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

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

Bird was before my time, but I've watched enough of him over the years to get a good feel for his game, I think. I honestly don't see the comparison. Other than being big white guys, the only thing I think they really have in common is the passing. But Bird didn't have Luka's otherworldly ball-handling, and Luka doesn't have Bird's dead-eye shooting. Now if Bird played today, would he play just like Luka and be the primary ball-handler? Maybe. But I honestly do think the Luka-Bird comparisons are due to them both being white. You who got got compared to Bird probably more than any other player in the last 30 years? Dirk. And Dirk and Luka are virtually nothing alike. Dirk at least played the same position as Bird and was also a historically great shooter.

All that being said, getting compared to Bird is about the highest compliment a player can get, so I guess I shouldn't complain.

I think it's a pretty fair comparison Luka to Bird. Obviously part of it is because they're white and are incredibly effective without being the most explosive leapers on the floor, unlike Lebron. I could easily see Bird play point forward like Luka if it was more common back then. The game has evolved and things have become new norm such as the amount of 3's taken, including Bigs letting it rip from outside.

Bird averaged 24p/10r/6a career.
Luka 25p/8r/9a career

Aside from Birds rookie year, he didn't shoot the 3 as well as most remember about his career. Luka is a better 3pt shooter at this point in their careers through 2 1/3 seasons, and he takes tougher step backs, or off the dribble 3s. Bird took a huge leap in 3pt% in his 5th year going from .247 to .427. If Luka could achieve that level increase he would skyrocket.

When I use parts of legendary players to build Luka, I would start with Bird, Magic and a bit of JKidd. Harden may not be considered a legend yet but he will be and I might finish the build with him. Lebron and Jordan are just too athletic in the way of explosive leaping or high flyers to put in the build. If Luka had that he would be literally unstoppable.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Harden may not be considered a legend yet but he will be and I might finish the build with him.

Harden might not be a legend like Bird, Magic, or Jordan, but he's a legend like Gervin, Karl Malone, or Barkley. If he ends his career without a title, he'd be a very, very strong contender for best player to never win.

And for my money, Harden still is by far the best comparison for Luka. Luka is Harden 2.0. He's a bigger Harden with even better playmaking (and that's saying something because Harden is a phenomenal playmaker.) He's not quite the shooter than Harden is, but he makes up for it with pretty much everything else.

[MFFL]

From the Athletic rating of young players. Luka was the only Tier 1 player

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TIER ONE: PLAYERS WHO COULD BE THE BEST PLAYER ON A TITLE TEAM RIGHT NOW UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES

1. Luka Doncic | 6-8 guard, 21 years old | Dallas Mavericks | Contract: 2 years, $18.2 million, restricted in 2022 | PR: 1