance out of him. If he does as good as he thinks he is, then he will get that thirty five million dollar contract either way. Harsh, I know, but it is a much more solid strategy, then just rolling the dice and hoping he does better and fits in better than last season. Especially in the postseason, which is when he'll be needed the most.
We’re only here because Rob Pelinka was hell bent on marketing AR like a future perennial all star when he was always a tier 1 role player. And also because this fanbase is largely stupid so much that LITERALLY ANY young player that plays well they think they’re a “fUtUrE sTaR”. To most Laker fans you’re either a star or you suck. Nothing in between.
We’ve made roster decisions that have hurt us in the last 3 years based on incorrectly assessing his ceiling. He is and always has been the same tier of basketball player as D’Lo. Their ceilings are the same and as most of the fanbase have finally learned after this last playoff run, their lows are the same. If Rob hadn’t underrated D’Lo and overrated AR, there’s a timeline where our guard rotation is Luka, Max, AR, D’Lo. I don’t care what anybody says, I think Rob included Max in the Luka deal instead of DK because he wanted to solidify AR in the starting lineup.
We’ve lost so many rotation caliber players because Rob sucks at his job and now we’re stuck forcing ANOTHER player in a position he doesn’t belong and it will AGAIN stunt our overall ceiling.
Reeves off the bench makes zero sense on the defensive end.
Top NBA title contenders generally don't have two weak defenders in the backcourt. The only comparable team that comes to mind is Cleveland, though they have a great front court that includes the DPOY. LeBron can be a great defender when need be, though he's going to be 41. Otherwise, the Lakers have no two way staters or bench players. I like Austin, though not starting next to Luka. A Caruso type two would be perfect. They also need a defensive wing. Without DFS, they're lost. One last thing, Jeannie just likes to hear people say her name, mingle, and do interviews. New ownership made a huge mistake leaving her and Rob in charge for five more years. Yes, Rob just received a new four or five year contract.
We have to Start AR to maintain His Trade Value and see how He Fits with Luka however, I like His minutes being Staggered so, He can Run PG for that 2nd Group!!!
Side Note – There are not Very Many 6th Men making $30+ Million a Year so, it will be Hard to Train Him as a 6th Man making $30+ Million a Year!!! Malik Monk is the Highest Paid 6th Man @ $18/$19 Million a Year!!!
If anyone should come off the bench, it should be LeBron.
I will bet reeves will be traded mid season 100%
At some point let's give LeBron some credit for MODELING all these things you guys LOVE about Luka. Luka has said it himself – he idolized LeBron's game growing up. Everything being described was mastered by LeBron BEFORE Luka even made it to the league. The free throw line is the only non-comp SIGNIFICANTLY in favor of Luka; hopefully Luka's defensive prowess will take a noticeable jump – I don't expect that to become even close to a comp, though. I sure hope JJ is up to the task; not many team has Luka (LeBron 1.25) and LeBron (LeBron .85).
Reaves is a sixth man the fact that every guard in the league for the past 3 years have mopped the floor with him proves it and if they continue to start him they will and should lose. PS LeBron is a fool for staying there 😮
Slovenia national basketball team is so bad, that without Luka we will lost every game at least for 20+ pts, with Serbia for 40+ pts minimum. We have the worst basketball team and specially coach in last 35 years.
I think Rui should be the 6th man…I have a good feeling Rui Jake Laravia and Jaxon Hayes would really thrive off one another because they're all so different but essentially 3 big wings
Luka was by far the best defensive player on that squad. SLO is literally a no show on offense and defense😭😭
Starting Reaves is bad for your team. U don't know for a fact they will lose more games if AR doesn't start. U don't Brian.
Lakers bench unit scoring is so bad because no backup 2-Guard with previous NBA Playoff experience as a 3-point using movement without the ball. Rob Pelinka doesn’t want his head coaches to have that option behind Austin Reaves.
This loss despite Luka Doncic scoring 34 points. Similar to the Lakers in the Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves
Offering �beginner vs advanced� versions of topics widens reach
Trade AR for players and picks (Dyson Daniels or Norman Powell). If you can get 1st Rounders then do so. We can get a combo of current bench players to replace his productivity and lack of defense, i.e. Smart, Gabe, Bronny, Knecht, Vando, Laravia, Long term goal for team should be to rebuild assets and get younger 2 way players (via draft).
I thought his daughter’s favourite player was Trae young
Look guys REEVES IS NOT GOING TO THE BENCH. . JJ has already drawn up schemes for AE and LUKA 3:19
Unfortunately you never got around to discussing whether having Marcus Smart start in the backcourt is a good idea to begin with. How does he fit with Luka, not only in comparison with Reeves but in an absolute sense. This is relevant regardless of whether he starts because the opportunity will surely arise during games.
A skinny luka is looking good and dangerous. Can’t wait. Go lakers
I wonder if LeBron is overseas watching Luka get down?
AUSTIN WILL BE A LAKER FOR LIFE BRO😂😂😂
Bros, not paying attention if you think AR is going to Charlotte for $ 35 m a year. Sixth man of the Year, Lebron James. Lebron off the bench could play forever.
DON'T DO IT JJ😮😮😮
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