With the #3 pick (!) in the 2018 draft, the Mavs get Luka Doncic

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I've said from the word go that the athleticism or lack thereof was really overblown. At most, it will probably prevent him from ever being a great defensive player, but other than that, he'll have no problem being a superstar for years to come.

There's been no shortage of phenomenal, all-time great players who didn't have top flight athleticism. The closest comparison physically to Luka is Harden. Harden has never been particularly fast or jumped very high, but he's big and strong. Luka is even bigger and stronger. Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, Carmelo Anthony, Paul Pierce, Steve Nash, John Stockton, even the legendary Larry Bird... None of these guys were ever extraordinary physical specimens. That's just guards and small forwards. If you expand the list to include big men, then the list balloons to dozens, probably.

Luka has a very quick first step, excellent hand/eye coordination and emerging strength. He also has great balance while moving laterally. People need to stop thinking of athleticism as purely absolute vertical leaping ability. Luka has started lifting weights for the first time and will likely grow into a physically dominating beast within a few more years of progressive resistance training. Isn't strength and size while mainaining quickness with the ball an athletic attribute? He is a good athlete. The scouts and media were stupid in this regard

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Zeus

Luka has a very quick first step, excellent hand/eye coordination and emerging strength. He also has great balance while moving laterally. People need to stop thinking of athleticism as purely absolute vertical leaping ability. Luka has started lifting weights for the first time and will likely grow into a physically dominating beast within a few more years of progressive resistance training. Isn't strength and size while mainaining quickness with the ball an athletic attribute? He is a good athlete. The scouts and media were stupid in this regard

No doubt. I'd also add plyometric workouts would improve the only thing athletically that he could use for his leaping ability.

[FollowedKPtodallas]

Originally Posted by Zeus

Luka has a very quick first step, excellent hand/eye coordination and emerging strength. He also has great balance while moving laterally. People need to stop thinking of athleticism as purely absolute vertical leaping ability. Luka has started lifting weights for the first time and will likely grow into a physically dominating beast within a few more years of progressive resistance training. Isn't strength and size while mainaining quickness with the ball an athletic attribute? He is a good athlete. The scouts and media were stupid in this regard

This is my first year watching and following the Mavs. What surprised me the most is how physically strong Luka is..there was a play when luka was in the lane against Marcus smart. Luka put his shoulder into Smart and he flew back 3 feet.

[Underdog]

@bobbykaralla: Doncic finishes the four-game homestand averaging 33.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 11.0 assists. The Mavs were +91 in his 121 minutes. That was some of the best basketball we have seen in this building in a long time.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@bobbykaralla: Doncic finishes the four-game homestand averaging 33.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 11.0 assists. The Mavs were +91 in his 121 minutes. That was some of the best basketball we have seen in this building in a long time.

Some???
Those are insane numbers and I can't imagine anyone ever came close to having that much success over a 4 game period at the AAC.

We are so damn lucky to have someone like a 20yo Luka immediately following 21 years of Dirk.
I can't think of any other sports team fan that has had it that good for that amount of time with this kind of future going forward.
If FAs don't come here over the next few years we'll never get them.

[EricaLubarsky]

There, ladies and gentlemen is your top 10 players in the league according to PER

[endtroducing MASKED]

Luka is somehow better than his stats and his stats say he is one of the best players on earth. Amazing

[mac222b]

Could’ve had Mitchell Robinson too, but for Rick’s affinity for athletically challenged midgets. Still think Brunson will be a fine player for us though going forward.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by mac222b

Could’ve had Mitchell Robinson too, but for Rick’s affinity for athletically challenged midgets. Still think Brunson will be a fine player for us though going forward.

I'm ok with Brunson since he seems like a poised veteran, but would definitely prefer to have had Robinson. A starting center vs a 3rd string PG :/

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

I'm ok with Brunson since he seems like a poised veteran, but would definitely prefer to have had Robinson. A starting center vs a 3rd string PG :/

I think Brunson should be a really good backup point guard in this league. It’s just those are a dime a dozen. I believe in taking the high ceiling bigs like Robinson or DeAndre Jordan went in the second round way back. Gafford this past draft. I’m sure they saw Brunson as a really good backup best case and low end starter best case. A Derek Fischer with slightly better offense and lesser defense.

[turin]

Originally Posted by mac222b

I think Brunson should be a really good backup point guard in this league. It’s just those are a dime a dozen. I believe in taking the high ceiling bigs like Robinson or DeAndre Jordan went in the second round way back. Gafford this past draft. I’m sure they saw Brunson as a really good backup best case and low end starter best case. A Derek Fischer with slightly better offense and lesser defense.

I like Brunson, too, but I agree completely with your position. I wasn't a fan of Brunson when he was drafted. It wasn't so much because of who he is but rather what - another smaller guard.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by turin

I like Brunson, too, but I agree completely with your position. I wasn't a fan of Brunson when he was drafted. It wasn't so much because of who he is but rather what - another smaller guard.

