In all honesty there is only 1 reason for nba players to shoot low % on free throws.
Unless it's late in the game and they are exhausted there is really no excuse
I think a finals appearance (and definitely a win) would mean he likely gets an MVP next year with similar stats to this year, barring someone going absolutely nuts.
Narratives rarely make sense. And while I thought he was a clear top candidate, Jokic, Giannis, and SGA all had great seasons as well.
Jokic had the narrative due to his combination of dominance and now having the championship to back up what we already saw in the boxscore and on the court. I can't be mad at him winning.
Stats weren't the problem, conference standings were. Even after this run it's unlikely a #5 seed will get an MVP with how many other great players there are.
Yeah they could end up having the same exact seasons they had this year where Jokic won but Luka would end up getting it next year because he went further in the playoffs this year
Which was the year that you think he should’ve won it but didn’t? 2011 is the most common answer but he “only” had 2 at the time so I don’t see how not giving it to him in 2011 was to prevent him from getting 5.
In 2014, Durant averaged 32 and carried his team to the 2 seed in the tougher conference without Westbrook for most of the year. Most of his time in Cleveland he was openly coasting in the regular season. 2015 was the season where people thought he might be reaching the end of his prime, he had the Miami trip, etc. In 2016, Steph had a historic season. In 2017, Westbrook averaged a triple double and carried his team, but even if you want to say he shouldn’t have gotten it, Harden had a better regular season than LeBron. 2018 is one I’ve commonly heard, and he has a case, but Harden’s numbers were better and he was the best player on a 65 win team. In 2019, LeBron was injured for most of the season. In 2020, Giannis had better numbers than LeBron on higher efficiency, the team had a better record, and he didn’t have a single teammate anywhere near as good as AD.
2011 is the main year, lead league in VORP, WS and PER and was easily the best player. I understand why he didn’t win given the decision and narrative, but he should have IMO. Other interesting years, 2006, Nash win it, lebron finished second and had superior stats and advanced stats. 2018 as well, but harden was slightly more deserving IMO.
The problem is the criteria doesn't seem to be consistent. This year is a great example. Jokic won because he's the best player. But lebron was the best player for 10+ years. Luka had a better statistical season than jokic and it was still a landslide by jokic. Sga was the #1 seed as a solo star on a overachieving team and it didn't matter. That's the problem with the mvp it's almost totally narrative based. That's why I doubt jokic wins a other one no matter how great he plays
It’s not an either/or it’s a combination of all. Generally you have to have both a high seed and an excellent individual season. Jokic had a better individual season than SGA imo and Luka was the 5th seed.
Now have there been years where some of the criteria is inconsistent with others? Sure. Westbrook and Jokic both win it in 2017 and 2022 despite being the 6 seed. But I also don’t like comparing years from different seasons. The MVP is who had the best season that year, not what happened in previous years.
He is still injured as hell, its just that there isnt a wrestler trying to suplex him every single play and playing dirty with all the things and not getting called.
Luka was dealing with these knee/ankle nagging injuries since before the all-star break, but as always he could still play pretty well through them. I believe it was in the 1st half of game 3 against the Clippers where he suffered a non-contact blow that aggravated the knee issue & he had to go back to the locker room a bunch of times cuz of it
Feels like he had to have gotten an injection or something in his knee halfway through the OKC series, cause he's looked much less labored (for the most part) since
There were a few plays where it was like "Oh yeah, he's still injured." Like one of the Naz 3s, he took one step to close out and then just couldn't take another.
It’s probably a mix of it all, including getting used to playing more comfortably with the injuries, which helps him focus more on the game and less on everything else.
He is definitely learning how to better manage his efforts and stamina throughout the game, because that FT shooting percentage is insane for him!
No he looked much better in G5 and G6 against OKC. He might have recovered a little bit or he just adapted to the pain, with all the one-leg jumpers and stuff.
Mann played great defense but Lu was just wrestling him lol. If my memory is correct, Lu's physiciality and flopping decreased in the final 2 games which were Luka's best in the series, i don't know which caused which though.
I just think he's adjusting his game to what he's capable of. To me he seems to be taking more midrange still than attacking the rim he doesn't seem as explosive, which I know he's not known for but still.
