Maybe the reason why the majority of media members are so hesitant to criticize Luka’s conditioning and effort is because he’s one of the popular boys. He sits at the most important cool kids table. That’s why everyone was so shocked when Windhorst broke rank and called him out during the NBA finals.
Here’s my question…..what will have to happen for Nico to be vindicated? Obviously if the Mavs won a ring or 2 over the next decade, he’d be in good shape. But I’d argue that even if they suck every single season for the next 10 years, he could still be vindicated if Luka and the Lakers never get over the hump. And *especially* if his injuries and conditioning issues metastasize as he gets older.
This isn’t like the Rams+Matthew Stafford where they basically had to win a ring immediately to prove themselves right. The Mavs success feels almost irrelevant to the question (unless they won multiple titles). Nico’s fate and reputation are basically in Luka and the Lakers hands.
You'd be surprised but so many former mavs fans (fans before saturday night) would take 10 or even 5 years of being in the mix with luka vs 1 guaranteed win this year (spoiler alert; they won't make it past the first round). If he wanted out, so be it, if he imploded in the playoffs this year so be it (don't tell me he imploded last year. the mavericks were 16-2 down the stretch before sitting starters before the playoffs; the only team better was the celtics. 2 things were true: 1. the Celtics were/are? far superior 2. luka was injured the entire playoffs and carrying an immense offensive load and playing a bruising style of play) but luka was a year or two from being restless and the fans were too, if not more so.
With Klay, Kyrie, Lively, Gafford, Washington, Grimes, Exum, and Marshall, Luka was finally surrounded by a team that could potentially overcome last years flaws. Nico pulled the plug without giving his brilliantly constructed roster a shot.
For me and many others, the value proposition of the mavericks was watching an entertaining product night in and night out that I could always be delusional enough to to think was good enough to make noise in the playoffs. To have that ripped away by nico's willing obduracy and stupidity in forcing Luka out early and gutting the team is unforgivable. Dirk created a standard. You can say I'm naïve or precious, but for 21 years Dirk delivered on that now mythic MFFL loyalty. Dirk himself took time to round into championship form and that championship is rightly appreciated for the journey behind it.
I'm a football guy first, and on casually keep up with basketball. But how does Shaq not come up in this conversation? Seems like he's the standard bearer of lazy but amazing.
Maybe your best sports pod yet. Digging two points in particular by Wos:
1) the “Boy King” phenomenon
2) how LAL *has* to have an entertaining star to justify the prices, even if the product is only semi-competitive. See LAL in ‘06 and ‘07 seasons, when the main draw as a fan was seeing if Kobe would put up 40 each game
Also Straussie the Ritz Carlton thing was interesting — but also slightly grossed me out, thinking about what debauchery could be going down. Cheers fellas
My only lament is I wish you’d talk to a Mavs fan/media/commentator who watched Luka every day, like Kirk Henderson (MavsMoneyball) as well.
They tried to get me to listen to Wosny, I said no, no, no.
(Heard him many, many, many times on Le batard before the HofS came into sentient being. I'll just say he stands out among Ethan's guests)
Maybe the reason why the majority of media members are so hesitant to criticize Luka’s conditioning and effort is because he’s one of the popular boys. He sits at the most important cool kids table. That’s why everyone was so shocked when Windhorst broke rank and called him out during the NBA finals.
Here’s my question…..what will have to happen for Nico to be vindicated? Obviously if the Mavs won a ring or 2 over the next decade, he’d be in good shape. But I’d argue that even if they suck every single season for the next 10 years, he could still be vindicated if Luka and the Lakers never get over the hump. And *especially* if his injuries and conditioning issues metastasize as he gets older.
This isn’t like the Rams+Matthew Stafford where they basically had to win a ring immediately to prove themselves right. The Mavs success feels almost irrelevant to the question (unless they won multiple titles). Nico’s fate and reputation are basically in Luka and the Lakers hands.
You'd be surprised but so many former mavs fans (fans before saturday night) would take 10 or even 5 years of being in the mix with luka vs 1 guaranteed win this year (spoiler alert; they won't make it past the first round). If he wanted out, so be it, if he imploded in the playoffs this year so be it (don't tell me he imploded last year. the mavericks were 16-2 down the stretch before sitting starters before the playoffs; the only team better was the celtics. 2 things were true: 1. the Celtics were/are? far superior 2. luka was injured the entire playoffs and carrying an immense offensive load and playing a bruising style of play) but luka was a year or two from being restless and the fans were too, if not more so.
With Klay, Kyrie, Lively, Gafford, Washington, Grimes, Exum, and Marshall, Luka was finally surrounded by a team that could potentially overcome last years flaws. Nico pulled the plug without giving his brilliantly constructed roster a shot.
For me and many others, the value proposition of the mavericks was watching an entertaining product night in and night out that I could always be delusional enough to to think was good enough to make noise in the playoffs. To have that ripped away by nico's willing obduracy and stupidity in forcing Luka out early and gutting the team is unforgivable. Dirk created a standard. You can say I'm naïve or precious, but for 21 years Dirk delivered on that now mythic MFFL loyalty. Dirk himself took time to round into championship form and that championship is rightly appreciated for the journey behind it.
Winning one title would be enough.
I think it depends on what Luka does. If the Mavs get 1, but Luka gets 3??? I think it will still be viewed as one of the worst trades in NBA history.
I'm a football guy first, and on casually keep up with basketball. But how does Shaq not come up in this conversation? Seems like he's the standard bearer of lazy but amazing.
Was the "Olympics writer" that Wos was trying to remember on the whole LeBron stuff Chris Sheridan?
I'm a little upset that Ethan had a whole pod about someone's weight and failed to mention his theory that fat is potential in disguise.
Ethan, is it better for you if we listen to your pod on YouTube, a podcast app, or does it not matter?
I'd say app is best. On FIPID, I just think everyone can see that Luka can unlock something by getting in shape, so I didn't bother mentioning.
Mashallah Wosny is blessing my feed. Thank you🙏
Maybe your best sports pod yet. Digging two points in particular by Wos:
1) the “Boy King” phenomenon
2) how LAL *has* to have an entertaining star to justify the prices, even if the product is only semi-competitive. See LAL in ‘06 and ‘07 seasons, when the main draw as a fan was seeing if Kobe would put up 40 each game
Also Straussie the Ritz Carlton thing was interesting — but also slightly grossed me out, thinking about what debauchery could be going down. Cheers fellas
As a Group Chat listener this is paying for Wos+ (unfiltered) and I’m here for it
Big W: 'It's not AAU culture, as it's not corporate nor skills training'
Yeah, that's not what we mean when we're positing that may have played a role in Harrison's warped view of Luka
Took a break from subscription, but then you get Wos back on for the Luka trade, and I’m back on, baby!!