It might sound strange to some that Luka Dončić admitted after Wednesday's clunker of a game for the Lakers, in which Luka himself was pretty clunky, that he really needed the upcoming All-Star break. Physically, in part to continue working his way back following the calf injury that cost him nearly two months of play, and definitely mentally. It's easy to forget, given how talented these players are, the amount of resources available to them, and the sheer amount of money they make, that even the biggest superstars are still people. It's something crystalized by JJ Redick when he noted that his ASB would be spent filling out insurance paperwork and trying to find a more permanent place for his family to live following the loss of their home in the Palisades fire. For Luka, it's been a different kind of stress, but similarly draining. It can be argued that no employee in America is less threatened by job transfer (or in the NBA, a trade) than a superstar in his mid-20s. Like, those guys have security. Luka wasn't pushing his way out, or demanding a trade. This wasn't something he saw coming in the slightest. And not only did Dallas trade him, they took serious shots at his professionalism on the way out the door. Even if some of the criticism is fair—Dončić does need to take better care of himself as NBA seasons pile up on his body—how it was delivered, by people representing the organization he saw as an ally, is jarring. So Wednesday in Utah, it's very possible Luka hit a mental wall. And a physical one, with the altitude and the reality that it's often the second big workout that's harder than the first. There's a lot riding on this trade. Given how well the Lakers have played over the last month, the Dončić deal is no longer one to think about solely as a move for the future. The Lakers are in the thick of it in the Western Conference, even with their "all-in" move for a center falling apart. It matters if Luka slumps a little in his first games as a Laker, insofar as the standings are concerned. So it'll be interesting to see how fans react if Luka comes out of the break and doesn't put up his "classic" numbers. Down the road, we might all need to re-calibrate what Luka's numbers ought to be. Is he going to put out stats at the same rate playing next to LeBron James and Austin Reaves? What numbers ought to go up, high as many already were? The "feeling out" period includes fans, who will find out with time if their own systems of evaluation for guys like Luka need recalibrating to account better for context. All this to say, there's some reason to worry Luka won't bounce back effectively for the second half of the season. There's far more reason, however, to blieve he'll be back to what he was before injury. HOSTS: Andy and Brian KamenetzkySEGMENT 1: Luka needs a break! SEGMENT 2: Why there's a toll... even when it looks like players aren't using it. SEGMENT 3: Why the All-Star Game is obsolete. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!WayFairAfter the holiday hustle, there’s nothing like giving your home a little TLC. Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.SKIMSShop SKIMS Mens at SKIMS.com/lockedonnba. Let them know we sent you! After you place your order, select "podcast" in the survey and select our show in the dropdown menu that follows.OpenPhoneThe #1 business phone system designed to help you keep your work and personal life separate.Right now, OpenPhone is offering 20% off your first 6 months when you go to OpenPhone.com/LOCKEDONNBA.and if you have existing numbers with another service, OpenPhone will port them over at no extra charge!Door DashThey Swoosh, You Save: when any player scores 50 or more points in a game during the 24/25 NBA regular season, DashPass members save 50% on an order, up to $10 off with promo code NBA50. 50% Off 1 Order (Up to $10 Off) Offer valid from 9:00 AM PT through 11:59 PM PT after a 50 point performance in any game during the NBA season on orders placed at participating merchant locations. Valid only in the United States. Maximum value of discount is $10.00. Discount applies to subtotal only; does not apply to fees, taxes, and gratuity. Not valid for pickup. Limit one per person. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Fees, taxes, and gratuity still apply. Must have an active DashPass account. Use promo code NBA50 to redeem. See further terms and conditions at https://drd.sh/8ONpZP/.FanDuelRight now, new FanDuel customers can get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in Bonus Bets if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins!Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online ...
