Iztok Franko
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Iztok Franko
@iztokfranko.bsky.social
digginbasketball.substack.com | Data 📈📊 & 🏀 | hoops junkie | enthusiastic R learner | windsurfer | follow for Luka Dončić, Lakers, Mavs and NBA analysis
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I wrote about what will be forever know as The Nico Harrison trade. The most stunning move ever made by an NBA executive. Maybe it proves to be genius. Or complete ignorance.

And a couple of words on digginbasketball and my next steps for all asking...
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/the-nico-h...
The Nico Harrison Trade
I don't know where to begin... but I'll try
digginbasketball.substack.com
Lakers-Mavs observations just dispatched to mailboxes!

Cool stuff, video breakdowns & data in this one. J Kidd throwing kitchen sink at Luka, Reaves dominating, Bron orchestrating...and Flagg showing promise in Mavs version of advantage basketball👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-obs...
Lakers Game Observations: Game 18 vs Mavericks
Luka Dončić and the Lakers come out on top again in an entertaining matchup
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Wanted to preview Lakers–Mavs. Ended up writing about the entire era of scoring, offensive engines, and if/how teams can still win without one...

Plus Lakers/Luka & Mavs/Flagg angle👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/nba-era-of...
Inside the Era of Scoring: How Offensive Hubs Shape Today’s NBA
Which players can carry an elite offense — plus a Lakers and Mavs perspective
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Another Luka Clipper whipping✅
5th win in a row✅
A rivalry win with extra spice✅
Going 3–0 in the NBA Cup ✅
All 3 stars clicking at the same time & putting on a show✅

More good vibes in my Lakers-Clippers observations👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-obs...
Lakers Game Observations: Game 17 vs Clippers
When everything clips…clicks
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Lakers–Jazz observations dispatched!

Why “just good enough” isn’t enough for a top-tier contender. A big night from Maxi Kleber. And why a bored Luka isn’t great for point differential but great for making a random game in Utah memorable 🪄
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-obs...
Lakers Game Observations: Game 16 @ Jazz
Lakers survive an uninspired night in Utah.
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:51 PM
With LeBron back, Lakers should build on what they started last season: manipulating matchups with Luka–LeBron–Reaves 3-man actions.

JJ calls them utility plays. Numbers were elite. How they work, why they matter,and what’s next in my latest deep dive👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/luka-lebro...
The Luka–LeBron–Reaves Triangle: Year 2 of the Lakers Manipulation Game
With full health and practice time, we should see more three-man actions from the Lakers’ top trio.
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Only one Lakers game this week, but it could be a BIG one if LeBron returns tonight.

New starting 5? Where does LeBron move the needle most? And what to look for vs Lauri and the Jazz in back-to-back matchups?

Full Lakers–Jazz preview here👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-pre...
Lakers Game Preview: Game 15 vs Jazz
A big week ahead: the King returns.
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by Iztok Franko
“10–4, the best record after 14 games in eight NBA seasons for a Luka Dončić-led team.”

That’s not something I anticipated reading. Wow.
Lakers–Bucks observations dispatched to mailboxes!

Most fun I’ve had doing these all season...and yes they include a 2-minute highlight video of Luka Dončić playing defense against Giannis and the Bucks.

digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-obs...
Lakers Game Observations: Game 14 @ Bucks
A big stand against the odds, ending the road trip in great style.
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Lakers–Bucks observations dispatched to mailboxes!

Most fun I’ve had doing these all season...and yes they include a 2-minute highlight video of Luka Dončić playing defense against Giannis and the Bucks.

digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-obs...
Lakers Game Observations: Game 14 @ Bucks
A big stand against the odds, ending the road trip in great style.
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Lakers–Pelicans observations dispatched to mailboxes!

Among other things, I wrote about why all those 4-on-3 reps and group problem-solving moments might matter down the road much more than this forgettable game👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-obs...
Lakers Game Observations: Game 13 @ Pelicans
Live practice run that ends in a win, but the flaws remain.
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
A game with all the elements of another trap game, but one the Lakers should do everything possible not to turn into one.

Also a Cup game in a group where every team but the Lakers is in crisis mode.

Rotations, rankings, all the usual notes👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/llakers-pr...
Lakers Game Preview: Game 13 @ Pelicans
Second Cup game, second chance to make this road trip a positive.
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Lakers–Thunder observations just dispatched!

