OT: Moe Wagner gets trolled by Luka Doncic
Moe Wagner flexes, and then Luka Doncic acts like he doesn’t know. We see you and we know you, Moe! Wishing all the best success to all Michigan NBA players.
https://bleacherreport.com/post/trending/1477f823-9b20-4700-b742-334d5ef25bbb
January 16th, 2022 at 9:48 AM ^
ok I love me some Moe, but they were 21 points down on the fourth, right?
January 16th, 2022 at 12:45 PM ^
I see you've never played for a bad team before. At some point, you just accept it and prioritize fun and experimentation.
January 16th, 2022 at 1:33 PM ^
Or - hear me out here - you act like scoreboard does matter & focus on helping your team get back into the game, rather than showing up the opponents who are kicking your butts.
And, as we like to say - Act like you've been there before!
January 16th, 2022 at 1:43 PM ^
Last time Magic “were there before” Shaq was a young man, I doubt they have any institutional knowledge left in that organization.
January 16th, 2022 at 4:16 PM ^
Oh I dunno about the knowledge part - They have a fine appreciation of Wagner!
And I love the negs - if Luca went to Michigan & Moe was just some Euro, the same people would be upvoting!
So yeah, Go Blue!
January 16th, 2022 at 1:50 PM ^
The act like you've been there before line is so outplayed and frankly, insulting and ignorant towards the athletes.
I'll also state that Moe could and maybe should watch who he flexes at.
January 16th, 2022 at 4:22 PM ^
Actually curious - how is "act like you've been there" insulting?
And is mugging when your teams getting whupped on less insulting "towards the athletes"?
January 16th, 2022 at 4:34 PM ^
Never accept it. Play to win.
January 30th, 2022 at 10:55 AM ^
damn straight
January 16th, 2022 at 2:03 PM ^
He felt the spirit...
January 16th, 2022 at 10:08 AM ^
There was a couple bump ins with those two that night, from what I see. Luka is a somebody in the league, while Moe is just a bench guy; I can see why Luka would be irritated by Moe's attitude.
January 16th, 2022 at 10:33 AM ^
I'll counter with Mo doesn't owe Luca any respect because of his stardom. Mo plays his game no matter what, like it or not, right moment or not. Mo is Mo and stars in this league are coddled like no other set of stars in any league.
January 16th, 2022 at 10:40 AM ^
I'll add, as someone who really wants to be all aboard the Luka train... Luka's own struggle with "stardom" is kinda what's holding him back right now. The Jordans or Lebrons or Kobes etc. don't show up out of shape. They weren't caught taking games off, etc. Intra-team dynamics as well... The off-the-court stuff I'm less worried about. Pretty much all superstars from Magic to Jordan to Lebron have had "dust ups" with coaches and front offices, because it's all driven around winning. There's still time for Luka though, and there's absolutely no doubting his on-court talent.
January 16th, 2022 at 11:47 AM ^
He probably would be the 2nd best player in the NBA if he focused on his conditioning
January 16th, 2022 at 11:53 AM ^
Shaq regularly showed up to seasons out of shape and he’s a top 20 all-timer. Luka is 22 years old. He’ll figure it out.
January 16th, 2022 at 11:59 AM ^
Possibly, but Luca is nowhere near as transcendent of a ball player as Shaq because there's really been no one near as large and athletic as Shaq was.
To your point, Shaq could have been even more great had he stayed in better shape and remained as athletic as he was early in his career. Ill add, if he played in today's league, I'd say he'd be an even better pro because of how the game has changed. It would have forced him to stay more in shape and take on an outside game.
January 16th, 2022 at 5:53 PM ^
Just like Barkley. Hall of famer as is but he'll admit himself that the one or two years where he was in shape he was unstoppable, it was just too much damn work to stay that way.
January 16th, 2022 at 1:39 PM ^
Yeah that's actually proving my point on a couple different levels. Peak Shaq had literally no physical equal. The only person stopping Shaq was Shaq. The fact that he, admittedly, did no off season conditioning, really didnt give a shit about the first half of the season, and "played his way into shape" basically every year, is why you're calling him a "Top 20 All-Timer" and not THE all timer.
