Kami-e form is a speed form. Given that during gear 2 luffy was out speeding lucchi, this is a counter to that possibilty. OF course there are tradeoffs, chances are the Speed Form can't take as much damage, so when luffy hits him with a finisher it will stick.
On an related note I was hoping for this sort of thing from the moment I saw the spotting on Lucchi's shoulders when he landed on the mast coming out of leopard mode. Now that he and luffy are physically shaped the same and fast we cann expect a blazing finish.
Oh and… .... I don't say this often but damn Lucchi is a badass. His ass is so bad it has its own ass, which is itself bad. I am amazed that Oda can do such a thing as make Chew toy versus leopard god convincing.