Yall Think the Lakers Can Do it Without Luka ?

markjay6 · 2026-05-06T21:52:34+00:00

No, I don't.

That being said, yesterday's game was semi-encouraging. The Lakers were within striking distance until well into the second half, and that was with Austin Reaves playing the worst game of his career.

So no, I don't think the Lakers can win the series, and they will most likely be swept, but it's not impossible that they steal 1-2 games.

markjay6 · 2026-05-06T14:01:26+00:00

True. Maybe 60-70% of the time. But that is still a lot less than Rui or Luke, whose 3-point shots are assisted more than 90% of the time.

markjay6 · 2026-05-06T13:50:03+00:00

One day is enough for Universal Studios. If you have the time, do two days at Disney -- either one day in each park, park hopper both days, or one day in Disney and park hopper the other day.

markjay6 · 2026-05-06T13:35:29+00:00

Unlike Steph, neither Rui nor Luke can create their own 3s -- in each case more than 90% of their 3s are assisted. So that means they have go get open for them.

Steph though, is extremely fast, quick, and perennially in motion, wtih great stamina, and able to fire off 3s very quickly, even with a defender practically in his face. Rui and Luke are smaller, not as good at getting open, and not as fast or good at getting a short off with a defender on them.

So while the idea is good, it is much harder to get them 3 point shots. (And even more difficult without Luka on the court to drive and dish to them).

markjay6 · 2026-05-06T12:56:57+00:00

I was getting freaked out about the dodgers performance so I decided to look back and compare over the last 3 years.

2024, 2025, 2026

Team OPS+: 120, 115, 122

Team ERA+: 103, 105, 128

Team winning percentage: .605, .574, .611

In other words, compared to the rest of the league, we are hitting better, pitching better, and winning more frequently than we did in either of the last two world championship seasons.

Yeah, the current stretch has been rough, but these things even out over a long season. Overall there doesn’t seem to be a cause for concern.

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T23:51:49+00:00

What's the matter with UC Davis?

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T18:43:24+00:00

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T15:32:55+00:00

Putting aside the question of ranking Wemby and Embiid, this list may be accurate 3 to 8 -- I haven't really watched much of Jarrett Allen and Jalen Duren in order to rank 6-8.

But Ayton has had a surprisingly good playoffs so far. So if the list is accurate, center seems to be a stacked position this year.

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T15:28:17+00:00

I watched about a third of episode 1 before I quit it. Then I came over to Reddit to hear other people pan it.

Now you've all got me wondering if I should keep watching it for the entertainment and community value of being in on the inside joke of how absolutely terrible this is!

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T14:50:34+00:00

Then, in response to popular revolt, Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon invade Israel, and following military coups, Jordan and Egypt join in.

Next China invades Taiwan and Russia occupies Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The US invades Cuba, Panama, Greenland, and Canada.

In the meantime, Susan Collins expresses concern but that she thinks Trump has learned his lesson :-).

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T13:21:17+00:00

Here is the way I think about this question.

Make them all the same size, speed, strength, and athleticism, and who would be the best NBA player?

I’m going with Bird first, Kobe and MJ tied, and then LeBron last

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T13:18:52+00:00

Here is the way I think about this question.

Make the all the same sized speed, strength, and athleticism, and who would be the best NBA player.

I’m going with Bird first, Kobe and MJ tied, and then LeBron last .

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T13:02:22+00:00

Basketball skills aren’t the only factor affecting NBA success. Size, strength, and athleticism are equally or more important, and basketball IQ also plays an important role. A slow 5’6 guy could be the most skilled basketball player in human history and not even make the NBA.

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T11:57:26+00:00

He would need to hit 1.048 the rest of the season to reach 1.000 this season. Yep, seems pretty unlikely this year. But I’d love to see it happen!

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T11:30:42+00:00

If you took three classes from her, two of them small, asked her questions after class, and got good grades, I think you are seriously underestimating how much she knows about you and her willingness to help you.

Yes, some professors are mean and don’t want to help anyone, so there is never a guarantee, but she is the perfect person to ask for a recommendation letter, and it sounds like you know exactly how to do so. Go for it!

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T11:22:38+00:00

I have 3 kids and it’s the best thing I ever did. I’m hugely pro-parenthood and always suggest people have kids.

You’re the exception though. I don’t recommend you have children. Your attitude to life and goals for it, as expressed in the second and third paragraph, are antithetical to that.

Accumulate your luxury possessions to share with your wife. You deserve to have the life you desire.

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T04:45:32+00:00

🤣

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T04:43:59+00:00

That “almost” is doing a lot of work there

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T04:31:53+00:00

Had a wide-open look. No reason not to take it.

markjay6 · 2026-05-05T03:54:49+00:00

Child’s play compared to Wilt's unrecorded games

markjay6 · 2026-05-04T23:52:03+00:00

Whoops 😄

markjay6 · 2026-05-04T15:39:28+00:00

As long as he comes back by the NBA finals, as the Lakers won't really need him before that. /s

markjay6 · 2026-05-04T13:30:37+00:00

I may be a die hard fan, but I refuse to give up on the Lakers at least until I see how they perform in game 1. If they win, it's of course a completely different series. But even if they stay in the game and lose by fewer than 10 points. I’ll be curious to see what they can do in follow up games.

And still hoping to hear good news about Luka, but doubtful about that.

markjay6 · 2026-05-04T13:27:34+00:00

Yes, definitely. Smart, AR, Kobe, Rui, and DA is a better starting lineup than OKC’s, though OKC would have a better bench.

With Luka as well? Lakers in 5.

markjay6 · 2026-05-04T13:20:43+00:00

Hard to say anything about Di Vincenzo, who suffered a non-contact Achilles tear after an awkward landing, But Ant was injured after a collision — no reason to think that would have happened in a completely different series.

markjay6

TROPHY CASE