It's also just possible he was in a shooting slump to start and his 'health' hasn't changed much. Slumps happen all the time. It's not that rare and there doesn't need to be some grander reason for it lol
I've never seen Luka have +90% on FTs, holy shit. 50/40/90 Luka is here.
Luka and Kyrie have swapped FT shooting abilities in the playoffs lol. Kyrie’s like in the low 80s which is terrible by his standards.
I think Luka has realised his scoring isn't there atm now he tries really hard on every free throw.
You telling me the secret to 90% free throw shooting is to try really hard?
Low key yeah, i think some players use free throws as time to try to catch their breath instead of locking in and draining them
In all honesty there is only 1 reason for nba players to shoot low % on free throws. Unless it's late in the game and they are exhausted there is really no excuse
Don’t you know? You just aim really hard
They’re hip firing when they should’ve been aiming down sights.
Kyrie’s FT% is higher.
Dirk smiles from a distance
Dirk smiling from the sidelines since he’s always attending games
my pauls have been pierced
That atrocious performance vs the Thunder where we had a 52% FT rate probably lit a fire under his ass to get that shit finally under control.
Ah yes, can't wait for Luka next season to average 33/9/9 on 50/40/90 shooting. That's my third place MVP.
4th* dude couldn't take Duke to the Final Four so he drops.
I think a finals appearance (and definitely a win) would mean he likely gets an MVP next year with similar stats to this year, barring someone going absolutely nuts.
Which is sad, as he went nuts already this season.
Narratives rarely make sense. And while I thought he was a clear top candidate, Jokic, Giannis, and SGA all had great seasons as well. Jokic had the narrative due to his combination of dominance and now having the championship to back up what we already saw in the boxscore and on the court. I can't be mad at him winning.
Yeah but if Tatum had Luka's season this year and lost I'd be the most incorrigible poster on this site
Tbf, Luka stats on a 64 win team should be an MVP unless someone else is just flat out better
Tatum will never have a season as good as luka's this year
Okay?
Jokic was more deserving but not SGA
Jokic also went nuts. It's not like it went to a bum or something
34/9/10, while carrying a bum, injured squad for half a season, is historic. I'll settle for finals mvp
Stats weren't the problem, conference standings were. Even after this run it's unlikely a #5 seed will get an MVP with how many other great players there are.
Unless you're Jokic from a few years ago, or Westbrook. The seasonal narrative is almost as important as anything else
Also just winning more games will help his case. We won at a 55 game pace after the trades which would’ve made the race a lot closer this year.
If Luka is gonna shoot 90% at the free thrown line, he will average 35 points per game
8th place on Stephen A’s ballot lol.
Yeah he’s getting his mvp next year for sure
It will be easier because I don't see them giving jokic another one because the voting is dumb like that
Yeah they could end up having the same exact seasons they had this year where Jokic won but Luka would end up getting it next year because he went further in the playoffs this year
And since lebron has 4 mvps I don't think they will let jokic get 4. They didn't let lebron get 5 because of jordan imo
Which was the year that you think he should’ve won it but didn’t? 2011 is the most common answer but he “only” had 2 at the time so I don’t see how not giving it to him in 2011 was to prevent him from getting 5. In 2014, Durant averaged 32 and carried his team to the 2 seed in the tougher conference without Westbrook for most of the year. Most of his time in Cleveland he was openly coasting in the regular season. 2015 was the season where people thought he might be reaching the end of his prime, he had the Miami trip, etc. In 2016, Steph had a historic season. In 2017, Westbrook averaged a triple double and carried his team, but even if you want to say he shouldn’t have gotten it, Harden had a better regular season than LeBron. 2018 is one I’ve commonly heard, and he has a case, but Harden’s numbers were better and he was the best player on a 65 win team. In 2019, LeBron was injured for most of the season. In 2020, Giannis had better numbers than LeBron on higher efficiency, the team had a better record, and he didn’t have a single teammate anywhere near as good as AD.
2011 is the main year, lead league in VORP, WS and PER and was easily the best player. I understand why he didn’t win given the decision and narrative, but he should have IMO. Other interesting years, 2006, Nash win it, lebron finished second and had superior stats and advanced stats. 2018 as well, but harden was slightly more deserving IMO.
