Good story on Luka Garza

[TomKakert]

From our partners at YahooSports.com. Good read on Luka with some stuff I hadn't heard before.

Racing mosquitoes: Inside the maniacal work ethic of Iowa’s Luka Garza

NBA scouts don’t project Luka Garza as a first-rounder. He’s out to prove them wrong.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Good story. Thanks.

 

[EKHawk]

Just love this guy. He's a great role model for today's youth, an awesome ambassador for the Hawkeyes and reminds me of the character Rocky Balboa.

 

[ChuckBarkley]

I laugh at the scout comment “who wil he be able to guard?” There is no defense in the NBA so what does it matter.

 

[Ronman]

Some people mock Luka's running "style," but how many times does he get beat by a big man down court? And how many times does he arrive first and is able to set up and get the position that he wants?
If Luka wants to play in the NBA, then more power to him. He's given Iowa fans so much to appreciate over his four years, we should all be pulling for him. But even if he winds up in Europe, there is no doubt in my mind his relentless approach to the game will hold him in good stead.

 

[eyesofhawk]

The "no defense in the NBA" myth is completely baffling to me. It couldn't be the furthest thing from the truth. These are professionals we're talking about. And draft prospects have almost exclusively been narrowed to guys with the necessary length and quickness to defend.

For what other reason would Luka even be doubted as a prospective player in the league? Defense is the ONLY reason he is doubted. So it must be something that is highly valued as a NECESSITY in today's game. Doesn't matter that Luka plays below the rim. There are plenty of guys like that in the league. What matters is his ability to defend ball-screen action. Either by switching and containing a guard on the perimeter. Or by helping on the screen and rotating back to his man. Switching is pretty much out. It's just too big of a quickness desparity. And for whatever reason, Luka hasn't helped and recovered in ball-screen action as well this season as he did last. He was at least taking better containment angles last season and that's something that can be easily corrected.

But at best, Luka is still a bit of a clunky defender. As of today he absolutely would be exploited in the modern spacing and ball-screeing rich league, and couldn't competitively be on the court.

Quickness is almost impossible to develop, but Luka is the last person I would ever doubt. He will put in the work to once again transform his body. He will max out his quickness and give himself every chance of becoming a capable defender to stick in the NBA

 

[CaboKP]

If Niang can make it in the NBA, then I feel like Luka can make it.
Niang is a heck of a player, but speed and leaping are not strengths for him either. He is a better passer than Luka, so maybe that has played a part.

 

[ICWestfan]

Pffft...If he wanted a real workout against mosquitos he should have gone to Minnesota.

 

[DodgerHawki]

The "no defense in the NBA" myth is completely baffling to me. It couldn't be the furthest thing from the truth. These are professionals we're talking about. And draft prospects have almost exclusively been narrowed to guys with the necessary length and quickness to defend.

For what other reason would Luka even be doubted as a prospective player in the league? Defense is the ONLY reason he is doubted. So it must be something that is highly valued as a NECESSITY in today's game. Doesn't matter that Luka plays below the rim. There are plenty of guys like that in the league. What matters is his ability to defend ball-screen action. Either by switching and containing a guard on the perimeter. Or by helping on the screen and rotating back to his man. Switching is pretty much out. It's just too big of a quickness desparity. And for whatever reason, Luka hasn't helped and recovered in ball-screen action as well this season as he did last. He was at least taking better containment angles last season and that's something that can be easily corrected.

But at best, Luka is still a bit of a clunky defender. As of today he absolutely would be exploited in the modern spacing and ball-screeing rich league, and couldn't competitively be on the court.

Quickness is almost impossible to develop, but Luka is the last person I would ever doubt. He will put in the work to once again transform his body. He will max out his quickness and give himself every chance of becoming a capable defender to stick in the NBA

Yes it is a easily defeated myth, basically from people who never watch the NBA. Because the skill level is so high in the NBA, you literally can't make a roster if you can't play defense. Fair or not, you just can't get into the league if you don't have the length and requisite speed/quickness to play at least passable defense.

Agree that he is the last person I would count out. Even if he doesn't get a NBA shot, he will make a lot of money playing somewhere.