One Piece x NBA, what could go wrong? As a lifelong fan of both I was excited by the idea of merging the two and eager to see what direction the studio would go with this idea. Although I loved the concept, Monkey D. Luffy playing basketball, upon watching the rather short animation I would have to say that I am disappointed in the execution of it.

The most glaring issue to me is that Luffy does not strike me as the typical Lakers archetype. Don't get me wrong, I think his face would fit in perfectly on the Mount Rushmore of Lakers legends alongside Kobe, Kareem, Magic, and Jerry West, but I just don't think Luffy would pick the Lakers in free agency. In actuality this creative decision to make Luffy a Laker is an affront to his core character and there is a gross misunderstanding of who he is. Throughout One Piece we have always seen Luffy fight for the little man, the underdogs, and trailblaze a path entirely his own. To brazenly pick the largest market and free agency destination in the league, let alone one with 17 championship banners already hanging prior to his arrival, is incongruous to every single decision he's made across his adventure. Luffy did not go to Skypiea because other pirates were flocking there, he went to Skypiea in spite of everyone else LAUGHING at the very thought of doing so. Sure you can argue that Luffy did not choose to join the Lakers in free agency and was instead traded to Los Angeles, but not many organizations willingly let go of their generational talent like that (unless your name is Nico Harrison). If any One Piece character were to don the purple and gold it would be Kizaru.

The next thing that felt off to me about the short was the scene choreography. Luffy, a meager 5'8" tall, was standing at center court for the jump ball. Maybe this choice to select him for the tip off was because of his devil fruit ability to outstretch his matchup for the ball, but Luffy did not even need to do so. Either out of sheer luck or blatant disrespect from his opponent the ball simply fell into Luffy's hands, so I can't fault the decision too harshly. Upon Luffy gaining possession, he is then double teamed by the marines. A fair and expected defensive scheme as Luffy is amongst the special calibre tier of players who necessitate that level of attention but he then loses the ball because none of his teammates make themselves available for a pass, in fact they're nowhere to be seen. I don't know if Darvin Ham is animating this sequence or what but damn is that egregious.

Finally, and most importantly, there is only room for one king in Lakers history and that is not Pirate King Luffy. That title is reserved for the one and only goat King James.

If you agree/disagree with any of my points come over to my profile and leave a comment with your thoughts thanks for listening.