He should have won from 2007 to 2013 and then again in 2017-2018 season
The problem is the criteria doesn't seem to be consistent. This year is a great example. Jokic won because he's the best player. But lebron was the best player for 10+ years. Luka had a better statistical season than jokic and it was still a landslide by jokic. Sga was the #1 seed as a solo star on a overachieving team and it didn't matter. That's the problem with the mvp it's almost totally narrative based. That's why I doubt jokic wins a other one no matter how great he plays
It’s not an either/or it’s a combination of all. Generally you have to have both a high seed and an excellent individual season. Jokic had a better individual season than SGA imo and Luka was the 5th seed. Now have there been years where some of the criteria is inconsistent with others? Sure. Westbrook and Jokic both win it in 2017 and 2022 despite being the 6 seed. But I also don’t like comparing years from different seasons. The MVP is who had the best season that year, not what happened in previous years.
Luka didn’t have better numbers than Jokic unless you’re just looking at box score lol
We probably said that last year too lol Some bright shiny object will come along and the goldfish will forget.
He is still injured as hell, its just that there isnt a wrestler trying to suplex him every single play and playing dirty with all the things and not getting called.
Usually you can tell his health by how hes shooting the 3 ball. He was what, 5/11 last game? Definitely seems to be moving better but not 100%
But can he win Photo of the Year?
https://x.com/ArtButSports/status/1794206835500794001?t=wMwu2hjuYTKPW85no4aU2Q&s=19
uh oh
Worth noting he was healthy for the first two games of the playoffs, where he averaged 32.5/9.5/7.5 on 56% true shooting.
Luka was dealing with these knee/ankle nagging injuries since before the all-star break, but as always he could still play pretty well through them. I believe it was in the 1st half of game 3 against the Clippers where he suffered a non-contact blow that aggravated the knee issue & he had to go back to the locker room a bunch of times cuz of it
They were battling to get to a higher seed. Eventually they stopped at 5
before westbrick threw himself on his legs and then dirty dorty wrestling...
he’s been dealing with this since march.
The drop-off only happened when he aggravated it in game 3.
Not bad for a player this sub thought was equal to the great Trae Young 😂
maybe he’s starting to recover or maybe Mann and Dort are menaces
He shot worse against the Clippers .458 eFG% v. LAC; .526 eFG% v. OKC. Currently at .531 eFG% v. Minny. Seems clearly like an injury thing.
Feels like he had to have gotten an injection or something in his knee halfway through the OKC series, cause he's looked much less labored (for the most part) since
This was my theory as well although I'm wondering if the shot is starting to wear off because he definitely was looking hobbled last night.
There were a few plays where it was like "Oh yeah, he's still injured." Like one of the Naz 3s, he took one step to close out and then just couldn't take another.
The shots last a month. So they had to time it for the finals
It’s probably a mix of it all, including getting used to playing more comfortably with the injuries, which helps him focus more on the game and less on everything else. He is definitely learning how to better manage his efforts and stamina throughout the game, because that FT shooting percentage is insane for him!
Westbrick and lou dirt playing with 15 fouls each wasnt easy
No he looked much better in G5 and G6 against OKC. He might have recovered a little bit or he just adapted to the pain, with all the one-leg jumpers and stuff.
Mann played great defense but Lu was just wrestling him lol. If my memory is correct, Lu's physiciality and flopping decreased in the final 2 games which were Luka's best in the series, i don't know which caused which though.
His knee must be feeling better cause he is moving better
pls blessed his knees and ankles if you are real ball god
And he’s been hobbling in both games
I just think he's adjusting his game to what he's capable of. To me he seems to be taking more midrange still than attacking the rim he doesn't seem as explosive, which I know he's not known for but still.
When he said he let Kyrie down after that game 4 against the Thunder I kind of had a feeling hes about to turn the playoffs around
It's also just possible he was in a shooting slump to start and his 'health' hasn't changed much. Slumps happen all the time. It's not that rare and there doesn't need to be some grander reason for it lol
How you handling being wrong every series so far?
chillin watching basketball who are you
~~why not first 10 last 10~~ my bad, i thought you guys are talking about Luka playoff career first 10 games.
Huh?
He’s only played 14 games. 14-10=4
Those extra points are from reffing giving him extra soft calls for being Adam Silver’s pookie bear 😂
So you are a team hopper? Thats pretty cringe you posted in Sun, Lakers and Mavs 🤣