NBA Base

Staff members in the Lakers organization say Luka treats everyone from drivers to arena workers with 'warmth and kindness,' making them feel like 'part of the team.' 🥺 "If people knew what Luka is like for all of us, they would have the highest possible opinion of him. Whether it’s representatives of minorities or people who get a job despite some physical handicap... Luka as a person and on the human side is a story that is even bigger than what he represents as a basketball player. What he gives us with his kindness, warmth and understanding is worth the most. We feel like we are his. When he wins or his team wins, it’s not just an expression. I really feel that way. Because we are his and we win with him, he lets us know that every day." (ekipa.svet24.si/clanek/kosarka…)

There is "healthy skepticism" regarding the Pelicans’ willingness to invest in their medical staff this summer, per @FearTheBrown ​Ownership is reportedly looking to "cut corners" as most of the medical staff are on the final years of their deals.

The Pelicans reportedly view Trey Murphy III as a "perfect" fit next to Yves Missi and have set his trade price "intentionally high" to deter teams from asking, per @FearTheBrown "I think they view him as a guy that pairs perfectly with their star draft pick, Yves Missi... Trey is someone that pairs perfectly with anybody because he's an off-ball, highly efficient offensive player that can shapeshift into whatever offensive role you really need him to... the price is set intentionally high for guys like Herb Jones and Trey Murphy... they're set to deter teams from asking."

@FearTheBrown Link: hoopshype.com/story/sports/n…

Zion Williamson is expected to receive a contract extension from the Pelicans this summer, per @FearTheBrown "I think Zion's going to get extended... When Joe Dumars got here, there were some tough conversations had with Zion about what the expectation is for professionalism. And to Dumars's credit, Zion really took that to heart... He really wants to be in New Orleans, and he really, really wants the narrative on him to flip... I would model it after Julius Randle's extension... around three years, $100 million or so. Around 30 to $35 million a year. I think it's a good sweet spot for Zion."

Zach Lowe on the Giannis/Bucks situation “If I were a player, and I wanted to get traded but I didn’t want to look like the bad guy, this feels like a really good, manufactured way for that to happen.” 😬 (Via open.spotify.com/episode/1ScYHX…)

Victor Wembanyama was asked if he would vote for himself for MVP ​“Of course.” 👽 (Via @sam_amick )

Former Laker Lou Williams says Luka Doncic HAS NOT outplayed SGA, Cade Cunningham, or Jaylen Brown this season ​“I don’t feel like he has outplayed SGA, Cade, or JB at this point of the season... It just comes down simply to numbers to me. Not the impact that he’s had, not the way that he’s played and the way that he’s been able to put the Lakers back in the third seed... None of those things are of more importance than it just being a simple number game.” (Via @RunItBackFDTV )

A brutal 24 hours for the Los Angeles Lakers: - Tip-off in Houston at 8:30 PM last night - Arrived at Miami hotel after 5 AM today - Tip-off vs. the Heat tonight at 8 PM Scheduled loss? (Via @DanWoikeSports )

Jalen Johnson says Jonathan Kuminga is "like a dog" ready to be unleashed 😤 “JK's just like a dog ready to be unleashed. You can tell, just how he's working out, how he's approaching his days. He’s ready to go. He's ready to do what it takes to win. And show the rest of the world that.” (Via @JakeLFischer )

@DailyMail Link: dailymail.co.uk/sport/nba/arti…

Police were called to a Slovenian hospital two days after Luka Doncic’s second daughter was born after he reportedly "begged" his ex-fiancée to let their oldest child return to California, per @DailyMail “Sources say the conversation turned ugly and police were called to Kranj Maternity Hospital, north of the couple's multi-million Slovenian retreat, on December 6 – two days after Olivia was born – following a dispute... Officers later said they 'did not detect any elements of a criminal offense or misdemeanor' from the star, adding that Doncic had left 'peacefully'... During his visit to Slovenia, Doncic reportedly begged Goltes to allow Gabriela to return to California with him.”

Details: dailymail.co.uk/sport/nba/arti…

Luka Doncic has filed an injunction to see his two daughters after ex-fiancée Anamaria Goltes moved them to Slovenia, per @DailyMail Goltes is reportedly hiding out in Doncic’s mother’s mansion amid whispers of a new A-list romance.

History: The Boston Celtics have officially swept the Pacific Division (10-0) and all games played in California (8-0) for the first time in franchise history.

Kevin Durant: “LeBron James could play for another 4-5 years” 👀 (h/t @hoopshype )

The Milwaukee Bucks could still convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay if they build a roster capable of contending for a championship, per @ChrisBHaynes “If the Milwaukee Bucks can make a compelling case and basically convince him that they have the tools, the resources, and can pull off a few moves that will place them in deep consideration to be a championship-contending team, I think Giannis can be convinced.” (profootballnetwork.com/nba/chris-hayn…)

Luka Doncic’s defensive improvement this season has been insane - 0.84 PPP allowed in isolations (109 possessions) - Top 10 in Steals - Top 7 in Charges Drawn - 95th percentile in shots contested - 87th percentile in rim contests (Via @KellyIko )

Kevin Durant on Lakers defense: “This is the best version of their defense that they're gonna bring out against us... if we do play them again, we got film to watch and learn from. But this pretty much the only option they can present to us to slow us down.” (Via @LawMurrayTheNU)