Best of The Herd

Here we go from Chicago on a Wednesday; it’s The Herd, and I’ll start with this: the welcome for Luka in L.A. looked like a red carpet, but it was covered in red flags.

A wild finish against Orlando exposed the fit again—Luka and LeBron both need the ball, neither is great off it, and with Austin and Rui also on-ball guys, the roster repeats itself while Luka’s defense gets hunted; that’s why their pairing has the worst plus-minus of any Lakers duo.

I saw the pass, picked up my dribble, and should’ve attacked; that’s on me.

One year in, unlike instant hits like Brady with Moss or KD with the Warriors, this still feels clunky; if you want to stay in the Luka business, you either build to cover his defense and add off-ball shooting, or you move off LeBron.

It’s not ideal, but they’ve been the best clutch group all year; last night was a miss in execution, not design, and I still see a path to contention if a few breaks fall their way.

Luka twice had room and passed it up, LeBron ended with a forced heave, and at this stage LeBron can’t erase a teammate’s defensive holes like he once did; the usage tug-of-war keeps the offense stuck.

Switching gears, I treat personality as a quarterback trait, and Sam Darnold showed it here—grateful, accountable, no finger-pointing even after tough turns with the Jets, Panthers, and Minnesota.

I’ve seen a lot and know how hard running a team is; the Minnesota decision stung, but I understood it and I’m thankful I landed in Seattle.

On Mac Jones, history says quarterbacks dip after leaving Kyle Shanahan—Garoppolo, Ryan, Schaub all slid—so Mac’s high rating with San Francisco versus his career number screams system boost; trade for him only if your coach can recreate that environment.

College hoops is loaded thanks to NIL keeping more talent home; let’s bring in Jeff Goodman to unpack Darren Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Michigan’s rise, Cooper Flagg, and a March sleeper.

Two years ago I had Peterson as the top player; this season started with a hamstring and cramps, and while he wants to play, the physical stuff has bled into confidence, so Bill Self slid him off-ball to get him through games; he’s a worker and a good kid, but people around him may nudge caution at the first twinge.

AJ Dybantsa is a long, explosive wing who can get to the rim whenever he wants and has matured; two GMs I spoke with still lean Peterson at one pending medicals and background, but AJ can jump him if doubts linger.

Cameron Boozer brings the highest floor with a game that echoes his dad’s and a jumper stretched to threes; likely in that three to four range in a deep class that has teams eager to trade in.

Michigan married money, brand, and the Dusty May hire, then leaned into size with a bruising front line; a former JUCO big even passed on a late first-round chance, stayed, and is thriving with strong NIL and self-awareness.

Cooper Flagg checks every box—IQ, defense, creation, rebounding, and winning habits—and will look even scarier as Duke surrounds him with more firepower.

My sleeper is Alabama; their guards are lethal, and in March the teams with backcourts that can win a game by themselves stick around if they defend.

Great stuff from Jeff Goodman of Field of 68; March is going to be a blast.