Also, the reason why I used Jordan, LeBron and Kobe as my examples is exactly for that reason. Three of the top five? One two three maybe? Would rather be dead than walk onto that court in less than peak condition by personal choice.
January 16th, 2022 at 3:13 PM ^
I don't disagree with this at all. I just don't think Luca gets to be compared to Shaq in any way or form.
January 16th, 2022 at 4:16 PM ^
And yet Luka is undoubtedly more accomplished and advanced than Jordan, Lebron, or Kobe were by age 22. He’s made 2 NBA first-teams already before any of them made one. Not to mention his success in Europe as a teen. I’m not saying he’ll end up as successful and well-regarded as those guys when it’s all said and done, but it seems pretty ridiculous to criticize the guy at age 22.
January 16th, 2022 at 9:46 PM ^
"Undoubtedly more accomplished and advanced"... lol I love some good hyperbole as the next guy, but Kobe had a championship, all-NBA 2nd team and all-NBA defensive by 22. Lebron was two time 2nd team and 1 time first team all NBA. Jordan was a year away from averaging 37 points a game. But sure... Luka is undoubtedly more accomplished than they were.
The only criticism Luka is getting is what he deserves and what you seem to acknowledge as well... he has showed up each of the last two seasons, and especially this year, out of shape. Something that Shaq would do, not sure that's an argument FOR this situation. And something neither Jordan, Kobe or Lebron would ever do.
January 17th, 2022 at 11:40 AM ^
Lol. As you MAGAs are fond of saying, facts don’t care about your feelings. Luka has more first team all NBAs and better stats than any of those 3 by age 22. Hell, even this year when you say he’s squandering his talent by being out of shape, he’s averaging 25/8/8 for the 3rd time, something Lebron has done 3x ever, MJ 1x, and Kobe never did.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:12 PM ^
LOL "you MAGAs"??? WTF?
I think you're as confused about who I am as you are about basketball.
I say one thing, and you roll up all of your feelings, other thoughts and probably things you seen or heard on sports radio into your response and then come up with these really strange strawman arguments that aren't actually against my point.
The whole fact of the matter is... Luka has shown up now in 2 of his 3 seasons out of shape and attempted to play himself into shape. This we both agree on. You then say Shaq did it, as if that's some sort of badge of honor. There are plenty of people who have not lived up to their potential, including Shaq. I'm not sure that's the point you want to make about Luka.
Guys who didn't do that. Kobe, Lebron, Jordan. If you want to give Luka the "greatest wing to win All NBA by age 22" award. Sure. But don't look now, your argument gets pretty weird and weak when Luka turns 23 next month. Jordan averaged 37 at 23. Kobe had TWO championships at 23.
My whole original point is that Luka can't expect to keep showing up fat and do anything "real." But maybe James Harden's career looks appealing to him, I don't know. Harden isn't Jordan, Lebron or Kobe either, at any age.
January 17th, 2022 at 8:25 PM ^
Yeah, and just to add the obvious--Doncic is nowhere near the transcendant talent those players were, no matter what his stats. Is never going to be. We're going to see lots more wonderful players like him in future, but not guys who broke ground like Kobe, Lebron, or Jordan. It is interesting that he lets Mo get under his skin, though; as Larry Bird said, when you can get under a good player's skin, you should.
January 16th, 2022 at 11:56 AM ^
This all day long. I saw Luca's response as a manifestation of his own frustrations/ disappointments this year because of his play and conditioning.
January 16th, 2022 at 12:36 PM ^
Mo was having a great game (16 points, 2 of 3 from the arc) and trying to get himself motivated. You can see that he just picks a random direction and Luca was there. Maybe he should be a little more secure if he is a "star".The push off would have kept it fine...why then chase after.a guy for the universal NBA flex.
January 17th, 2022 at 9:49 PM ^
Mo has been playing well. I'm holding out hope that playing with his brother gives him the confidence to get over the hump and secure a place for himself in the league.
January 16th, 2022 at 1:34 PM ^
But you said it yourself guava - "right moment or not..."