Really surprising that he has fallen out of the rotation, such as it is, so early. His shooting falling off a cliff can’t help. Even his ft shooting is bad and something like 25% from 3

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by mac222b

I think Brunson should be a really good backup point guard in this league. It’s just those are a dime a dozen. I believe in taking the high ceiling bigs like Robinson or DeAndre Jordan went in the second round way back. Gafford this past draft. I’m sure they saw Brunson as a really good backup best case and low end starter best case. A Derek Fischer with slightly better offense and lesser defense.

I think Brunson was a big reason too why we started to shop DSJ with begin of january and made the Knicks bite on it

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Player of the week! 37 points, 8.5 rebounds, 11.8 assists in the 4-0 week.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Player of the week! 37 points, 8.5 rebounds, 11.8 assists in the 4-0 week.

Well deserved. I think he’ll usurp Hardens place in MVP talk if he hasn’t already. Yesterday was nice statement.

[sefant77]

Anyone still cares about our 2019 FRP we had to give up?

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Anyone still cares about our 2019 FRP we had to give up?

Only in that we had the shitty luck to have to give it up. And then end of last season Salah turned into prime Hakeem for exactly one game causing us to fall out of the top 5 potentially.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Anyone still cares about our 2019 FRP we had to give up?

Yeah, if Luka's stats didn't convince you, a quick glance at Cam Reddish's stats certainly will.

[Lestat_1795]

Really well done video on Luka.
https://youtu.be/fDjkcVKk5_E

[Five-ofan]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Yeah, if Luka's stats didn't convince you, a quick glance at Cam Reddish's stats certainly will.

I would hope we would have drafted Brandon clarke(which I wanted us to trade up for him when he fell to 21) and that being said I still wouldn't care about the pick

[Scoobay]

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

I would hope we would have drafted Brandon clarke(which I wanted us to trade up for him when he fell to 21) and that being said I still wouldn't care about the pick

Clarke looks like he would have been a solid pick...

I was thinking if we didn't win the Zion sweepstakes, we could have traded the pick for a nice piece. Would have accelerated our timeframe that much more.

[BPo001]

Through 88 career games, Luka Doncic has:

�� More points than Kobe Bryant
�� More rebounds than Kevin Garnett
�� More assists than LeBron James

(h/t Trey Wingo)

[Furious_Laker]

I come in peace.

I just registered only to say this. I am a lifelong Lakers fan.

Just wanted to say you guys have an absolute diamond with Doncic. WOW! In my opinion he is already the best player in the league! The guy is incredible and I can't even imagine how good he will be say in 5 years.

I also absolutely love that he Destroyed the Rockets and mr inefficient James Harden the other night. I won't get into how much I despise that guy but just seeing Doncic put up those numbers againt him and the Rockets was pure joy.

Mavs need to hang on to this guy forever!

How much do you think the Suns are kicking themselves?

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Furious_Laker

I come in peace.

I just registered only to say this. I am a lifelong Lakers fan.

Just wanted to say you guys have an absolute diamond with Doncic. WOW! In my opinion he is already the best player in the league! The guy is incredible and I can't even imagine how good he will be say in 5 years.

I also absolutely love that he Destroyed the Rockets and mr inefficient James Harden the other night. I won't get into how much I despise that guy but just seeing Doncic put up those numbers againt him and the Rockets was pure joy.

Mavs need to hang on to this guy forever!

How much do you think the Suns are kicking themselves?

Welcome on. The kings are pissed and some of the Suns are as well but not as many as you would expect.

It's good to hear other fans can appreciate our guy. I'm not sure he is yet the best player in the league but theres no one else i would take over him.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Furious_Laker

I come in peace.

I just registered only to say this. I am a lifelong Lakers fan.

Just wanted to say you guys have an absolute diamond with Doncic. WOW! In my opinion he is already the best player in the league! The guy is incredible and I can't even imagine how good he will be say in 5 years.

I also absolutely love that he Destroyed the Rockets and mr inefficient James Harden the other night. I won't get into how much I despise that guy but just seeing Doncic put up those numbers againt him and the Rockets was pure joy.

Mavs need to hang on to this guy forever!

How much do you think the Suns are kicking themselves?

Thanks for the compliments... You guys are looking pretty good too with Brow and American Luka Doncic leading the way, can't wait until we rumble in the playoffs!

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by Furious_Laker

I come in peace.

I just registered only to say this. I am a lifelong Lakers fan.

Just wanted to say you guys have an absolute diamond with Doncic. WOW! In my opinion he is already the best player in the league! The guy is incredible and I can't even imagine how good he will be say in 5 years.

I also absolutely love that he Destroyed the Rockets and mr inefficient James Harden the other night. I won't get into how much I despise that guy but just seeing Doncic put up those numbers againt him and the Rockets was pure joy.

Mavs need to hang on to this guy forever!

How much do you think the Suns are kicking themselves?

