00:00Seems like the theme for the Lakers right now is what could have been, as in, what could have been
00:06if Luka was healthy for this series.
00:08The Lakers star spoke about his frustration about not being able to get back on the court.
00:13Luka, how hard is this for you? You were playing MVP caliber basketball.
00:18To go down then when you were at your peak, just how frustrating has this been for you to be
00:23out during this time?
00:24It's very frustrating. I don't think people understand how frustrating it is.
00:30All I want to do is play basketball, especially this time. It's the best time to play basketball.
00:35It's very frustrating. Seeing what my team is doing, I'm very proud of them.
00:42It's been very tough just to sit and watch them play.
00:47Melissa Rowland does an unbelievable job, of course, covering the Lakers for the California Post.
00:53And she joins us right now.
00:56And, Melissa, you heard the word frustrated. You asked the questions.
00:59Luka gave you some unbelievable answers. His facial expression also spoke volumes to me.
01:06Look, I find it, and you cover the league, it's rare in any sport for an injured player to speak
01:13for a variety of reasons, especially a star.
01:16Things can go haywire during a press conference, time frames.
01:19You know, I give Luka credit, the Lakers PR credit, J.J. Reddick credit.
01:24This is, this was the story.
01:27I thought they did an excellent job the way they made Luka available.
01:31What did you unearth?
01:33The fact that he talked, what he said.
01:36Take us through everything from that press conference.
01:39I thought it was really interesting because I think a lot of people assumed because he was talking, maybe he's
01:45getting closer to coming back.
01:46And, boy, could the Lakers obviously use Luka in this series.
01:51LeBron was phenomenal in game one, 27 points, but he had no help.
01:55Austin Reeves had eight points.
01:56It was a disaster.
01:57They sure could have used Luka, who over the month of March averaged 37.5 points.
02:04But my takeaway from that press conference is Luka isn't close to coming back.
02:08He has started running, but he hasn't done any contact drills yet.
02:14He told us that doctors actually initially told him that he would be out for eight weeks.
02:20As of today, he has been sidelined for five weeks.
02:23He's not close to coming back, and the Lakers can't rush this.
02:29This is their franchise superstar, and if you come back too soon from a hamstring injury, you risk suffering an
02:37ACL tear or something really serious that could sideline you for the entire season.
02:41So the Lakers need to exercise caution with Luka.
02:45Luka confirmed to us that he's doing everything he could to get back on the court.
02:49He went to Spain, got PRP injections, four of them actually.
02:54He's been going into the cold tub, the ice plunge every day.
02:59He's doing everything he can to get back on the court, but I don't think he's close.
03:03Yeah, didn't sound like it.
03:04And based upon what we heard the time frame was, and Luka confirmed it, I mean, he's not close.
03:10And that's why I was appreciative that he gave you guys covering the team exactly what kind of people needed
03:16to hear with regards to just the simple fact he's not walking through that door.
03:21And it kind of coincides, and you were there, you know, in the locker room when LeBron was asked about
03:26where the offense go, and you referenced a number.
03:29Well, the guy who scored 37 a month and points a month in the month of March and averaged that,
03:35he's not there.
03:36I didn't view that as an excuse.
03:38I mean, that to me was a fact.
03:41Melissa, I don't know how the Lakers can get going on offense or have any chance against this juggernaut without
03:48Luka Doncic.
03:49You know, in order for the Lakers to even have a chance in this series, and they did a lot
03:53of things right in game one.
03:54I'll give them credit for that.
03:55They held shade at 18 points, his fewest points this season.
03:59He committed seven turnovers, the most turnovers he's committed this season.
04:02They did a great job against the reigning MVP.
04:06LeBron couldn't look better, 27 points.
04:09But he had no help.
04:11Austin Reeves, eight points, couldn't make a shot.
04:14Luke Kennard, zero for a four from the field.
04:17I mean, the Lakers need offensive help.
04:20And for them to have any chance in this series, guys like Austin, guys like Luke, they're going to have
04:24to play to their potential.
04:26It's too bad because Austin, obviously, that was his third game back from returning from an oblique strain.
04:31And I think he deserves credit for coming back.
04:33I'm sure he's playing through pain right now.
04:36But that said, eight points from a guy who's eligible for a max contract from the Lakers.
04:43I mean, that's just not going to cut it.
04:45Austin needs to be a lot better.
04:47Luke Kennard needs to be a lot better.
04:49DA had a good performance.
04:51He had 11 rebounds.
04:52But we need more scoring out of him, more scoring out of Marcus Smart.
04:56I mean, this needs to be a total team effort.
04:59It can't just be LeBron trying to put the team on his back and carry them.