January 16th, 2022 at 10:18 AM ^
Love Mo, and I am sure he just got caught in the moment. Emotional player. Still not great to flex down by that many on one of the top stars in the league. We have seen this before and it usually is never a good look for the bench player.
Although Luka could have just let it slide under the circumstances.
Those Wagner boys can play though. Look out for team Germany!
January 16th, 2022 at 10:37 AM ^
Luka needs to wear his big boy shorts and grow up. Your team is up, if you feel Mo is doing something "stupid" you should just laugh or point at the scoreboard.
January 16th, 2022 at 10:56 AM ^
Yeah, I agree. Instead, Doncic let Moe get under his skin and get the better of him. First does the fake cry then turns into a bit of a crybaby himself by trying to go after Moe while our very own Timmy Hardaway and others have to restrain Doncic.
January 16th, 2022 at 11:07 AM ^
I didn't watch the game, but in the highlights there were other moments that Magic players were acting out; I don't blame Luka one bit, I would have done the same thing.
January 16th, 2022 at 12:33 PM ^
Waaaaa, someone get Luka a safe space.
January 16th, 2022 at 10:24 AM ^
Guess we have a new definition for Euro-trash.
January 16th, 2022 at 10:30 AM ^
Sure, Mo probably shouldn't have flexed. But I think the bigger story here is don't look now, but Mo is starting to find his stride with little bro in Orlando. Just two nights ago Mo put in 26, and Franz had 19 and 7 assists in a win over Charlotte.
Last night, 16 points leading Magic scorers (in blowout loss) for Mo. Two 20+ minute outings in a row. It's not a lot, yet. But this is how you earn a bigger role in the association, one game at a time.
January 16th, 2022 at 10:34 AM ^
Also there is German/Slovenian history here. Uber-competitive German boy going at a Laibach wunderkind.
January 16th, 2022 at 10:45 AM ^
You know what, this is a great point that I totally forgot. Slovenia and Germany played in the Olympics Quarterfinals back in August and it was a super physical game. A bunch of little scruffs. I don't remember Mo and Luka getting into it, but the whole game was ticky tack.
January 16th, 2022 at 11:58 AM ^
Germany: The Good Neighbor Country
January 16th, 2022 at 1:57 PM ^
I'm glad to see Moe contributing and enjoying himself. Orlando is a young team and good to see some fight here. That's the Moe we know and love and disappointed to see some here chastising him.
He's too skilled offensively and if he can shoot the 3 like we know he can he should find his niche in the league. Go Blue and Go Magic!
January 16th, 2022 at 10:36 AM ^
Moe tells a great story about Luca on Duncan Robinson's podcast. It was linked on here a few months ago. Love Moe!
January 16th, 2022 at 10:40 AM ^
Moe is the role player you love to have on your team and can't stand to play against - a nuisance.
Luca is an elite player that often acts like a bitch.
Such a confrontation makes perfect sense, especially in garbage time.
January 16th, 2022 at 6:34 PM ^
I dont regularly watch the Mavs, but I swear every Mavs game I've watched the past couple years Luka gets peeved on some non-descript trash talk. He's got a soft spot that is known around the league.
January 16th, 2022 at 10:41 AM ^
This is an incredibly weak look for Doncic. You’re up big and get rattled by a bench player getting excited enough to go after him while he’s walking away? Charmin soft.
And no, I’m not saying Wagner should be flexing in that situation either, but the appropriate response is to laugh and say “scoreboard”
January 16th, 2022 at 10:43 AM ^
There has to more going on there. Either that game or prior history but if that’s all it took to get Luka that worked up that’s a joke.
January 16th, 2022 at 10:51 AM ^
Go, Moe! Give us moe of the same.
January 16th, 2022 at 10:54 AM ^
Meh, something like that happens pretty much every game.
January 16th, 2022 at 11:18 AM ^
must be different definitions of "troll".
January 16th, 2022 at 11:27 AM ^
Maybe trolled wasn’t the best word, but “trash talked” may be better.
January 16th, 2022 at 11:25 AM ^
Sure, bad time to Flex for Moe. But also another example of why Luka keeps getting called out for being a bitch and a whiner. So skilled, but so, so soft.