Luka NBA...

[the24fan]

Watching PHX/NO tonight and watching guys like CP3, Deandre Ayton, Z Williamson , Lonzo Ball etc makes me think Luka would really struggle in the association . I love him don’t get me wrong but the NBA is all these long, fast , athletic guys that can just blow by guys . I just don’t think Luka has the foot speed to keep up? Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t see it. Gimme an argument here...

 

[BirdistheWord]

He would be at a disadvantage from an athleticism standpoint, even more pronounced than in college.

My arguments:
1. Would need to be the right team
2. His low post game is somewhat unique, given how so many guys want to face the basket
3. He will continue to outwork others and gain any edge he can
4. His shooting and 3 point shooting will allow him to succeed or compete w/o pure athleticism
5. He is probably a 10/11/12 man on a team, will play against certain matchups only

 

[anon_b29nm7v7dwp6r]

Guessing he’s a great college player with a game that doesn’t translate to the next level.

 

[SSG T]

I've said before, with the right team, he can have a decent career. But it would need to be with the RIGHT team. I was talking to ny son, we were thinking maybe Denver, Utah, Dallas, SA or like team. Someone that has a big that does some things like a traditional big that Luka could back up.

The thing is, as a back up, he wouldn't be looked at to be a complete player. If he can do one or two things that compliment the starter where he could step in and do those within the existing gameplan.

If he went to a team like LAL, Mil, Phi that uses their bigs as attacking type players, he wouldn't fit.

Honestly, his best fit might be BKN. They barely play defense and don't have any bigs that are much help anywhere (Jordan is on his last legs). He would just have to step in, rebound, shoot an occasional 3 and guard the interior. He could do that.

 

[DirtyJohns97]

Someone will take a chance on him. His game doesnt translate to the current NBA well, but the game evolves...Consider that its been so long since back to the basket centers were a thing, that the current centers aren't suited to defend it

 

[goodbyebobby]

Someone will take a chance on him. His game doesnt translate to the current NBA well, but the game evolves...Consider that its been so long since back to the basket centers were a thing, that the current centers aren't suited to defend it

What centers do you think he would score on in the post? They are so much more athletic it's silly.

 

[the24fan]

1. What centers do you think he would score on in the post? They are so much more athletic it's silly.

   That was my thought as well

 

[DirtyJohns97]

What centers do you think he would score on in the post? They are so much more athletic it's silly.

Of course they are more athletic, but they are basically rim protectors against slashers. Garza brings a completely different game. Step out jumpers, back to the basket post moves. This is not what an NBA center does now. So im just saying it might be different enough to work. MIGHT

 

[SSG T]

Someone will take a chance on him. His game doesnt translate to the current NBA well, but the game evolves...Consider that its been so long since back to the basket centers were a thing, that the current centers aren't suited to defend it

He won't be good at anything that requires him to do anything that requires more athleticism or quickness. He could rebound in the League, shoot, get put backs and maybe get a shot or two using his moves. With the right team, he could be a 12-15 mpg backup, that isn't going to lend itself to him being a traditional back to the basket player. No team will use him that much different than their other Cs.

 

[DirtyJohns97]

No team will use him that much different than their other Cs.

If this is true, then he really doesnt carry any value

 

[Herky T Hawk]

He isn’t a defensive maven by any means, but he could probably be better if we didn’t have him avoiding foul trouble so much. Us losing him to fouls would be horrific to our ability to win. In the NBA, he gets an extra foul and would be playing bench minutes, not 35 starter minutes. So he could be more aggressive on D without harming his team. His rebounding should improve if he spends more time in man defense too.

I think he can make a team as a 10-12th player and earn some money. He could be a Euro star if he wanted to get more playing time over there too. But I think he’s the kind of personality that wants to prove he can make it here.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Of course they are more athletic, but they are basically rim protectors against slashers. Garza brings a completely different game. Step out jumpers, back to the basket post moves. This is not what an NBA center does now. So im just saying it might be different enough to work. MIGHT

They can guard him up close and stay in front of him all they have to do is make the effort to defend and he's in for a tough haul.
And as we have seen recently, defense is clearly all about effort.

 

[DirtyJohns97]

I think he could and will improve his rebounding, but you cant fix slow

They can guard him up close and stay in front of him all they have to do is make the effort to defend and he's in for a tough haul.
And as we have seen recently, defense is clearly all about effort.

If thats true, then he has no shot. Im not certain that it will that be that easy to defend him.

 

[cruhawk]

I think people will sleep on him, which will cause him to be drafted down a little, which means he'll go to a good team like Dallas. Which will definitely help him.

 

[Slim45]

What centers do you think he would score on in the post? They are so much more athletic it's silly.

One on one i think he’d be fine. He’s had plenty of success against athletic bigs, and thats while being doubled most of the time. It’s the defensive end he’ll struggle on.

 

[DirtyJohns97]

Its almost like you guys think every NBA center is Rudy Gobert. Im a Mavs fan, and they have Dwight Powell, Garza would eat his lunch

 

[HawkeyeInCentralIowa]

It’s going to depend on where Luka goes. If he goes to a team like the Kings, he will rarely play. If he goes to the Mavs or Spurs, he could get a shot.

 

[goodbyebobby]

One on one i think he’d be fine. He’s had plenty of success against athletic bigs, and thats while being doubled most of the time. It’s the defensive end he’ll struggle on.

