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NBA Communications: Other nominees… West: Luka Dončić (LAL), Kevin Durant (HOU), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) and Kawhi Leonard (LAC) East: Jarrett Allen (CLE), OG Anunoby and Josh Hart (NYK), Cade Cunningham (DET), Joel Embiid (PHI) and Aaron Nesmith (IND)
If he could go back in time, transporting himself to the moment he was overwhelmed with grief after learning the Dallas Mavericks had dealt him to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1, he knows what he’d tell himself. “I’d probably say it’s all going to turn out good,” Doncic told the California Post. “At that time, I didn’t know. I was shocked. But right now, I feel like I’m in a great place.”
He’s fully aware that he’s playing for one of the most storied franchises in sports history, a 17-time championship team which has been the home of some of the league’s biggest names, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, James — and now him. “It’s a big opportunity for me,” Doncic said. “I feel great where I am. The team is good. I feel like I’m myself, personally. I feel great here. I like living in LA. I love the fans. So, I’m really in a good spot right now.”
It is nearly as incomprehensible as The Trade itself that this franchise Captured The Flagg after never moving up in the club's 16 previous lottery appearances while dropping lower than they were supposed to pick in seven of those 16 lotteries. Someone within team circles recently asked me: "How many years would the Luka trade have set the franchise back if we didn't win the lottery?" Answer: Probably incalculable.
All the above commentary from Nowitzki was inspired by the Nov. 11 firing of Harrison, who has not spoken publicly since his dismissal. I reached out to him to this week to share that I was doing a One Year Later piece in hopes of getting a quote or two. We indeed connected but he declined comment.
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More Cuban from our Saturday night convo: "It was a mistake and I wish they would have spoken to me first. I'm happy for Luka. And I'm happy for Mavs fans that we've got Coop, even though I recognize that we all still miss Luka. The people responsible for that [deal] are for the most part gone, which I think was necessary."
Law Murray 📘: Asked Luka Doncic about LeBron James' All-Star selection ("He deserved it") and competing against former Mavericks teammate Jalen Brunson in a tentpole game ("He deserves this")
MrBuckBuck: Dillon Brooks on the hardest player to guard in the NBA: "Luka. He's got that quick first step and then once he got you on his back or on his hip, it's like, you're kind of at his mercy. He has countless of moves like step-throughs, fadeaways,..."
Tim MacMahon: Cooper Flagg is the first teenager in NBA history with consecutive 30-point double-doubles, per @ESPNInsights . He joins LeBron James and Luka Doncic as the only teens with consecutive 25-point double-doubles.
The Los Angeles Lakers center, Jaxson Hayes, is in the final stages of completing paperwork to obtain Slovenian citizenship and represent Slovenia alongside Luka Doncic, sources tell BasketNews. Hayes, 25, born in Norman, Oklahoma, first confirmed in October that he was pursuing Slovenian citizenship. According to BasketNews sources, the process is nearing completion, with Hayes finalizing the remaining paperwork to obtain a Slovenian passport. If completed on time, Hayes would be eligible to play for Slovenia in the upcoming FIBA World Cup qualification windows in July and August.
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Jovan Buha: Final: Lakers 142, Wizards 111 LA improves to 29-18 and 4-2 on their 8-game road trip. They posted season-highs in FG% (61%) and assists (38). Luka Doncic had 37 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists, and was finally able to rest in the fourth quarter. Up next: at NYK on Sunday.
Coty M. Davis: #Warriors coach Steve Kerr on #Pistons Cade Cunningham: "He's awesome. He reminds me of Luka and James Harden. Just kind of a one-man offense, running everything through him. He's a great, great player, really coming into his own."
Brad Turner: Luka Doncic has a triple-double in first half with 26 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds as Lakers open a 77-48 halftime lead over the Wizards.