05:02Everybody needs to be a heck of a lot better in game two tonight.
05:05I want to hit on Reeves with you for a second.
05:08And he's one of my favorite players.
05:09I think he's remarkable.
05:10I also think he deserves credit for coming back.
05:13That was certainly in doubt.
05:15I thought what he did at the end of the Houston series was remarkable.
05:18Obviously, back for OKC.
05:20With that said, I mean, he was a double agent.
05:23He had one of the worst games of his entire career.
05:26He couldn't put the ball in the ocean.
05:27His defense, he's clearly not 100%.
05:30But, again, you're judged on what you do when you're on the court, fair or unfair.
05:34When you talk to the team, to J.J. Redick, you know, on record, off record, your sources,
05:40like, do you have a feel that Austin Reeves can be Austin Reeves tonight?
05:46And also, you referenced the contract.
05:48This is kind of a big deal here.
05:51I think there's a strong case for running it back, Melissa, with everyone next season for the Lakers.
05:57How big is it for Austin Reeves in terms of the finish, big picture, and financially for his future in
06:04L.A.?
06:05I mean, look, he had a great season.
06:08At the beginning of the season, he looked like he could even make the all-star team.
06:12He's proven that he's a star.
06:13He's hopscotched over LeBron as the team's second option on offense.
06:17So, there's a huge market for Austin out there.
06:21And I do think that the Lakers definitely want to bring him back.
06:25He's going to get paid.
06:27Is there an argument for the Lakers to bring everybody back?
06:32Yes.
06:32But, honestly, can this Lakers team compete against teams like the Thunder, the Spurs?
06:37They're far behind them right now.
06:39So, the Thunder, the Spurs, they're deeper, they're younger.
06:43The Lakers are going to have to make a lot of tweaks this summer.
06:46As for Austin, he's struggled the last two postseasons.
06:50And for him to struggle again this one, you know, isn't a great look for him.
06:56I think we're going to see a much better performance from him in game two.
07:01I can tell you he was so down and out in the locker room.
07:04He was looking down at the ground.
07:06He was palpably, extremely disappointed in himself.
07:11I asked J.J. Redick, you know, what he thought about that.
07:16Was this just rust?
07:17Is he trying to refine his rhythm?
07:19What he made of Austin's performance?
07:21And he was like, look, Austin's a great player.
07:24He's going to be great.
07:25That was a bad game.
07:26He dismissed it.
07:27And I think there's a lot to that.
07:29I think, you know, first of all, this is a really tough matchup for AR.
07:34This is a swarming defense, and they bottled him up.
07:36And I think we're going to see a different guy come out tonight.
07:39He got a lot of good looks.
07:42He just missed them.
07:44So he's not going to miss those tonight, I don't think.
07:47Yeah, I hope you're right.
07:48And I tend to agree with that.
07:49I'm a huge AR fan.
07:51And I'm fascinated to see what he brings to the table.
07:54Last one for you, Melissa.
07:56Appreciation for LeBron James.
07:57Because I think it's kind of remarkable here what he's done since that April 2nd, Thursday,
08:04in OKC, when Luka got hurt and Reeves got hurt.
08:08And the way he played down the stretch of the season in the Houston series.
08:13Even game one, the 12 points in the first, 27 in the game.
08:17Look, he's 41 years old.
08:20I'm just, I'm kind of mesmerized by this.
08:22You've been covering the league for a while.
08:24Obviously, you know, LeBron, you know, you've been covering him as well.
08:29How do you describe what you've seen with LeBron James?
08:33Yeah, you know, LeBron at 41 years old is as old as both coaches.
08:37It's absolutely, it's incredible what he's doing.
08:42I think the lesson here is everyone needs to just stop counting him out.
08:46Everybody wants to root against him.
08:48Everybody wants to say, you know, as soon as Austin and Luka went out,
08:51there was no way that LeBron could carry the Lakers past the Rockets.
08:56Not at age 41.
08:58And he did it.
08:58LeBron just, I mean, the battle with Father Time, it's not even a battle.
09:03Look, Father Time hasn't even made a dent on LeBron.
09:06He's still a superstar.
09:09And he's the only player in NBA history to play in his 23rd season.
09:13And he's still a superstar.
09:14His longevity is just stunning.
09:17It's amazing.
09:18He's taken Father Time and he's shoved him in a locker.
09:20It's incredible to watch.
09:22Melissa, unbelievable stuff.
09:23We always appreciate the time.
09:25Keep up the unbelievable work covering the Lakers and the NBA for the California Post.
09:29And we'll do it again real soon.
09:30Awesome.
09:31Thank you so much.
09:32Of course, Melissa Rowland.
09:33She is fantastic.
Comments