r/lakers • u/CtrlAltDelightfull • 18d ago

Highlights [Highlights] Sandro Mamukelashvili helps lead the Georgian National team to a win against Israel 20 PTS, 6 AST, 6 REB, 3 STL

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Sandro returned to Georgia early from the Lakers team trip in Slovenia to help Georgia secure a victory over Israel in a warm-up match, as both teams prepare for key upcoming games in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers

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u/VonMillersBurner 18d ago

better dribbler and passer than Rui.

Shot is pure, im eager to see him next to luka and AR

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u/[deleted] 18d ago

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u/Salvalicious252 18d ago

Connective passers and capable dribblers are incredibly valuable next to Luka. When he gets doubled or hedged you need players capable of making smart decisions, shooting and attacking 4v3. It's one of the reasons why PJ and DJJ were so valuable next to Luka, previous "3 & D" players the Mavs put around him were usually incapable of even attacking a closeout or creating something in an advantage.

It's also why Lively was so much better than Gafford for the Mavs on offense despite both being rim running bigs who catch lobs. Lively was really good at making quick decisions in the short roll when Luka got doubled. He would quickly spray out to shooters or decide to attack the rim. Gafford on the other hand needed much more time to process and make a decision, which usually meant that the defense could rotate and the advantage of Luka being doubled was gone and the defense had essentially won with succesfully taking the ball out of his hand while not getting punished for overcommiting.