Welcome aboard. I've hated the Lakers my whole life, but I love Lebron and always want him to win, so now I'm in the bizarre position of rooting for the Lakers- as long as they're not playing the Mavs. If Luka can't be MVP this year, I really hope it's Lebron.

[Furious_Laker]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

Welcome aboard. I've hated the Lakers my whole life, but I love Lebron and always want him to win, so now I'm in the bizarre position of rooting for the Lakers- as long as they're not playing the Mavs. If Luka can't be MVP this year, I really hope it's Lebron.

Well, if it keeps going the way it is going now I honestly don't know how anyone can not vote for Luka.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by Furious_Laker

Well, if it keeps going the way it is going now I honestly don't know how anyone can not vote for Luka.

I like the way you think, but honestly if the vote was today, I think Giannis would win it somewhat easily.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I like the way you think, but honestly if the vote was today, I think Giannis would win it somewhat easily.

I'm going to disagree with this. I think it's a total toss up right now. If it were to remain a toss up throughout the season, I'd put my money on someone new getting it.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

It's pretty funny how much friendlier everyone is now that we have Luka. What a cosmic effect that guy has had...

[Thespiralgoeson]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8RhyUzW3t0

A point-by-point analysis of Luka's incredible improvement from last year. This is my favorite basketball-related youtube channel by far. Seriously people check it out.

This same guy did a great video on Luka's rookie season as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEhZe8n0CJQ

Apologies if it's been posted already.

[Scoobay]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8RhyUzW3t0

A point-by-point analysis of Luka's incredible improvement from last year. This is my favorite basketball-related youtube channel by far. Seriously people check it out.

This same guy did a great video on Luka's rookie season as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEhZe8n0CJQ

Apologies if it's been posted already.

nice videos - thanks for sharing

[Underdog]

NBA MVP race: Is Doncic, Harden or Giannis winning right now?
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ning-right-now

We went from "he's not even the best player on his team" to "he's certainly not a top-20 player" to "is he a top-10 player?" to "at this rate, he might be considered for the MVP race" to "there are only 4 players in the MVP race and Luka's one of them" to "the only reason he might not win MVP is because he's 20 years old and you just can't pass over previous MVPs still playing at a high level like Giannis, LeBron, and Harden without careful consideration" in a damn hurry... We're , what, a month or so into the season? At this rate they'll be creating a Super Galactic MVP award just to accommodate Luka.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Underdog

NBA MVP race: Is Doncic, Harden or Giannis winning right now?
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ning-right-now

We went from "he's not even the best player on his team" to "he's certainly not a top-20 player" to "is he a top-10 player?" to "at this rate, he might be considered for the MVP race" to "there are only 4 players in the MVP race and Luka's one of them" to "the only reason he might not win MVP is because he's 20 years old and you just can't pass over previous MVPs still playing at a high level like Giannis, LeBron, and Harden without careful consideration" in a damn hurry... We're , what, a month or so into the season? At this rate they'll be creating a Super Galactic MVP award just to accommodate Luka.

Honestly I think Mavs will need to finish the season as a top 3 team and those other 3 guys will need to stumble for Luka to have any chance of winning MVP.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

Honestly I think Mavs will need to finish the season as a top 3 team and those other 3 guys will need to stumble for Luka to have any chance of winning MVP.

I honestly think if Luka can develop better chemistry with KP, then that would really help his cause.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

Honestly I think Mavs will need to finish the season as a top 3 team and those other 3 guys will need to stumble for Luka to have any chance of winning MVP.

Too bad MVP voting doesn't work like Highlander rules -- he's defeated Harden, LeBron, Davis... There can be only one!

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by Underdog

NBA MVP race: Is Doncic, Harden or Giannis winning right now?
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ning-right-now

We went from "he's not even the best player on his team" to "he's certainly not a top-20 player" to "is he a top-10 player?" to "at this rate, he might be considered for the MVP race" to "there are only 4 players in the MVP race and Luka's one of them" to "the only reason he might not win MVP is because he's 20 years old and you just can't pass over previous MVPs still playing at a high level like Giannis, LeBron, and Harden without careful consideration" in a damn hurry... We're , what, a month or so into the season? At this rate they'll be creating a Super Galactic MVP award just to accommodate Luka.

When was Luka not the best player on the team? That seems like an odd take.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by FreshJive

When was Luka not the best player on the team? That seems like an odd take.

I saw a lot of non-Mavs fans saying that after we signed KP and during the preseason... I don't think they watched much of Luka's rookie season.

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by Underdog

I saw a lot of non-Mavs fans saying that after we signed KP and during the preseason... I don't think they watched much of Luka's rookie season.

Apparently not. As unique as Porzingis is, he hasn’t ever shown the dynamism that Luka possesses. At least with the way the league favors ball handlers now.

[sefant77]

I think the Mavs wont beat the record of the Bucks and Giannis is doing the same stuff Luka is doing WITH better defense.

Giannis is still the MVP for me