I disagree, hope I'm wrong.

 

[JerseyCityHawki]

Watch him tear up the league and all the naysayers will say “told you so” watch out this kids heart he wears on his shoulder I wouldn’t doubt he is a Excellent NBA player the more he gets put down the more he churns ... go GARZA ALL THE WAY!

 

[CaboKP]

Niang is still in the NBA, so Luka has a chance.

 

[goodbyebobby]

What centers do you think he would score on in the post? They are so much more athletic it's silly.

Papabeef, you never did reply to my Washington Post attachment about the CDC and voting day if you have the dreaded Covid? I thought you said it was fake news??🤣

Here is the link for you again and it has to be true if the Washington Post says so-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/11/03/cdc-covid-19-vote-election/

🤣🤣🤣 lol.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

Not to show a favorite, but with his range and size, SA would be a fit.

 

[Kurt Warner]

Thirty years ago he probably would have been a star in the nba

 

[BubsFinn]

I think people underestimate his NBA potential. Yeah, he's never going to be an All Star, but he should have a decent, journeyman type career. For one thing, he won't be triple teamed every time he catches the ball in the low post.
Like many have said, it all depends on where he ends up.

 

[jon55]

Watch a guy like Nikola Pekovic. He had a productive career cut short by injuries. I don't see how he's much different than Garza.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

What centers do you think he would score on in the post? They are so much more athletic it's silly.

Do you think Luka is more athletic than the centers he's facing in college?

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

Thirty years ago he probably would have been a star in the nba

He's a Kevin McHale clone who can hit from deep.

Luka is likely a second round pick. If he stays healthy and finds the right team, he can have a decent career coming off the bench.

 

[24 so far]

The dude scores 25 points a game in the Big Ten. That translates to the NBA.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Guessing he’s a great college player with a game that doesn’t translate to the unfortunate style of play the NBA has fallen in love with.

Fify........

 

[littlez]

Fify........

So if the NBA played a different style Luka would have a better chance? Please explain.

 

[General Tso]

That settles it. He should come back next year.

 

[BubsFinn]

He's a Kevin McHale clone who can hit from deep.

Luka is likely a second round pick. If he stays healthy and finds the right team, he can have a decent career coming off the bench.

McHale could rebound.

 

[SSG T]

If this is true, then he really doesnt carry any value

There's no team in the NBA he'd start for, right now. And no team is going to change how their offense runs for a 2nd or 3rd string C.

That's why him getting to the right team is important. There are still quite a few teams that have their C still do some traditional things.

While not as athletic, he can do some of the same things as guys like Jokic, Steven Adams, Kaminski, D Jordan, etc. He could back those guys up, give a team a couple minutes per quarter and be able to replicate parts of those guys games.

Honestly, the single biggest thing he needs work on is defense. He won't be able to play D the way Cs did 25 years ago and just camp in the lane. He HAS to get better defending the high ball screen switches/pick and roll. Even NBA backups will feast on that if he doesn't.


And, to be fair to Luka, I think people need to remember, other than injuries/foul trouble, he won't be spending much time on the court with players like Giannis, Embiid, AD and the like. He'd be more matched up against guys like Adams, Aron Baynes, Semi Ojeleye, and the like. That minimizes the limitations some.

 

[SSG T]

Fify........

Well, other than, stylistically, this is the best the NBA has been since the late 80s/early 90s. Before they started their decade long decent into boredom, and their decade long accent back into good basketball.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

McHale could rebound.

Kevin McHale averaged 7.3 rebounds a game for his career. His highest rebounding average was 9.9 in 1986. Luka averaged 9.8 last year and is at 8.4 this year.

Are you suggesting McHale is significantly better than Garza at rebounding?

 

[Ronman]

Odd that he been playing against and dominating so many B1G centers that have or will be drafted, yet won't be able to compete against them in the NBA. And the ones he's beating now are almost always given a second player to help stop him. I assume that won't be the case in the League. Garza is one driven individual. I sure wouldn't bet against him.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Do you think Luka is more athletic than the centers he's facing in college?

Yes and no but maybe 1% of them see the league? What % of college players at, any level play, in the league?

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

Yes and no but maybe 1% of them see the league? What % of college players at, any level play, in the league?

I agree, but Luka is the least athletic player about every night and still, more often than not, hangs 20 + on his opponent.

He's not going to be a premier scorer at the next level, but he can come off the bench and stretch the floor and post up smaller defenders.

 

[goodbyebobby]

I agree, but Luka is the least athletic player about every night and still, more often than not, hangs 20 + on his opponent.

He's not going to be a premier scorer at the next level, but he can come off the bench and stretch the floor and post up smaller defenders.

I fully hope so as well. Really, he needs to be a very reliable midrange to deep shooter but he still can't defend someone his size.
Basically, he is JBo in the league. If he's not making shots he's not helping you, even less there than JBo now.

 

[SSG T]

I agree, but Luka is the least athletic player about every night and still, more often than not, hangs 20 + on his opponent.

He's not going to be a premier scorer at the next level, but he can come off the bench and stretch the floor and post up smaller defenders.

And this right here is what I think he can do in the league, for the right team. Basically, be NBA version Tyler Hansbrough. Hansbrough spent 7 years in the NBA and was a 6/4 guy, averaging about 15 mpg. Luka does that, I'd consider him to have had a successful NBA career (though he might do that a bit differently).