Mike on Sports: Luka Likely Makes Bird Want to Puke

At first Luka’s whining was something I felt he needed as a player. It got him fired up and made him play better. It’s made him one of the top five most talented players in the NBA. And who doesn’t like dad bod guys who don’t have much athleticism owning the NBA? I know I liked it when Bird was dominating in the 1980s. But when Bird wasn’t given a call or was fouled hard with no whistle he just got pissed off and played better. When things don’t go Luka’s way he becomes an absolute baby. And it’s hard to watch.

In game three of the NBA Finals, Luka flopped on three point attempts in back to back possessions where he wasn’t even touched and complained to the officials while the Celtics went down the court for easy transition buckets. And his incessant whining and complaining finally has the NBA official’s exasperated so his team doesn’t get the calls perhaps they should, even at home. Luka is hurting his game, his legacy and his team.

People say LeBron James flops, foul baits and whines and of course we know he does. But Luka makes LeBron look like a stoic non complainer and that’s hard to do. LeBron’s legacy will be as one of the top players in the history of the NBA and a champ on three different teams. Luka’s? A talented crybaby who ultimately hurt his team.

Mavs great Dirk Nowitzki led an outmatched team to an NBA title over LeBron and the Heat with his competitive nature and ability to make other players better. Luka could have perhaps done that with this outmatched Mavs team but instead he’s just flopping, crying and whining. On the court he does some things that astonish and remind me of Bird. But Bird wasn’t a baby. And that’s why he’s a legend and Luka will be forgotten. And Larry probably wants to barf watching this abomination.