Show notes
He did all he could throughout the Eurobasket tournament, elevating a group of scrappy but under-talented Slovenians to the quarterfinals, but finally Luka Dončić could take them no further. 99-91, Germany prevails, despite a 39-point, 10 rebound, seven assist game from Luka.
He went as the best player on the floor, as has been the case throughout. Dončić even made noise defensively, to the point of being nominated for the tourney's defensive player award.
It was as positive experience as could have been asked for, in what continues to be the most positive summer anyone could have drawn up. Luka built incredible momentum towards the regular season. He played extremely well. He didn't get hurt. And all of this will help the Lakers enter the season with just a little more confidence and swagger. Teams benefit from knowing every night they have a truly transcendent star on their team, a guy whose mere presence gives them an excellent chance at victory.
Luka is that guy. And they still have LeBron, too, who has a little cache in that area, as well.
Finally, this from Brian Windhorst on ESPN's Hoop Collective podcast:
"Now, as far as LeBron's future—I know there's a lot of speculation," Windhorst said. "Based on my conversations, I honestly think they don't know. As far as I know, he's honestly going year to year. Could this be his last year? Yes. Will it be his last year? I don't know. Does he know right now? Maybe. But my interpretation is that it has not been established. He will see where he's at at the end of the year."
Does that mean the Lakers are sort of flying blind? Is LeBron, in a way?
What about a retirement tour?
Does how the team is performing have an impact on all of this?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka again dominates, but Slovenia eliminated.
SEGMENT 2: What's next for Dončić?
SEGMENT 3: When will LeBron hang 'em up?
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