On the Luka topic, I saw some great numbers - on/off stats for the Lakers Big 3 yesterday
Iztok Franko
@iztok_franko
Lakers are -4.2 per 100 possessions this season in 1416 possessions with both Luka & LeBron on the floor.
I tried to dig deeper to see if there is more context behind these numbers, and what could the Lakers do to navigate this in the second part of the season
So you have the Big 3 together numbers. You have individual member without either of the Big 3 next to him (all have positive +/- by themselves), and you have 2 of the Big 3 together (only Luka / A Reaves is positive).
Fantastic data
This season alone, in 171 minutes where that trio plays together, they're at -7.47 (112 Ortg, 119.7 Drtg). It's a small sample, but that trio has been worse this year than last. They've shown zero ability to defend with those 3 slower stars on the court together, and the offense hasn't worked.
Someone asked Mazzulla post-game about facing Lebron/Luka/Reaves, and he made a comment that everyone asks how to defend them, the answer is
"we need to attack them". It worked beautifully in the 2024 Finals and it continues to work when the C's play Luka. And even Reaves isn't a great defender in my eyes if, again, you attack and try to exploit him on that end.
Also on social media, Doncic has been getting lit up about his constant complaining to the refs almost every play. Some of those moments have also led to terrible defensive lapses on the other end like we saw Sunday. He's a historically great scorer but his defense/attitude can get in the way. Think of Harden too. Even Harden has made a Finals and made a handful of deep runs in the West. Never got over the top though, although I'll admit Harden's defense has improved a little in recent years where he's not a pure turnstill out there.
