We can talk about the rise of 3-point shooting or the removal of hand checking or whatever random variable we want to point to to claim the NBA is worse simply because we are older and don’t watch the games through the eyes of children falling in love with the game for the first time anymore but personally, my biggest problem with the current NBA is that no one punches anyone in the face anymore.
Sacramento Kings point god Dennis Schroder is restoring the vibe.
Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schröder was suspended three games for “confronting and attempting to strike another player” in a Crypto.com Arena hallway after his team’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 28, the NBA announced Saturday night.
League and team sources told The Athletic that the player Schröder attempted to strike was Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić.
The incident occurred roughly 40 minutes after the Kings’ 125-101 loss to the Lakers, “when Schröder sought out the player in an arena hallway and initiated the confrontation,” the NBA release announcing the suspension stated.
This is what the NBA is missing.
Larry Bird talked a ton of shit. He was also willing to throw hands and defend his shit-talking.
All the greats have been punched in the mouth.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic talks to his opponents like DJ Jademiks talks about rappers from the safety of his basement, in this instance mocking Dennis Schroder for not accepting a contract extension years ago, losing out on a big bag, and ending up playing for the Sacramento Kings of Comedy, and no one ever swings on Luka.
In an instagram comment Dennis Schroder mocks the idea of “attempting” to hit Luka, implying he got a clean punch off, which would explain the suspension.
I don’t think the NBA would take 3 game checks away from Schroder for arguing after a game. That man got a swing in.
And deservedly so.
This is why Nico Harrison traded his ass.
Luka Doncic needs a fight. It’s the only way the Lakers can win a championship.
Between Luka, LeBron and Austin Reeves, defense doesn’t live in Los Angeles.
There is a physical combativeness necessary to play strong, competitive defense in the NBA.
Yes, the NBA is now flooded with genetic anomalies with ptardactyl wingspans but one must possess an appetite for physical contact.
If Luka keeps getting beat up after games, he’ll have no choice but to play more physically and match his opponent’s intensity, or else, ya know, more ass whoopings.
How do the Lakers add defense?
In the very likely chance of Dennis Schroder’s slap having absolutely no impact on Luka’s defensive acumen, the Lakers need answers.
They rank 22nd in defensive rating, currently allowing more points than they are scoring.
Their offensive firepower is no longer outweighing their defensive lapses.
I just hit the weed pen, the kush got me feeling like Rob Pelinka, here are 3 random trades off the top of my head I think the Lakers should consider before the February 5th NBA trade deadline.
Also real quick, here are the Lakers expiring contracts:
- Rui Hachimura: $18 million
- Gabe Vincent: $11.5 million
- Maxi Kleber: $11 million
- Jaxson Hayes: $3 million
- Dalton Knect: $4 million (team option)
Oh, I’m also slow on the CBA and the apron stuff. I’m sure I’ll fully wrap my head around the rules the moment the CBA expires and the rules change again.
The Lakers are on a 3-game losing streak, the Kings just beat them (without Schroder lol), and they don’t have time for me to memorize the rules and regulations.
1. Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jock Landale
I know the Lakers need rim protection but as a Knicks fan who watches KAT get dunked on every other night, I understand the value of a wing who can divert perimeter ball handlers from the paint.
KCP’s current defensive work doesn’t match his previous reputation, but if NBA defense is about effort and a willingness to do it, then we’ve already seen LeBron James motivate KCP to championship level D.
It feels like Caldwell-Pope’s been in the league all my life, but he’s only 32.
He’s the same age as Norman Powell, the second-best player on a decent Heat team.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope makes $21 million this season and has a player option for $21 million next season, but I’d still rather have him on my team than Gabe Vincent and Maxi fucking Kleber.
Plus, you throw Jock Landale on top, we know JJ Redick loves feeding the colorless.
If the Grizzlies are trading away Ja Morant, they’re shifting their championship timeline back to align with 22-year-old rookie Cedric Coward.
KCP is opting into his $21 million next season.
No point in having him on the roster next season, either stealing minutes from the youth movement or pouting on the team bus, upset he’s not playing more.
Grizzlies need a vibe shift.
Trade the vet.
Let Vincent and Kleber expire, open up $20 million in cap space this summer.
Maybe you take a shot at a young guy whose organization is iffy on him like Jonathan Kuminga or Jaden Ivey or Scoot Henderson.
2. Rui Hachimura and Austin Reeves for Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas
In 2022, Nic Claxton blocked 9 shots in the Nets first around series against the Celtics. Brooklyn was swept by Claxton’s 2.5 blocks and 10.5 points were not the problem.
He’s only 26, tied to the middling Nets until the summer of 2028, and the perfect rim protector/lob threat for the Luka-era Nets.
Cam Thomas is the type of guy LeBron’s always kept as a spellcast mid-playoff series, smashing the Kyrie-JR Smith-Boobie Gibson-Mo Williams-Austin Reeves-Dwyane fucking Wade-summon to get over the mountain top.
Feels like the Nets are holding onto this Nic Claxton salary to package together for a star down the line, assuming these rookies and/or next season’s start to look All-Star-ish, unlikely.
But maybe Michael Porter Jr is that All-Star and Austin Reeves is the tag team partner he needs to start throwing haymakers back at teams like the Bulls and Hawks.
MPJ is sick.
If you can add Austin Reeves, presumably agree to a long-term contract extension, and next season, with this year’s lottery pick, you start winning ball games for real, then just do it.
(You can add imaginary draft picks to whichever team you think is getting robbed.)
3. LeBron James for Karl-Anthony Towns
Fuck it.
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