Among other things I wrote about Lakers struggles with game processing speed on both ends 👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-obs...
Lakers Game Observations: Game 12 @ Thunder
Got hit with a measuring stick.
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I wrote about the aftermath of Nico Harrison's departure. My 2 cents on what’s next and the path towards healing.

digginbasketball.substack.com/p/aftermath-...
Ego is the Enemy: The Aftermath of Nico Harrison’s Departure
Where do the Dallas Mavericks go from here
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Lakers surprised with their 7–3 start, and the 10-game mark means it’s time for my first deep dive into key storylines so far.

8 points, all backed by the data I’ve been tracking and parsing since the start of the season👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-10-...
November 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I almost never stop my play-by-play notes mid 3rd quarter…that’s how much of a stinker this one was.

Yes, it’s one game but it was bad enough to serve as a reference point. Just like the positive one in Portland.

Full notes with big picture lessons👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-obs...
Lakers Game Observations: Game 10 @ Hawks
Lakers no-show shows they’re not there yet.
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
New Lakers–Spurs observations just dispatched to mailboxes.

One of the highlights was Ayton adjusting to Wemby after an early rejection, doing his damage on offensive boxouts.

Full breakdown here 👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/kers-obser...
Lakers Game Observations: Game 9 vs Spurs
The Lakers keep finding new ways to win
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
My Laker-Spurs, Luka vs Wemby matchup, preview was just dispatched!

Wemby, full Spurs rotation, how can the Lakers exploit Spurs paint defense and a reason why Luka Dončić might find some extra motivation for this one (hint it's not only Victor)👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-pre...
Lakers Game Preview: Game 9 vs Spurs
First time facing the 7'5" anomaly that is Victor Wembanyama
digginbasketball.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
New Lakers–Blazers observations just dispatched to mailboxes.

Wrote about a culture-setting win,Nick Smith Jr., Ayton’s 29/10/3 revenge, finding space behind Blazers press, Bronny’s playmaking. And another Marcus Smart loose-ball dive that inspired Jake LaRavia to do the same👇
November 4, 2025 at 4:39 PM
New Lakers–Heat observations just dispatched to mailboxes.
I wrote how Jake LaRavia keeps proving that running, cutting, and constant motion are skills...intuition, feel and a motor that never stops.
November 3, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Lakers–Grizzlies observations dispatched to mailboxes. Link and quick notes in the first comment.

Among many positives & improving vibes I wrote about this play by Marcus Smart that changed the game and set the bar for the Lakers’ effort after JJ challenged them at halftime👇
November 1, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Lakers-Grizzlies preview dispatched to inboxes.

First game of the NBA Cup. Grizzlies rotation chart, offense/defense rankings & overview, plus other key info for tonight's matchup...all here 👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-pre...
Lakers Game Preview: Game 6 @ Grizzlies [Game of the Week]
First game of the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 tips off tonight.
digginbasketball.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM
What I love about writing on my own platform is turning a hard-to-digest game notes into a NBA trend watch.

Early-season lessons from Blazers engulfing teams with ball pressure.Plus how Lakers & Mavs are faring in the NBA’s rising on-ball pressure era👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/ball-press...
Early Season Signals: The Trend of Ball Pressure Continues
Observations from Lakers–Blazers, Mavericks, and other games
digginbasketball.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Iztok Franko
As always, great game recap from Iztok.

The interjection of Vando and Smart at the end of the half was the injection of grit the Lakers needed, where the team finished on a 10-2 run and indeed had a massive imprint on the outcome.
October 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Impressive Lakers win with a lot of heroes. Full deep-dive here👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-obs...
Lakers Game Observations: Game 2 vs Timberwolves
Lakers get their revenge, beat the Timberwolves with both individual and team brilliance
digginbasketball.substack.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Listening to Steve Nash and @zachlowenba.bsky.social
talk about Deandre Ayton on the latest Lowe Post made the timing for this perfect.
My latest deep-dive on one of NBA’s biggest enigmas. And how it could actually work out for the Lakers.
Free read 👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lebron-inj...
With LeBron Sidelined, It’s Deandre Ayton’s Turn to Do More
Building a case for why it might actually work — with one almost unbelievable stat to back it up.
digginbasketball.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:16 PM
My preseason notebook: a few thoughts on the Lakers rotation, the gaps that remain, AD’s struggles, and signs of Cooper Flagg’s promising off-the-bounce game 👇
digginbasketball.substack.com/p/preseason-...
Preseason Notebook
Lakers rotation, Reaves, Ayton, Vando, and more… plus notes on AD, Cooper Flagg, and the Mavs.
digginbasketball.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 12:38 PM